Just as Kyōraku Shunsui had said.
A private room like this was hardly the place for a detailed discussion.
Considering this was not the first time he had fallen under suspicion, Arima Shizuya was still able to remain somewhat composed.
"Captain Kyōraku, you..."
"You definitely can, can't you?"
Before, it had been a questioning tone.
Now, it was a statement of certainty.
Arima Shizuya watched as the man slowly turned his head and gave him a meaningful look.
"I've actually been keeping an eye on you for quite some time—ever since you fought Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo."
"Although it was merely a spar limited to Hakuda, with neither side intending to kill the other, being able to reach that level already meant that Arima-kun's strength was anything but ordinary."
"After that, I investigated your background... and found nothing worth noting. An utterly unremarkable history; even when you lived in the Kusajishi District, you had remained completely obscure."
"Let me see, ah yes."
"You were simply an ordinary, perfectly normal drifter."
Arima Shizuya showed no inclination to speak, because by now, he had noticed that something was off.
The other man had clearly come prepared.
Unlike Yoruichi Shihouin's earlier probing questions, Kyōraku Shunsui was utterly certain now.
Rather than asking questions,
it felt more like Kyōraku Shunsui was making a one-sided explanation.
"But everything changed after you enrolled in the academy, didn't it?"
"That turning point... should have been when you came into contact with Aizen?"
"Speaking of Aizen Fourth Seat... no, he should be called Vice-Captain now. He really is the type to hide his depths."
"The two of you getting together was quite the coincidence. Looking at it now, the opportunity for you to grow stronger should have had something to do with him, right?"
It had to be said.