"…"
Fūjin Taichi truly hadn't expected Aizen to approach him at a moment like this. Worse still, Aizen's harmless, gentle demeanor made it completely impossible to refuse him.
Taichi had never believed that a mastermind like Aizen—someone unmatched in strategy—would pay special attention to someone as insignificant as himself…
And yet, more than twenty years ago in Naruki City, Ichimaru Gin had very literally stabbed him in the back.
"Is that all right, Fūjin?"
Seeing Taichi remain silent, Aizen stepped closer and raised his broad right hand, resting it on Taichi's shoulder as he asked.
It's over! Did Aizen just cast Kyōka Suigetsu on me with that touch? Wait... at this distance, if I touch his Zanpakutō, I should be fine, right?!
Although Taichi no longer feared Aizen, this was his first time being in such close proximity to him. His mind inevitably began to race, and his eyes instinctively flicked toward the Zanpakutō hanging beneath Aizen's arm.
Because Taichi was much shorter than Aizen, lowering his head to sneak a glance at the sword went unnoticed—but simply being this close to the final boss was torture in itself.
"Taichi, what are you still dawdling for?!"
At that moment, Shiba Kaien exited the meeting hall. Spotting Taichi apparently speaking with Aizen, he frowned and called out.
"Captain Kaien!"
Taichi subtly took several steps back, then turned toward Kaien and said,
"Is there any progress on Saitō's judgment?"
"Yeah."
Kaien walked up to Taichi and casually hooked a thick arm around his neck, then said to Aizen,
"Sorry about that, Captain Aizen! I've got something I need this guy to take care of—so we'll be heading out first!"
"Captain Shiba, no need to apologize. Please, go ahead."
Aizen smiled, then gestured to Kasumioji Hoko.
"Let's go, Hoko."
"Yes!"
Hoko hurried to Aizen's side, sneaking a glance at Taichi. Seeing that he had already left with Kaien, a trace of disappointment flashed through her eyes.
Aizen took in her expression completely. The corner of his mouth curved slightly, but he said nothing, calmly descending the stone steps beneath the tower toward the barracks.
"…"
Hoko followed closely behind him, silently walking downhill beneath the blazing sun.
"Hoko," Aizen suddenly spoke. "You're quite familiar with Fūjin, aren't you?"
"N–Not really!"
A fleeting blush crossed Hoko's face as she replied hastily,
"I and Ta—Vice-Captain Fūjin were just classmates. We're not that close!"
"Is that so…"
Aizen turned his head slightly to look at her and smiled.
"Then how much do you know about him?"
"Well…"
Hoko thought for a moment before answering,
"Vice-Captain Fūjin came from Rukongai, but his entrance exam spiritual power was Grade Six. His overall score was 99 points, placing him second and earning him a spot in the Special Advancement Class."
"Second?"
"Yes! The one who placed first was Third Seat Tsunayashiro Tokio of the Eighth Division! His spiritual power was also Grade Six, but his entrance score was a never-before-seen perfect 100!"
"So it was a child of the Tsunayashiro family, one of the Four Great Noble Houses… No wonder such outstanding results."
Aizen sighed softly. "What a pity."
"Captain Aizen?" Hoko asked in confusion.
"Third Seat Tsunayashiro's results were already excellent... what is there to be pitying?"
"You misunderstand, Hoko. What I find piteous is—
Aizen stopped walking, lifted his gaze toward the cloudless sky, and said slowly,
"I once formally invited Third Seat Tsunayashiro to join my division… but he chose Captain Kyōraku's Eighth Division instead.
Whenever I think of it, I can't help but feel regretful. Perhaps it was simply because I wasn't outstanding enough to catch his interest."
"That's not true at all, Captain Aizen!"
Hoko shook her head.
"Tsunayashiro actually wanted to join the Fifth Division with me at first—but later he got into an argument with Vice-Captain Fūjin…"
"Oh?"
Aizen's interest was clearly piqued. His brown eyes gleamed behind his black-framed glasses as he asked,
"Hoko, could you tell me what happened back then?"
"It really wasn't anything special, Captain Aizen."
Hoko recalled graduation day and told him about how Fūjin Taichi had angered Tsunayashiro Tokio.
"I see…"
The smile on Aizen's face suddenly grew radiant.
"But that's a little more surprising than I expected."
"Huh?"
"I had assumed Tsunayashiro declined my invitation out of youthful arrogance—yet it turns out there was such an interesting story behind it."
"Ah… you're too kind, Captain Aizen!"
Hoko brushed aside her bangs lightly.
"Their behavior was so childish. Even now, thinking back on it makes me laugh."
"No—he's very intelligent."
The smile faded from Aizen's face as he said softly,
"Or rather… intelligent to an abnormal degree."
"What?"
"Hoko, if I remember correctly, Fūjin comes from East Rukongai, District 76—Yonne District, doesn't he?"
"I think… yes."
"A soul born in such a remote part of Rukongai would never have visited Seireitei prior to enrollment.
So why would he harbor resistance toward someone who was completely unfamiliar to him—and repeatedly sabotage that person's experiments… almost as if by coincidence?"
"Hoko."
"…What?"
"I've heard that when Fūjin first enrolled, he fell in love with you at first sight and made many concrete attempts to court you."
"Captain Aizen—"
"Then when did he suddenly stop?"
"Captain Aizen… why are you asking this?"
"Hoko. Answer me."
Although Aizen's expression remained calm and gentle, his brown eyes locked onto Hoko like blades cutting into her.
"I–It was after the Soul Burial Internship… Maybe experiencing life and death made Vice-Captain Fūjin more mature."
"No…"
Aizen shook his head slightly, his warm smile returning.
"At first, I thought the same. That's why I observed Fūjin with great interest for some time.
But now it seems… my own prejudice caused me to subconsciously overlook his 'abnormality.' That's why I never pursued the matter further."
"C–Captain Aizen, what exactly are you saying?"
Hoko asked uneasily,
"And why are you suddenly paying so much attention to Vice-Captain Fūjin?"
"No—not just Fūjin. I pay close attention to all outstanding Shinigami."
Aizen's gentle gaze rested on her.
"But because of arrogance and prejudice, I let a very interesting little fish slip through my fingers."
"…"
Hoko grew increasingly confused. But from Aizen's scattered words, everything seemed to revolve around Fūjin Taichi.
Aizen placed his left hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō and smiled faintly.
"Well then, let him shatter—just like a begonia flower."