A Girl of Habit

Habit · Girl

Let's skip the formalities for now.

After handling the various discharge procedures with Tōsen Kaname, Arima Shizuya chatted as they walked, taking the opportunity to lay out everything that had happened to him.

"I see. So you're training your spiritual pressure control this way?"

Tōsen Kaname gently stroked the sword at his waist, the corners of his lips lifting.

"Though somewhat crude, it is still an act of kindness."

"...Huh? Why do you say that?"

"Because, Arima Shizuya, you have yet to steel yourself to take a life, haven't you?"

Tōsen Kaname's tone was calm, as though he were merely an observer viewing things from a third party's perspective, quietly and slowly describing what he had witnessed.

"Your swordsmanship is indeed exquisite, and you have improved rapidly. But in my eyes, you still possess a fatal flaw... I cannot sense any killing intent from you."

Arima Shizuya did not mind others pointing out his flaws. He reached up and scratched at the corner of his mouth before pondering aloud.

"Isn't it normal not to have killing intent?"

Was I supposed to attack during sparring with the intent to kill you? As though answering that thought, Tōsen Kaname said in a low voice.

"This is an act of cowardice."

Ugh... you people really were ridiculously Spartan.

"Arima Shizuya, a blade is a weapon for taking life. If you do not possess the intent to kill, it will be difficult for you to be the one left standing in the end."

"Is that so?"

Though he had never really considered anything so complicated, Arima Shizuya remained fairly optimistic.

After all, he had seen the filth of the Slums. If he truly encountered a life-or-death crisis, Arima Shizuya did not think he would hesitate.

And besides...

"People are creatures with an incredible capacity to grow numb."

Tōsen Kaname did not quite understand.

"What do you mean?"

Arima Shizuya gave a rather wistful smile.

"Exactly what it sounds like... things you are unaccustomed to, cannot adapt to, or even instinctively reject."

"As long as you keep at them persistently, over time, that pain gradually fades away. In the end, you might even come to like it."

"So when all is said and done... you only need to try more. You only need to adapt."

Yes, exactly.

He would gradually grow accustomed to the scent of iron and blood.

The sensation of slicing through flesh like wet cloth would slowly become numb as well.

Until, in the end.

He, too, would become someone who could take another's life without changing his expression.

Though the topic was somewhat heavy, since it had been brought up, Arima Shizuya did not mind sharing his thoughts.

"I'm the kind of person who believes things will work themselves out when the time comes. So I don't think too much about complicated things... when it comes time to act, I'll have my own judgment. So Tōsen, I appreciate your concern."

Arima Shizuya had his own way of doing things.

He could acknowledge and compromise, but that did not mean he wholly agreed with others' ideas.

When all was said and done...

Was something right merely because it had always been done that way?

"Well, hot-blooded young people always have their own ideas, don't they?"

Though he could not see it, Tōsen Kaname could still sense the foolishly carefree smile on the person beside him.

He clearly wanted to say more, but Tōsen Kaname did not seem to be particularly eloquent.

So he suddenly fell silent for quite a while.

Only after two breaths did he speak in an even, unruffled tone.

"I once had a friend. She was slow-witted, naïve, and imperfect. Yet even so, the justice in her heart never faded... I envied and admired people like that."

Tōsen Kaname rarely spoke in such a tone. His current demeanor truly was somewhat unusual.

Arima Shizuya saw him turn his face toward him.

"I have no friends to speak of now, but you are one of the few. That is why, Arima Shizuya, I hope you can live healthily and safely."

I see.

So this was advice offered from the standpoint of a friend.

That was rather touching, Tōsen—Arima Shizuya had not expected to hold such a place in the other man's heart. He gave an awkward laugh.

He could only try to lighten the mood.

"Oh, that sounded kind of like a dying message!"

"...Can't you read the room?"

