After a while, Toshiro and the others, enchanted by the beautiful scene, regained their composure. They then took turns offering birthday wishes to Toshiro.
The last, Aizen, said with a smile, "Happy birthday, Captain Hitsugaya."
Toshiro replied nonchalantly, "It's just a birthday. Not really worth celebrating. For those of us from the Rukongai, whether we celebrate birthdays or not doesn't matter much."
"Not like nobles born in the Seireitei."
"Actually, we're all the same. No one can really remember... the exact day they were born."
"It's only because we trust someone..."
"...who tells us that date."
Hearing this, everyone wore thoughtful expressions.
In the Soul Society, most Rukongai's residents are souls who died in the Living World and were sent there, with only a few are native residents. Many families are formed by groups coming together, without blood relations.
Thus, many children don't know their true birthdates, simply accepting the day told to them by adults as their birthday.
Rangiku, in particular, recalled her own birthday's origin. As a child, after meeting Gin...
"Hey... Rangiku, when is your birthday?" The young Gin asked young Rangiku.
Rangiku thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know. Before meeting you, my life was a mess. I don't remember things like birthdays."
"Is that so? Well then, let's make the day we met your birthday," Gin decided.
Hearing this, warmth surged within Rangiku, almost bringing her to tears.
Seeing her teary, Gin panicked. "Uh... Rangiku, are you okay? Feeling unwell...?"
"Hey, Rangiku, you alright? What's wrong?" Seeing Rangiku spacing out, Toshiro patted her shoulder.
"Ah... yeah, I'm fine. Just remembered something," Rangiku said, somewhat melancholic after her reminiscence was interrupted.
'Gin... what really happened to you? Why did you suddenly leave me back then?' Rangiku wondered inwardly.
After meeting Gin in her childhood, they lived together for a time. But later, Gin suddenly left. They met again in the Seireitei, both having become Shinigami.
However, Gin's attitude towards Rangiku had changed… from caring to indifferent, even actively distancing himself. Rangiku once wanted to ask why he left without a word, but Gin always avoided answering.
"Actually..."
Aizen suddenly spoke. "I believe knowing one's exact birthdate isn't the most important thing. Simply having someone give you a birthday..."
"...that in itself is a form of happiness."
"True enough," Toshiro nodded.
This was perhaps the first time Toshiro genuinely agreed with something Aizen said.
As Aizen stated, whether the birthday is the actual birthdate isn't crucial. What matters is that someone you value gives you a birthday and celebrates it with you… that itself is happiness.
Whoosh... Boom!
Fireworks continued blooming in the snowy night.
Toshiro said with emotion, "We are like these fireworks."
"Rising into the sky, reaching peak brilliance, then destined to..."
"...scatter apart..."
"If such a day truly comes... thank you, Momo. Thank you, Rangiku. Thank you for accompanying me. But let's not vanish like fireworks..."
"...instead, let's keep shining... forever..."
Rangiku laughed. "Why the formality, Captain? As your Lieutenant, staying by your side is only natural."
"Oh my, seems Hitsugaya is so focused on the two beauties that he's forgotten me," Aizen teased.
"Aizen..."
Toshiro said with an unreadable expression, "I hope we remain friends..."
Aizen smiled gently. "Isn't that only natural?"
After the fireworks ended, they chatted a bit more. Finally, after giving Toshiro their gifts, they decided to head back.
While admiring the snow from the rooftop was lovely, the weather was indeed cold. Though Toshiro found the chill comfortable, Momo and Rangiku weren't as impervious to the cold.
"Well then, Hitsugaya, I'll take my leave," Aizen said, bidding farewell.
"Yes, time to go back," Toshiro agreed.
Aizen departed alone. Toshiro, Momo, and Rangiku weren't in a hurry, strolling leisurely. Since they were already within the 10th Division's grounds, their residences were just steps away.
Walking, Toshiro pondered why Aizen appeared today. Momo and Rangiku actively preparing for his birthday was normal, but Aizen joining in wasn't.
As for Aizen's claim of coincidentally meeting Momo and Rangiku and deciding to offer congratulations… Toshiro naturally didn't believe such nonsense.
But after much thought, Toshiro couldn't discern Aizen's intent. Aizen hadn't shown any abnormality today, acting like a concerned, amiable colleague without attempting to subtly probe Toshiro for information.
'Well, whatever. Whatever schemes Aizen has, I'll deal with them as they come.' Unable to figure it out, Toshiro stopped overthinking.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Aizen walked back to the 5th Division. Recalling today's events, a subtle emotion crossed his face.
Indeed, today Aizen did coincidentally meet Momo and Rangiku. Learning of Toshiro's birthday, an idea struck him… to join the celebration and probe Toshiro's true nature.
During their battle in the Living World, after using Kyoka Suigetsu to affect Toshiro's perception, Aizen was still attacked. Though Toshiro used a wide-area attack that could have been coincidental, Aizen remained suspicious that Toshiro might be unaffected by Kyoka Suigetsu. Hence, he seized this chance to test Toshiro.
But perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, or for other reasons, Aizen ultimately didn't act on his intentions.