The morning light was dim. Mirai yawned as he pushed open his door. He felt a faint "crunch" under his feet.
He looked down and saw a pile of torn paper on the floor. There were violent marks on the paper. It looked like a massive cat used its claws to express its anger.
"Oh boy. It looks like a certain 'black cat' was fuming last night. She even left evidence of the crime."
Mirai smiled because he understood the situation. He kicked the paper scraps into a corner. He left for the Shinō Academy in high spirits.
The journey from the Ninth Division barracks to the Academy was long. He walked past the busy Junrinan commercial district. He also passed the empty Konsō practice grounds.
He saw the tall and solemn Senzaikyū in the distance. He also saw Sōkyoku Hill further away. That hill is the symbol of final punishment.
Mirai felt excellent because he drank [Lingzui] last night. He did not drink the low-quality [Baizhuo] alcohol. The weather was clear, so Mirai felt invigorated. His steps were light.
However, he reached the massive gates of the Shin'ō Academy. Suddenly, his spiritual sense felt a sharp prick. It felt like a needle.
He turned his head. His neck felt slightly stiff.
Captain Shinji Hirako stood nearby. His brilliant blond hair caught the light. He stood with his arms crossed. He stared at Mirai with a frustrated and blank expression.
"When it rains, it pours..."
Mirai felt exhausted inside, but he smiled enthusiastically. He ran toward the Captain.
"Captain Hirako! You're here early! Is there a specific recruit you're eyeing? Are you worried someone else might snatch them up?"
Shinji did not answer. He grabbed Mirai's shoulder tightly. Mirai felt pain.
"Mirai, you brat..." Shinji moved his mouth. He did not try to smile. A vein throbbed on his forehead.
"Were you just playing me for a fool last night? Do you think I'm that easy to talk over, or do you just look down on me as a Captain?"
"Ow, ow, ow! Captain Hirako, I've been wronged!" Mirai asked for mercy quickly.
"You know the state of our division! Lieutenant Mashiro insisted on going for a picnic today and dragged Captain Kensei along! As for the Third and Fourth Seats—well, you know them. They're basically lifeless blocks of wood! I only came because I was forced!"
The pressure on his shoulder decreased. Mirai continued quickly.
"Think about it. If Lieutenant Mashiro starts a fuss, who in the entire division can stand it? It's practically a deafening sound. It would be a disaster for everyone!"
Shinji nodded with deep sympathy. He removed his hand.
"True... when that girl starts shouting, not even half of the Seireitei can find peace."
He lifted his chin. He looked proud. "Fortunately, I had the wisdom three years ago."
Mashiro was a top graduate three years ago. Shinji was very perceptive back then. He saw the trouble behind her cute face. He decided to assign her to Kensei Muguruma.
He thought this was a brilliant decision.
However...
Shinji looked at Mirai again. His eyes were dark and serious.
Mirai graduated in the same year as Mashiro. Shinji thought he might have made a mistake about Mirai back then.
"Brat," Shinji spoke in a curious tone.
"You aren't... here for a specific student, are you?"
Sōsuke Aizen was a serious concern.
Shinji could not identify the exact problem. However, his intuition was warning him strongly.
The name "Aisuke" in Mirai's writing was very similar to the name Aizen. He did not want these two dangerous people in the same division.
Mirai continued to smile. He chuckled.
"How could that be? I don't even know who this year's graduates are or who's supposed to be good. I'm just here to go through the motions."
"Is that so?" Shinji spoke in a playful way, like a friend.
"I thought you went out of your way to drink with Aizen last night because you wanted to secretly recruit this 'exceptional talent' from the Rukongai into the Ninth Division ahead of time."
Mirai kept smiling. He prepared to make more excuses...
"Oh? You're both here quite early. Shinji, Mirai."
A lazy and magnetic voice interrupted them. Mirai felt relieved.
Mirai turned and smiled at the newcomer.
"I didn't expect you to show up in person, Shunsui? It seems there must be a student this year that even you find impressive."
