Guarantee and Expectations

The two of them walked out of the classroom with their arms around each other's shoulders, looking utterly undignified. That said, as the one being pushed around by Hirako, Aizen seemed rather perfunctory and reluctant about it.

Things like, "How long are you planning to keep working here?" "The division's work is really busy," and "We've got a real headache without you right now."

Arima Shizuya vaguely caught snippets of those remarks.

It was obvious that Aizen had already become quite familiar with Hirako Shinji at this stage. And it seemed he had taken on quite a few duties within the division, too? Pretty capable, huh, Prison Master.

Arima Shizuya watched Aizen happily see off the Fifth Division Captain.

Although he had not gained any actual attributes tonight, simply getting to meet one of the Gotei 13's captains had already made the trip worthwhile.

Arima Shizuya returned to his dorm in high spirits. After tidying up a little, he prepared to head for the training grounds.

But before he had taken more than two steps, he spotted a familiar figure by the door.

Tōsen Kaname.

The swelling had not fully faded from his body. Though he had wrapped himself in bandages, he still looked exceptionally bedraggled.

"Huh? Why are you here?"

Hearing footsteps behind him, Tōsen turned halfway around. His hair was neatly combed back, and his tone was even calmer.

"I asked around about you and learned that you like practicing swordsmanship. I do not like owing favors, so I came here specifically to wait for you."

He raised one hand slightly and brushed the hilt of his sword.

"The path of Kendo has a long history. There is much you need to learn... I can teach you some of it."

Oh? Now that he mentioned it.

Arima Shizuya's expression turned a little playful. He had twenty-six points allocated to Zan, after all. While that did not compare to an actual division member—

Taking down a senior one year above him should be easy, shouldn't it?

"I'm not bragging, but if we're talking Kendo, you might not be my match."

Tōsen Kaname answered with a cold snort and a decisive turn of his back.

"Words are useless. Let us settle it in the training grounds."

He had quite the temper.

Arima Shizuya chuckled and hurried forward, walking shoulder to shoulder with Tōsen.

"Come to think of it, I've been wondering about this for a while, so forgive the rude question... Is your skin color natural?"

"..."

"And your hair, too. Since you're Black, aren't you going to try some cool hairstyle? Like an afro, dreadlocks, or a middle-parted reggae style?"

"..."

"Say something, will you? It feels like I'm performing a one-man show here. It's really boring~"

"Shut up."

Other than that, Tōsen Kaname had no desire to speak.

Two hours later...

The two of them crawled out of the training grounds covered in injuries, groaning in pain.

All that could be said was that they each possessed strength beyond the other's expectations.

Tōsen Kaname had inherited his former friend's Asauchi, and naturally, he had never neglected his Kendo training.

As for Arima Shizuya, those twenty-six Zan attribute points were no joke either. This was never going to be an easy victory.

From probing each other at the start, to exchanging blows, to eventually fighting with genuine heat...

Well, that was hardly surprising!

The left side of Arima Shizuya's face had swollen to twice its normal size, forcing his eye into a narrow slit.

That was the result of Tōsen Kaname's fierce assault. It looked like the damage was indeed limited.

But Arima Shizuya had not simply stood there and taken a beating.

Seeing Tōsen Kaname clutching his left arm, looking as though he wanted to howl through the pain but was forcing himself to endure it, Arima Shizuya felt a surge of smug satisfaction.

I'm not bad either, all right! More importantly, though, the gains from this trip were what really mattered.

You swung a wooden sword and had an intimate exchange with Tōsen Kaname. Kendo +3

Judging solely from the attribute gains this time, he could roughly estimate Tōsen Kaname's level—slightly above his own, but still within a range he could surpass through hard work.

"You're a lot fiercer with your hands than you are with your mouth."

Hearing the other man's assessment, Arima Shizuya merely gave a dry laugh.

"You're about the same."

"Same time tomorrow?"

"It's a deal!"

Honestly, Arima Shizuya's competitive spirit had been stirred.

If I can't beat Aizen, can't I still beat you? You little Black Guy, just watch me take you down easy!

After struggling back to the dorm, Arima Shizuya quickly realized that he had clearly overestimated his recovery ability.

The aches in his waist and back were even more obvious the next day.

It felt like he had just started working out at a gym, recklessly tried to lift too heavy, and ended up sore all over the next day to the point of misery.

I need help! But considering that he was not particularly close to anyone, after only a brief hesitation, the dorm room had already become completely empty.

Better rely on yourself than beg others. Pull yourself together, Arima Shizuya! Summoning every ounce of strength he had, he struggled out of bed, washed up, bandaged himself...

And the young man headed to class limping, half his face still swollen.

As expected, Arima Shizuya became the center of attention for the entire class. Naturally, Aizen noticed as well.

