Chapter 12: One Good News and Another Good News
The interior of the kendo dojo was already wrapped in the deep silence of the night — it was just before one in the morning.
Even the most dedicated practitioners would have returned home to rest by this hour.
But for certain individuals obsessed with training and reaching the peaks of mastery, the late night was precisely the best time for the body to burn at its maximum potential.
After another intense round of duels, the two young men — exhausted but satisfied — retreated to the edge of the tatami, leaning on each other, laughing between gasps for breath.
With his whole body throbbing with fatigue, Arima Shinya bought two bottles of iced green tea from the vending machine and handed one to his partner.
— Hey, a little souvenir from yesterday.
The other remained silent for a few seconds before accepting the bottle.
— Thanks… Sorry for making you spend on this.
— Oh, still going to be formal with me?
Unscrewing the cap, Tōsen Ya tilted the bottle all at once, letting the cold liquid slide down his throat.
The sensation of the tea flooding his tired body, combined with the slight bitterness and the sweetness of the sweetener, revitalized his mind.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Tōsen maintained his serious expression.
— Everything in its proper place. If I cannot even act justly in something so simple, how can I talk about seeking equity and righteousness?
— Well, having principles is great — replied Arima, shrugging. — I'm not going to argue with your worldview.
He then let himself collapse to the floor, taking a deep breath and tying back his hair that had come loose again.
Tōsen turned his face slightly, his voice uncertain:
— Come to think of it… has anything good happened to you?
— Huh? Why do you say that?
— During training, I noticed you smiled occasionally… but it was a bit of a disgusting smile. It was so unpleasant that it stuck in my memory.
With a completely neutral tone, Tōsen delivered the sharpest words.
Arima was speechless for two or three seconds — and then heard another verbal stab:
— In total, six times.
— You actually counted!?
Seriously… this blind guy has absurd perception!
Unable to hide it, Arima ended up explaining, somewhat embarrassed, that he had gotten a new job.
— It's just to help with some student council duties. Simple things, like assembling structures and organizing events. I think it will only be busy during activity periods. The good thing is the schedule doesn't conflict with classes.
That way, the night training wouldn't be affected either.
In fact, it was the perfect kind of job for Arima Shinya at the moment.
Tōsen seemed happy for his friend, but with a more analytical look, he soon noticed something strange.
— The student council work isn't that simple… Arima, are you sure you're not being tricked?
The boy paused for a moment, recalling Kotetsu Isane's slightly awkward smile, and replied hesitantly:
— I think… not?
— Then there's only one other possibility.
A faint teasing smile appeared on Tōsen's face.
— That Kotetsu Isane is taking care of you. I bet she adjusted the "work schedule" just to help you.
Before Arima could retort, Tōsen continued, amused:
— I have no idea what she's like, but it seems the girl has a certain interest in you… Hey, Arima Shinya.
Without moving his body, he raised his left hand and pointed at his friend with a teasing gesture.
— The scent of spring is coming from you.
…
Tōsen Ya, your sense of humor is terrible.
Arima just looked at him expressionlessly, then threw himself back onto the floor, intertwining his hands behind his head.
"Interest… from Kotetsu Isane in me?"
He had never thought about it — but now, maybe it was worth considering that possibility.
That tall girl with the gentle expression…
Well… saying this feels a bit indecent, but today I really couldn't help sneaking a few glances.
It was undeniable — her body was impressive.
And to think she only ate rice porridge!
How was that body possible on that kind of diet?
Setting that thought aside, just remembering it made a slight warmth rise in his chest.
— Now it's really exuding the scent of an animal in heat.
— Are you a dog, or what!?
After resting, the two returned to training with renewed energy.
When they finally said goodbye, Arima checked his results for the day:
"Two more points in the Sword attribute? What a strange balance… by standard, there should have only been one point left."
It seemed somewhat illogical.
But he soon realized the reason.
Tōsen was improving too.
Arima had been absorbing experience through training with him, but the opposite was also true.
After all, someone who would one day become a captain certainly had exceptional talent.
It would be strange if he weren't evolving.
Thinking of this, Arima couldn't contain a satisfied smile.
Perfect. Just continue at this pace. Step by step — this is the right path for me!
