The large public bathhouse near the First Division really did live up to Aizen's praise. Even in the heat of summer, it was packed.
Shigō Takeru even spotted several female Shinigami who'd left earlier—Sui-Feng among them. Not surprising. For all her cool, unsentimental air and ruthless methods, she actually got along well with other female officers—especially the vice-captains—as a member of the Women's Association. This was probably one of their group outings.
As for why the bathhouse was so popular…
"It's surprisingly cool in here," Shigō said, stepping onto the smooth ganban stone and taking in the view.
And yes—view. He didn't know about the women's side, but the men's area was vast and spectacular, built like terraced fields. From the entrance upward, pool after pool climbed the slope with a stairway of hundreds of steps alongside. Reaching the very top felt like walking up a hill. The highest "summit" pool was practically a sky bath, with a sweeping view over Central First District beyond the bathhouse walls—Twin Peaks soaring in the distance, the First Division's towers shouldering up beside them. Judging by the layout, the women's baths must have been on the opposite face.
The temperature was lovely, too. Cherry trees in full leaf ringed the pools, and the summer heat seemed to be drawn into their shade and the underground spring. As the sun dipped, the breeze over the hilltop turned almost chilly; standing by the water's edge, the wind could raise goosebumps.
"I get why this place is so popular now," Ichigo said, walking over in a fresh yukata. "So—which pool?"
"I'd suggest the top one," came Aizen's calm voice.
"Sensei, without your glasses you look like a different person," Shigō said, turning. The man's attire wasn't unusual—everyone dressed the same here—but with the black frames gone and his hair slicked back to keep it out of the water, even a smile couldn't soften the new impression he gave off. Not menace, exactly—more like presence.
"Do I?" Aizen smiled. "You've changed the most, Shigō. This body has been tempered. Compared to when you enrolled, it's night and day."
Right on the mark. Thanks to the "Fairy-Dragon Blood" that multiplied physical growth by a thousand, and because Shigō leaned into that advantage with targeted training under Aizen's guidance, his eighteen-year-old frame had transformed. A few months looked like a few dozen: height up from 178 to 183, weight to a clean eighty kilos. Not just stronger—balanced. In uniform he merely looked healthily proportioned. Shirt off, he looked like forged steel—musculature cut clean, lines purposeful, the kind of solidity that made people wonder if a blade could even scratch him.
Next to him, Ichigo looked…normal. He had no interest in dwelling on the comparison, and even his initial remark about Aizen's look died on his lips.
Soon the three of them were half-submerged in the summit pool. The moment the hot spring wrapped around them, their bodies sighed on their own.
"Ahhh…"
"Heh."
"What? That funny?" Ichigo grumbled.
"No. I just want to laugh. Can't help it," Shigō said, lounging back with his arms along the rim and eyes half-closed, an easy smile loosening his face.
Ichigo touched the corner of his own mouth and, sure enough, found a grin there. Aizen, who always seemed to be smiling, looked more at ease than usual.
No mystery why. The instant they sank in, a primal sense of safety—like floating in the womb—flooded their nerves. Comfort begat happiness; happiness leaked out as laughter.
"Heh… hahaha… you were right, Shigō. You can't hold it in," Ichigo chuckled, shoulders shaking.
The pools here were many, and large. Most folks stuck to the ones near the entrance; hardly anyone hiked all the way up. For now, the summit was theirs alone—no harm in a little noise.
They sat in a loose half-circle facing the view: Aizen in the middle, Shigō and Ichigo to either side. The sun bled into the horizon; lanterns flickered to life. If fireworks and festival chatter had drifted in, it would have been the perfect summer night.
"Thank you, Sensei," Shigō murmured.
"For what, Shigō?" Aizen asked.
"The Captain-Commander said it was his idea, but I'm pretty sure you nudged him. And bringing us here… that's you looking out for my recovery after training."
"Caring for my students' health is my duty," Aizen said lightly. "It was just a small suggestion."
"In that case I guess I owe you for this, Shigō," Ichigo said. "Don't expect a thank-you. You were secretly training your bankai behind my back—we still haven't settled that."
"Mm. Do as you like."
Watching Shigō melt into the water, utterly unbothered, Ichigo could only sigh and turn to Aizen. "Now that I know, there's no way I can relax for the break… Sensei, if you don't mind, let me join bankai training too."
"Of course." No surprise in Aizen's tone—almost as if he'd planned for this. Two prodigies driving each other upward in a spiral until they reached the pinnacle…
"Tell me," Aizen said, eyes on the sunset, voice low and even, "seeing how hard you both push yourselves—what do you want to do with your futures? Do you have a dream?"
-------
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