"Secret?"
After the initial shock, Su Xiao quickly regained his composure. He said nothing about Komamura Sajin, as if Komamura Sajin's death had not affected him in the slightest. If Su Xiao really were merely a researcher, that would indeed be the case.
"I'll tell you quietly."
Nanque leaned closer to Su Xiao. He caught a faint fragrance—the scent of some summer flower from Soul Society, fresh and clean.
"I happened to overhear this. Apparently, among the suspects in Captain Aizen's death, you rank fifth."
"..."
Su Xiao looked at Nanque in "surprise." He was not pretending; he was genuinely puzzled. There were only two possibilities: either Nanque was lying, or someone was making wild guesses.
But Su Xiao soon understood why such a rumor had spread. He had not been in Seireitei for long, and when Aizen was murdered, the first people suspected would naturally be those who had recently joined Seireitei.
Moreover, Su Xiao had been in close contact with Aizen. That could also be interpreted as Su Xiao creating an opportunity to assassinate Aizen.
Once he had figured out these two points, Su Xiao felt relieved, though his expression did not change.
"Of course there's reason to suspect me. I only arrived in Seireitei recently, after all."
"..."
Seeing Su Xiao's reaction, Nanque was somewhat disappointed deep in her eyes. This was not the reaction she had wanted to see.
"Lord Byakuya, should we go to the scene where Captain Komamura Sajin was killed...?"
"What for?"
"Uh~ About that..."
Nanque scratched her head.
"I wasn't close to him, and Aizen's death hasn't been investigated yet. I don't have time to deal with that for now."
"It seems... that's indeed the case."
Nanque stood and patted the wrinkles from her shihakusho.
"Lord Byakuya, don't worry. I'll protect you."