Back at the dormitory, he opened the status panel and reviewed his recent progress:
[Sword: 33][Fist: 22][Steps: 12][Kidō: 2]
What a symmetrical distribution… it even looks like I organized it in descending order.
Since the first explanation about the four main attributes, he had barely managed to increase Kidō with just the theoretical lessons.
After a bit of analysis, he came to a simple conclusion:
The problem is the teacher.
I mean — if it were Aizen teaching kidō, at least +10 or +20 points in a single day!
It was a pity, but he was still in the first year.
Time was not lacking.
And with that thought, he slept deeply.
⸻
The next morning, even before classes began, Arima Shinya was already in the support sector, where Kotetsu Isane was waiting for him at the same spot as the previous day.
Seeing him arrive, she opened a radiant smile, standing up to wave excitedly.
— Arima-kun!
Making a lady wait is bad manners.
Arima quickened his pace.
— S-sorry… I didn't expect senpai to come so early.
He seemed a little embarrassed.
But Kotetsu waved her hand, unconcerned.
— It's my duty as senpai! Besides, I needed to prepare today's work content, so I arrived early.
— Understood. Then I'll count on your guidance, senpai!
Kotetsu smiled even wider — her large teeth showing unintentionally, in a somewhat goofy but charming way.
— Hehe, same here! Please take care of me too, Arima-kun!
Standing beside her, Arima listened attentively to the instructions, also observing some details…
Her perfume was stronger than the day before.
It wasn't just the simple scent of soap — it was actual perfume.
Also, her face looked more beautiful, as if she had prepared herself especially.
Even the small ornament in her braid had changed.
It was impossible not to notice the care in her appearance.
And recalling Tōsen's teasing from the previous night, Arima's expression became somewhat unreadable.
Could it be that she really… has some interest in me?
—— The distance is so close.
—— Her gaze is so obvious.
—— And this perfume… is it too strong?
Ahh… I should've listened to Kiyone… this look turned out weird, didn't it!?
After finishing the explanation, Kotetsu gave an embarrassed giggle, already wanting to leave as soon as possible.
But before she could say goodbye, she heard Arima's voice:
— I understood everything, senpai. Thanks for the guidance.
She didn't even dare turn her face.
She fidgeted nervously with the braid ornament, trying to maintain composure.
— A-and… I'll be going now…
— By the way, senpai, today you're even… cuter.
— …?!!!
Her heart stopped for a moment.
That kind of thing… he says it just like that, out of nowhere!?
Kotetsu almost lost her balance, closing her eyes tightly — and, taking a deep breath, gathered courage.
I can't let him dominate me like this!
I'm the senpai, after all!
She spun her body, raising her eyebrows firmly — about to scold him for being "shameless."
But the words got stuck in her throat.
Arima had rolled up his sleeve, revealing the shoulder he had injured.
He smiled with that healthy and sincere glow, the kind of expression that faced everything head-on.
— Senpai Kotetsu, this is today's injury. Sorry to bother you, but could you take care of it?
The instinct to care overpowered the desire to fight.
With a resigned sigh, Kotetsu frowned and approached, treating the wound carefully, though her expression showed irritation.
— You, huh! If you keep hurting yourself like this, I won't take care of you anymore, got it!?
Despite the tone, it sounded more like a vent than a threat.
And Arima just responded with a smile:
— Understood!
Looking at him, Kotetsu felt her face heat up again, and Arima thought, amused:
Aizen's lessons really are infallible…
After she finished the bandages, Kotetsu said goodbye, and Arima completed his tasks before classes.
Skipping class was unthinkable for him — especially with Aizen as the teacher.
When the morning classes ended, Arima Shinya thought about inviting Kotetsu to eat something at night.
But before he could decide, Aizen Sōsuke appeared in front of him, smiling.
— Shinya-kun, I have one good news and… another good news. Which do you want to hear first?
— …Does it matter?
Aizen's smile widened.
— The first good news is that you don't need to attend afternoon classes. I already requested an exemption for you.
— The second… is that I approved your request to borrow an asauchi.
— The analysis has been completed, and now…
— We can go fetch your Zanpakutō.