Having obtained the hand token.
Sakuya turned to leave immediately.
But was stopped in place by Hirako behind him.
"Wait a moment..."
He came around from behind the chair, his expression relaxed, raising his right hand to gesture simply.
"The timing's about right anyway. Want to grab a meal together before you go?"
The time was indeed approaching noon.
Sakuya had originally planned to satisfy his hunger after going to Squad 1, but since the other had invited him, he had no grounds to refuse.
After thinking for a moment, he responded.
"Then I'll respectfully accept your kind offer."
"Can you maintain this sensible state all the time? That earlier bit was a little scary..."
While complaining, Hirako stopped, then turned back again.
Cooled tea wouldn't taste good.
"Wait a moment, I'll be right there... pfft!"
Hirako spat the green tea from his mouth all over the floor.
Cough cough cough, cough cough cough...
He coughed as if trying to expel his lungs, his eyes even bulging out slightly.
"What, what is this? Tea actually comes in spicy flavor?!"
"What's wrong with those people at the Research and Development Institute? Is this something humans can drink?!"
"I'm going to file a complaint against them!"
Ignoring the hysterical Hirako, Sakuya slipped over to the desk and picked up the simple packaging containing the tea powder to examine it.
Hoh.
Found the problem.
He pointed to a pattern no bigger than a pinky nail in the corner, speaking clearly.
"Captain, this is a prototype."
As everyone knows.
The Research and Development Institute, as the special department in Soul Society dedicated to research and technical development, was inherently exploring the unknown.
So...
"Any form of prototype is just transitional. According to regulations, they shouldn't be circulated outside."
Why?
Because they could really kill people...
"Captain Hirako, where did you get this thing?"
Hirako, who was gulping down water, managed to speak the name of the culprit between gasps.
"Of course it was that bastard Hiyori!"
Sarugaki Hiyori.
Current Vice-Captain of Squad 12, also someone who had been acquainted with Hirako for a long time.
The blonde mentioned earlier was this person... Although her age had increased, there were no signs of improvement in either her height or feminine characteristics.
A 'medical miracle' in a certain sense.
"I'll have to teach her a lesson later... Forget it, Sakuya, let's go! Time to eat."
Looking at Hirako's already swollen lips, Sakuya couldn't help but sigh.
"You two have such a good relationship."
Hirako didn't refute this view, instead touching the back of his head with a sentimental tone.
"After all, we've known each other for so many years~ The longer you live, the more your feelings fade, so... old acquaintances are what easily remind you of the past."
According to Hirako's habits, he wouldn't reveal his attitudes and inner thoughts to others.
But Sakuya was somewhat different.
After all, educating children was also an adult's responsibility...
The two walked through Squad 5's corridors one after the other, occasionally greeting passing squad members.
"Speaking of which, Sakuya, do you have any good friends?"
The question was rather sudden. The person in question thought for a while.
"Seems like... no."
The Gotei 13 itself wasn't a daycare center, so naturally it wouldn't specifically accept similar children to be active within it.
So Sakuya had no so-called 'peers.'
From an angle Sakuya couldn't see, Hirako's expression was subtle, seeming to sigh imperceptibly.
Clearly at an age that should love playing around, yet showing such unusual maturity...
From an observer's perspective, such a life seemed somewhat pitiful.
"Don't you feel lonely?"
Don't know, never thought about such things.
After all, the prison warden's iron fist left him no time to worry about other matters.
Where was the time for melancholy... Aizen was just like a strict doctoral advisor.
His powerful hands could easily smooth out Sakuya's brain wrinkles, leaving him no extra time to think about random things.
Thinking this way, Sakuya calmly replied.
"Never thought about such things..."
—Meaning completely no time.
Hirako showed a quite pitying expression, raising his hand to pat Sakuya's head.
"Is that so? That's really... somewhat regrettable."
—Meaning the other had no playmates.
The two couldn't help but make eye contact.
This guy looks weird somehow? X2
"Speaking of which, the cafeteria was renovated recently... Has Sakuya been there before?"
"No, are the changes significant?"
Merely mentioning this seemed enough to make him proud...
Hirako chuckled, slightly raising his head with a somewhat smug expression.
"Of course they're significant! This was a special case I applied for using considerable effort and funding."
He didn't mind sharing his achievements with others, especially with such an 'innocent' child.
"You know, because of Squad 5's duty allocation, the funding we can be allocated is quite limited..."
"While we can't say we're spending beyond our means normally, if we want to renovate buildings and such, it does indeed show financial strain."
"So I prepared for a very long time... even used quite a few connections."
Sakuya wasn't unfamiliar with Hirako's explanation.
Because the ostensible Gotei 13 squads each possessed, controlled, and were allocated different tasks and domains.
Intelligence·Assassination·Support·Recovery·Combat·Guard·Research...
Under the noble ruling system, the Gotei 13 clarified their respective rights and responsibilities, like precisely crafted gears placed in appropriate positions, beginning continuous operation.
Solid and sturdy.
Sakuya nodded thoughtfully, then said softly.
"Our Squad 5 should be the department specifically managing rescue, right?"
"Yeah, so we're often looked down upon."
As a captain saying such dispiriting words was perhaps Hirako's personal characteristic.
He grinned and raised his right hand, gesturing as he added.
"We have to learn everything, know everything. Usually serving as the second line, filling in when emergency response is most needed, ensuring the overall order and battle lines don't collapse."
Heh.
Hirako looked toward his side with a half-smile.
"Pretty boring work, right?"
"Indeed."
Sakuya nodded, then said softly.
"But it's also very important, isn't it?"
Hirako's smile became somewhat brighter. He pressed down on Sakuya's head and shook it gently with some force.
"You little guy~ You really understand!"
"My hair's going to get messy... Please don't do such things."
"A four-year-old is already concerned about his image? Really? Just like that stinky old man of yours."