'Personal letter from Aizen Sōsuke.'
'It has been a long time since we last met, Master Aizen. Now that autumn bids farewell and winter approaches, I hope you keep yourself warm and take good care of your health.'
'It has been more than half a month since I arrived at the Second Division.'
'Captain Shihōin Yoruichi, just as you mentioned, is indeed an easy person to get along with. Under her guidance, I've learned many useful things…'
'In time, I believe all of this will prove greatly beneficial.'
'I am grateful, Master Aizen, for showing me the way.'
'Although this might irritate Captain Yoruichi a little, the truth is that I've practically learned everything there was to learn.'
'Remaining here wouldn't be a problem, but lately Captain Yoruichi has been frequently inviting me to officially join the Second Division… If I keep delaying, she might resort to some sort of forceful method.'
'The situation is complex, hard to explain.'
'Therefore, Master Aizen,'
'I ask you to tell me: what will be the next destination of this stage?'
'Signed: Arima Shinya.'
As he gazed at the letter in his hands, Aizen, seated in his office chair, let out a faint smile, his expression relaxed.
His mood seemed noticeably better.
With one hand, he rubbed the letter between his fingers, as if pondering something — or perhaps savoring the texture and the meaning that simple paper carried.
A few moments later,
Aizen slightly turned to the side, eyes still fixed on the letter, while his right hand reached toward the bookshelf beside him.
Though the handwritten contents were short — something one could read in two or three seconds — Aizen seemed to think it was worth examining more closely.
His expression remained calm; he took out a sheet of paper and a brush, ready to respond.
However, before he could even touch the ink, the door before him opened — Hirako Shinji appeared, scratching his head with a mildly pained look.
"Ah, so you were here after all, Aizen… I need you to handle these documents for me. I still have other thi— wait, what are you doing?"
Letting out an almost inaudible sigh, Aizen calmly tidied the desk before him and replied in his usual composed tone:
"As you can see, Captain, I was about to write a letter."
"Hmm? You look like you're in a bit of a bad mood."
"Making assumptions about someone's state of mind is rather impolite, don't you think? And please, next time, remember to knock before entering."
"Yeah, yeah, my bad~. Anyway, I'll leave this with you."
Shinji placed a pile of documents on the desk. His eyes, however, drifted toward the letter — turned upside down — near Aizen's hand.
His brow arched slightly.
"Someone sent you a letter, huh?"
"Captain, is it really necessary to ask something so obvious?"
"…Don't you think you're being a bit sharp today?"
"It's merely a routine complaint. After all, these reports were supposed to be your responsibility, weren't they?"
Receiving favors comes with obligations — especially when one has to "ask for help" from a superior.
"I already said I'm sorry, I said it! Grown man and still nagging about it… Anyway, finish that report by the day after tomorrow. It's something the Head-Captain needs to review personally. — Wait a second."
Shinji's eyes fell again on the letter.
It wasn't unusual for Aizen to receive correspondence; he'd never cared much about those personal matters. But the name signed at the bottom caught his attention.
"Huh, isn't that from Arima Shinya? Oh~ that kid's pretty considerate, huh? Still takes the trouble to write to you."
Saying this teasingly, Shinji gave Aizen a curious look.
"You two seem pretty close, huh? Barely a month of class, and you already act like you've known each other for years."
Aizen was used to dealing with superiors, used to pretending, used to maintaining a flawless façade. His social mask was already perfect.
But for some reason, in that moment, he felt an inexplicable irritation.
"As you yourself said, Captain, Arima Shinya is merely a student I've known for about a month. Like any young man, it's natural that he faces a few issues — emotional or social."
Adjusting his glasses, Aizen kept his calm expression.
"As his former instructor, it's my duty to help him find the right path… Do you have any objection to that, Captain?"
After saying that, he seemed to realize his tone, lowered his head, and coughed discreetly twice.
Upon "coming back to himself," Aizen resumed his usual serene smile.
"Well, that said, I admit I may have gotten a little too enthusiastic. I suppose it would be wise to restrain myself a bit from now on…"
"Anyway, Captain. I fully understand the task and assure you I'll have it completed before the deadline."
"Is there anything else you'd like to assign to me?"
Shinji observed that "gentle" smile for a few seconds before calmly replying:
"No, nothing else. Just… I imagine you're preparing to reply to Arima Shinya, right? If you can, add a message."
The 5th Division Captain raised his right hand and, idly playing with the strands of hair falling over his temple, spoke in a casual tone:
"Tell him not to draw too much attention outside the academy. That lunatic Kiganjō has already recovered from his injuries… and lately, he's been boasting over in the 11th Division."
"He said he's gonna catch that 'insolent brat' and flay him alive."
"Well, the Head-Captain already gave him a verbal warning, so he probably won't do anything too serious."
"But sending a few subordinates to cause trouble, or trying something from the shadows himself… wouldn't be surprising at all."
"So, just warn the boy to be careful."
After those words, Shinji turned and left without another word.
Direct and simple, as always.
Aizen, meanwhile, lowered his gaze, and a curious smile appeared on his lips.
"Oh…"
So that's how it is.
His thoughts began to align — intertwining like silk threads — and in the end, he simply smiled enigmatically.
Perhaps it was still too soon.
Perhaps, for the one involved, it would seem like an absurd idea.
But…
If it's Shinya, he'll surely be able to do it.
Thinking that, Aizen dipped his brush in the ink and began to write calmly.
The next day.
"Arima-kun, a letter just arrived for you!"
"Oh, thank you very much, Ōmaeda-senpai."
After finishing his training with Yūshirō, drenched in sweat, Arima Shinya approached the gate with a cheerful smile.
"Sorry for bothering you all the time with these things, senpai…"
"Gahaha! The Second Division's got no missions right now, so I'm pretty free. Don't worry about it!"
At least during this period, Arima Shinya had already gotten quite familiar with the people of the Second Division.
As he opened the letter, Ōmaeda discreetly stepped back a little to give him some privacy.
Aizen's handwriting was firm and refined.
But the contents… made Arima's expression shift several times — joy, doubt, confusion…
Until, finally, he was completely stunned.
"…Huh?"
Master Aizen, are you… serious about this?
(End of Chapter)
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