Faces of Life in Twelfth Division

"This is a curry block made primarily from grasshoppers and earthworms, mixed with a portion of animal fat and seasonings, then processed."

"Dissolve it in hot water and heat it at a one-to-three ratio. That gives it the ideal consistency."

"The director has already tried the flavor. They say it's very close to pork curry. As long as we confirm there are no side effects, we may consider putting it on the market."

"Over here, we have..."

Listening to Akon enthusiastically explain the Research and Development Department's special food, Arima Shizuya's hand holding the tray began to tremble.

"Wait, wait, wait. You said it can only go on the market after confirming there are no side effects. Doesn't that mean... this thing's safety is still questionable?"

Akon laughed heartily, completely unconcerned as he scooped up a huge spoonful and poured it all over Arima Shizuya's rice.

"Don't worry. It won't kill you."

No, no, no, no. That attitude was already very suspicious! I take it back.

Kisuke Urahara wasn't normal either! Suppressing his discomfort, Arima Shizuya pinched his nose and forced down half a meal.

Akon, on the other hand, seemed fully accustomed to it, slurping away quite happily.

"Arima-kun, have you decided where you'll go after graduation?"

The sudden question caught him off guard. After pondering for a moment, the party concerned replied.

"Not yet... Why?"

"Hehe, it's nothing important. I was just thinking that, if possible, I hoped Arima-kun might consider our Twelfth Division."

Arima Shizuya awkwardly grinned, letting out a perfunctory laugh.

Why couldn't he escape this topic no matter where he went...

Perhaps sensing his discomfort, Akon paused before showing an apologetic expression.

"Sorry. It seems I said something rather presumptuous without thinking... Arima-kun, please don't take it too seriously."

"No, no. If anything, being willing to talk like equals is what matters most."

After all, nothing could be resolved by keeping things hidden.

Arima Shizuya took a sip of the Research and Development Department's specially developed Black Tea, feeling rather curious now.

"Speaking of which, why do you want me to join the Twelfth Division, Mr. Akon?"

"Hehe, there's no need to call me mister. I often hear the captain grumbling that everyone in the division is a bunch of old fogeys..."

As he chose his words carefully, a trace of distress appeared on Akon's face.

"But there's nothing to be done about that. After all, many of us came out of the Maggot's Nest. There are countless people who aren't good with words or have physical defects."

"Even faced with an unsightly bunch like us, the captain was still willing to understand us and act as our guarantor..."

"To be honest, I'm deeply grateful for the captain's recognition. So after learning of his concerns, I thought I should help out however I could."

There were traces of shame and gratitude on Akon's face.

"I heard the captain mention Arima-kun's name before. Perhaps because of Lady Yoruichi... the captain pays quite a bit of attention to you too."

Ah, now that he mentioned it, Arima Shizuya remembered.

Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara did have a childhood-friends sort of relationship.

"So I thought that if Arima-kun could join the Research and Development Department, the captain would be rather happy as well."

Arima Shizuya nodded slightly at that.

"That's a very simple reason."

"So please just take it as a joke, Arima-kun. Forget I ever said it."

It was somewhat unexpected, but once he thought about it carefully, the feelings behind it were easy enough to understand.

After all, Kisuke Urahara had personally taken Akon out of the Maggot's Nest. At the very least, there had to be some gratitude there.

Thinking about it, perhaps only someone like Mayuri Kurotsuchi wouldn't show it too clearly.

But then again, did that scientific madman really know how to thank someone for saving his life? His emotions and personality were simply too difficult to grasp.

Arima Shizuya had never cared much for antisocial types like that, so he hadn't paid him much attention before.

Uh... s-so, yeah, he couldn't picture that scene at all! Rubbing his face, he temporarily shoved those wild thoughts aside.

"Akon, I've received your invitation. But I still need to discuss it with Teacher Aizen, so I can't make any promises."

The other man gave him a very polite smile.

"Hearing that is already enough. Thank you for acknowledging it, Arima-kun... Let this meal be my treat."

"Oh, then thank you very much~"

"There are also artificial meatballs and drinkable grass-plant extract over there. They're new products too. Would you like some?"

Just hearing the names made them sound unreliable.

"Hehe, I'll pass."

A few casual complaints and exchanges had shortened the distance between them.

They wouldn't become friends, perhaps, but Arima Shizuya's impression of Akon had changed considerably.

All he could say was that the filter of the original work was quite a flimsy thing... What was written there couldn't fully encompass a person.

The Akon before him was exactly like that.

After all, the original story had focused on Strawberry Bro, and there had indeed been very little description of ordinary division members like these.

Now, he had broadened his horizons somewhat.

"Speaking of which, Arima-kun seems quite close to Aizen Fourth Seat. Is that his intention?"

"No, it's my own choice. He's my instructor, after all. There are many things I still need to rely on Teacher Aizen for."

"Is that so... The captain mentioned before that Aizen Fourth Seat is a very capable person. I just don't know why he always seems so ordinary, as if he's somehow detached from the group."

Kisuke Urahara told even his subordinates things like that? If so, he must have trusted Akon greatly to do so.

It seemed Akon hadn't simply coasted into the position of deputy director of the Research and Development Department a hundred years later.

Arima Shizuya watched the other man take a sip of tea. The smile on his face spread like tea leaves unfurling in warm water.

"But now that Arima-kun is by his side, Aizen Fourth Seat should be happy as well. Like-minded friends are rare to begin with. Meeting even one is already a stroke of luck."

