The windows in the Fifth Division's dining hall were set high in the walls.
The air smelled of steaming rice, mingled with the savory saltiness of Miso Soup and a faint lingering greasiness from fried food.
Hirako Shinji carried his tray to the serving window.
He glanced at the day's menu: grilled Pacific Saury, Fried Chicken Chunks, Stewed Vegetables, Miso Soup, and more, with unlimited rice.
"Fried Chicken Chunks," he told the cook behind the window, then paused and added another question.
"What does Lieutenant Aizen usually like to eat?"
The cook was scooping rice onto his tray and stopped for a moment.
"Lieutenant Aizen?" The cook looked up with a smile.
"He likes Pacific Saury with rice best. He orders it every time, never anything different."
Hirako nodded without another word.
He carried his tray to a seat by the dining hall window.
Aizen Sōsuke was sitting there, with a similar tray in front of him. A whole grilled Pacific Saury, a bowl of rice, a small dish of pickles, and Miso Soup.
Aizen ate very slowly.
He picked up a small piece of fish with his chopsticks, removed the fine bones, put it in his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and then scooped up a spoonful of rice.
Every movement followed the same rhythm, and even the intervals were precisely identical.
Hirako sat down opposite him and set his tray on the table with a soft clatter.
Aizen looked up, adjusted his glasses, and gave him a gentle smile.
"Captain."
Hirako did not answer. He first looked at the Pacific Saury on Aizen's plate, then at Aizen himself.
"Aizen," Hirako began, his voice a little low, "you can't just eat Pacific Saury."
He picked up his chopsticks and pointed at the fish.
"Stuff shipped over from the Human World has