Chapter 64: Graduation
The Shinoreijutsuin courtyard scenery didn't detain Suoh Tsukasa for long.
Passing through the familiar central courtyard and corridors, he walked directly toward the teachers' office located at the side end of the academic building.
The assessment had ended quite early. Other students were still in class at this hour, leaving the academic building's corridors completely empty. Only his solitary footsteps echoed between the walls.
Arriving before the teachers' office door, Suoh knocked gently.
"Come in."
A familiar voice called from within.
Click—
Suoh pushed open the door and entered. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting mottled shadows across the office floor.
In Class One's office area, three teachers—Saitou Yuuichi, Yuuki Shinosuke, and Kandou Shiki—sat at their respective seats.
Saitou Yuuichi had, for once, worn his teaching robes properly and sat leisurely in his chair with legs crossed.
Yuuki Shinosuke had his arms folded, his robust frame nearly filling the entire seat.
Kandou Shiki looked relaxed, holding a file in her hand as she trimmed her short nails.
Normally, unless they had classes that day, these three were rarely seen in the office.
Today they'd gathered together, naturally awaiting Suoh's assessment results.
In truth, all three already knew what the outcome would be. Meeting today was simply to see him off.
"There you are."
Saitou Yuuichi was first to spot Suoh entering, nodding and raising his hand in greeting.
Kandou Shiki set down her file, and Yuuki Shinosuke unfolded his arms. All three focused their gazes on Suoh simultaneously.
"Good afternoon, teachers."
Suoh bowed slightly in greeting.
"Looking at you, I suppose we don't need to ask about the assessment results?"
"Thinking about how after you graduate, there won't be a single student in class as capable as you—even teaching will lose much of its enjoyment from now on."
Saitou Yuuichi lowered his raised right leg and leaned forward slightly, speaking with a smile.
"Right, Yuuki?"
He turned his gaze toward Yuuki Shinosuke beside him, raising an eyebrow.
Yuuki Shinosuke might look imposing, but his alcohol tolerance was actually quite average.
At the recent teachers' gathering, who felt most reluctant about Suoh's impending graduation had been answered that night.
"Suoh, I hope after joining the Thirteenth Division you won't forget to continue refining your hakuda training."
"Congratulations on your graduation."
The burly man cleared his throat after being called out, straightening his expression, though his voice was much gentler than usual.
"I will, teacher."
Suoh nodded seriously in acknowledgment.
"Alright, alright, my turn!"
"Tsukasa, congratulations on graduating."
Kandou Shiki happily patted Suoh's shoulder in congratulation.
"You really won't reconsider the Second Division? It's not too late to change your mind, you know."
She paused briefly, then leaned closer and spoke quietly, her tone carrying a hint of playful probing.
"Kandou-nee is joking."
"Fine, I'll stop teasing you."
"This is our graduation gift for you."
"Though Kaminoki is still teaching class, there's a share of his sentiment in here too. Please accept it."
With that, Kandou Shiki picked up a slender wooden box from beside the desk and handed it to Suoh.
The box's exterior was simple, with only a metal character for "sincerity" inlaid at the lid's center.
"Thank you for all your careful guidance, teachers. Please also convey my gratitude to Kaminoki-sensei."
Hearing this, Suoh froze momentarily, then solemnly accepted the wooden box with both hands.
The Shinoreijutsuin never held individual graduation ceremonies for students graduating early.
Typically files transferred today, and receiving divisions dispatched escorts the following morning—all procedures were efficient to the point of coldness.
Precisely because of this, this private gift from his teachers, filled with warmth and blessing, was far more precious than any ceremony.
And Kandou Shiki's mention of Kaminoki Bokumori surprised Suoh even more.
Under the Seireitei's strict regulations, Kido inheritance was far more stringently controlled than other Shinigami arts.
High-numbered Hado techniques, due to their tremendous power, had most of their advanced incantations and core techniques strictly regulated.
Ordinary Shinigami could rarely access them throughout their entire lives. Only by joining the Kido Corps for specialized study or advancing to seated officer positions could they possibly train in them.
And Kaminoki Bokumori, as a Kido instructor, though occasionally offering Suoh guidance during regular classes, had always taught him the same content as other students.
Precisely because of this, this unexpected gesture made Suoh realize he'd always been appreciated and valued by this rigorous teacher.
Kandou Shiki stood on tiptoe, smiling as she ruffled his hair, her eyes filled with warmth as she spoke gently.
"Alright, don't be so formal all the time. Young people should act like young people."
"Go on. We're all waiting to see you become a lieutenant or even a captain, invited back to the academy to give a speech as an outstanding graduate."
"Haha, well said!"
Saitou Yuuichi affirmed Kandou Shiki's statement, laughing heartily as he clapped in praise.
Yuuki Shinosuke beside them felt the same, nodding at Suoh with certainty.
"I will. Farewell, teachers."
"Farewell."
Facing his teachers' earnest expectations, Suoh said nothing more, simply breaking into a bright smile.
That smile carried his usual composure from the past, along with some added sharpness befitting his age.
After bidding farewell to his teachers, he hugged the gift laden with their sentiment close, turned neatly, and walked out of the office.
Back at the dormitory.
Suoh pushed open the door. Sunlight streamed through the windows, spreading warm patches of light across the interior.
He removed the Asauchi from his waist and placed it on the sword rack, then began methodically packing his belongings.
He didn't have much. Besides Hazy Night and his Asauchi, there were some personal items. Nothing else particularly needed packing.
In less than fifteen minutes, his departure luggage was ready.
After finishing, Suoh walked to the veranda, taking advantage of this rare leisure to lean against the engawa for a brief rest.
Gentle sunlight bathed his entire body. He squinted, savoring this moment of tranquility in the small courtyard alone.
After an indeterminate time, familiar footsteps approached from outside the veranda.
"Yo, class is out!"
Suoh opened his eyes, a knowing smile curving his lips as he raised his hand in greeting.
"Mm."
Walking along the courtyard's gravel path, Toshiro stopped before the door and nodded. Sunlight made his silver hair shine brilliantly.
His gaze followed the open door inward, and Toshiro spotted the organized bundle on the table. He asked.
"Looks like everything's ready. When do you leave?"
"I didn't have much to begin with. Tomorrow morning as soon as the escort arrives, I'll go."
"The other small package is for you. Should be enough until you graduate."
Suoh patted his hands and straightened up from his reclined position, pointing toward another small bundle on the table.
"That'll be enough."
After several attempts, Toshiro had finally gotten approval from the homeroom teacher some time ago. His graduation would only be a few months after Suoh's.
"Take it back to your room first, then we'll go eat."
"Alright."
Toshiro picked up the small package and turned back toward his own dormitory.
In just moments, he'd returned to Suoh's side.
The two then walked shoulder to shoulder through the courtyard's moon gate, just as they always had.
***
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