"So, Arima Shinya was rejected in his confession?"
Aizen smiled lightly, sitting in his chair in the classroom, that always-gentle expression on his face.
In front of him, Arima Shinya scratched his head, visibly embarrassed, not knowing where to hide his face.
"N-no, I don't think it was a direct rejection… After all, she didn't say it that clearly either…"
Aizen stood up, turned, and poured a glass of warm water, handing it to Arima.
"But she did say something like, 'let's start as friends,' right?"
Arima nodded timidly and muttered a quiet "thank you."
"Why does Aizen-sensei understand these things so well…"
"Of course — after all, I tend to be the one who receives confessions."
Gu!
This guy sometimes says things that are incredibly irritating!
Seeing the look of displeasure on Arima's face, Aizen, who rarely joked, seemed to be in a great mood that day.
After all, it wasn't common for the two to discuss this kind of topic in the teachers' lounge.
"Alright, let's stop joking around. Shinya-kun, you should understand… someone like Kotetsu certainly has some kind of affection for you."
He had already realized that, of course.
"But even so, having your confession turned down must be painful, right?"
Huh?! Does this guy read minds now?
"Haha, maybe it sounds teasing coming from me, but I actually believe that, when it comes to dealing with girls, the important thing is frequent contact — gradually cultivating affection."
Makes sense…
"Prepare small gifts, talk more, discuss things outside of daily routines…"
Aizen blew on the hot tea on the table, took a small sip with satisfaction, and continued:
"Passionate feelings can bring people together quickly, but what truly connects them comes from the small, daily accumulations."
"In my opinion, Kotetsu is the traditional type. The direct approach you used, Shinya-kun… was a bit hasty."
He spoke gently, but the meaning was the same as: "You rushed in too quickly."
Yes, too impulsive, boy…
Arima's face turned completely red. He pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Seems like you're pretty down, Shinya-kun."
"You could tell that easily, Aizen-sensei…?"
"Well, you look like a defeated fighting rooster."
Even without intending to mock, it sounded cruel.
Then, Aizen glanced at him sideways, the corner of his lips curling into a half-smile.
"But I confess I didn't expect Shinya-kun to be the type to take initiative. Must be youth… or maybe just the effect of hormones?"
Under that gaze, Arima averted his face, awkward.
He scratched the corner of his mouth with his right hand, clearly uncomfortable.
"Well… wanting a girlfriend to walk hand in hand with, hug, and stuff… that's not strange, right?"
Aizen remained silent for a moment — then let out a loud, genuine laugh.
"Ha! That's youth! But is it really wise to tell something so intimate to me?"
Adjusting his glasses, Aizen smiled enigmatically.
"What if I decide to turn it into a joke for the others?"
Arima just shrugged and laughed lightly.
"Alright. I trust sensei without reservations. If you decide to do that, you must have a reason… I'd understand perfectly."
For a moment, Aizen's gaze deepened — the sparkle in his eyes became serious, almost heavy.
"…Really? That trust… weighs more than it seems."
"Ah, anyway, let's leave that aside. I'll have other chances — I just have to keep trying!"
"Good to see you're cheerful again."
"Being down all the time gets you nowhere, right?"
Patting his face a few times, Arima drank the rest of the water in one gulp, stretching.
"Alright, now to the important part. Aizen-sensei, tomorrow we'll have the one-day practical class in the Divisions. Do you have any recommendations?"
Aizen made a slight affirmative sound, swiveling his chair toward him.
"Shinya-kun, isn't there a specific place you'd like to go?"
The boy smiled, simple and straightforward:
"None!"
After all, it was just a one-day experience — nothing too deep.
But if Aizen had something prepared, that was another story. In a world governed by hierarchies, connections often mattered more than pure merit.
And Arima doubted very much that Aizen had no plan.
Show me what you're plotting, Aizen…
Whether he was laughing at the boy's frankness or at his own satisfaction in being right, Aizen let out a restrained chuckle.
