The following morning was bright and clear, perfectly capturing the essence of early spring at the end of March.
After bidding farewell to his family and friends, Suō Tsukasa set off alone on the path to register for the academy.
The slightly warm sunlight drove away the last vestiges of winter's chill lingering in the air.
Patches of new green sprouted along the roadside vegetation, dotting the predominantly earth-toned outskirts of Rukongai's West District One, adding a touch of vibrant life.
Continuing his journey, the towering magnificence of the Hakutōmon (White Way Gate) soon came completely into view.
This massive gate was never opened on a normal day, so a small doorway was cut into its lower section.
Members of the Stealth Force, clad in black with faces covered by black cloth, guarded the small door, which served as the only path for people to pass through daily.
"Hmm!?"
Suō Tsukasa suddenly stopped. Following the sensation of his spiritual perception, he looked toward a few scattered wooden houses not far off the path.
"Grandma, I'm off!"
"Have a smooth journey!"
In front of one of the wooden houses, a kind-faced old woman was seeing off her grandson.
The short boy was dressed in simple cloth clothes. He had short, snow-white hair and a pair of translucent, jade-green eyes.
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya!?"
That unique appearance instantly allowed him to recognize the boy.
His current attire indicated that he was not yet a Shinigami.
Not long after saying goodbye to his grandmother, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's keen spiritual perception also made him aware of Suō Tsukasa's gaze—a friendly look mixed with familiarity, scrutiny, and curiosity.
His exceptional talent meant that even without systematic Shinigami training, his spiritual pressure intensity was already one of the highest among everyone Suō Tsukasa had encountered.
A friendly gaze!?
Although he couldn't fully discern the complex emotions, he could definitely distinguish between goodwill and hostility.
Since childhood, Tōshirō Hitsugaya had been feared and ostracized by the souls living around him due to his unique appearance and the spiritual pressure he unconsciously leaked, leading to a very lonely life.
Even shop owners in Rukongai, who had dealt with numerous Shinigami, seemed wide-eyed when he approached, fearing him like a tiger.
It was safe to say that besides his dearest grandmother, his childhood friend Momo Hinamori, and the rough female Shinigami Rangiku Matsumoto who had previously advised him to become a Shinigami, Suō Tsukasa was the only person who did not look at him with a strange expression.
The two's gazes met for the first time right at the entrance to the Seireitei.
"He's so tall."
Scrutinizing Suō Tsukasa's appearance—his handsome face, tall stature, and the fine quality of his black kimono—Hitsugaya was sure this person was someone he had never seen before in his memory.
After their eyes met, Suō Tsukasa did not rush forward to speak, but simply stood still, nodding with a smile as a greeting.
"Little Shirō, you must be polite to people; that way, people will like you."
Recalling his grandmother's past instruction for some inexplicable reason, Tōshirō Hitsugaya subconsciously wanted to nod and return the courtesy.
But before he could lower his head, his small face flushed slightly as he realized his actions were somewhat awkward—why was he greeting a complete stranger?
He sharply turned his head, no longer looking toward Suō Tsukasa, but his peripheral vision uncontrollably drifted back in his direction.
"Little Shirō, what's wrong? Did you forget something?"
Seeing her grandson take a few steps and then stand still, the elderly woman called out, slightly puzzled.
She was too far from Suō Tsukasa's position and hadn't noticed his presence.
"No, I'm leaving, goodbye, Grandma."
"No, no time to think about this, I need to become a Shinigami quickly."
Remembering his primary objective, Tōshirō Hitsugaya shook his head to clear the distractions and replied.
After bidding his grandmother farewell, he dashed forward with quick strides, rushing headlong into the small door beneath the Hakutōmon without looking back. His figure quickly disappeared from Suō Tsukasa's sight.
"How cute."
Having been treated to a free viewing of the famous 'Young Lion Shaking Its Head' scene from the Lion Dance, Suō Tsukasa followed in his footsteps.
He hadn't expected to become classmates with Tōshirō Hitsugaya. A smile played on the corner of his mouth; this piece of black history was something he could tease him about for a lifetime.
"Morning."
Passing through the Hakutōmon, he was greeted by a figure like a small mountain—Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, the gatekeeper.
In a pleasant mood, Suō Tsukasa wasn't fazed by the man's unusual appearance and simply gave a brief greeting.
"Morning. Shin'ō Academy is another hundred meters south, then turn right."
Suō Tsukasa was one of the rare applicants who would greet him. Seeing the young man's natural and casual attitude, Jidanbō felt quite favorable toward him.
Thinking the young man was asking for directions, Jidanbō pointed the way with a thick finger and spoke gently.
"Understood, thank you."
Suō Tsukasa didn't bother to correct the small misunderstanding. After thanking him, he continued his journey as instructed.
Early spring was also the most beautiful time for cherry blossoms.
After rounding the corner, pink petals drifted and danced toward him on the breeze.
Past the wall, an imposing cluster of buildings came into view. The high boundary wall was constructed of white stone, giving the area a solemn and austere look. A heavy plaque inscribed with "Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts" hung above the gate.
Beyond the gate and wall, two rows of tall cherry trees were neatly planted along the wide road leading to the academy's main building.
Currently in full bloom, the lush cherry blossoms formed a canopy like clouds or mist, creating an archway of pale pink.
When the breeze swept through, the petals fluttered down like a gentle snow, adding a touch of rare beauty and poetry to this solemn academy for Shinigami.
Treading through the cherry blossom snow, Suō Tsukasa passed through the main gate and arrived at the registration point located on the side, greeting the staff member inside the window.
"Hello, I'm a new student here to register for admission."
"Here is the admission guide. If you wish to participate in the on-campus assessment, fill in 'Yes' in the last column."
The staff member didn't look up, casually pushing an admission guide through the window and pointing to the admission application form in a box beside the window.
He had gone through this process countless times, his voice carrying the exhaustion and mechanical repetition of years of reciting the same spiel, but he still completed the procedure dutifully.
Suō Tsukasa picked up the guide. It contained the rules and precautions for class application, identical to the information he had learned.
The blank application form next to it was simple, listing only four items: Name, Gender, Background, and, most importantly, whether to apply for the on-campus assessment.
"Here you go."
He handed the filled-out form back through the window.
"The assessment starts after registration closes in the afternoon..."
"Be prepared."
After taking the form and organizing it, the staff member paused, then looked up, somewhat surprised, to scrutinize Suō Tsukasa.
It was unusual to receive two applications selecting the on-campus assessment on the final day of registration.
However, the black-haired young man before him looked significantly more reliable than the silver-haired boy earlier, so he offered a simple, offhand encouragement.
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