During their academy days; speculation.

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Pedestal, Rising

To be honest, he should have known from the moment he watched as she gaped at the 'five' on the man's departing back as he left to eliminate a few stray hollows- that look on her face.

He'd often seen it mirrored on his own.

"Kira-kun," she said, placing a hand on his arm and effectively stopping him from walking to his next training session.

He blinked. "Hinamori-kun?"

She swallowed visibly. "You hear more and remember more than me, Kira-kun. Is it true that Ichimaru-san is challenging the Third's captain for his seat? I mean, are the rumors true?"

Izuru tilted his head to one side, thinking. It was true that he did keep track of the goings-on in regards to seatings in the Gotei 13. But why would she be curious? "Aa. Vice Captain Ichimaru has been interested in commanding his own division for some time, they say."

She nodded, a small smile appearing on her worried features. "That's nice to hear, and good for him." Always the amicable soul. "I suppose this means that the captain will need to choose another to replace him."

Captain. Which captain-- ah, right. For her, there was only ever one. He ignored the knot that had decided to make its presence known in his stomach and patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. "I'm sure you've got a very good chance, Hinamori-kun."

Eyes wide, she looked up at him accusingly despite the color rising in her cheeks. "Wha--?"

He shook his head, cutting her off. "It's okay to be ambitious, you know."

She giggled a bit, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Kira-kun." Releasing the sword at her side that she'd been unknowingly clenching, she turned and walked away.

Instead of continuing on to his destination, he could only watch her leave, and sighed. He was trying to catch fire in a paper bag, really. There was a flash of white, and he turned around and glanced down the hallway.

He met green eyes staring at him levelly from behind a corner, and acknowledged the young shinigami behind him with an incline of his head. Returning the gesture, the other left, his hair echoing the white scarf fluttering behind him that Izuru had seen.

Izuru shook his head. Maybe there were others who were worse off than he.
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Written in April as a response to a request. Feel free to offer concrit.