Eugh~ The compliment gave him goosebumps.

All he could say was, as expected of people who were hundreds of years old. They really knew how to talk.

Arima Shizuya shuddered and could only say with a dry laugh.

"But I don't have any talent for research..."

"That sort of thing is secondary. You only need to learn. It's nothing difficult."

Huh? Research was that simple? "For example, our Twelfth Division Vice-Captain is completely... Ah, speak of the devil. She's here."

Arima Shizuya looked up in the direction Akon pointed.

Just in time to see someone storm into the cafeteria in a blaze of fury.

"Where has that Urahara bastard hidden himself?!"

Her voice was loud, and she looked entirely like she was here to pick a fight.

Yet what he saw was another matter entirely... Arima Shizuya's gaze settled on her, and he let out a silent groan.

She was a child.

She was no taller than one meter forty at most.

Blonde hair, a high upward-swept braid. Freckles dotted her face, and her fangs showed even when her lips were closed.

She wore the standard Shinigami Uniform, with a wooden plaque symbolizing the Twelfth Division hanging from her left shoulder.

She barged in like a whirlwind, grabbed the nearest researcher by the collar, and yanked him straight out of his seat.

"Hey! Where did that bald Urahara go?!"

"I-I don't know, I'm just here to eat..."

Though she hadn't introduced herself, Arima Shizuya already knew who she was from her manner and bearing alone.

Hiyori Sarugaki.

One of the Visored in the original storyline. She looked rough and careless, and in truth, she didn't think much either.

To be honest, Arima Shizuya's impression of her was rather limited.

After thinking it over, all he could recall was a rather hellish joke that had come from Gin cutting her in half in Karakura Town—her butt didn't hurt anymore because it was hanging in a tree.

Seeing that things might turn into a disturbance over there, Akon frowned. He quietly apologized to Arima Shizuya, then quickly stood.

"Sarugaki, what are you making a fuss about again?"

"I'm asking where Urahara is. I need to see him!"

"At least address the captain properly in public. Can't you observe even that basic courtesy?"

"Hah?! You people can do whatever you want, but I still haven't acknowledged that guy as the captain of the Twelfth Division! Besides, I'm an adjutant! An ad-ju-tant! Shouldn't you use honorifics when addressing me too?!"

"Then if you're so unwilling, please resign from your post as adjutant."

"No way!"

Arima Shizuya, listening from the side, bared his teeth.

Her voice was so loud.

And her temper was awful.

She was completely the type he couldn't appreciate... Ugh, Kotetsu Isane was much cuter.

The conflict between Hiyori Sarugaki and Akon had been inevitable. After all, the blonde girl only respected Hikifune Kirio.

And Hikifune Kirio had been promoted to Zero Division. Naturally, Hiyori was now unhappy about everything.

As he was sighing inwardly and considering whether to quietly leave, Arima Shizuya felt his sleeve suddenly tighten.

What was pulling on him?

He looked down.

The party concerned met the gaze of a small figure beneath the table.

"..." x2 After a brief silence, only one thought remained in Arima Shizuya's mind.

This was bad. He had spoken too confidently just now.

The one in front of him now was a real child—black hair, round face, big eyes.

Wrapped in milky-white swaddling clothes, she seemed to struggle even just standing there.

Yet she was doing her utmost to stretch out her right hand and tug at Arima Shizuya's sleeve...

That appearance was far too distinctive. The moment their eyes met, the young man couldn't help but freeze.

Huh? Why was she appearing at this point in time? This was a little strange... Had the Sleeping Project already reached this stage?

From the child's face, Arima Shizuya could see traces of the person who would later be known as Nemu Kurotsuchi.

The Sleeping Project.

It was an artificial Shinigami created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi using the essence of Artificial Body Technology and Artificial Soul Technology.

He had known the details beforehand, but seeing her in person was still astonishing.

And that wasn't the only issue.

Had Nemu Kurotsuchi already been born at this point?

The Sleeping Project, led by Mayuri Kurotsuchi, had gone through more than seven generations before she finally developed completely and became an individual capable of acting independently.

And before that.

Nemuri No. 5, who had already developed into a fetal form, had been modified by him and fused with his Bankai. Only then had he fulfilled the requirements to become a captain, succeeding Kisuke Urahara after his resignation...

No, wait.

Arima Shizuya suddenly realized something.

The phrase "fulfilled the requirements" was itself rather ambiguous.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi might have already developed the Sleeping Project to its later stages while Kisuke Urahara was still in office.

If he thought about it that way, the later appointment might have merely been a formality?

That was entirely possible.

Though Arima Shizuya's expression did not change, a storm of thoughts had already raged through his mind.

Until the child before him grew impatient and tugged harder.

Wait, wait, wait...

She was so strong—his clothes were going to tear!

Considering her identity, as well as the fact that laying hands on a child would look terrible, Arima Shizuya could only smile awkwardly.

"Um, what is it?"

"..."

"Can you hear me?"

"..."

"Where are your parents?"

"..."

They couldn't communicate! Just as he was at a loss, he saw the child stagger two steps closer and move to his side.

Standing on tiptoe, she gripped the edge of the table with both hands and poked more than half her head above it.

Her disproportionately large black pupils rolled around before finally landing on the unfinished curry rice.

She dropped back to the ground, turned to look at Arima Shizuya, and pointed at her mouth, which had barely grown a few teeth, with her right hand.

"Ah~"