The gentle instructor began another round of between-class guidance.

Standing in the corridor outside the classroom, Aizen smiled softly and extended his right hand, holding it over half of Arima Shizuya's face.

A pale green glow flickered. The power unique to the Healing Way flowed forth, filling and repairing Arima Shizuya's injuries.

The bruising immediately dispersed, and his blurred vision became clear at once.

"Two talks in three days, Shizuya-kun. I never would have guessed you were such a troublemaker."

Sitting beside Arima Shizuya, Aizen folded his arms and spoke gently.

"So, what happened this time?"

Rubbing his face, Arima Shizuya honestly told him about what had happened between himself and Tōsen Kaname.

Aizen's expression visibly brightened a little.

"I see. You made a friend, didn't you? That truly is cause for congratulations... Student days are always simple, actions untainted by selfish desires."

"To find a like-minded friend at this stage is truly news more delightful than anything else."

"As your instructor, Shizuya-kun, I am very happy for you, and deeply gratified."

However.

Arima Shizuya watched Aizen calmly push up his glasses.

"Such violent and reckless behavior should be considered carefully before you decide to do it again."

His glasses are reflecting light...

Gah, what terrifying pressure! Arima Shizuya could only agree with an awkward laugh.

"Come to think of it, since you like Kendo so much, Shizuya-kun, perhaps you could take the initiative and apply to borrow an Asauchi?"

"Huh? I can do that?"

"Of course. There are some things we have not mentioned to first-year students, merely because you have no use for them yet."

Aizen smiled and raised his right hand, lightly tapping the air before him with his index finger as though waving a pointer.

"After all, the purpose of having you enroll is to make all of you Shinigami capable of standing on your own. And if you can become accustomed to using a sword in advance, how could that be anything but a good thing?"

Arima Shizuya rubbed his chin and found that the suggestion really did make some sense.

An Asauchi—the initial form of a Zanpakuto... Up until now, he had only ever held wooden swords. He truly did not know what it felt like to wield a real blade.

He was tempted.

"Then... Teacher Aizen, are there any procedures I need to follow?"

"Write an application. I will give you a copy later. You will also need a nominee to guarantee for you. After all, this is an exception in itself. It would be difficult to get it approved based on your status as a student alone."

That was a novel way of putting it, but upon thinking it over, perhaps there really was logic to it.

After all, without connections in that regard, Tōsen Kaname's sword would likely have been difficult to keep as well.

So...

"The only one who can guarantee for Shizuya-kun is me."

Hearing that, Arima Shizuya showed a rather embarrassed expression.

He was, after all, a student of the True Spiritual Arts Academy. He fully understood the consequences of violating school rules.

At best, his enrollment would be canceled and he would be expelled from the Academy.

At worst, he would be thrown into prison and weep bitter tears.

He did not have the mindset of treating a prison chair like a throne. Besides, the lifespan of a Soul Body operated on completely different principles from that of ordinary people.

If he got locked up now, Arima Shizuya might be in there for the rest of his life...

All he could say was that Aizen was taking quite a risk by doing this for him.

Wow, this guy really knows how to win people over!

"Though I didn't mean to, I keep causing trouble for Teacher Aizen... I'm truly sorry!"

Aizen merely smiled indulgently and waved a hand as though he did not care in the slightest.

"They are only minor matters, not worth mentioning. Besides, I believe in Shizuya-kun's character. Surely you will not disappoint my expectations."

Once he had put it that way, was there any room left to back out?

Arima Shizuya immediately nodded solemnly.

"I will absolutely not fail you!"

Aizen smiled calmly and nodded lightly.

"Good."

On their way back, Aizen seemed to recall something and did not forget to remind Arima Shizuya.

"Immersing yourself in a craft is a good thing, but from the standpoint of an instructor, I should still offer a reminder... Shizuya-kun, the subject of this Monthly Exam is Hakuda."

Arima Shizuya's expression immediately froze.

He had completely forgotten about that.

Performance within the Academy was also an important factor. If he wanted a good posting after graduation, he had to give examinations like this his all.

So what level was he actually at? Looking at the Fist: 2 indicator in his status panel, Arima Shizuya could not help scratching the corner of his mouth.

At this level, let alone getting onstage to compete with someone, he was only barely better than a wild flailer.

One of the Parties realized that his workload was rather heavy.

Specializing too much was not an option!

It seemed Kendo would have to be put aside for now. He needed to improve his other three abilities first.

Seeing Arima Shizuya's troubled expression, Aizen revealed a smile that was almost one of delight.

Perhaps watching students worry was a kind of pleasure as well. He slowly rose to his feet and spoke softly to Arima Shizuya.

"Prepare well, Shizuya-kun. I look forward to your performance."