A woman dressed in the standard uniform of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy stood in the hallway.
At first, she had her back turned to Arima Shinya, but when she turned around, the young man was finally able to see her face clearly.
Black hair, a slender figure.
Just by her appearance, she gave off an impression of calmness and intelligence — quite different from the neutral, matter-of-fact demeanor of Kotetsu Isane.
Arima Shinya could sense that this woman possessed a certain softness unique to Eastern women.
Her eyes were a shade of violet, and she wore glasses. Her long hair was neatly tied behind her head, with her bangs swept to the left side and pinned with a small clip.
The glasses…
The thick frame only reinforced her intellectual aura.
When Arima Shinya met her gaze, the student beside her raised his hand and pointed toward him, saying:
"Ah, I told you he probably hadn't gone too far yet. Arima-kun, this senpai came looking for you."
Looking for me?
Arima watched as the woman approached him.
Her height barely reached the level of his collarbone — she could hardly be called tall. At that moment, she was silently observing him from head to toe with a thoughtful expression.
"May I ask if you are Arima Shinya?"
Her tone was exceedingly polite, yet there was something in her eyes — the way one might look at a rare creature.
"Ah… yes, that's me. Did something happen?"
With a graceful motion, she lifted her right hand and lightly adjusted the position of her glasses.
"My name is Ise Nanao, from Class 5 of the Fourth Year."
Whoa…
Although Arima had already suspected it, hearing her introduce herself still carried a certain weight.
The popular vice-captain who would one day serve under Kyōraku Shunsui — Ise Nanao.
He hadn't expected her to be only a few years older than him.
Come to think of it, it was no wonder old man Yamamoto held such authority among the captains — by that logic, half of the Gotei 13 must have been his students or students of his students…
While he pondered that, Nanao took a step forward, speaking in a serious tone:
"Arima Shinya, regarding the incident with the destruction of the kendo dōjō, the student council has a few details that need to be confirmed with you. Please…"
Her voice was calm.
Then she stepped half a pace back, opening space and gesturing politely with her hand.
"I ask for your cooperation in a few verifications and clarifications."
Ah, I see.
When he had spoken with Kotetsu Isane, she had mentioned something like this. Even if the matter was handled administratively, certain formal procedures still had to be followed.
So this kind of summons wasn't exactly unexpected.
Arima nodded and followed without hesitation.
"Understood, Senpai Ise. Please lead the way."
Nanao seemed a little surprised by how readily he agreed. She looked him over for a few seconds before turning and walking ahead.
The two of them quickly passed through the academy buildings, leaving behind the area for the lower-year students.
As mentioned before, without someone to guide him, Arima would never have found his way to this kind of place.
While he was thinking that, Nanao's calm voice drifted from ahead:
"Apologies for this. It's your precious rest time, and yet I had to trouble you to handle this mess."
Arima waved his hands quickly.
"Not at all! It's the least I can do. After all, I'm the one who caused the problem — it's only fair that I take responsibility."
"I see. It seems the freshmen this year have quite a sense of responsibility."
"Ah… hehe, maybe just a little."
Nanao turned her face slightly, showing a faint smile.
"There's no need to be so formal. Kotetsu Isane and I have known each other for some time. She already explained briefly what happened at the dōjō."
Ah, so they know each other. That's good.
Arima let out a small sigh of relief.
After all, standing before someone "on your side" was always reassuring.
"I'm relieved to hear that, Senpai. I might still have some questions later, so I hope I can ask for your guidance."
"Of course. That's a good attitude. When you meet the senior members of the student council, keep that composure — things will go smoothly that way."
Perhaps thinking the mood had become too serious, Nanao's tone softened slightly.
Arima couldn't help but think about how different she was from the image he had of her "in the present."
In the original timeline, Nanao appeared alongside Shunsui, even prepared to eliminate Sado Yasutora if necessary… at that time, she had seemed utterly merciless.
But this Nanao, from centuries earlier, seemed far more human — less cold, less hardened.
Come to think of it, maybe that was just what work did to people.
After all, even Kotetsu Isane in the future would lose part of that youthful gentleness…
Ah, damn work — such a terrifying power to corrupt a girl's heart!
While he was mentally lamenting, he noticed Nanao's once-casual gaze shift slightly toward his waist.
For a moment, the light in her eyes dimmed.
"Arima-kun, may I ask… have you already received acknowledgment from your Asauchi?"
The question came suddenly, but there was no reason not to answer.
Arima placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and nodded.
"Yes. I received permission from Professor Aizen, so I was able to take one in advance."
"I see… permission from Professor Aizen, then."
Seeing her expression, Arima sighed inwardly.
Seriously, professor… you've only been teaching for a year.
How are you already so popular among the upperclassmen?
Is this what they call overwhelming charisma? Terrifying…
But something in Nanao's expression made him pause.
There was a shadow of sadness there.
Then he remembered.
Ise Nanao was unable to subjugate an Asauchi.
Ah, right — that was the example Aizen had mentioned during training.
Not everyone can master an Asauchi. Some spirits are calm, others wild — and compatibility with the wielder means everything.
