Kensei Muguruma walked forward with a serious smile. He was greeting important guests.
"Captain Unohana, Captain Kuruyashiki. Welcome to the Ninth Division. You are rare guests."
He nodded to Unohana Retsu first. Then he turned to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
"Since both Captains are here together, is there some official business that needs our help?"
As he spoke, he moved his body slightly. He was subtly blocking their view of Mirai.
When Mirai heard the Captain's question, he flinched again.
A humble smile appeared on his face. He kept his voice very soft.
"Since the Captains have important things to discuss, I think it might be best if I leave you to your business."
As he spoke, he very slowly moved his feet toward his room.
He thought to himself that he hoped they were not there for him. He felt like a simple 5th Seat who should be invisible and not exist.
Kuruyashiki Kenpachi did not care about being subtle. His loud laughter destroyed Mirai's hope.
"Hahaha! It's not really official business! We came here for a personal matter!"
"We wanted to ask the Ninth Division's... well, Mirai, the 5th Seat, for some advice!"
He spoke to Kensei, but his eyes were laughing. His look, along with Unohana's and Kensei's, landed right on Mirai.
Mirai had almost reached his door. His body stopped moving immediately, like a statue.
"Uh..." Mirai stopped moving.
The silence lasted for about two seconds.
He took a deep breath and suddenly stood up straight. He turned around.
All the extra looks left his face. He put on a cold, calm expression. His eyes showed no emotion.
He bowed slightly toward Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. His voice was steady.
"Captain Kuruyashiki, what advice do you need? If it's within my duties, I will tell you everything I know."
He tried to keep the conversation focused on official work to stay safe.
However, Kensei Muguruma spoke before Kuruyashiki could answer.
"Since the two Captains are visiting privately, it would be rude to talk in the courtyard."
He showed a warmer smile and moved his hand to invite them inside.
"The side hall of our barracks was just cleaned. It's quite tidy. Why don't we go there and talk over some tea?"
He spoke perfectly. He showed the two Captains respect and made the private meeting feel official. It was better than talking where others could hear.
"Hahaha, that sounds great! My throat is dry from the walk!"
Kuruyashiki Kenpachi agreed immediately. He was a direct person and liked the idea.
"We would be honored. Thank you for the invitation," Unohana Retsu said softly. Her smile did not change.
Kensei Muguruma nodded. He led the two Captains toward the side hall of the barracks.
When he passed by Mirai, he did not stop. He just gave an order in a normal voice.
"Mirai, go to the warehouse. Get the division's best tea."
At the moment he walked past Mirai, Kensei gave him a very hidden wink.
The meaning of that look was clear. He was telling Mirai to think hard about what he did while getting the tea. He wanted Mirai to figure out why the Captains were there and find a solution.
Mirai felt a warm feeling in his chest. He almost felt like crying.
He thought that Kensei was his real Captain. Even though he was always grumpy, he protected his people when it was important.
"Yes! Captain!" Mirai turned and headed for the warehouse.
He ran inside and shut the door. He leaned against it and let out a long breath of relief.
There was no time to be emotional. He had to think of a plan.
He was a little bit prepared for Captain Unohana's visit.
After all, the book The Killer of Meteor City was very easy to understand if someone knew her history.
With her high rank and smart mind, it was natural she would notice.
But he wondered why Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was here. Why did that battle-hungry Captain come?
Mirai quickly thought about the book and what had happened recently.
Suddenly, he had an idea.
He wondered if Kuruyashiki Kenpachi read the book and went to the Zaraki District to look for the "demon" from the story. He wondered if the Captain failed to find it.
Was he here to complain? Was he angry because the book was too dramatic and made him waste his time?
It was very likely. Based on the style of the 11th Division, this was exactly what he would do.
Mirai did not know whether to laugh or cry.
He thought to himself that Captain Kuruyashiki was looking in the wrong place. The person the killer was based on was sitting right next to him.
He thought about it some more. He had no other connection to these two Captains except for his book.
The publishing work was too small for Captains to care about.
He could not talk about his private meetings with Aizen or Shinji here.
Since he knew the cause of the problem, it was easier to handle.
For Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, he would say it was just a story. He would admit he changed things for the plot to make the Captain feel better.
The Captain seemed happy. He probably would not start a fight over a book.
As for Captain Unohana, his plan was to act like he knew nothing and deny everything.
He would say the name "Asahana" was just a name he liked.
He would say the image of the killer came from scary legends and his own thoughts.
Everything in the book was a story. Any similarities were just a coincidence.
There was no proof anyway.
He used the machine from Urahara that blocked spiritual pressure to write his work. The papers were hidden well.
Captain Unohana had been a medical Captain for many years. She had a kind image. She would not use her Zanpaku-tō because of a novel.
That would ruin the image she had kept for hundreds of years.
Thinking this way made Mirai feel much more relaxed.
As long as he stayed calm and answered every question, he should be able to trick them.
He calmed his mind. He found a small wooden jar in the back of the warehouse. It had the best tea of the 9th Division. Usually, the Captain was too careful with it to drink it.
He held the jar and fixed his expression. He looked like a calm officer again and walked toward the side hall.
The side hall was small and simple. There was a round table and a few chairs.
The three Captains were already sitting. Kensei was in the middle seat. Kuruyashiki and Unohana were on the sides.
Lieutenant Ashido stood quietly in the shadows behind Kuruyashiki like a guard.
The atmosphere looked okay on the surface.
Mirai walked in without looking around. He greeted the three Captains. Then he carefully began to boil water, warm the cups, and make the tea.
His movements were smooth. He looked like he knew what he was doing.
After making it, he served three cups of tea to the Captains. He took two steps back and stood behind Kensei's chair.
He kept his hands at his sides and looked down. He looked like a very disciplined subordinate.
Kensei Muguruma took a drink of tea. Then, as if he just remembered, he pointed to the empty seat on his left. It was also to the right of Unohana Retsu.
"Mirai, why are you standing? Sit down."
Mirai looked up quickly. His eyes got wide as he looked at his Captain.
He thought to himself, asking what the Captain was doing.
He tried to say "no" using only his eyes.
Kuruyashiki Kenpachi laughed.
"Yeah, Mirai. Don't be shy. This is a private talk. We don't need to follow division rules here. It's easier to talk if you sit."
"The Captains are here... I am just a 5th Seat. I wouldn't dare take a seat..."
Mirai bowed quickly and tried to say no.
He thought that sitting between two Captains was a very dangerous place to be.
Before he could finish his sentence.
A voice that was as gentle as water came from his side.
Unohana Retsu turned her face toward him. Her eyes looked like a beautiful curve. She had a perfect, kind smile.
"Mirai..."
She gently put down her tea cup. The cup made a small, sharp sound against the plate.
"Please sit."
Her voice was not loud. Her tone was still kind.
But Mirai's throat felt dry. He swallowed, and the sound was clear to everyone.
"Yes. Thank you, Captain Unohana."