"By the way, can I have an orange? This fruit basket wasn't cheap, right? I remember it's a famous brand, specially supplied to nobles or something? I'm really looking forward to the taste..."

"Don't touch my fruit basket."

"Huh??? Wasn't this something you brought for me?!"

Before class the next day.

The Mutual Aid District on the first floor of the School Building.

"So much happened yesterday that by the time I realized it, a whole day and night had already passed, so..."

He simply had not had time to request leave.

Damn it! They were going to dock his pay...

Kotetsu Isane, seated across from him, wore a bright smile. She seemed to completely understand Arima Shizuya's situation and nodded gently.

"Mm-hm, mm-hm, I understand the general situation. I never expected Arima-kun to be the person the students have been talking about lately."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You collapsed the Kendo Hall with spiritual pressure alone, then severely injured the Fifth Division Fourth Seat through an unconscious action. Arima-kun, you are quite the topic of conversation at the Academy now."

"..."

Huh??? Having completely failed to anticipate this, Arima Shizuya's expression turned rather strange.

He had considered the possibility that he might someday make a name for himself, but he had not expected it to happen this way.

It was truly rather sobering.

Kotetsu Isane organized the documents in her hands. Her smile was warm as she leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice as though sharing a secret.

"I understand what happened. I'll submit a report to the Student Council later. You do not need to compensate for the damage to the Kendo Hall, either. We can file it under long-term disrepair and have it renovated while we're at it."

Arima Shizuya pondered for a moment.

"You can do that?"

"Of course it violates the rules, but it is still within the regulations. It's something that can be worked around."

Kotetsu Isane rarely showed such a smug expression. She raised her chin slightly, exposing her fair neck.

"This is the wisdom of a senior, Arima-kun."

"Oh, I've learned something!"

"Speaking of which, there is something else I'm curious about... Arima-kun, have you already rented an Asauchi?"

Since it was hanging at his waist, it was obvious at a glance.

"Yeah. Since I received Instructor Aizen's approval, I went and collected it in advance."

"That's amazing. Someone like Arima-kun will probably be able to call out his Zanpakuto's name very soon."

Ah... speaking of that.

As the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, Kotetsu Isane had also had scenes in the original work where she released her Zanpakuto—though Strawberry Bro had instantly defeated her. Asking her for advice at a time like this should count as perfectly normal behavior, right?

"Kohaku-senpai, have you already comprehended your Zanpakuto's name?"

"Hehe, I'm not that impressive. I'm still only at the stage of merging souls. The Asauchi does not seem to approve of me all that much either, so I'll have to take it slowly."

I see.

Arima Shizuya crossed his arms and wore a thoughtful expression.

If Kotetsu Isane were used as a benchmark for comparison...

Those who can achieve Shikai while still at the Academy really are few and far between.

No, rather...

Even a comparatively weaker Vice-Captain like Kotetsu Isane could only achieve this much.

That gave Arima Shizuya a rough idea of everyone else's level.

What the hell.

That meant he was actually pretty strong! Aizen and Tōsen kept stuffing him full of anxiety at every turn, making him all neurotic...

Sure enough, it was much more relaxing to be around a cute girl~

As though she had recalled something, Kotetsu Isane suddenly raised a brow.

"Oh, right. Arima-kun should have a Monthly Exam coming up soon, shouldn't he?"

"Yeah... since it's my first time taking one, I'm a little nervous."

"That is not a big deal. The issue is that the week after that, you will have your first Off-Campus Internship since enrolling."

"Huh? An internship?"

Kotetsu Isane clearly enjoyed explaining these things to Arima Shizuya. Keeping a gentle smile, she spoke in an unhurried tone.

"Since we will be assigned to the Seireitei after graduation, these internships are meant to familiarize us with the work in advance and give us a general understanding of everyone else's duties. They are held once every few months."

Oh~ so that was the reason.

"Arima-kun probably does not know this yet, but while the placements for later internships are predetermined, you can choose your first one."

