I'm Not Going!

Back Throw was not a complicated move.

All it took was finding the right way to exert force and breaking the opponent's balance. After that, the move could be completed with ease.

The opponent would be thrown out, then crash to the ground awkwardly under their own weight...

Though the strategy was incredibly straightforward—almost absurdly simple—

it was the best response Arima Shizuya could come up with.

Just throw her, damn it! The thought had barely surfaced when the expected sensation of impact never came.

Instead, his hands suddenly felt lighter.

What was going on? As if only now realizing he had flung out his hands, Arima Shizuya discovered that all he was holding was a thin half-robe.

The person was gone.

Only her clothes remained.

"This is the third technique of Stealth Step: Four Maple—Empty Cicada."

Yoruichi's voice came from behind him, making every hair on Arima Shizuya's body stand on end.

Having his back taken was a major taboo in close combat.

He instinctively tried to turn and strike backward. But before the movement could take shape, a pair of hands "affectionately" climbed around Arima Shizuya's neck.

He could feel his neck being completely wrapped up.

"You really are a little different."

Her voice was soft and light, like a whisper against his ear—more like the intimate murmurs shared only between lovers.

But one of the Parties had no spare attention to appreciate its charm.

The constriction of those python-like limbs tightened inch by inch, robbing Arima Shizuya of the right to breathe in an instant.

Yoruichi's right arm locked Arima Shizuya down, pinning him against the inside of her elbow.

As she tightened her hold, her left hand came over as well, fully reinforcing the technique...

Gah! It was a Rear Naked Choke!

"Ghk..."

He could feel all of Yoruichi Shihouin's weight pressing down on him.

Arima Shizuya's vision began to darken. He clenched his teeth, his expression turning savage.

I don't want to lose, especially not in such a humiliating way... Gah! This was supposed to be a simple sparring match, and you're using a secret technique on me!

But no matter how he struggled, there was nothing he could do.

Once this hold was fully locked in, there was almost no room for resistance.

It further compressed the nerves and blood vessels, quickly depriving the brain of oxygen and ultimately knocking the opponent unconscious.

At most, he had only a few seconds left before he lost and became unable to resist.

Am I really going to lose like this?

No, I can't accept this!

Arima Shizuya struggled and flailed his arms, attempting one final resistance. At the last moment, he touched the figure behind him.

A soft, warm, resilient sensation met his hand, accompanied by a quiet cry of surprise. Arima Shizuya then sank completely into darkness.

He lost consciousness.

"Gasp!"

Drawing in a sharp breath, Arima Shizuya abruptly sat up from the floor.

He instinctively looked around, but a familiar, slightly teasing voice drew his gaze over.

"Finally awake, Shizuya-kun?"

It was Aizen.

He sat beside him, slowly closing the book in his hands.

Rubbing his still-heavy head, Arima Shizuya slowly sat upright and said in a low voice.

"Teacher Aizen, I..."

"It has been about twelve minutes since you lost consciousness, Shizuya-kun. Lady Yoruichi and the other upperclassmen have already left."

Only then did Arima Shizuya look around properly.

Just as Aizen had said, it was still the same dojo, but it was now completely empty.

Only he and Aizen remained.

Tucking the book against his chest, Aizen slowly rose to his feet and smiled at Arima Shizuya.

"So, how did it feel to fight Lady Yoruichi?"

Arima Shizuya pressed his lips together, then flopped back down onto the dojo floor.

"There was no room to fight back..."

Just as Yoruichi had said.

She truly had been completely certain when she said that.

Even if I had somehow performed beyond my limits, she probably would have found an even more suitable way to deal with me...

There was no helping it. That was simply what happened when the gap was too vast.

Yet Arima Shizuya was not overly discouraged.

After all, that choking play had brought him gains.

You completed a Hakuda training session and had intimate contact with Yoruichi Shihouin. Hakuda +10

A full ten points of attribute increase.

If he had stayed there trading wild punches with other freshmen, who knew how long he would have needed to train for gains like that.

Looking at the full twenty-two points in Hakuda he had gained from this exchange, Arima Shizuya could not help but sigh.

His trump-card attribute, Kendo, was only at thirty-one points even now.

All he could say was that the beating had not been for nothing. Awesome! "Hehe, it seems Shizuya-kun benefited quite a bit as well. That is good... Come, it is time for us to return to class."

Aizen extended his right hand toward Arima Shizuya.

Arima Shizuya awkwardly took it and used the support to stand up.

Come to think of it, Aizen had said something similar before. Looking back on it now, Arima Shizuya was rather curious.

When had the man noticed that something was unusual about him?

"Teacher Aizen, when did you..."

"When did I notice that Shizuya-kun was special?"

