Aren't You Curious?

He had been praised.

But he could not feel happy about it at all.

After all, Arima Shizuya knew that Kisuke Urahara was the kind of nice guy who, once cut open, was black to the core.

All he could say was that birds of a feather flocked together.

The only people who could hit it off with Prison Master Aizen were those who shared common topics with him.

"Come to think of it, this should be Arima-kun's first time visiting the Research and Development Department, right?"

Kisuke Urahara appeared remarkably calm, and even the way he half turned his head carried no aggression whatsoever.

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask. Since arrangements were made beforehand, ninety percent of the buildings here have been granted open access today. You can enter and look around as you please."

What about the remaining ten percent? Eesh... better not ask.

Aizen, standing beside him, gave a soft chuckle and said in what sounded like a teasing tone, "How generous. I recall that the conditions weren't nearly so accommodating in previous years."

Kisuke Urahara cheerfully patted the back of his head and shrugged casually.

"After all, there usually aren't any Academy students who come to visit, so consider this a private tour for you... We also happened to be on an internal break recently, so I was able to make time to show you around today."

Arima Shizuya was a little curious.

"Does no one plan to intern with the Twelfth Division this year?"

"Mm, you could say there are indeed very few."

Scratching the corner of his mouth with his right hand, Kisuke Urahara looked rather helpless.

"After all, everyone wants to go somewhere with an impressive-sounding name. It makes for quite the show when introducing yourself, doesn't it?"

"Oh, right," Kisuke Urahara added with a smile.

"Places like the Second Division and Sixth Division, where the noble atmosphere runs strong, receive many internship applications every year."

I see.

He had not considered that there was such a reason behind it.

But on reflection, it was not hard to understand—given the reputations of the Shihōin and Kuchiki Clans, working under those people was probably quite a boast-worthy topic for some commoners.

Though it was rather impolite to put it this way, in practical terms, it was itself a form of attaching oneself to power.

"But then again, Arima-kun, don't you think that way?"

How did the conversation suddenly turn to me? "Since you chose to enroll in the True Spiritual Arts Academy, and your talent is quite good as well, Arima-kun must have ambitions of your own."

So...

"Don't you think fame, honor, or the opinions of others are things worth paying close attention to?"

Seeing Kisuke Urahara looking at him, the party in question quickly composed his expression and answered after some consideration.

"As for me... I'm not especially interested in those things."

Nobility, reputation.

Prestige, aspirations.

None of that had much to do with him. He had never believed in any natural hierarchy, and he was even less interested in that old feudal way of thinking.

At heart, although he only wanted to live peacefully, the instability within Soul Society and all the upheavals visible in the future...

Had forced Arima Shizuya to choose a side in advance and place his bet.

Ahem, so the Aizen Sōsuke beside me is my boss.

I'm already employee number 002 of Aizen Co., Ltd.

If there are any problems, please discuss them with my boss! "Because Teacher Aizen has always looked after me since I enrolled, I would rather trust Teacher Aizen's judgment in this regard... I trust Teacher Aizen's choice."

As he spoke, Arima Shizuya grinned and reached out with his right hand, lightly patting the shoulder of the person beside him twice.

"Right, Teacher Aizen? There's nothing wrong with thinking that way, is there?"

The party in question gave an almost imperceptible snort, adjusted his glasses, and spoke in his usual tone.

"Being trusted is a good thing, but Shizuya-kun, please mind your conduct while we are out. Do not behave so frivolously."

"Understood, I'll watch it next time~"

"That didn't sound very convincing. Could you look me in the eye and say it again?"

That would be somewhat psychologically stressful, so he would pass!

Kisuke Urahara watched the entire exchange from the side, and his expression took on a somewhat wistful cast.

"How nice, Aizen Fourth Seat."

Ending his banter with Arima Shizuya, Aizen turned toward him and asked seriously, "What do you mean, Captain Urahara?"

"I mean exactly what I said. Whenever I interacted with Aizen Fourth Seat before, certain thoughts would arise... For instance, you seem rather lonely."

Though his tone sounded like he was merely joking.

The atmosphere around them became subtly more delicate.

Arima Shizuya could not help glancing at Aizen beside him.

The other man fell silent for a moment before curling his lips into his usual gentle smile.

"Could you tell? After all, I have no friends to speak of in the Fifth Division. Since working at the Academy, I have met quite a few interesting people... Heh heh, it seems I still need to continue cultivating myself."

After all, not letting one's joy show on one's face was also part of cultivation.

Kisuke Urahara did not respond. Instead, he gave the two of them a calm, gentle look before continuing to lead the way.