Only when both resonate in harmony can the true form of the blade be awakened.
If Nanao was already in her fifth year, she must have gone through the Asauchi loan ritual long ago.
Yet, being so close to graduation, she still didn't possess a Zanpakutō of her own.
That only confirmed that she was following the same fate she would have in the original future.
Compared to that, standing before her with a recognized Asauchi…
It was almost like flaunting an open wound.
Cruel.
Arima grimaced bitterly.
— If I'd known it was her, I wouldn't have brought the sword today!
Even if she said nothing, he felt the need to say something.
Come on, Arima Shinya, think!
Say something that'll make her smile!
"Um… Senpai Ise?"
She took a quiet breath and turned her eyes back to him.
"What is it?"
"It's just… I've had some doubts about Kidō lately. Would you mind teaching me a bit?"
Although Nanao couldn't subjugate an Asauchi, her mastery of Kidō was remarkable.
In the original timeline, if not for following Shunsui, she likely would have joined the Kidō Corps.
Good move!
And indeed, the effect was immediate.
Even without changing her expression, Nanao's voice became livelier.
Excellent. Strategy successful!
However…
Arima soon realized the problem.
With only 2 points of affinity in Kidō, his level was, to put it kindly, disastrous.
From Nanao's perspective, his techniques must have looked like a child's play.
"You don't even know that?", "This is basic for any student!", "No, no, that's completely wrong!"
Even though he knew she meant no harm, the emotional damage was catastrophic.
Arima collapsed, spiritually wounded.
After a long and exhausting "lesson," Nanao pushed up her glasses with a sigh.
"Although there's still much I'd like to teach, I think that's enough for today. If I say any more, Arima-kun probably won't understand anyway."
Wait, what?! You had more to say?!
Who would've thought Ise Nanao had such a teacher's side to her…
[You have exchanged Kidō knowledge with Ise Nanao. Kidō +5]
Oh?
So I actually gained something out of this.
Looks like it was a productive "intensive course."
As he thought that, Nanao relaxed her expression and smiled faintly.
"To think someone talented like you has weaknesses too… that's surprising."
Arima scratched at his mouth, embarrassed.
"So… does that mean I'm considered a genius now?"
Come to think of it, maybe it was true — his overall performance really did surpass most of his peers.
But at this moment, the best thing to do was act the way Aizen would.
If it were him, what would he say?
"In truth, Senpai Ise is the amazing one here. My Kidō is pathetic."
"Don't be so modest, Arima-kun. Words like that don't suit you."
"Yeah, but what can I do? That's just how it is for now."
Nanao seemed in good spirits, and after thinking for a bit, she added:
"But that's a good thing. Knowing that someone has weaknesses… makes others feel more at ease around them. Ah, sorry, that came out sounding a bit rude."
She covered her mouth, flustered.
But Arima only smiled.
It was natural. Being praised and approached by a talented freshman would brighten any senpai's mood.
"Don't worry, Senpai. Actually, I'm happy to hear that."
Adopting Aizen's calm tone, Arima pointed to his own face and said with a smile:
"Because for you to think that way means you truly tried to understand me. I'm genuinely grateful for that."
Nanao's face instantly turned red.
"Y-you… you insolent boy!"
His tone was cheeky, almost teasing — but still within acceptable limits.
There wasn't anything she could openly criticize.
Nanao huffed, clearly flustered.
Argh! Kotetsu Isane was right — this boy really is irritatingly light-hearted and provoking!
Unable to express her frustration, Nanao simply shot him a sideways glare.
"Humph…"
Even without words, Arima could sense her inner conflict — that desire to scold him, restrained purely by dignity.
He smiled without knowing why.
Ah… this is kind of addictive.
Teasing someone who gets annoyed but can't retaliate… it's almost too fun.
So that's why Aizen is so popular… his tactics really work.
While thinking that, the two finally arrived before the student council room.
"From here on, I won't accompany you. Go in and explain things as they are — the upperclassmen will handle the rest."
"Understood. Thank you, Senpai Ise."
"…"
She shot him a slightly irritated look, and Arima scratched his neck with a wry smile.
"Ah, Senpai… about what I said earlier, don't take it the wrong way. I was genuinely asking for your guidance."
The +5 Kidō points were proof of that.
Even if it was just out of gratitude, he wanted to thank her properly.
Nanao discreetly adjusted her glasses and turned away.
"…It was nothing. If you're interested, we can talk more another time."
She walked off quickly, her expression somewhat unsettled.
Arima couldn't see her face — and thus had no idea what she was really thinking.
But her words lingered in his mind.
"Knowing that someone has weaknesses makes others feel more at ease…"
What a curious line.
Isn't that right, Professor Aizen?
Arima crossed his arms over his chest, staring blankly ahead with a faint, weary smile.
Being too strong inspires fear.
Being too weak invites disdain.
That's why, sometimes, one must hide — conceal their fangs, soften their presence.
Only then do people forget the differences that divide them.
And then, in a sudden flash, a phrase came to mind:
"To step on an ant without killing it, one must control their strength perfectly."
Therefore…
"For an elephant to be friends with an ant — that, in itself, is already an unequal relationship."