Gentle sunlight shone into the Captain-Commander's Office. Steam slowly rose from the teacup, seemingly veiling Asano Kiyoshi's face from afar.
Aizen leaned against the windowsill, his back to the sunlight. The halo of light outlined his figure, and his shadowed face appeared somewhat cold at that moment.
But in the next moment, that icy expression melted away like an iceberg thawing. He smiled, walked over to Asano Kiyoshi, and sat beside him, a trace of curiosity in his voice.
"Captain-Commander Asano Kiyoshi, in all of Soul Society, there are only two people I have truly been unable to see through. One is Kisuke Urahara, and the other is you."
As he spoke, Aizen removed his glasses. The cold gaze hidden behind those thick lenses instantly filled the room. Yet he did nothing, merely picked up the nearby teapot and added some water to his own cup.
"I truly cannot be compared to Urahara Shopkeeper, Captain Aizen. Urahara Shopkeeper's wisdom surpasses mine by far. The reason you feel unable to see through me is entirely due to the difference in information available to us."
Hearing Asano Kiyoshi's words, Aizen narrowed his eyes with curiosity. He picked up the teapot and held it over Asano Kiyoshi's emptied cup, seemingly intending to refill it.
"A difference in information? Could you explain that in detail? I am curious. When you were still weak, how did you obtain more information than I had?"
As he spoke, he poured some water into Asano Kiyoshi's cup.
Asano Kiyoshi accepted the cup without rushing to explain. He first thanked Aizen, then took a sip of tea before slowly explaining.
"Captain Aizen, from the very first time I met you, I was already wary of you."
"Oh? What made you feel such 'wariness' toward me? Did my acting contain