Over the next few weeks, Hiromi's work progressed. She had already mastered kido, hoho, and shikai. She quickly shot up from fifth seat to replace Masashi in third seat. As a result, Hitsugaya found himself spending more time with her.
"Taichou, you and Hiromi look too cute together!" gushed Matsu Moto. "When's the wedding?"
Hitsugaya clonked her on the head. "Shut up, Rangiku. I don't like her. It's natural for captains to interact with their minors. Go and file those papers you didn't do because you were drinking sake yesterday."
"Fine, Taichou," Matsu Moto huffed. "It isn't every day you find a girl your height, anyway."
"Uh oh," the shinigami standing near them whispered. They promptly took out some ear buds and urgently stuffed them in their ears as "RANGIKU!" was hollered.
Later that day Hitsugaya took a stroll with Hiromi through the thick wave of cherry blossoms.
"So, what is your zanpakutou's ability?" Hitsugaya asked, curious.
"People don't tell one another such things, do they?"
"I guess…"
Hiromi smiled her Mona Lisa grin. "Well, I suppose I can trust you. My zanpakutou's name is Kasumi no Shoushitsu." She unsheathed her katana and lovingly stroked the white gauze hanging from its tail. Its ability…. well, it allows me to disappear and sneak up on my enemies. However, it doesn't suppress my reiatsu. Furthermore, if I disappear for too long, I fall into a different dimension and it's impossible for me to return if so."
"I see." Hitsugaya stared at Kasumi no Shoushitsu as Hiromi sheathed it and once again draped the gauze about her shoulders.
Suddenly, a hell butterfly appeared before them. "Suspicious Arrancar has been detected outside of Seretei," Yamamoto's voice bleated. "Tenth squad captain Hitsugaya Toshirou and third seat Kazue Hiromi are asked to investigate. I repeat, Hitsugaya Toshirou and Kazue Hiromi."
Hiromi's teal eyes pierced into Hitsugaya's. "Well, I guess we'd better go," she said. And with that, she flash-stepped and was gone.