Then he swiveled back to the desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
"Actually, two days ago, the captain of the Fifth Division, Hirako Shinji, sent me a letter. He personally requested that I take this opportunity to let you do an internship in the Fifth Division."
Huh?
What do you mean!?
Arima was shocked. He didn't expect to be noticed by a captain.
"Surprised, Shinya-kun?"
"U-uh, a little, yes. I never thought something like this would happen."
"Then take the chance and get used to the environment. Your victory over Vice-Captain Ōmaeda has already spread among the Thirteen Divisions."
Aizen smiled calmly, but with a touch of mischievous amusement in his eyes.
"Maybe you haven't realized yet, but you're already seen as a promise for the future."
He opened his hand, slowly bending each finger as he continued:
"I heard Yoruichi-sama mentioned your name in some meetings. The captain of the Fourth Division, Unohana Retsu, also knows you."
"The captain of the Third Division, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, has shown interest in meeting you during the next visit to the Shin'ō Academy."
"And the captain of the Seventh, Aikawa Love—"
"AAAHHH!!! Enough, enough! My head's going to explode! That's too much information!"
"Sensei! Please, let it go!"
Seeing Arima's distressed face, Aizen just smiled.
"So, Shinya-kun, can you already feel some of your own influence? At this rate, maybe even Commander Yamamoto will turn his eyes toward you."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni!?
Why would that old man look at me!?
"Because, in that duel, your hakuda technique was really impressive — and the style you used is one of the Commander's favorites. Hehe, he's always interested in these details. Not so strange."
…Alright.
Even without wanting to complicate things, it was a fact: his fight with Ōmaeda had already become a topic among the divisions.
His name was now spread throughout the Soul Society…
"Shinya-kun, I think you still don't quite understand. An ordinary student displaying seventh-level Reiatsu so early after joining the Academy — do you know what that means?"
It means "genius," perhaps?
Arima sighed inwardly. This wasn't the kind of fame he sought.
Moreover…
"All this is thanks to Aizen-sensei's teaching."
It was the truth.
Without Aizen, perhaps he would have still tried to strengthen himself on his own — but he would never have progressed so quickly.
That was why he felt genuine, deep respect for his mentor.
"…"
Aizen remained silent.
He wasn't someone swayed by empty praise — but he knew how to recognize sincerity when he saw it.
And Arima's words came from the heart.
He wondered…
Could this move him emotionally?
After all, that boy was his student, someone in whom he had invested time and energy.
Like watching a tree you planted grow strong — there was genuine satisfaction in that.
But, at the same time…
It was strange.
Why, despite all of Arima Shinya's talent, did he not feel the same caution he had with Tōsen?
Why didn't he follow the same "process"?
That doubt crossed his mind — and, for a moment, his gaze became unreadable, silent.
But soon, when Arima spoke again, Aizen made his decision.
"Aizen-sensei, so tomorrow I'll go to—"
"—No. Tomorrow you will not go to the Fifth Division."
"…Huh???"
Arima's expression turned completely confused.
Sensei, what are you talking about!? Wasn't that a direct order from the captain!?
Aizen simply flicked his wrist. Spiritual energy flows appeared, condensing like flames over the white paper —
and the letter was burned to the last trace of ash.
"On second thought, Shinya-kun, I have another plan for you."
"But… what about Captain Hirako…?"
"You haven't actually seen the content of the letter, right?"
"Uh… no."
"Good. Then we can pretend nothing happened."
No, no, no!
Is this how he and Captain Hirako interact!?
You're way too close! How can he ignore an order so calmly!?
But Aizen just smiled, as calm as ever.
"Don't worry about that, Shinya-kun. I already have a far more interesting destination in mind for you."
Arima, still not understanding, asked cautiously:
"And… where do you intend to take me?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses and replied, in his usual serene voice:
"To the Twelfth Division — also known as the Department of Technological Development."