"Haa..."
I am having breakfast in the cafeteria.
But somehow, my feelings won't clear up.
The cause is about the incident in my inner world during Jinzen yesterday.
After that, I tried various ball games like basketball, kickball, softball, rugby, and golf... or rather, I tried searching various places in my inner world, but I couldn't meet the crucial main body of the Zanpakutō.
If I don't meet and converse first, Shikai is a dream within a dream.
In the end, I searched for about several hours in perceived time, but there were no results.
When I woke up, about an hour had passed, so it seems the flow of perceived time and real time are different.
It is definitely not that my internal clock is broken.
"As I thought, was it wrong that I didn't play baseball...?"
While poking the grilled fish for breakfast with chopsticks, I wonder what was wrong. I recall the cause.
"Or maybe pétanque?"
I don't want to think I'm being asked for such a minor ball game.
"Good morning, Airi-san!"
Just as I was worrying, Ayase-san and Renjōji-san arrived.
"What's wrong, Yukawa-san? You look somewhat gloomy..."
"Eh, does it look like that?"
Hmm, was my worry showing on my face?
...That's right! Both of them are much more senior than me in conversing with their Zanpakutō, so let's ask them a little.
"Actually—"
Prefacing with that, I talk to the two about last night.
Of course, regarding the artificial buildings in the inner world, I convey them vaguely like "house," "storehouse," or "castle." Because I don't think they would understand if I said buildings or trains.
"—And so, in the end, I finished without meeting the main body of the Zanpakutō. I was thinking of going to ask a teacher who might know after breakfast."
"Hmm, hmm, I see."
"...Haa."
When I finished telling the general story, Ayase-san nodded. Renjōji-san placed her finger on her forehead silently and eventually sighed a small sigh. Umm, was something wrong?
"Ayase-san, do you think Yukawa-san is saying this seriously?"
"Certainly, it might be a little rare. But I thought she would have realized it herself in the middle of the story!"
E-Eh? What do you mean??
"I'll say it bluntly. Probably, that black sphere is the main body of the Zanpakutō."
"Yes! I think so too!"
"...Eh!? That rubber ba... black ball-like thing!?"
"In the first place, during dialogue with the Zanpakutō, it is the established theory that there are no living things other than the Soul Reaper themselves and the Zanpakutō. And if the relationship is good enough to enter the inner world via Jinzen, the main body of the Zanpakutō should show itself—even if not, it should at least show traces of trying to communicate."
"Ah... if you say so..."
I see, I didn't think of that.
"...In other words, I was throwing and hitting the Zanpakutō instead of a ball!?"
"That would be the case."
"Ch-Cheer up! From now on, it's from now on!!"
I instinctively drop my shoulders in dejection at what I've done. Even Ayase-san's follow-up, which usually gives me energy, only serves as a slight comfort this time.
Saying let's change the mood, the topic shifted to idle chatter.
"Heeh, so there are such excellent juniors."
"Yes! I think Airi-san has seen them too? Those two are very amazing!"
"One is frivolous but overly sharp, or rather, hits the truth right on the mark. The other seems physically weak, but feels like it's natural for him to be the center of people's circles."
The topic being discussed is about two juniors who became Academy students this term.
Apparently, even though they are first-years, they are incredibly talented, and it is said that if things continue like this, skipping grades is a given, and enlistment into the Gotei 13 before graduation is certain.
Far from that, it wouldn't be strange if they achieved Shikai while still enrolled and enlisted as seated officers.
"But isn't it a good thing that juniors are excellent?"
"That is true, but! I have my pride as a senior too!!"
I reply while enjoying the after-meal tea, but it seems things are not that simple. It seems the Advanced Class and Upper Nobles have worries and anguish that commoners don't understand.
Me? After fifty years of entrance exam training, those feelings have faded. It's not that I have no pride, but the feeling of acknowledging the opponent is stronger.
"Haa... talking about it made me somewhat tired. Hey, that's right, Yukawa-san. Can I ask for 'that' after a long time?"
"Ah, is it 'that'? Of course, I don't mind. You even gave me advice, so I will serve you plenty as thanks too."
For me, there is no reason to refuse Renjōji-san's proposal.
"That" refers to a massage.
Over these past few years, I have gradually permeated it among the same students. I wasn't an osteopath in Rukongai for fifty years for nothing.
It has a reputation for relieving fatigue, giving energy, and for some reason even improving grades. For now, I am refusing male Soul Reapers. In my Rukongai days, I didn't care about age or gender, but it's okay to be a little picky, right?
I have treated Renjōji-san about twice before, but I wonder if stress has accumulated because of the two juniors mentioned in the previous topic? Since I received a hint about the Zanpakutō too, I will serve you with all my heart.
"What will you do, Ayase-san? I don't mind doing two people at the same time, though...?"
"Eeeeh!? Me too!? Hmm, what should I do..."
"Why not? Since it's a good opportunity, you should receive it too."
"U-Umm, but..."
receiving Renjōji-san's push, Ayase-san thinks about it further. However, it seems her inner decision is already made.
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"Phew... that was a good massage..."
Taking plenty of time, I loosened up their bodies. Looking outside, the sun has long passed its zenith.
Even though I started the treatment after finishing breakfast, it is almost time for lunch.
But it was a wonderful time, worth spending that much time on.
"Well then, before I forget, shall I try Jinzen one more time?"
I sit in zazen, place the Zanpakutō on my lap, and concentrate my spirit.
Pouring my heart into the sword, slowly, slowly without rushing, directing my consciousness to a single point—
—When I realized it, the familiar scenery I saw yesterday spread out before my eyes.
Apparently, having grasped the trick by entering once, I was able to enter easily this time. I feel like an idiot for taking three years for something like this.
"Now, last time it was around there... there it is!"
But I don't have time to be depressed.
If Renjōji-san and the others' point was true, that rubber ball is the main body of my Zanpakutō. Fortunately, searching for it, I found the characteristic pitch-black rubber ball immediately.
I immediately run up and squat down as if peering into it.
"I ask you, are you my... Ah, wait a minute! Don't go!!"
The moment I called out, did it sense something? The rubber ball rolled away, rolling and rolling as if moving away from me.
But a rubber ball shouldn't move on its own like this. As expected, what the two said was correct.
I hurriedly chase after it, and this time, I gently and softly pick up the rubber ball with hands as if handling delicate glasswork.
"I got the order wrong. I apologize for using you as a ball when I came last time, I'm sorry."
A tall woman holding a large rubber ball and apologizing to it. If a stranger saw this, it would be quite a surreal scene.
"I don't expect to be forgiven just by apologizing. But I want to become strong together with you. So please, let me hear your voice... will you talk to me?"
Hugging it tightly to my chest, I plead so.
I know that doing such a thing at the first meeting gives a bad impression and makes me hated.
But please, I want to start over from the beginning one more time!
...
...
...
There is no reply.
It seems to be just a rubber ball.
"There!"
Mr. Rubber Ball flew away while drawing a beautiful arc.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]