The newcomer was Captain Shunsui Kyōraku.
He wore a flowery Captain's haori on his shoulders. He wore a straw hat that covered his curly black hair. He had a short beard and a relaxed posture. He looked very carefree.
"Hahaha," Shunsui laughed loudly. He walked closer.
"The Eighth Division has been lacking a suitable Lieutenant for a while, and the current ranked officers aren't quite up to the task. I'm just here to try my luck."
He spoke to Shinji in a joking tone. "Doesn't your Fifth Division also need a Lieutenant? You'll have to go easy on me later."
"Idiot, stop talking nonsense," Shinji turned toward the Academy. He did not look back.
"Nowadays, the top graduates choose us. We do not get to choose them."
Mirai followed them. He agreed. "With two Captains present, a mere Fifth Seat like me from the Ninth Division probably won't even get a sip of the leftovers."
Two Captains were there in person. The Ninth Division only sent a Fifth Seat, not even a Lieutenant. A talented student would see the difference in sincerity.
Mirai was prepared to take the students that no one else wanted. He just wanted to finish his task.
He tilted his head. He whispered to Shunsui. "You're always well-informed, Shunsui. Who are the standout figures among this year's graduates?"
Shunsui put his hands in his sleeves. He looked lazy.
"Well... there are three who really stand out. Lisa Yadōmaru, ranked first in Shunpo; Hiyori Sarugaki, ranked first in Zanjutsu; and Sōsuke Aizen, ranked first in Kidō."
He raised his voice toward Shinji. "Captain Hirako~ My goal is Lisa. Could you let me have her?"
Shinji did not stop walking. He answered irritably. "You moron! Why would I give up such a cute girl!"
"Oh my, that's a problem then," Shunsui said in a playful voice.
"I also really want a cute girl to be my Lieutenant~"
Mirai felt annoyed. He could not stop himself from commenting.
"If I may say so, Captains, if you choose a Lieutenant only because she is 'cute,' I'm afraid you will have much more white hair in the future than you have now."
Mirai learned this lesson from Mashiro. It was a difficult experience.
Captain Kensei was young, but he had silver hair. He even had a receding hairline.
"Mirai, you don't understand," Shunsui laughed. He moved his finger.
"Having a cute girl around every day improves your mood. It also increases how much work you finish."
"Exactly!" Shinji added. He agreed with Shunsui.
"As long as there's a cute girl, every day you wake up feels full of hope and happiness!"
Mirai: "..."
He looked at both Captains with clear disrespect.
"Your levels of wisdom are truly profound. I admit defeat."
They talked and arrived at the Academy training grounds.
A curvy female Captain stood in the center of the field.
"Oh? If it isn't the 'Trio of Perverts'? You're here quite early to stake out the top graduates, aren't you?"
Captain Kirio Hikifune stood with her hands on her hips. She smiled at them with a teasing look.
Mirai stood straight. He spoke loudly. "Reporting to Captain Hikifune! I am definitely not with them!"
"Chuckle," Kirio did not believe him.
"The three of you are often seen getting dead drunk together and causing all sorts of scenes in the Seireitei. Your reputation has long since spread."
"Speaking of drinking," Shunsui remembered something. He looked at Mirai and complained.
"Mirai, you haven't invited me for a drink lately. It's quite heartbreaking."
Mirai felt helpless.
"You can't blame me for that, Shunsui. I haven't updated my novel recently, so my pockets are empty. I can barely afford [Baizhuo] lately. Once the manuscript fees for my new book come in next month, I'll definitely treat you both to a proper round!"
"Then it's a deal!" Shunsui smiled. He stood to the left of Kirio Hikifune.
Shinji stood on Kirio's right. He defended himself.
"Captain Hikifune, I am no pervert. I simply appreciate and respect the beauty of every woman from the bottom of my heart."
Mirai stood obediently behind the three Captains. He heard Shinji's speech and felt annoyed again.
Kirio Hikifune smiled. She did not continue the topic.
At that moment, fifteen graduates entered the training grounds. They were in a neat line.