Outside the Central 46 Chambers, a fine drizzle fell from the sky, bringing a touch of coolness to the ground that had been baked dry and cracked by the sun. Even the sparse vegetation tipped with withered yellow leaves now glistened from the cleansing rain.
Aizen's voice — that deep, magnetic timbre so charming it could stir spring water like a gentle breeze — drifted through the air. No matter who heard it, they would find it impossible to dislike him:
"Asano Kiyoshi-doushi, over here."
As that pleasant voice fell, a blue-gray umbrella appeared, opening right over Kiyoshi's head.
Even though Kiyoshi had prepared himself mentally for this, his body still tensed the moment he saw Aizen's gesture.Yet outwardly, he kept his composure — only letting a hint of surprise and fluster show on his face:
"Captain Aizen?! How could I trouble you to hold an umbrella for me — that's far too disrespectful!"
He reached out, as if to take the umbrella himself — but Aizen gently stopped him. Smiling, he said:
"Asano-doushi, please don't disobey a Captain's orders."
Hearing this, Kiyoshi gave a shy, embarrassed chuckle, scratching his head and letting Aizen hold the umbrella for him — his cheeks even flushed slightly, the perfect image of an overwhelmed young soul reaper.
Rain drummed on the umbrella in a steady drip-drip rhythm. Amid the muted, rain-washed hues of Seireitei, it made the scene feel especially tranquil.As he listened to the quiet breath of the youth beside him, Aizen looked up toward the distant sky, his tone gentle:
"Asano-doushi, you seem rather nervous. Is it because of me? It's alright — after that verdict, the Captain-Commander and Captain Kyōraku both had too many matters to handle, and Captain Unohana's Fourth Division is always busy.""As for Captain Ukitake, you know his health. If he came to get you, it would be you supporting him instead.""But I thought, for such an outstanding young soul reaper as you, if no Captain came to meet you, it would be a bit too sad. So, I volunteered myself. You don't mind, do you?"
Aizen's mood seemed almost playful; by the end, he'd even cracked a few gentle jokes.Hearing him, Kiyoshi forced an appropriate smile and bowed respectfully:
"Thank you so much, Captain Aizen."
But Aizen only gave a soft chuckle at the formal tone, and after a brief silence, he continued:
"Asano-doushi, if you don't mind, let's have a little chat. I'm quite interested in you."
The moment Aizen said this, Kiyoshi's already tense mind clenched like a trap.To face this genius-level mastermind — this boss among bosses — he knew the less he said, the better.Who could tell which offhand remark might lead Aizen to deduce something heaven-defying?But refusing to talk would be even more suspicious — so he had no choice but to comply.
"Ah, of course, Captain Aizen. Anything you'd like to know — I'll answer truthfully and completely."
Seeing Kiyoshi's nervous expression, Aizen's eyes glimmered with a trace of amusement. He spoke in that gentle, trustworthy voice:
"No need to be so tense. It's just a simple question. I want to know: why would you rather go to Hueco Mundo — to end up in a lose-lose with the Tsunayashiro clan — than reconcile with them and remain here in Soul Society to grow steadily?"
Hearing this, Kiyoshi deliberately averted his gaze to avoid looking Aizen in the eye. He took a breath and explained slowly:
"Captain Aizen… I suppose, mainly… it's because of my resentment."
Aizen's eyebrows rose in faint surprise for the first time:
"Oh? Resentment?"
"Mm… resentment."
"Could you explain?"
Kiyoshi knew there was no way around this. Whether he stuck out his neck now or later, the blade would still fall — so the only option was to mix a little truth with his lies.If Aizen caught him hiding too much, it'd be far worse.
He extended his hand beyond the umbrella's edge, letting the cold drizzle patter across his fingers. Then, he spoke:
"Captain Aizen, the truth is… a large part of my decision came from a personal place.Kojirō and I, our experiences were so similar — both of us grew up relying on our elders. I could understand that feeling: how you'd do anything for your mother, no matter the cost.In a way, Kojirō could have been me — if I hadn't been accepted into the Shin'ō Spirit Academy.That's why, after our duel, I went to heal his mother. And when I did — I could feel so clearly just how far gone her illness really was…"
His voice grew hoarse.
"That mother… she was holding on with every shred she had left. Maybe she couldn't let go of Kojirō; maybe she didn't want him to bear that pain yet. So she kept fighting with that body on the edge of collapse…"
At that, Kiyoshi's hand clenched so hard that fresh blood seeped from his palm, dripping to the ground to mix with the rain — returning to nourish Soul Society's soil.
His tone turned frigid:
"Captain Aizen, did you know?Kojirō's mother's body wasn't actually sick to begin with — the pain she endured day and night was caused by someone from the outside!And according to Kojirō, the Tsunayashiro clan sent people regularly to 'treat' her!"
Aizen let out a soft sigh, his voice tinged with genuine-sounding sorrow:
"A respectable mother… a pitiful family… and a detestable clan…"
Hearing that, a flash of light flared in Kiyoshi's eyes. He now looked like a hot-blooded young man — earnest and naive — who'd found a kindred spirit outside his parents for the first time.He spoke all at once, his words pouring out:
"Captain Aizen! You think so too?! That's exactly why I accepted that condition — because I despise those nobles!Back when I lived in Rukongai, just staying alive took everything I had!But those nobles — they enjoy every privilege, trampling on ordinary people's dignity!Captain Aizen — I just don't understand! What's so noble about these so-called nobles? Why are they born above us?!"
Aizen fell silent for a moment. He lowered the umbrella slightly, so his refined, handsome face was half-shrouded in shadow.His voice came out softer — but there was something new lurking in its depths:
"Ah… yes.No one is born to sit on a throne — and no bloodline is innately nobler than another.When a blade cuts into flesh, a noble bleeds the same as anyone else.When a head rolls, a noble dies like anyone else.In this world, no one is born greater than another…"
Then, Aizen suddenly smiled, stopping in his tracks. He pointed to the First Division barracks ahead — and his tone turned warm and polite once more:
"Asano Kiyoshi, we're here. It's time for us to part ways."
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle