The conversation with the upper members of the Student Council was surprisingly uncomplicated.
Perhaps because Kotetsu Isane and Ise Nanao were mediating the situation, Arima Shinya himself felt that the "interrogation" seemed more like a simple routine procedure than anything serious.
Before he knew it, he was already back in the classroom.
"Probably won't lead to anything…" he thought.
When lunchtime arrived, as previously arranged, Arima Shinya found Kotetsu Isane waiting for him at the door.
After all, her height was truly striking — that slender figure, easily standing out in a crowd, made it impossible not to notice her at first glance.
— Kotetsu-senpai, sorry… for making you wait.
Kotetsu Isane replied with a gentle smile, showing no annoyance whatsoever.
— It's fine. I just arrived myself.
The two entered together, ordered their meals, and sat down.
Thanks to Kotetsu Isane's help, Arima Shinya was finally able to enjoy the long-awaited steak combo he had been dreaming of.
The cuisine in the Soul Society was surprisingly varied — both traditional Japanese dishes and Western options, along with more modern desserts.
Even the simple aroma made his stomach growl, but Arima Shinya still felt a certain embarrassment.
After all, sitting across from him, Kotetsu Isane had ordered just… a bowl of plain porridge.
— Senpai… eating only that, won't you end up malnourished?
She held the warm bowl with both hands, smiling with a slightly embarrassed air.
— Of course I will, but that's exactly why I do it. I want to avoid taking in too many nutrients.
Her height was, without a doubt, a curious "problem."
Perhaps because she was more comfortable around Arima Shinya, the young woman, once a bit reserved, began to speak more naturally.
— Before entering the academy, I was only one meter seventy-eight… but over the years, I just kept growing.
— It's so difficult… if I keep this up, what will become of me?
— The clothes I like don't fit, and even shoes in my size are rare. This has been happening since I was a child, and now, as an adult, it's only worse.
— Sometimes I feel like a walking spotlight… Ah… maybe my life ended the day I was born.
"No, wait a minute…"
Kotetsu Isane was such a negative person!?
He felt he needed to do something to cheer her up.
— But, senpai, you have your own unique qualities. I don't think you need to compare yourself with others.
— Unique qualities? What do you mean by that?
— An androgynous style can also be charming, don't you think? Senpai, you don't need to worry so much about it.
After all, the "cute short-haired girl" look always had its appeal.
Yet, upon hearing this, Kotetsu Isane's expression didn't change much.
She lowered her hands, sighing lightly.
— Really…? Well, I'll pretend to believe that. But, if I could, I'd let my hair grow…
— Why? You look beautiful as you are.
— Because, if I say nothing, people always mistake me for a man.
Arima Shinya nearly lost control and laughed loudly.
It was true that the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy uniforms had male and female versions,
but the only difference was a colored embroidered strip on the chest — blue for men and red for women.
In other words, seen from behind, Kotetsu Isane, with her over 1.80m height, short silver hair, and slim figure…
Yes, it was very likely people could mistake her for a young man.
Just imagining her confused and embarrassed expression made him stifle a laugh.
— …Pff.
Kotetsu Isane made a "told you so" expression, raising her index finger and pointing at him.
— Aha! So you think that too!
— No, no, senpai, that's not exactly it! Calm down!
Still, he realized his reaction had been a bit over the top. He needed to correct the impression.
— Short hair has its charm too! Especially in your case, senpai… looking closely, you're actually quite cute.
But Kotetsu Isane seemed immune to this kind of compliment.
She took a small sip of the porridge, her expression showing slight displeasure.
— You said something similar to Ise-nee yesterday, didn't you?
"…Damn."
So Ise Nanao was the gossiping type!?
Seeing Arima Shinya's strange expression, Kotetsu Isane looked at him with even more disdain.
— I knew it! Arima-kun is really impressive, huh? So kind to everyone… really admirable~
That sarcastic tone made Arima Shinya start sweating.
From what he could tell, regardless of personality, women were all equally sharp in moments like this.
"Maybe… apologizing will work?"
— Hm… Kotetsu-senpai?
— What is it?
She averted her gaze, still sipping the porridge, not looking at him.
— Are… you mad at me?
— No.
The answer surprised him. Kotetsu Isane played with the bowl in her hands, her gaze too calm.
— After all, who you choose to associate with is your business, not mine. I have no right to interfere. Saying I'm angry would be an exaggeration.
But if one had to describe her expression…
Yes. "Sadness" seemed the most accurate word.
Kotetsu Isane's eyes darkened slightly. She hid half her face behind the bowl and murmured softly:
— My Kidō skill isn't that bad… so why didn't you come ask me for help…?
Was it a confession? A touch of jealousy? Or just something said without thinking?
Arima Shinya was surprised. And, looking at her face — flushed cheeks, eyes looking away — he realized…
"Wow… she's way too cute right now."
Even without knowing what that meant, he felt he needed to respond.
— Kotetsu-senpai, in that case, could I ask…
— No.
The refusal came immediately. Arima Shinya scratched his neck, smiling awkwardly.
— But I haven't even finished speaking yet.
— You were going to ask for help with something, right? But didn't you already agree with Ise-nee? Seriously, why not go to her?
The previous sweetness vanished, replaced by a slight air of indignation.
It was amazing how Kotetsu Isane displayed her emotions so visibly on her face.
Arima Shinya couldn't help but laugh.
— What are you laughing at!?
— Sorry, senpai. It's just… you reminded me of an animal.
— An animal…?
— A curled-up hedgehog.
Spiky on the outside, but with a soft heart inside. It was a defense, not real aggression.
— Seriously, senpai, you're very cute.
If it had been before, she would have been completely embarrassed, but now she seemed used to it.
She took another sip of porridge, sighing softly.
— I bet you say that to everyone.
— No, only to you. From the first day, when you helped me heal… I realized you're truly kind.
Being vice-captain of the Fourth Division was no small feat. It meant her philosophy had been recognized even by Unohana Retsu, the First Kenpachi.
A recognition of weight.
— …
The emotional wall Kotetsu Isane had built crumbled in seconds.
She tried to hide it by coughing, wiped her mouth, and, slightly trembling, replied:
— A-and so… this time I'll let it slide! But next time you need help, feel free to come to me!
"She really is a good person."
But that was exactly what made Kotetsu Isane so charming — kindness didn't mean naivety.
Arima Shinya felt he needed to value that.
Smiling, he clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
— Hehe, then… I'll count on you, senpai.
After lunch, he returned to the classroom, and at night met again with Tōsen Kaname.
Thus began the routine of an entire week.
During the day, the lessons didn't grant attribute points, so he devoted himself to reflecting on spiritual fusion with his Zanpakutō.
"At what point exactly does soul fusion allow me to call its name?"
Seeking this answer, he asked several of the "senpai" he knew.
Ise Nanao…
— Better skip that for now.
Kotetsu Isane…
— "I only reached the stage of spiritual fusion, so I don't know much beyond that."
Tōsen Kaname…
— "Try to achieve a mental connection with your Zanpakutō after fusion."
It sounded abstract, but made sense.
Finally, Aizen Sōsuke.
As expected of an instructor, his explanation was profound:
— The initial release, hm… it's been a while since I've used that term. Actually, it's quite simple.
Arima Shinya still remembered him seated, adjusting his glasses, serene and piercing gaze.
— When two souls wish to trust each other, the next natural step is communication.
— Dialogue and synchronization.
— Align your heartbeats, harmonize your breaths. To achieve this, both must strive equally. Therefore…
"Go dream, Shinya-kun."
In the world of dreams, converse with your own heart.
Even if it sounded poetic, Arima Shinya understood the meaning:
the "spiritual space" was a reflection of the soul — a manifestation of the heart.
Just like the "Ichigo" in the original manga, whose mind made the sky rain every time he entered that space.
Even if the person isn't aware, the body and subconscious always react in the truest way.
Talking with one's own soul was, therefore, an inevitable step.
"But… how do I enter that space, exactly?"
That was the remaining doubt.
As he pondered this, a speck of chalk hit his forehead.
— Ai!
— Hey, my dear prodigy student, could you stop daydreaming in my class?
— Ah, sorry, Professor Taniyama, I got distracted…
— Good heavens… that's the third time today! Your grades are good, but this attitude is unacceptable!
— Understood. I promise to pay attention now.
— That's the spirit! I bet you stayed after class because you love my explanations, right? Set a good example for the others!
There was always one of these — a teacher who slightly abused his authority.
At the Academy, everyone knew classes were divided by performance.
The higher the class, the better the students… and the resources available.
Arima Shinya's class, one of the more "average" ones, had teachers of questionable skill.
Even if, in spiritual power, he easily surpassed that man, the status difference allowed the teacher to act superior, speaking with a tone of disdain.
"No way…"
This kind of arrogance had long been part of Soul Society's tradition — a legacy from ancient times.
Anyone who wanted to survive here had to learn to adapt.
And, to be honest…
If Aizen weren't the instructor of that class, Arima Shinya would have requested a transfer a long time ago.
For now, he just rolled his eyes in silence and decided not to care.
When the morning class ended, the students began packing up — and it was then that Aizen Sōsuke entered the classroom.
— As I mentioned yesterday, the afternoon class will be canceled. Instead, we will conduct the monthly exam.
— I assume you all know the topic of the assessment.
— One of the four basic skills: Hakuda.
— This will be the first time many of you demonstrate your techniques in front of the upperclassmen, so give it your best.
Aizen's smile was calm, his gaze sweeping over every student before settling on Arima Shinya.
— As a veteran, here's a tip: avoid overeating at lunch.
— Otherwise, you may end up… sluggishly sick during the test.
— I look forward to seeing your performance.
— Well, see you later, everyone.