"This area is the sector that gathers information from the Soul Flow City. Since there's a large flow of people there and constant 'in-and-out' activity, it's the section with the lowest confidentiality level."
"It's usually updated once a week. The entire procedure is recorded in the execution manual, so I won't explain it now… if you have time, take a look later."
"Moving further ahead, we'll be entering the inner area of the Seireitei…"
By then, morning had already arrived on the next day.
After his conversation with Kyōraku Shunsui the previous day, and since there was no rush, he had scheduled the training for today.
As it was Arima Shinya's first time dealing with this kind of work, he couldn't help but feel a certain admiration.
Classification and categorization.
Periodic destruction of records.
And he also had to memorize passwords that changed from time to time…
To be honest, Arima Shinya had never imagined that the Eighth Division's work would be so meticulous.
While thinking about that, he carefully organized the documents in his hands.
He was still reflecting on which tasks remained unfinished when a familiar voice called from behind.
"Yo, still busy?"
Turning partially, he saw Kyōraku Shunsui.
He was peeking from behind a shelf, holding his straw hat with a mischievous smile.
"It's already time to leave, and you're still working so hard? No wonder you're a rookie… that kind of energy makes me jealous."
But the others are still working, and he… is just leaving like that?
Before Arima could even finish the thought, he saw the same officer who had guided him during the day stretching and cheerfully saying goodbye to Kyōraku.
"Captain, I'm heading out!"
"Ah, rest well."
So the Eighth Division really was that relaxed?
No wonder so many people worked so hard to get into this kind of division… there really seemed to be a good reason.
After all, look at the others: the Fourth Division, which had to crawl through Seireitei's sewage system (like when Hanatarō guided the invading group through it)…
Or the Fifth Division, always on standby, like a moving brick — on duty twenty-four hours a day.
Here, however, things were peaceful: fixed hours, nine to five, and when the clock hit time, you could just clock out and leave.
But where exactly was the "confidentiality" in all this?
Clearly noticing Arima's confusion, Kyōraku chuckled lightly and tilted his hat down.
"The really important stuff isn't given to interns, so you don't have to worry about that."
When put that way, it made sense.
"In fact, it's not just interns. Even new recruits get lighter assignments."
"After all, to share secrets, there must first be mutual trust."
"That's why, until you build a solid record, work in the Eighth Division stays nice and easy."
Maybe that's exactly why…
"People end up creating an unrealistic image of the Eighth Division."
It made sense.
It was a perspective Arima Shinya had never considered — and hearing it directly from Kyōraku taught him a lot.
"Well, that said, in practice even I don't have that much to do. So when it's time, I just head out… the old man doesn't complain."
Arima looked at him silently.
He took it back.
This man was truly an expert at pretending to work.
"Alright, alright, tonight I've reserved a pretty interesting place. Arima-kun, you don't have any plans, right? Then come with me."
Saying that, Kyōraku brought a hand to his mouth and made a simple gesture.
"How about we grab a drink?"
Considering the situation, it didn't seem like a problem.
"But, Captain Kyōraku… are you always this free?"
Besides drinking, did he do anything productive?
"What kind of question is that, Arima-kun? This is also part of the job, the job～"
Kyōraku smiled with a satisfied expression.
"Information gathering is part of the Eighth Division's duties too. The Seireitei is vast, and with just our own people, it's hard to get anything truly useful."
That's why—
"We've got to learn to act proactively, kid."
So that's the reason for "drinking with flowers"?
Forget it… arguing with this excuse-filled old man would lead nowhere.
After storing everything away, Arima Shinya followed him out of the division's barracks.
On the way, he couldn't help but ask:
"Captain Kyōraku, why do I feel like you're giving me special attention?"
It wasn't his imagination — the situation really did feel odd.
No matter how eccentric he was, he didn't seem like the type to invite every intern out for drinks, right?
Not to mention…
Old man Yamamoto would probably have a stroke if he found out.
Hearing the question, Kyōraku thought for a moment, then smiled enigmatically.
"Ah, it's just that the child of a distant relative of mine seems to have received quite a bit of your help."
…My help?
Thinking for a bit, Arima soon realized.
"You mean Senpai Ise Nanao?"
"So you remember her name. Looks like you two get along well, huh."
"Well, I asked her for advice about kidō a few times."
"Is that so? But from what I can tell, Arima-kun's kidō level already surpasses that kid's, doesn't it?"
Despite his casual tone, those words made Arima notice something strange.
He had never publicly demonstrated the true level of his kidō — so why did Kyōraku sound so certain?
Why was he so confident?
Although a bit curious, this clearly wasn't the time to pry.
"Well… honestly, it's kind of embarrassing. Senpai Ise and I haven't known each other for long, so it's not like I've 'taken care of her' or anything."
At most, they'd just exchanged a few conversations.
Kyōraku, however, shook his head with a smile.
"That kid's a bit fragile inside, and I used to worry about her. But I noticed she's been a lot brighter since meeting you… thanks to you."
He raised his hand and patted Arima's shoulder.
"It's because of you that girl's become more radiant."
Seriously… is that really true?
"Oh, and just to confirm… Arima-kun, do you have a girlfriend?"
Before he could even answer, Kyōraku was already laughing:
"Because if you do, it might be a little troublesome… the place we're going now—"
"Isn't exactly appropriate."
(End of Chapter)
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