There was something that good?

Arima Shizuya immediately began looking forward to it.

The Seireitei was so vast, and there were so many different positions. If he could use this internship opportunity to see them firsthand...

Wow, he would have far more confidence when assignments were made in the future.

That was important information, Kotetsu Isane. Nice! Thumbs up. Since everything had been explained clearly, this should have been the end of it.

But there was still one matter weighing heavily on Arima Shizuya's mind.

The boy suddenly pressed his palms together and raised them above his head.

Making a gesture that was practically a plea.

"Kohaku-senpai, um, about my pay..."

Her smile did not change as she replied decisively.

"That part will have to be deducted. Rules are rules, after all."

There was no room for negotiation!

"How could this be..."

Apparently, merely seeing Arima Shizuya at a loss made her happy. Kotetsu Isane's smile was especially natural today.

She raised her slender right hand halfway, her slightly curled index finger drawing a circle in the air.

"Treat this as a rare learning experience. That way, you'll remember it better next time."

So she was a firm believer in educational discipline.

"I-I understand..."

"You seem pretty down."

"If my income goes down, I won't be able to eat good meat."

At that point.

Kotetsu Isane made a move like a tactical lean back.

Her previously relaxed smile faded away as she turned her face to the side.

Her right hand began fiddling with the ornament hanging from her braid. Her thick brows furrowed anxiously, then relaxed again. Finally, she took a deep breath.

"Um, Arima-kun..."

"Hmm?"

Only then did the boy seem to pull himself together, raising his head.

"If you do not mind, at noon today, or tonight... I can treat you to Steak."

The moment the words left her mouth and no response came, Kotetsu Isane seemed as if something were urging her on.

Her expression grew extremely tense, and her voice became even more hurried.

"B-because I normally only eat Plain White Porridge, so I do not spend much money. And Student Council work comes with benefits too... I-I have saved up quite a lot of Cafeteria Tickets. If you keep those things without using them, they expire..."

Too much explanation only made her seem guilty.

But how could Arima Shizuya possibly expose her unease at a time like this?

Why would he ever refuse something so good?!

"Then thank you very much, Kohaku-senpai!"

Yes! x2 Kotetsu Isane rose directly to her feet. The corners of her mouth would not stop lifting, and even her voice rose with excitement.

"Then I'll be going first. See you in the cafeteria at noon, Arima-kun!"

"Yeah, see you later, senpai."

Watching her turn away, Arima Shizuya blinked, then suddenly opened his mouth.

"Kohaku-senpai, compared to wearing perfume and makeup, I think you suit this look better... you look very cute."

Kotetsu Isane took a critical hit.

Her face flushed red all at once, but she did not dare stop. Instead, she quickened her pace and left the Mutual Aid District outright.

Ugh... her heart had nearly stopped! Why did this bad boy enjoy teasing people so much... but, but then again.

Kotetsu Isane raised both hands and gently placed them against her cheeks.

They were a little hot.

It was like touching a roasted sweet potato—cold on the outside, hot within.

"Seems like... it's not too bad?"

The corners of her mouth rose despite herself. Under the strange looks of those around her, Kotetsu Isane let out a somewhat chilling "Hehe."

As usual, he returned to the classroom and began preparing for another day of study.

The morning classes yielded nothing as always, and they just happened to be Kendo classes.

Although Arima Shizuya forced himself to listen through the entire lesson, he could not help but show a reflective expression in the end.

This most basic of basics was of no use to him anymore.

After all, his Kendo attribute had reached 33, and he had been certified by Aizen as being at Seat Member level.

It was only natural for him to feel that way.

During the break, Arima Shizuya left the classroom and was filling a cup from the drinking fountain in the corridor to quench his thirst.

A familiar... yet utterly unexpected figure entered his sight.

Even Arima Shizuya revealed a surprised, almost stunned expression.

This girl.

Why was she here?