Aizen pushed up the glasses on his nose. The sidelong glance he gave him was somehow subtle, while the smile on his face deepened further.

"Probably from the very beginning. I am not particularly capable, but I am rather good at observing... Shizuya-kun is very special, so I could not help wanting to interact with you more."

I feel like he just said something terrifying in a very casual tone.

Before Arima Shizuya could voice that thought, Aizen continued with a smile.

"And judging by the facts now, my thoughts were not mistaken. Shizuya-kun truly possesses astonishing talent..."

After a brief pause, Aizen narrowed his eyes slightly.

"After all, there are very few people who can guess Lady Yoruichi's move, make a judgment in an instant, and counterattack."

That was absolutely not the kind of reaction a newcomer could produce.

Aizen had been watching him the entire time, so he could be certain that Arima Shizuya did not possess skill at that level.

There was only one possibility.

"Shizuya-kun can rapidly absorb nourishment in battle, analyze and understand what his opponent excels at, make it his own, and grow quickly."

"I see..."

"What an enviable talent, Shizuya-kun. It seems you are a born powerhouse. As your instructor, I am very pleased."

His voice carried a rare fluctuation, as though he truly felt some exhilarating emotion.

A strange aura radiated from Aizen, one unfamiliar even to Arima Shizuya.

"I am watching a towering tree slowly grow... Heh, there is no news more delightful than this."

Arima Shizuya scratched at the corner of his mouth. He wanted to say something, yet did not know how to begin.

In the end, he could only say helplessly.

"I may indeed be a little special, but I don't think I'm as exaggerated as Teacher Aizen says."

"To remain humble despite possessing such ability is also a rare quality. Heh, just as expected of the student I have taken a liking to..."

Aizen said this, then suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Afterward, Arima Shizuya heard him speak again.

"Right... There is one more matter. Lady Yoruichi asked me to pass along a message to Shizuya-kun."

Huh? That ill-tempered young lady had something to say to him?

"She said that while Shizuya-kun's performance did not meet the standard, she found herself somewhat taken with you nonetheless. If you are willing, she can submit an application to the Captain-Commander on your behalf, allowing you to graduate early and become her subordinate."

After a brief pause, Aizen asked without turning around.

"So, Shizuya-kun, what do you think of this invitation?"

Whatever the answer might be, Arima Shizuya himself was a little stunned.

Uh? Didn't she beat me senseless? I still lost within two moves and got taken down effortlessly, didn't I?

Why would she still be interested in me?

As though he understood his "beloved student's" confusion, Aizen said with a suppressed laugh.

"Shizuya-kun, it was your first time meeting Lady Yoruichi, so you probably do not understand... Even with her deliberately holding back, you managed to defend, break through, and suppress Lady Yoruichi."

"That series of actions alone exceeded the scope of this test. In other words, you performed beyond expectations."

"As for making Lady Yoruichi use a secret technique against you... Hehe, for Lady Yoruichi, that was practically cheating."

In summary—

"Lady Yoruichi fully acknowledges your strength, and while you were unconscious, she asked me to pass on this message."

"As long as you are willing, she will welcome you under her command at any time. The Second Division, the Stealth Force, the First Division of the Correction Corps... You may join any of these organizations if you wish."

"So what is your answer, Shizuya-kun?"

Arima Shizuya pondered for a moment.

"If I go over there, then Teacher Aizen, you..."

"Then naturally, you would have nothing more to do with me. After all, I am merely an instructor at the Academy, so I would be unable to maintain any further connection with Shizuya-kun. Of course, if we were to remain friends, that might not be a problem."

With things put that plainly, the answer was naturally clear.

Some noble Shihōin family, the Second Division, the Stealth Force... Their titles were more impressive than the last, but in the end—

Could any of them compare to this mastermind-level figure? No chance. They did not have that kind of ability, you know!

Arima Shizuya answered without hesitation.

"I'm not going!"

Aizen looked deeply at Arima Shizuya, then turned his back and began walking toward the door.

"I see. If that is Shizuya-kun's answer, then I will report it truthfully."

"As for our chat, let us end it here, Shizuya-kun."

"I have some specific ideas... but I will need some time before reaching a conclusion. So please give me a little time. Afterward, I will make other arrangements for you."

Aizen had something specifically planned for him?

Arima Shizuya could not help making a strange expression.

"Are you nervous, Shizuya-kun?"

"No... Since it is something Teacher Aizen has arranged, I'm sure you have your reasons."

By now, he could be considered someone on the same side as Aizen.

After all, nothing Aizen had done so far had been problematic, and Arima Shizuya did not have much emotional attachment to anyone else.

So he truly respected Aizen, his instructor.

"Is that so? I gratefully accept that trust."