Squad 13 Barracks.
"Sister Shiba, a file for an early graduate from the Shin'ō Academy was just delivered to our squad."
Hikone Mitaka, the 5th Seat of Squad 13, shouted from the entrance of the administrative office while clutching a sealed scroll. His booming voice echoed under the eaves of the corridor.
Each division of the Gotei 13 typically consists of a Captain, a Lieutenant, and eighteen seated officer positions. While the number of seats is limited, the number of people serving in each seat is quite flexible; some squads have even seen over a dozen people holding the same seat simultaneously.
Customarily, the 3rd Seat assists the Lieutenant, the 4th Seat assists the 3rd, and so on. However, due to Captain Jūshirō Ukitake's poor health, the 3rd Seat, Shiba Miyako, held authority and responsibilities within the squad essentially equivalent to those of a Lieutenant.
Furthermore, with two 4th Seats who were absolute masters at slacking off on paperwork and menial tasks, a unique situation had emerged where the 5th Seat directly assisted the 3rd Seat.
"Oh, how rare!"
"Who is it? Who is it? Let me see!"
Upon hearing the voice from the office window, the ears of Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu, who were idly sunbathing in the small courtyard, pricked up. The two exchanged a single glance before vaulting through the window, scurrying over to join the excitement.
Hikone Mitaka looked helplessly at the two people crowding him. He ignored Kiyone Kotetsu's reaching hand and handed the file directly into Shiba Miyako's hands.
Miyako set down the documents she was holding and stood up as she took the file.
"Good. Kaien happens to be at the Ugendo reporting daily duties to the Captain. I'll take it over to them now."
"I'll deliver it!" Kiyone Kotetsu chimed in, leaning toward her and acting spoiled. "Sister Miyako, can't we take a peek first? I'm so curious!"
"No."
Shiba Miyako smiled slightly and gave a gentle but firm refusal. Though she was soft-natured, she did not indulge them in this. It was out of adherence to the rules and respect for her Captain.
Despite his poor health, Jūshirō Ukitake always remained as diligent as possible within his capacity. In the Gotei 13, every Captain holds immense autonomy over their respective squad, including the recruitment, appointment, and transfer of members. Personally reviewing the file of every new recruit to decide whether to accept them was precisely the duty of a responsible Captain.
"If you're curious, come along with me."
"Yes!"
The others were never ones to miss out on a crowd. The group of four immediately left the administrative office and walked along the corridor toward the Ugendo.
The Ugendo served as the heart of Squad 13; it was both Jūshirō Ukitake's office and his long-term residence for recuperation. The main room was built in the center of a turquoise pond filled with swimming fish, connected to the shore only by a long wooden boardwalk. It was surrounded by cultivated bamboo, giving it an elegant and serene atmosphere. The bamboo and water together defined the aesthetic of this stroll-style garden.
As the group stepped onto the boardwalk, their hurried footsteps sounded exceptionally clear in the tranquil environment. At the end of the walk, the paper sliding doors of the living quarters were half-open. Jūshirō Ukitake sat at a desk draped in his white Captain's haori, while Shiba Kaien sat beside him, reporting on work in a low voice.
Despite the group's attempts to tread lightly, the people inside noticed them as they reached the door.
"All of you, come in."
Jūshirō Ukitake looked up toward the doorway and beckoned with a warm expression. Though his face carried a sickly paleness, his eyes were clear and spirited.
"Captain, the Shin'ō Academy sent over a file for an early graduate."
Shiba Miyako was the first to enter, bowing as she presented the file on the desk.
"Captain!"
The other three greeted him in unison, each finding a cushion to sit on obediently. Although they tried their best to maintain a proper posture, their eyes constantly darted toward the file, betraying their urgent curiosity.
"Oh? Is that so?"
As his gaze fell upon the file, a hint of surprise colored Ukitake's voice. Students capable of graduating early were rare to begin with, and those who specifically chose to apply for Squad 13 were fewer still.
"A student capable of early graduation must be an exceptional talent. I hope this file brings some new vitality to our squad."
He picked up the file, his fingertips lightly brushing the sealing wax, a faint smile on his face. He slowly opened the file, spreading the scroll across the desk.
The room fell into a brief silence as Ukitake focused intently on reviewing the information.
"Cough, cough."
"Unexpectedly excellent."
"Kaien, you all should take a look too."
After a moment, he closed the file, the emotional stir causing a light cough. His smile deepened as he handed the file to Shiba Kaien.
This was a long-standing habit within the squad. The information in the file was detailed, but it contained no top-secret data. Those present were the core leaders of the division; they needed to have an understanding of any new member.
"Flip it! Hurry, flip it!"
When Shiba Kaien took the scroll, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki could no longer hold back. They crowded him from both sides, urgently prodding him, their four eyes fixed intently on the slowly unfurling paper.
Hikone Mitaka was a step slower. With the best viewing spots already taken, he had to stand on his tiptoes and peer over Kaien's shoulder. Shiba Miyako sat quietly in her place, hiding a chuckle behind her hand. Regardless of the outcome, she would be the one handling the arrangements for this file later, so she let them have their fun for now.
Beside her, Ukitake watched his boisterous subordinates with a gentle gaze, lifting his teacup for a small sip, smiling without a word.
"Haha! It's actually that kid, Tsukasa!"
Shiba Kaien, who was flipping through the pages, was the first to recognize who the file belonged to. His hearty laughter echoed through the quiet room.
"It really is him! I didn't expect him to graduate so soon!"
"Alright!"
"Wow, that's great!"
Recognizing the familiar face in the photo and the familiar name, the group cheered in unison. Then, the curious Kiyone reached out and flipped the page of the file on the table.
Hikone Mitaka pointed at the grades in the records and sucked in a breath of cold air.
"These scores... they're ridiculous!"
"Whoa! This transcript is practically glowing! My eyes are going blind!" Kiyone leaned in even closer, then dramatically covered her eyes with her hands.
Amidst the rising exclamations, only Shiba Miyako and Jūshirō Ukitake remained sitting quietly.
"In that case, let's arrange for this Suō Tsukasa to report for duty as soon as possible tomorrow. Miyako, I'll trouble you to handle the preparations."
Watching the lively scene before him, Ukitake's eyes were full of warmth as he turned to speak. Although he had never met the boy in person, the name Suō Tsukasa had long been etched into his mind through casual chats with Shiba Kaien.
Outside the sliding doors, the shadows of the bamboo swayed gently in the wind, and the sound of koi leaping from the pond was clearly audible. As a cool breeze blew through, Ukitake lightly adjusted his haori. His gaze drifted past the door toward the distance, looking forward to his formal meeting with Suō Tsukasa tomorrow.
"Yes, Captain."
Shiba Miyako bowed her head in acceptance, her face also bright with an expectant smile.