That statement stunned everyone present.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō couldn't help but retort, "What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Nobu remained composed, eyes fixed on him. In the next instant, his spiritual pressure erupted from within, surging outward in a violent wave that made Hitsugaya momentarily gasp for air.
Only after Nobu withdrew his reiatsu did Hitsugaya manage to breathe again, face flushed red as he drew in deep gulps of air.
"You felt that, didn't you? That's what it's like to be on the receiving end of someone else's spiritual pressure," Nobu said slowly. "Let me ask you — ever since you were a child, haven't people your age tended to avoid you?"
"..."
Hitsugaya raised his head in confusion and looked toward Hinamori.
"Hinamori's an exception — she has spiritual power of her own. But in Rukongai, most people don't. They're just ordinary souls without reiatsu. They can't handle the pressure that leaks from your body. Being near you makes them deeply uncomfortable."
Hinamori couldn't help but interject, "But I had plenty of friends in Rukongai…"
"You're different from him. Like I said — his spiritual pressure is unusually strong. Stronger than many of the current Shin'ō Academy students. The problem is, he doesn't know how to control it yet."
Hitsugaya's hands slackened on the tabletop. His mind began replaying scenes from his past.
Nobu's words rang painfully true. Since he was little, aside from Hinamori, no one ever really wanted to play with him. The only people in his life had been Hinamori… and Grandma.
And Grandma…
She'd always been frail…
Hitsugaya's pupils dilated slightly. A dreadful realization struck him — could it all have been because of him?
"There's something else too. Spiritual pressure naturally draws in other reiatsu. Now that you've entered the Academy — a place filled with spiritually aware people — the energy inside you is more agitated than ever. That makes you even more dangerous to those without power. If your grandmother has no reiatsu, then staying away from her for now is the best thing you could do. For both your sakes."
Hitsugaya sat there, dazed and hollow.
Worry showed on Hinamori's face. She hadn't expected the president to say something this serious.
But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Hitsugaya's grandmother had always been in poor health. The last time she'd gone back to visit, her condition had seemed even worse.
Could it really be because of Tōshirō?
If that were true… how devastated must he be?
Nobu let out a quiet sigh. "You should seriously consider enrolling at Shin'ō Academy — learn how to become a Shinigami, how to control your spiritual pressure. Once you've mastered it, you can return to your grandmother's side and be with her again."
Hisagi Shūhei, who'd been watching Hitsugaya, looked visibly surprised. Truthfully, he'd sensed the boy had strong reiatsu, but not with the clarity and precision Nobu had. He'd never realized it had reached the level of endangering others.
"Tōshirō…" Hinamori called softly.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō slowly raised his head and looked at Nobu.
"…Thank you."
Nobu gave a gentle smile. "You're Hinamori's childhood friend. Once you're enrolled, you'll be my junior, my kōhai… my friend. I'm only giving you a bit of advice — no thanks needed."
Tōshirō stood solemnly and gave a deep bow toward Nobu.
"Hinamori… will you walk me back?"
Nobu turned to her as well. "Go ahead. Things will be quiet for the rest of the afternoon."
After lunch, Hinamori Momo left Shin'ō Academy with Hitsugaya in tow.
Once they were gone, Hisagi couldn't help but ask, "Nobu, is that kid really as strong as you said?"
Nobu considered for a moment. "At least sixth-grade spiritual aptitude."
Hisagi's eyes widened sharply. Sixth-grade — that was already the level of a seated officer, maybe even a high-ranking one!
What grade had he scored when he first enrolled…?
After the shock passed, what rose in Hisagi's chest was a deep, gnawing sense of frustration. He'd been training hard at the Academy for years, and yet… this kid, who hadn't even started formal training, was already ahead of him?
Among his peers, Hisagi had always ranked near the top. But with Nobu around, he never considered himself a genius — Nobu worked just as hard, if not harder.
Nobu being stronger made sense.
But Hitsugaya? Why did he deserve it?
Nobu noticed Hisagi's sudden silence and chuckled softly. "What's wrong? Feeling discouraged?"
Hisagi frowned at the teasing and fired back, "Aren't you the least bit bothered? That kid's already way stronger than either of us were when we started! It's just too…"
He wanted to say unfair.
Why were people born with such differences in the first place?
"Shūhei, if one day you get married and have a kid, your child will be born with spiritual power too. But there are countless souls in Rukongai with none at all. That's just how the world is. Fairness isn't part of the equation. Strength comes with responsibility. Hitsugaya might shine brilliantly once he becomes a Shinigami, but that power will be used to protect the Soul Society — just like we now live in the peace our predecessors secured for us. Are you going to complain that the Captain-Commander is stronger than you too?"
Hisagi muttered under his breath, "You really had to make it that profound…"
Sixth-grade aptitude… a future seated officer for sure — maybe even a lieutenant. A captain, eventually.
Would he ever make captain?
Hisagi didn't dare hope. Just becoming a lieutenant would be the pinnacle of his ambition.
But Nobu… Nobu definitely could.
He believed that with certainty.
Nobu had seen through Hitsugaya's latent power with a single glance — that could only mean Nobu had long since surpassed that level himself.
The 10th Division offering him the position of Third Seat couldn't have been based on talent alone — he already had the skills.
What more do I have to do…?
...
Evening.
The cultural festival had wrapped up perfectly. After a whole day of wild celebration, the students finally dispersed, their excitement thoroughly sated.
On the plaza, only a few scattered figures remained — those cleaning up the aftermath, making sure everything was spotless.
The Student Council had also wrapped up its work, everyone utterly exhausted.
To reward them, Nobu took the entire council out to a yakiniku restaurant just outside the Academy — all funded with leftover council money, of course.
Every time he thought about it, Nobu felt grateful to their patron saint of budget surpluses: Kasakurōji Mitsugorō.
He planned to toast Mitsugorō several extra rounds tonight.
The Student Council group was big enough to nearly take over the whole place. They booked three private rooms and slid open the partitions to make a shared space.
Meat sizzled on the grill, steam rising in fragrant clouds. The students passed around drinks, raising glasses and laughing loudly. No one worried about legal drinking ages — all of them were far older than they looked.
Technically speaking, none of them were human. Their bodies were composed of spirit particles. Their lifespans stretched over centuries.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Hinamori Momo, delayed by walking Hitsugaya back, was the last to arrive. She pushed open the door and smiled at the lively scene inside.
"Hey, Hinamori!"
Her sweet looks made her popular among the council. Even though she was only a first-year, several people greeted her as soon as she stepped in.
Rukia waved her over, pointing at the seat she'd saved.
"Over here, Momo!"
But Hinamori just smiled and made her way straight to Nobu's side.
"President, is it okay if I sit here?"
Rukia lowered her hand in silence.
Nobu, arm casually draped around Mitsugorō's shoulder, glanced over and replied offhandedly, "Of course."
Hisagi, seated nearby, scooted over without being asked, making room.
Hinamori beamed and settled in beside Nobu, clearly pleased.
Across from them sat Kanisawa, unusually quiet amid the lively crowd. When Hinamori entered, she fidgeted with her cup, eyes flickering with emotion.