"This area is for materials and processing used to make gigai... Arima-kun should have read about them in books, right? If you wish to operate in the World of the Living, this is also necessary preparation."

"Over here, uh... The description may be a little vague, but this is all research related to Spiritual Power usage. We've only just begun for now, and it will take more research before we see concrete results."

"It's not hard to understand, is it, Arima-kun? Everything we Shinigami do exists on the foundation of spiritual pressure, so if these matters result in definite and stable inventions, then the Seireitei... no, all of Soul Society will change along with them."

Kisuke Urahara maintained an even tone throughout, but whenever he spoke of these things, his voice changed ever so slightly.

Arima Shizuya watched his back and could not help sighing inwardly.

This guy must really love researching things. Otherwise, his voice wouldn't sound this eager.

"If we continue ahead, we'll reach the restricted area I mentioned earlier... Sorry, but the situation has yet to stabilize, so it isn't open to outsiders for the time being."

After spending more than an hour, the three of them had more or less toured the entire research institute.

It had truly been an enlightening experience.

After all, many technologies that had already matured and expanded in the original story had yet to take shape here, and some had not even been proposed.

It was quite moving, really.

"Next, Captain Aizen and I have some matters to discuss in detail. Arima-kun, this person will take you around so you can continue familiarizing yourself with the place."

Standing beside Kisuke Urahara was a young man who looked somewhat "fierce."

Short hair, a narrow face, triangular eyes.

His eyes had more white than black, making him seem entirely unrelated to the word "friendly." Yet after making eye contact with Arima Shizuya, he still offered a mild smile.

"Hello, I'm Akon, a team leader at this research center."

Ah... so it was you.

In the original story, after Mayuri Kurotsuchi became captain of the Twelfth Division, he had served as the Third Seat and deputy director.

He had quite a few appearances even during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. He looked young and unreliable, but was actually quite mature.

But where did his horns go... Hadn't they grown in yet several hundred years ago? "Hello, I'm Arima Shizuya."

Now that the two had been introduced, Arima Shizuya turned to look beside him.

He saw Kisuke Urahara leading Aizen toward a door on the other side.

Those two definitely had their own matters to discuss. The young man had already formed a rough idea before setting out.

It had merely been confirmed now.

It was probably related to research on the Hōgyoku—there were definitely not many situations that could bring those two together, and this was the only possibility he could think of now.

Moreover, judging from the original story, Kisuke Urahara's progress should have lagged slightly behind Aizen's.

So if he had guessed correctly.

His own boss had probably approached Kisuke Urahara first, intending to arouse his interest and take the opportunity to use some of the facilities?

Boss Urahara, I really am sorry about this...

As these somewhat complicated thoughts churned through his mind, Arima Shizuya came back to himself slightly and found Akon smiling at him.

"Since Arima-kun has made the rare trip to visit the Research and Development Department, would you like to try our cafeteria's specialty with me? It's a fine thing you can't buy anywhere else."

If this had been a hundred years later, he really would not have dared agree.

After all, there was no telling what Mayuri Kurotsuchi would have transformed the entire Technology Development Bureau into. But with Urahara currently in charge, it should be somewhat trustworthy...

Right? Just as Arima Shizuya was about to agree, he saw Aizen suddenly stop.

After some thought, Aizen turned back toward them, his gaze behind his lenses settling on Arima Shizuya.

He chose his words carefully.

"Shizuya-kun, aren't you curious about what I'm going to see next?"

"..."

Huh? He had never expected the other man to bring it up himself.

It was not just Arima Shizuya. Even Kisuke Urahara beside him looked somewhat surprised.

"Aizen Fourth Seat..."

It seemed that he, too, completely failed to understand Aizen's behavior.

So what would the party in question answer? Gah, this was so, so nerve-racking!

First, he had to ask himself honestly: saying he was not curious would definitely be a lie.

After all, this could very well be a series of technical exchanges before the Hōgyoku took shape. He might not learn anything himself, but even broadening his knowledge would be excellent.

But at the same time, Arima Shizuya fully understood why following them would be a risk.

With his current strength, he absolutely could not come into contact with such a forbidden object. So taking that into account...

Arima Shizuya could only smile and wave his hand.

"It sounds like something very important, so perhaps I should pass?"

"Is that so."

Aizen seemed to sigh indifferently and offered no further response. He merely turned away.

He left quickly with Kisuke Urahara.

Their backs soon vanished around the corner, leaving behind a somewhat bewildered Akon and a slightly uneasy Arima Shizuya.

So why had Prison Master suddenly invited me in the first place?