Chapter 25 Captains
The day before the Cultural Festival, Xin was called into the principal's office.
"These are the names of the Captains who will be arriving tomorrow; you will need to arrange for people to receive them." Chojiro Sasakibe handed Xin a document with names recorded on it.
Xin looked at it and found the names of the Captains of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Divisions written on it.
"Quite a few are coming," he couldn't help but say, thinking to himself that Shiba Kaien had a lot of influence.
"With so many important figures arriving at once, we absolutely cannot afford any mishaps," Chojiro Sasakibe instructed.
Besides these Captains, many Shinigami members of Squad Thirteen would also be coming, making it very lively.
"Principal, you're just handing such an important task directly to me? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the Spiritual Arts Academy's teachers to handle it?"
Chojiro Sasakibe replied, "Teachers only need to focus on teaching. For other aspects of work, I think it's beneficial for you students to do more."
Xin felt a bit helpless. The Student Council didn't have many members to begin with, and tomorrow would be the busiest day. If they had to assign some people to reception, they would be even more short-staffed.
He pondered for a moment, then returned the document in his hand.
Chojiro Sasakibe looked at him in confusion.
"It's not that I'm unwilling, but the Student Council truly doesn't have enough staff. Tomorrow, we need to ensure the smooth running of the Cultural Festival, and all members of the Student Council have tasks to do; they simply can't spare anyone," Xin said.
Chojiro Sasakibe frowned slightly.
Xin then added, "Principal, I actually think these Captains don't necessarily need anyone to receive them. They're here to have fun, so making it seem like an inspection would be quite unnecessary, wouldn't it?"
Chojiro Sasakibe couldn't help but say, "You brat, do you even know who the Captains of Squad Thirteen are?!"
Even as the principal of the Spiritual Arts Academy, he dared not show the slightest disrespect when facing these Captains.
Xin, however, spread his hands and said, "Of course I know. I think it's far more appropriate to treat them as guests who have come to visit and enjoy this campus festival, rather than treating them like mascots to be revered. Perhaps they want to wander around by themselves and don't like being disturbed?"
Chojiro Sasakibe's expression froze.
"What do you think, Principal?"
Principal Chojiro seriously considered what Xin had said. In truth, if the Student Council was short-staffed, he could have personally led the Spiritual Arts Academy's leadership to receive them. But Xin's words made him hesitate.
The Captains' arrival tomorrow was to show support for the Spiritual Arts Academy's Cultural Festival. Most of these Captains from Squad Thirteen had come from the Spiritual Arts Academy; for instance, the Captains of the Eighth Division and the Thirteenth Division were more senior than him, the current principal.
The reason he was so concerned was still because of the extraordinary status and position of these Captains in the Soul Society.
Chojiro Sasakibe re-examined Xin, his thoughts racing. Finally, he nodded and said, "You have a point, but our Spiritual Arts Academy can't just ignore them without showing any gesture. Xin, tomorrow you will greet them. If the Captains truly wish for what you've described, then that's for the best. If not, then you must be responsible for hosting them well."
With that said, Xin could only nod in agreement.
#
The next morning, at the main gate of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
The sky was clear and blue like sapphire, and cherry blossoms danced like rosy clouds.
The air carried a faint fragrance. Xin stood there alone, waiting, idly watching the Shinigami constantly entering from outside, and occasionally looking up at the sky.
Because Rukia had a performance prepared today, he didn't have an attendant with him.
Finally, a cluster of figures suddenly appeared at the edge of his vision. The white captain's haori was the most eye-catching attire in the Soul Society, and several appeared at once.
Xin immediately dropped his casual demeanor and, as they approached, he quickly jogged forward.
"The Spiritual Arts Academy and the Student Council welcome the arrival of the Captains."
Just as on the list Principal Chojiro had given him, the arrivals were Captain Retsu Unohana of the Fourth Division, Captain Aizen Sōsuke of the Fifth Division, Captain Kuchiki Ginrei of the Sixth Division, Captain Kyōraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division, Captain Shiba Isshin of the Tenth Division, and Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division.
Accompanying them, besides the Captain of the Sixth Division, were their respective Vice-Captains.
Xin had met some of these people before, and some he hadn't, but he was familiar with all of them.
"We meet again, Tachikawa student," Aizen said with a cheerful smile.
Shiba Isshin said, "Are you by yourself?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept left and right.
These Captains had come specifically, and only one person had come to greet them, which he hadn't expected.
Xin replied respectfully, "Principal Chojiro said that today is the Spiritual Arts Academy's Cultural Festival, and all the Captains are here to visit and enjoy themselves, not as leaders. So, there's no need for any grand reception, fearing that various inconveniences might spoil the Captains' enjoyment. Moreover, the Spiritual Arts Academy is also the Captains' alma mater, and there's no need for a guide when returning to visit."
Shiba Isshin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this. Compared to the other Captains, his seniority was relatively shallow, so he also knew Chojiro Sasakibe.
This was nothing like something Principal Chojiro would do.
"That's well said. It's been a while since I returned to the Spiritual Arts Academy."
The handsome young man with silver hair nearby laughed. He was Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division and Shiba Kaien's direct superior. He was one of the most senior Captains in Squad Thirteen right now; even Kuchiki Ginrei, with his white hair and beard next to him, had to call him 'senior.'
And similarly senior was Captain Kyōraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division. He was dressed very flamboyantly, wearing a pink kimono over his white captain's haori, like a woman's clothing. However, in terms of appearance, compared to the handsome Ukitake, he looked much more weathered. His curly brown medium-length hair was tied into a ponytail, and he had a beard on his chin.
"This must be the Student Council President, then." He was scrutinizing Xin, his tone lazy and somewhat flippant. He wasn't wearing his straw hat today.
"Quite distinguished, indeed."
"Thank you for the compliment, Captain Kyōraku," Xin replied.
Kyōraku Shunsui smiled teasingly, "I've heard that several Squads are vying for you."
Xin looked surprised, "Is that so?"
Matsumoto Rangiku, standing beside Shiba Isshin, couldn't help but roll her eyes at his expression.
And Shiba Kaien, by Ukitake's side, mercilessly exposed him: "Captain, don't let this kid's harmless appearance fool you; he's full of tricks, and he even looks down on Third Seat positions."
At these words, those present who weren't familiar with the situation couldn't help but look sideways.
Kotetsu Yune suddenly remembered something. No wonder Xin had asked her about positions back then; she had actually thought he knew nothing at the time…
Xin secretly groaned internally. He hadn't expected Shiba Kaien to just blurt this out. Was it because he was resentful that Xin couldn't join the Tenth Division?
"Vice Captain Shiba, you're wronging me! How could I dare to look down on a Third Seat?!"
"Is that so?" Shiba Isshin, on behalf of his nephew, asked with a smiling retort, "Rangiku and Kaien have both invited you, haven't they? But it seems you've never given a definite answer."
Under the pressure of everyone's gazes, Xin felt a headache coming on.
He was about to try to change the subject when he heard a voice as gentle as water.
"It seems his ideal Squad is neither the Tenth Division nor the Thirteenth Division. If that's the case, why do you force him?"
Xin couldn't help but look up, meeting a gentle yet beautiful face.