Another month had passed.
It was already around October — the transition period between autumn and winter.
The cold and warmth fought for dominance, making it that annoying time of year when it was hard to decide what to wear without looking awkward.
— After all, everyone's still wearing their summer uniforms. If I'm the only one in autumn clothes, it'll look weird, right? —
Kotetsu Isane murmured in a slightly troubled tone as she bit down on a spoonful of rice.
— Drawing attention is such a hassle, you know. —
Arima Shinya thought for a moment before replying:
— But isn't it exhausting to worry so much about what others think? —
— Arima-kun, you don't understand! This is a woman's survival technique — a fundamental social rule! If I ignore these things, my social reputation will be ruined! —
"Is it really that important…?"
It was hard for Arima Shinya to relate to such peculiar concerns.
He didn't understand, but he respected them.
— Well… I think you look fine just like that, Kotetsu. —
Kotetsu Isane huffed softly, adopting an exaggeratedly serious tone:
— So now you're not even calling me senpai, is that it? —
— I thought if I called you by your name directly, we'd sound closer, you know? —
Arima Shinya chuckled quietly and wiped the corner of his mouth, where a bit of curry still lingered.
— Or would you prefer I call you Isane-chan? —
— …! —
Kotetsu Isane's head immediately lowered, her face completely flushed.
Even after almost a year of knowing him, she still couldn't handle that kind of teasing.
Whether it was because she was too conservative or simply because that was her natural personality —
either way, that shyness was something Arima didn't find unpleasant.
Fiddling absently with a strand of hair near her temple, Isane mumbled softly:
— I-it's better if you keep calling me the other way… —
The first option already left her embarrassed enough; the second would've been a double blow to the heart.
Her poor heart couldn't take it.
Arima Shinya smiled in amusement.
— Understood, Isane-chan. —
The redness spread from her neck up to her ears.
With her face about to explode, Kotetsu Isane wore a near tearful expression and shouted:
— You're impossible! —
— Now, now~ a lady shouldn't raise her voice. You should be more composed. —
— ?!! —
Since they were in the cafeteria — a public, crowded place — with so many eyes around,
Kotetsu Isane couldn't really react.
I take it back.
This guy is even more insufferable than he was six months ago!
— All right, all right, enough teasing. Sorry, Kotetsu-senpai. —
After spending so much time together, Arima Shinya already understood her temperament well.
Kotetsu Isane was a reserved girl; since they had known each other for quite a while, he could act a bit more relaxed —
but still within certain limits.
They hadn't exactly defined what kind of relationship they had,
but this "more than friends" state wasn't bad at all.
Considering they weren't a couple, continuing to tease her would've been disrespectful.
Thanks to constant interaction with Aizen,
Arima Shinya now carried a calmness and confidence far more pronounced than months before.
Smiling, he began gathering the leftovers on his tray and asked in a casual tone:
— I heard the 4th Division recently started recruiting new members…
Kotetsu-senpai, you participated, right? —
Although graduation season came in winter,
this kind of process resembled "early recruitment" in the human world.
Students with high grades and notable performance were scouted by certain divisions,
receiving a sort of "pre-approval."
After graduation, all they needed was to complete the formal procedures.
In theory, it was a process meant for final-year students,
but underclassmen could also participate,
since it was a valuable experience for the future.
Hearing the topic touch on her specialty,
Kotetsu Isane relaxed a little,
let out a small "hmph," and replied softly:
— Of course I did. I've had my eye on that for a long time. —
— Quite proactive, huh? That's the spirit. So, how did it go? —
— Perfect score! The examiner even praised me.
If I were a sixth-year student, I'd already have been given entry approval! —
— Oh, that's impressive. —
— Ehehe~ o(^▽^)o —
Arima Shinya laughed and lightly ruffled her hair.
Isane didn't dodge — only after a few seconds did she realize what was happening,
then took a small step back, embarrassed.
— D-don't do that… everyone's watching… it's not appropriate… —
— So you mean it's fine if we're in private? —
— I… I… —
She didn't hate the gesture, but…
it just sounded wrong to say that out loud!
Covering her face with both hands, Isane let out a muffled groan.
— S-stop teasing me, Arima… —
— Sorry, didn't mean to.
But in any case, I have to congratulate you. —
Saying that, Arima Shinya pulled out a small, neatly wrapped package from his pocket.
— A little gift to celebrate your success on the exam. I hope you like it. —
Kotetsu Isane's eyes widened in surprise.
— Eh? F-for me? —
— Of course. Who else would I give a gift to? —
(Well, maybe to my sensei, but that'd have to be a completely different kind of gift…)
Isane's smile bloomed like a flower in full spring.
— Thank you so much! —
When she tried to tuck the gift into her bag, Arima commented:
— Not going to open it now? —
— I want to open it when I'm back at the dormitory. —
Again with that… excessive modesty.
But that was fine — it was part of her charm,
and Arima Shinya had no intention of changing that.
Besides…
Resting his chin on one hand, he turned to her with a smile.
— Just seeing your smile is enough to make me happy. —
— Guh… —
Accepting food from someone and being left speechless…
At this point, any sharp retort was impossible.
Watching her hide her face again,
Arima Shinya stood up with an amused grin.
— Well, I guess that's it for today. I've got some things to take care of this afternoon, so I'll get going. —
Kotetsu Isane looked surprised.
— Eh? But don't we have class this afternoon? —
Arima Shinya tilted his head, wearing a somewhat resigned smile.
— Due to a certain superior's "arrangement,"
I'll be doing an internship with the 2nd Division for a while.
It should last about two weeks. —
And that…
was precisely the new special assignment Aizen had prepared for him.
Even without seeing the man's face,
Shinya could perfectly picture his teacher adjusting his glasses
and smiling enigmatically as he wrote:
"Go to the 2nd Division, Shinya-kun.
There, you'll learn the purest form of Shunpo."
And also:
"Take the opportunity to learn and observe things you've never seen before."
Yes.
That would be Arima Shinya's next stop.
The 2nd Division of the Gotei 13 — also known as…
The Stealth Force.
(End of chapter)
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