"Turns out… being too talented comes with its own set of problems."
"Yūto, what do you think?"
Kirizawa Yūto sprawled lazily across his bed, hands folded behind his head as he launched confidently into his speech:
"I'm trying to decide—should I join the Second Division? The Fourth? Or maybe the Kido Corps?"
He let out a dramatic sigh.
"Between Lady Yoruichi, Captain Unohana, and Professor Kagetsu, the offers I'm getting are almost too good to choose from."
He placed the back of his hand to his forehead like a tragic actor.
"Honestly, it's a cruel dilemma… truly painful."
Across the room, Arisawa Sōma did not react.He quietly flipped through the massive recipe collection that Kisaragi Akira had given him—a trove of dishes, ingredients, and culinary notes.
Compared to Yūto's monologue, the book was infinitely more nutritious.
"Oh, right—almost forgot."
Akira suddenly sat up, expression serious.
"When Professor Kagetsu invited me earlier, he mentioned you too."
Sōma blinked. "…Me?"
"He said he was impressed with your performance in real-combat Kido training."
Akira raised a finger.
"If you join the Kido Corps, they'll give you待遇 equivalent to a senior officer immediately."
Another finger.
"And if your spiritual pressure rises a bit more, he's ready to recommend you as Vice Chief of the entire Kido Corps."
The pages in Sōma's hands stopped turning.
Just as he opened his mouth, Akira spoke again, completely ignoring him.
"Honestly though, I think Professor Kagetsu's judgment is a little off this time."
"…What?"
"I mean, calling your spiritual pressure 'a bit weak'? That's something a person can just say out loud?"
Akira clicked his tongue.
He extended his hands and demonstrated:
"So, let's say my spiritual pressure is about this much."
Then, in Sōma's shocked stare, Akira opened his arms wider.And wider.And wider, even leaning his body back to add more length.
"Then yours would be… probably around this much."
"…"
Sōma inhaled slowly, calming his initial surprise.
"You're mistaken."
His voice returned to its usual serene tone.
"My spiritual pressure is far inferior to yours. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost in the Kido combat test."
He closed the recipe book gently.
"The only reason I lasted as long as I did was because I've learned to optimize the strength I do have—using every bit with precision."
He said it matter-of-factly, but with sincerity.
Akira stared at him… then waved a dismissive hand.
"Yeah yeah, sure. Whatever you say."
Arguing with this guy wasn't worth the effort.
Sōma's spiritual pressure lower than his?
What kind of Soul Society joke was that?
If Sōma ever went all out in that Kido duel…Akira would've been kneeling on the ground in under ten seconds, begging him not to die.
Captain-class pressure might be pushing it—but definitely Vice Captain level.
And Akira was very confident in this judgment.
"Alright! Lunchtime."
Akira rolled off the bed in one energetic motion, grabbed Sōma by the arm, and pulled him up.
"Forget worrying about which division to join. First we feed ourselves."
He slapped his chest proudly.
"And today's meal will once again be sponsored by the Kisaragi Shrine!"
Sōma let out a tiny sigh.
The sight of Akira beaming with excitement stirred a complicated mix of feelings.
Sometimes he seriously questioned whether becoming friends with this guy had been a blessing…or a curse.
The academy soon returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.
After several days of rest, Professor Kagetsu Tessa returned to the Kido training hall to resume teaching.
"This will be my last year here at Shin'ō Spiritual Academy," he announced with a sigh."Once I officially take office as the Grand Kido Chief, I won't have the luxury of this leisurely schedule anymore."
Meanwhile, Akira—under threat of death from Instructor Kaede Junya—was forced to behave himself temporarily.
The dean had personally ordered him to reduce his side businesses:selling protective talismans, performing exorcism blessings, good-fortune rituals, and other such extracurricular ventures.
Also:No physically endangering faculty.
This condition, however, was unlikely to last long.
Trying to suppress Akira's natural behavior was like trying to bottle a tornado.
Luckily, once Administrator Okiba Genjirō finished his pile of paperwork, he immediately drafted a specialized plan to keep Akira… contained.
At least somewhat.
Faculty Office
Kaede Junya glared darkly at the two boys standing before him—or more accurately, at one of them.
Akira shrank his shoulders.
"Ahem… Instructor Kaede, I really haven't broken any rules recently."
Kaede stared.Long enough for Akira to sweat.
Then, wordlessly, the instructor grabbed a bottle of blood-pressure medication and swallowed several pills dry.
He had long since mastered the art of chewing medicine without changing expression.
Though next time… maybe he should ask Captain Unohana to make a mint-flavored version.As long as this brat stayed enrolled, he was never escaping his hypertension.
"This time I called you because there's a mission."
Kaede cleared his throat.
"Originally the assignment was meant for the sixth-year students, but considering the potential danger, I requested approval from the Headmaster to send you two instead."
Akira straightened with interest.
Kaede continued:
"Earlier this month, Squad Eight and Squad Twelve discovered traces of Hollow activity near Zenteiji Temple in East Rukongai."
"Your task is simple: eliminate every Hollow found there and restore peace to the surrounding district."
Akira's eyes lit up—dangerously.
Kaede immediately sped up, terrified the kid would sprint straight to Zenteiji and level the entire temple.
"Before going, stop by Squad Twelve's Research Bureau to collect the latest Hollow-cluster detection device."
"This particular Hollow is extremely skilled at hiding…"
After listing several crucial precautions, Kaede finally dismissed them.
But as they walked away, their voices echoing faintly down the corridor, Kaede felt a deep, inexplicable dread.
Kisaragi Akira wouldn't…cause a disaster… right?
…Right?
Squad Twelve Barracks — Shutora Research Bureau
It didn't take long for the two boys—identical blue-and-white academy uniforms, nearly the same height—to arrive.
The building's architecture was absurdly flamboyant: gigantic skeletal hands curved protectively around a cocoon-like structure, resembling a massive Michelin-man-shaped creature crouched on the courtyard stones.
Colorful banners hung everywhere like a bizarre dye-works festival.
Akira stared, unimpressed.
"Yep. Scientists definitely have the weirdest taste."
Sōma didn't disagree.Even with his calm personality, he found the place… eccentric.
They showed their identification, followed a squad member through several dim hallways, and finally stopped before a door marked:
— Research Room No. 7 —
"Chief, they're here to request the new Hollow Cluster Locator."
The room inside was pure white—spotless, sterile, almost clinical.The stark contrast to the exterior was jarring.
The sound of rolling wheels echoed.
A woman in a pristine lab coat glided forward.
Beautiful.Elegant.Pale skin, flawless posture, and long, silky black hair.
She did not look like a researcher.At all.
Under Akira's stunned gaze, she approached soundlessly—her eyes fixed entirely on Sōma.
Then, barely above a whisper, she said:
"Young man… you are quite extraordinary."
The air grew still.
Sōma blinked.
Akira blinked twice.
And the story…continued to unfold.