He said nothing, nor did he show any expression of triumph.
It was as if he was doing something perfectly natural.
Full of a relaxed aura.
The Spirit Arts Academy students were all stunned; this person was so strange.
Although they couldn't pinpoint exactly why he was strange, he was very strange.
"Hmm..."
Aizen pursed his lips, seemingly organizing his thoughts.
"This student... if I'm not mistaken, you are Shimiya-kun, the genius who just enrolled this year, correct?"
"Aizen-sensei, what do you think of my calligraphy?"
Shimiya Takeru was curious about his calligraphy's level in Aizen's eyes.
"Absolutely outstanding!"
Aizen gave a high evaluation without hesitation.
"At first glance, it looks like two separate characters, but together they form the character 'Collapse'."
"Did you intentionally separate the top and bottom halves to express the meaning of something collapsing and splitting from within? Or is there a grander, more macroscopic expression? That different things can combine to form new things, which would be the exact opposite of the character's original meaning, a philosophy seeking unity in opposition."
"Or does it hint at a satirical allegory, that things forcibly pieced together will eventually split apart?"
"Even from the visual appearance of the characters, it possesses considerable aesthetic beauty."
"So ingenious and also possessing the beauty of calligraphy, it seems the Spirit Arts Academy's evaluation of Shimiya-kun was still too conservative."
After this multi-layered deconstruction, the Spirit Arts Academy students immediately looked at Shimiya Takeru with new eyes, even developing a small sense of admiration, as there had never been anyone whom Aizen-sensei praised so highly until now.
"Everyone, do you understand now? A genius like Shimiya-kun has a more thorough understanding of things, which is beneficial for improving one's spiritual cultivation."
"Many people misunderstand calligraphy, believing it has no meaning for a Shinigami's work. I don't want to deny this notion, as a brush certainly cannot slay an enemy with resolve."
Aizen pushed up his glasses and said with a smile:
"However, even for the same character, the posture presented by each person's writing is unique."
"Calligraphy is writing one's heart. I hope everyone can understand their inner self and strengthen their beliefs while studying calligraphy."
"This can help you communicate with your Zanpakuto, even understand and master high-level Kido, and also allow you to display your unique abilities on the same path after you become a Shinigami."
His words were not impassioned but full of a strange infectiousness.
They could clear one's mind, and thoughts would unconsciously follow his rhythm.
A class felt like a spiritual baptism.
The effect achieved was far more than simply "stress relief."
It was almost like a powerful tonic for everyone.
No wonder a mere calligraphy class was so popular.
It wasn't just Aizen's personal charisma; his actions genuinely brought benefits to others, and that was crucial.
Chapter 7: Hachihara's Surprise Party
Time flew by.
After class, Shimiya Takeru and Rindo Yu had just left the classroom when they ran into Ichigo.
"Yo, how was class? You weren't dozing off with a brush in your hand, were you?"
"If someone can sleep during Aizen-sensei's class, their head must have been hit with a 'Collapse Point.'"
Shimiya Takeru raised an eyebrow at Ichigo's teasing greeting.
"What's a 'Collapse Point'?"
Ichigo felt puzzled.
Rindo Yu gave the answer expressionlessly: "[A powerful anesthetic, said to be difficult for even the highest-ranking Shinigami to resist.]"
"...Injecting anesthetic into the brain, you actually thought of that. But that means this teacher is very good at teaching, right?"
"If I had to describe it, it's like listening to the greatest contemporary thinker give a lecture. If he had been born in Germany half a century ago, perhaps humanity would have already united."
"Is he a thinker?! This is clearly an ambitious schemer with deep cunning, full of grand pronouncements, skilled at manipulating people, isn't he?"
"If you don't want to get mugged in your sleep tonight, you'd best speak a little softer."
Shimiya Takeru pointed his thumb over his shoulder towards the classroom behind them without looking.
Ichigo subconsciously looked, and through the window, he saw the podium surrounded by a group of male and female Spirit Arts Academy students, vaguely discerning a tall figure in a different style of clothing. That should be the person he was looking for.
Whether he was a swindler or not, speaking ill of a popular teacher would definitely not be tolerated by these Spirit Arts Academy students, whereas Shimiya Takeru would definitely stand by and watch!
"It's all because you exaggerated... Never mind, I'm leaving!"
Watching Ichigo's retreating back, Shimiya Takeru mused, "Rindo, what do you think his first thought will be when he comes back tonight?"
Rindo Yu shook his head: "[I don't know.]"
Shimiya Takeru smiled: "I bet he'll say—Shimiya, you were absolutely right, I was too arrogant."
Rindo Yu added: "[Actually, I also don't quite approve of excessive contact with that person.]"
Shimiya Takeru turned back in surprise, finding Rindo Yu's gaze serious, which was rare for him.
Rindo Yu explained: "[Because I can hardly sense Aizen-sensei's emotions.]"
"Rindo, have you ever considered that this is actually normal?"
