The morning light grew brighter. The two walked side-by-side through the long corridor connecting the dormitory area and the academic buildings and arrived at the spacious dining hall of the Shin'ō Academy (Spiritual Arts Academy).
It was still early, so the dining hall was sparsely populated, with the warmth and aroma of the food lingering in the air.
Suō Tsukasa skillfully approached the counter and ordered meals for both of them.
With Miyako Shiba, an outstanding graduate, having taught him every detail about the academy, Suō Tsukasa was probably more familiar with the structure of the Shin'ō Academy than some sixth-year students.
"Here, you eat these for today."
"I basically know what the people in the Rukongai usually eat."
"What you need to do is let your body learn and get used to regular meals."
When the tray was placed in front of Tōshirō Hitsugaya, he looked up to receive it, and the contents made him slightly pause.
There was a lightly seared piece of salmon, a bowl of warm miso soup, a small dish of pickles accompanying a boiled egg, and a bowl piled high with rice.
Can I even finish all this?
But when he clearly saw the contents of the tray in Suō Tsukasa's other hand, his eyes instantly widened.
The portion on Suō Tsukasa's tray was almost ten times his own.
There was a small mountain of salmon, several bowls of rice, and a circle of small side dishes surrounding it like stars orbiting the moon.
C-can he really eat all that?!
The astonishing quantity filled him with shock.
"The physical constitution of people cannot be generalized."
"Once your physique is slightly improved, your appetite will naturally increase."
Suō Tsukasa held his tray steadily, calmly meeting Tōshirō's gaze, and said indifferently.
"Mhm."
Seeing Suō Tsukasa's glance, Tōshirō swiftly controlled the shock on his face.
No matter how much it increases, it won't reach this level, he couldn't help but add in his mind, pretending nothing unusual had happened.
"Let's go."
The two found a spot and sat down. Their presence once again attracted many curious glances.
However, this time, the focus of the attention was no longer Tōshirō Hitsugaya's appearance, but Suō Tsukasa and the small mountain of food in front of him.
Suō Tsukasa was unbothered; he was far too used to this kind of scrutiny.
Japanese society places great emphasis on conformity.
Especially in a miniature society like a school campus, any trait that deviates from the norm can be seen as a potential threat to collective unity, thus triggering dissatisfaction and exclusion from others.
Appearing consistent with the crowd is the safest choice, but that was not Suō Tsukasa's style.
"I'll eat now."
He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of fish, and began his meal in plain view of everyone.
Every motion was unhurried, completely unaffected by the people around him.
This attitude of detachment and composure inspired respect in Tōshirō, who was sitting opposite him.
Tōshirō could ignore the unusual stares, but he couldn't feel truly indifferent inside.
"I'll eat now."
Watching Suō Tsukasa systematically level the small mountain of food on the table, Tōshirō also picked up his chopsticks and followed suit.
Only the sounds of chewing remained at the table.
The surrounding whispers and scrutinizing glances did not linger on Suō Tsukasa for too long.
His eating motions were steady and efficient, as if he were performing a sacred and solemn ritual.
That focus and calmness, on the contrary, settled the slightly restless atmosphere around them.
When Suō Tsukasa put down his chopsticks, his plate completely clean, Tōshirō also swallowed the last mouthful of rice. Although it was somewhat difficult, he had indeed finished.
"Hah..."
Tōshirō let out a gentle breath, feeling an unfamiliar sense of fullness in his stomach. This was the first time he had eaten so much.
"Let's go."
"It's about time. We should head to the main hall."
Suō Tsukasa stood up and, taking Tōshirō with him, placed their trays at the disposal area.
The two walked side-by-side through the bustling dining hall, following the increasing stream of people toward the main hall.
The new students, dressed in their standard uniforms, walked in groups of three or five, chatting in low voices, their excited tones filled with aspirations for the future.
The blue color of the boys' uniforms made Suō Tsukasa's smiling face look even gentler, while Tōshirō beside him was as cold as a block of ice.
Along the way, deep wooden corridors stretched continuously. The hiwadabuki (cypress bark thatched) roof in the distance shone with an antique luster, and the white sand path in the courtyard extended all the way toward the main hall.
Amidst this clamor, a strange island of quietness formed around the two.
One due to the sense of distance naturally created by his distinctiveness, and the other due to the weak's inherent aloofness from the strong.
"Hey, quick, look, those two are the number one and number two students in this year's Elite Class One."
A deliberately lowered gasp came from nearby.
"The number one student is so short! I heard he only has Spiritual Power Rank Five, is that true?"
"The number two student is such a pity. He actually lost to a kid like the number one."
The discussion from another group carried disbelief and regret.
"Ah, the one with black hair is so handsome, and the one with silver hair is so cute."
The female new students in red uniforms clearly focused on different things, with suppressed gasps occasionally coming from a corner.
Hearing the various complex voices entering his ears, Tōshirō's back instinctively stiffened for a moment, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
"No need to worry about it."
"Shin'ō Academy values strength, not appearance."
Sensing the fluctuation in the spiritual pressure of the young man beside him, Suō Tsukasa's voice rang out calmly, just loud enough for Tōshirō to hear.
Tōshirō slightly glanced sideways, looking at Suō Tsukasa's smiling profile.
The indifferent smile was as warm as the spring breeze, yet it prevented anyone from seeing the true thoughts hidden beneath.
In this noisy environment, Suō Tsukasa maintained his composure, and influenced by him, the expression on Tōshirō's face also calmed down.
The two continued to walk. Wherever they passed, the discussions would briefly cease, only to resume behind them in a lower volume.
These discussions and whispers became the persistent background noise on their way to the main hall.
The two found their seats in the area designated for Class One, First Year.
The surrounding glances and discussions were still present, but in the atmosphere of the assembled group, they were no longer as prominent.
The bell rang, deep and lingering.
The academy's directors and teachers entered in sequence, positioning themselves on either side below the stage.
Soon, a figure appeared on the high platform, a white-haired old man.
The person who came was not Head-Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, but the solemn aura belonging to the academy head still caused the new students to instinctively quiet down.
"Everyone, welcome to the Shin'ō Academy."
"The Shin'ō Academy is an academy with a history of over two thousand years, a traditional institution for cultivating young elites for the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, and the Onmitsukidō (Stealth Force)."
"I hope all new students will strive diligently and not disgrace this long heritage..."
The academy head's voice clearly reached every corner of the hall, steady and powerful.
After delivering the opening address, the academy head continued to elaborate on the mission of a Shinigami, the ironclad rules of the academy, and the hardships of future training.
Every word resonated with everyone present, making the new students more aware of the responsibility and significance of coming to the Shin'ō Academy.