Afterwards, everyone prepared to go their separate ways. They all lived in different places: Momo in the girls' dormitory, Toshiro in a separate small house, while Renji and Kira didn't even share a dormitory.
"Oh, right, Renji, don't forget to call Rukia," Toshiro said to Renji.
"Ah, of course. As long as you don't mind paying for one more person's meal," Renji said, waving a hand behind him without turning around.
After parting ways, Toshiro didn't return directly to his place to rest. He still had things to do.
Since such a major incident had occurred, Toshiro, as the leader of the student group, needed to report the detailed situation to the school authorities.
However, Toshiro looked down at the bandages wrapped around his body and decided to go to the infirmary first.
As for the report... well, the matter was already resolved. It wouldn't hurt to report a bit later.
The next day, noon.
After parting with Momo and the others yesterday, Toshiro first went to the infirmary, then went to find his homeroom teacher, Koyama Rikiya, to report the details of the incident.
As a result, he was busy until late into the night before finally returning to rest. Coupled with his injuries, he didn't continue his training and simply went to sleep.
Perhaps he had been too focused on training all along. Suddenly relaxing, he ended up sleeping straight through until noon.
'Damn, I'm almost late for meeting Momo and the others,' Toshiro thought, leaping out of bed in a hurry.
After a quick wash, he hurried towards the school gate.
Shin'o Academy's gate.
Momo, Renji, Kira, and Rukia had already arrived.
"Good grief, what is that guy Toshiro doing? He's the one who invited everyone, yet he's the one running late," Renji complained unhappily.
"Hey, Renji, that's rude. Toshiro must have been delayed by something," Rukia scolded.
"Rukia's right. You're being rude, Renji. I'm the one paying for the meal. You're just freeloading, yet you're complaining," Toshiro said, running up from the distance.
"Sorry, I had to report the detailed situation of the Living World training to the school last night. I rested a bit late, so I overslept," Toshiro explained to the others.
"It's fine, Toshiro. After fighting that Hollow, you must be quite exhausted," Momo said with concern.
"I'm okay. More importantly, where should we go this time?" Toshiro asked everyone.
"I think that small restaurant we went to the first time was quite nice. The food was good, and the prices weren't expensive," Kira suggested.
"That small restaurant? It was quiet. It really was nice," Rukia agreed.
"In that case, let's go back to that small restaurant," Toshiro said, seeing that everyone agreed with Kira's suggestion.
West Rukongai, 1st District, a small restaurant.
Toshiro and the others got a private room.
When ordering, everyone looked at the menu and picked two dishes they liked.
Afterwards, everyone ate and chatted, not particularly adhering to any rule about not speaking during meals.
Just as Toshiro and the others were leaving the private room after their meal, they suddenly heard a voice.
"Ahh! Life is truly as lonely as snow!"
Toshiro and the others turned to look. It was the Captain of the 8th Division, Kyoraku Shunsui.
"Yo, what a coincidence. Isn't this Captain Kyoraku? Drinking alone?" Toshiro asked.
"What can I do? I finally managed to ditch Nanao-chan to go drink with Ukitake, only to find out Ukitake is sick again. So, here I am, drinking alone," Kyoraku explained.
'So, his good friend is sick. No wonder he's drinking alone,' Toshiro thought to himself.
"Meeting by chance is fate. How about joining me for a drink? I said last time I'd treat you to a drink. How about now?" Kyoraku invited.
"Sorry, I just had a meal with friends, so it's not really suitable for drinking. Let's do it another time," Toshiro declined.
Thinking about it, although Toshiro drank alcohol in his previous life, he never really tasted what sake was like.
"Is that so? That's a shame. Oh, right, Hitsugaya-kun, when you have time soon, go to the 1st Division. Old Man Yama wants to see you," Kyoraku said lazily.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto? What does he want to see me for?" Toshiro asked, puzzled. After all, he hadn't joined the Gotei 13 yet.
"Hehe, you'll find out when you see him. Old Man Yama is very concerned about you. When he heard you encountered a Captain-level Menos Grande this time, he immediately ordered Captain Aizen of the 5th Division to personally go support you," Kyoraku said without directly explaining.
"By then, we might become fellow disciples," Kyoraku added meaningfully, taking a sip of his drink.
'Is Captain-Commander Yamamoto going to take me as his disciple? That didn't happen in the original work, did it?' Toshiro wondered internally.
'Hmm, maybe it's because my talent and strength are far greater than in the original story,' Toshiro speculated.
'Well, I'll find out when I go. No point guessing blindly,' Toshiro decided.
"Thank you for the reminder, Captain Kyoraku. I'll go as soon as I can," Toshiro said to Kyoraku.
"No need to rush. Go whenever you have time," Kyoraku said casually.
"We'll take our leave now then," Toshiro said.
"Mmm, go ahead."
"Oh, and next time I invite you for a drink, don't refuse. Because next time might be a gathering of fellow disciples. I'll invite Ukitake too," Kyoraku added.
"I understand. I'll definitely make time next time," Toshiro promised.
If he really became Yamamoto's disciple, then he and Kyoraku and Ukitake would be fellow disciples. Having a drink to get acquainted would indeed be something he couldn't refuse again.