Shimiya Takeru said with a calm expression.
Rindo Yu paused at his words.
"We cannot discern a person's character at a glance; it often requires long-term observation and mutual familiarity to draw conclusions. Yet, even then, the possibility of misjudgment exists, and it's quite high."
"So, the question is, why doesn't everyone live in self-preservation, but instead focuses more on interpersonal communication?"
"The reason is simple: because everyone is in the same situation."
"Imagine, if you couldn't sense my emotions, and I couldn't sense yours, you would naturally be wary of me, but that's just the appropriate reaction to a stranger, not to the extent of treating me as a bad person and developing immense defensiveness, right?"
Facing Shimiya Takeru's question, Rindo Yu hesitated and nodded.
"So, Aizen-sensei, who seems terrifying to you because you can't sense his emotions, appears no different from others to me. I also don't know what they're thinking, and I don't need to know; it's not important to me."
Rindo Yu asked: "[Then what is important?]"
Shimiya Takeru clapped him heavily on the shoulder, as if using his actions to complement his words in answering.
"What you do is most important."
...
Dormitory Room 001 was Shimiya Takeru's room.
Just as the fiery clouds outside the window were at their most vibrant, Ichigo pushed open the door.
"Shimiya, I have to admit, you sometimes say strange things that make sense."
Shimiya Takeru sat at the square table, giving Rindo Yu, who had just closed his book opposite him, a look that said, "See, I told you so."
Rindo Yu wrote: "[It seems you two are getting along well.]"
After Shimiya Takeru's words, Rindo Yu had also shed his preconceived "prejudices" against Aizen and actively responded to Ichigo's thoughts.
"Yeah."
Ichigo changed his shoes and walked onto the tatami, sitting cross-legged in an empty spot at the square table, unceremoniously picking up the mugicha Shimiya Takeru had just poured and drinking it all in one gulp.
"So thirsty, I was so engrossed in class I didn't drink a single drop of water."
"Normally, I should be happy for you, but thinking that I won't see your sour face during the next test makes me a little disappointed."
Shimiya Takeru picked up his Asauchi from the side, shaking his head as he performed his daily maintenance on the sword.
"Don't underestimate me; even without extra lessons, I can pass just fine."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Instead, tell me how your opinion of Aizen-sensei changed."
Although he wanted to retort, Ichigo reluctantly gave up and, as Shimiya Takeru wished, recounted the reason and events.
To put it simply, it could be summarized in one sentence.
He was moved by the sincere attitude and conquered by the excellent teaching methods.
"At first, I thought he was a cunning and sly man in glasses, but it turned out he was a gentle and reliable good guy. Not only did he help me plan my self-study program, but he also cared about other academic and life difficulties I encountered... I really owe him a huge favor."
Ichigo sighed.
He was probably ashamed of the petty thoughts that had instinctively arisen earlier.
Shimiya Takeru asked curiously, "From what you're saying, you also told him about being a Kido nuclear bomb?"
"Who's a Kido nuclear bomb?!"
Ichigo flared up in anger.
"I knew people were always whispering when they saw me! Could it be that you've been spreading rumors behind my back?"
"Brother Kurosaki, you know me. I always speak ill of you to your face, commonly known as having low emotional intelligence."
"Using that as an excuse... You bastard, don't let me catch an opportunity, or you'll see how I'll mock you!"
"Then you'll have to ask Aizen-sensei to help you expand your vocabulary. You know me; low-aggression attacks don't work on me."
...
Looking at the other person's righteous demeanor, Ichigo wished he could punch him.
"Hmph, you can be smug for now. You guessed right, Aizen-sensei invited me to the Fifth Division this weekend, saying he could help me with my Kido problems."
"This weekend? I'm free too, so let's go together."
Shimiya Takeru nodded.
"Wait, you don't have any problems that need solving."
"But Aizen-sensei must have also asked you to convey an invitation to me, right?"
"How did you guess?"
Ichigo was incredibly surprised.
"Why ask? There's no reason to give special tutoring and leave out the top student, is there?"
...
Ichigo didn't want to talk to Shimiya Takeru and turned to Rindo Yu.
The latter did not disappoint, writing a line in the air.
Rindo Yu wrote: "[Shimiya performed exceptionally well in class and received praise from Aizen-sensei.]"
"No wonder his attitude was much warmer when he mentioned you."
Ichigo suddenly understood.
"Geniuses attract each other."
"Then it seems I'm a genius too."
Feeling he had caught Shimiya Takeru in self-praise, Ichigo was triumphant.
"Aren't you?"
Shimiya Takeru's surprised attitude was as if he had heard something counter-intuitive.
Ichigo paused, then grinned after realizing: "Of course I'm a genius. The two of us, and Rindo, and Hachihara, are all geniuses."
"Speaking of which, where's Hachihara? He sent a spiritual communicator message earlier saying to meet here, but he's nowhere to be seen."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened again.