"Absences can be excused through a review request, since the reason for your absence has already been duly understood — after all, you were injured while helping someone outside the academy, weren't you?"
"Don't worry, Professor Aizen has already submitted a report on the incident. Everyone acknowledged your actions."
"Then, according to the rules, all you need to do is fill out these forms and submit the report."
"But regarding the classes you missed these past few days… well, there's not much to be done. Although, for someone like you, missing a few classes shouldn't make much difference."
"After all, you are… not only the most talented first-year student, but perhaps one of the greatest prodigies in the entire Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy."
Ise Nanao pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and handed all the organized documents to Arima Shinya.
"Here you go, Mr. Genius. Please complete the process."
"…???"
Although he was grateful for all the help he had received, her words sounded somewhat… provocative.
So this was really the way Ise Nanao spoke?
Wow, Captain Kyōraku… your relatives are really difficult to deal with.
Arima Shinya laughed awkwardly and took the envelope with the documents.
"Thank you very much for your help, senpai."
"It was just a small favor, nothing at all."
Ise Nanao slightly turned her face, lowering her eyes, and revealed an expression full of melancholy.
"You improved quickly… I imagine that nowadays, Arima-kun, you no longer have any deficiencies in kidō, right?"
"No, no, that's thanks to your guidance some time ago, senpai."
"Have you ever seen a child teaching an adult to use chopsticks?"
Just imagining it seemed ridiculous, right?
Apparently, that was how Ise Nanao viewed her own actions in the past.
"You really like to hide your own talent, don't you?"
She sighed, her face full of conflicting emotions.
But it was understandable. Compared to a true genius, Ise Nanao's talent really couldn't compete.
And, in the end, that was natural. After all, if it weren't so, that man wouldn't seem so brilliant.
Moreover…
"Instead of talking with me, don't you have more important things to deal with?"
With those words, Arima Shinya didn't have the courage to insist further.
"Then I'll be going, senpai. See you!"
Sitting by the window, Ise Nanao rested her chin on her hand, the smile on her face blossoming like a lotus flower on water.
"All right. Take care."
Watching his silhouette walk away, Nanao couldn't help but sigh.
Even having prepared for this, she still felt a little confused.
After all… if she had realized it a bit earlier, perhaps their relationship wouldn't have become so awkward.
The spring breeze brushed by — but before she could react, it had already drifted away.
—
Arima Shinya tried to find Kotetsu Isane, but was informed that she had already started her internship at the Fourth Division.
It was probably during this period that Kotetsu Isane began to feel respect and admiration for Unohana Retsu…
Apparently, her path was already somewhat determined.
Well, he would talk to her when another opportunity arose.
The next person he wanted to see was…
Tōsen Kaname.
This guy was the same as ever — as active as ever.
And upon "seeing" that Arima Shinya was well, he even gave a slight smile.
"I'm glad you didn't die."
Who says something like that right away? But thinking about it, coming from someone so strict and serious, even a joke was a step forward.
The two sat in a quiet corner and began to talk casually.
Considering their bond, Arima Shinya didn't hold back. He recounted everything, from beginning to end.
Tōsen listened attentively, thanked him for his trust, and then commented:
"So… that Kiganjō Kenpachi will probably hold a lot of resentment toward you."
"Huh? Why?"
"I've heard about the people of the Eleventh Division. They are warriors by nature. And that guy… seems especially violent and arrogant. He must be a man who constantly boasts."
Tōsen lowered his head, hands clasped in front of him, and continued in his calm tone.
"People who drown in violence cannot handle failure. Proud, fragile, with easily shattered egos — that is their true nature."
"He will hold a deep hatred for you, especially after realizing you're just a student."
"It's like a hunter who brags about his skill, but ends up being bitten and wounded by a rabbit."
…A direct and accurate comment.
So it's true… all blind people speak with this kind of cruel precision?
Complicated.
Even though Arima Shinya had progressed, that man's strength could not be underestimated.
Even being the weakest among the captains, he still possessed the power of a true third-class Shinigami.
An enemy with that level of reiatsu was completely out of his current reach…
So he could only wait until he graduated from the Academy, right?
Seeing Arima Shinya scratch the corner of his mouth with a helpless expression, Tōsen smiled and continued:
"But that's beside the point… Arima, go to the teachers' room."
"Huh? Why?"
"Professor Aizen is waiting for you."
…Hm?
Since when had the two of them become so close?
Before he could ask, Tōsen had already stood and walked away with firm steps.
"Arima, make your choice. I really hope we can still walk together… after all, people with shared ideals are rare."
Leaving those enigmatic words behind, Tōsen disappeared from Arima Shinya's view.
It was a strange feeling… but, in any case, he really had to find Aizen now.
Especially because he still wanted to confirm some doubts about what happened with Kiganjō.
By late afternoon, Arima Shinya arrived at the teachers' room.
There, he saw Aizen Sōsuke organizing his belongings and placing everything into a cardboard box.
…What was he doing?
The scene looked like someone who had committed a crime and was about to flee.
When their eyes met, Aizen smiled and dropped what he was doing.
"You finally arrived, Arima-kun."
It seemed he had been waiting for him for quite some time.
Although he had come to ask questions, Shinya felt he had lost a little of his composure in front of that calm smile.
You can't be rude to someone who greets you like that.
After a moment of hesitation, he said:
"Ah… thank you for your help, Professor Aizen."
"Fufu, it was nothing. After all, if you had told everything as it happened, getting involved with a captain would have caused you many problems."
Well, he was right about that — it had really helped a lot.
But… that wasn't what Arima wanted to talk about!
"Professor Aizen, I—"
Before he could finish, the other began speaking:
"Arima-kun, starting tomorrow, I will be temporarily leaving the Shin'ō Academy. I was promoted to lieutenant, and with so many new responsibilities, my teaching position has been changed to a part-time role."
"…???"
Arima's brain took a second to process that.
Right… this is a promotion, so he should congratulate him, right?
"Ah… congratulations, Professor Aizen."
"Fufu, thank you."
Aizen smiled calmly, looking away as he murmured:
"From now on, I will return to the Academy only once a month. Classes and guidance will be handled by other teachers. Therefore, technically, you no longer need to call me professor."
What?!
So he's "graduating" before him?!
Before Arima could express his thoughts, he saw Aizen lift his face, a strange smile on his lips.
"Don't be sad. Separations exist only so that we may meet again in a more appropriate way."
"Before leaving, however, there is something I want to tell you."
"First of all… an apology."
"Meeting Kiganjō Kenpachi was unexpected, but in the end, part of the fault is mine."
"From your perspective, it must have been unpleasant — being deceived is never good. But please, listen to the end."
Adjusting his glasses calmly, Aizen maintained a serene tone.
"Arima-kun, you are the Shinigami who has progressed the fastest among all I have ever seen. Your existence has made me rethink many things I thought were immutable…"
"It is truly admirable. In time, you will certainly become one of the pillars supporting Soul Society."
"For that reason, I want to make you a sincere invitation…"
Aizen Sōsuke smiled kindly and extended his right hand toward him.
"Arima Shinya… would you be willing to walk by my side?"
(End of Chapter)
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