It seemed that too many memories of the past had flooded people's minds that night.
Matsumoto Rangiku propped her head up and sat up from the sofa. Having dreamt all night, she had a bit of a headache. Or perhaps, it was because the Ichimaru Gin who appeared in her dreams was giving her too much of a headache now.
"You're awake, Matsumoto."
"Captain?" Matsumoto looked over the back of the sofa and, sure enough, saw Hitsugaya sitting behind the desk. "Why are you in my room?"
"Huh? What nonsense are you spouting? This is the office."
After Matsumoto returned yesterday, she had completely ignored him and fallen asleep on the sofa. He really couldn't understand who the captain was between the two of them.
But it was understandable. Although she didn't say it out loud, Hitsugaya knew that Matsumoto had always viewed Ichimaru Gin as the most important person to her. Unfortunately, Ichimaru Gin didn't seem to feel the same way.
Furthermore, Ichimaru Gin was a major suspect in Aizen's murder. Right now, Matsumoto's internal state was hardly any better than Hinamori's after losing Aizen.
Understanding was one thing, but work still had to be done!
"Since you're awake, get to work. I'm practically exhausted to death."
Being exhausted to death might have been an exaggeration, but handling official business alone all night was certainly no easy task, especially with someone sleeping soundly right next to him. There were many times Hitsugaya had the urge to wake Matsumoto up so he could go to sleep instead.
"Who told you to take on all of Squad 5's affairs?" Matsumoto didn't look guilty in the slightest. She smoothed her hair before standing up. "Wasn't it piled up like a mountain yesterday? How is there only this little bit left?"
Hearing this, Hitsugaya's anger flared. *If you knew it was piled up like a mountain, you should understand exactly how hard I worked yesterday!*
He roughly skimmed through the last few documents. They still had no connection to the secrets Aizen had known, which meant all his hard work last night had been in vain.
"Take these and go back to where you belong." Hitsugaya impatiently began to shoo her away. He still had to go to Squad 4 to check on Shiba Kaien's condition. There was still so much to do.
"By the way, how much do you know about Shiba Kaien?"
Hitsugaya suddenly remembered that by the time he joined the Gotei 13—no, even earlier, when he entered the Shin'ō Academy—there was no one named Shiba Kaien in the Seireitei.
According to what Suì-Fēng had said, he had been implicated by his wife and thrown into the Maggot's Nest as a dangerous individual. He was someone who valued those around him but refused to follow the rules.
But since those old men wanted fairness, he had to try and view this person as objectively as possible. Based on the timeline, Matsumoto had worked alongside him, so it wouldn't hurt to hear her opinion.
It was just...
"Matsumoto?" *Is she still half-asleep?* Hitsugaya couldn't help but raise his voice. "Matsumoto!"
"Ah?! I'm sorry, Captain. Maybe... maybe I just slept too long."
She had slept for quite a while. Hitsugaya glanced out the window; it was already past noon. But this wasn't how Matsumoto usually acted. Normally, even if she made him angry, she would never apologize.
*Pull yourself together and remember your position!* He wanted to say that, but the words turned into comfort as they left his mouth. "It's... it's fine. You and he were from the same generation, so you must be confused by what happened too. If you're still tired, you can rest a little longer..."
Matsumoto stared at Hitsugaya's face for a moment. This captain, whom she constantly found ways to boss around, was surprisingly magnanimous.
"I've slept long enough. I can't just keep being this lazy."
Escaping wasn't a solution. It was best that she could see that clearly. However, facing the unfamiliar was undoubtedly painful. Just as Hitsugaya was sighing internally, Matsumoto's voice rang out again. "Captain, do you really suspect Gin... no, Captain Ichimaru Gin? Is it possible that he... that he's innocent?"
Suspect? If time were turned back to the night before the Ryoka invasion, Hitsugaya's feelings toward Ichimaru Gin would have merely been suspicion. But now, with the murder of Aizen—who had previously warned him about Ichimaru Gin—coupled with the killing intent he felt from Ichimaru Gin toward Hinamori after discovering Aizen's corpse...
It was no longer just suspicion. Hitsugaya was certain that Ichimaru Gin was connected to Aizen's death. All he lacked right now was evidence, and he still needed to figure out that guy's true motive.
"Excuse the interruption! There's a new report from Squad 4!"
"Come in!" The sudden voice outside the door truly was an interruption. As soon as the person entered, Hitsugaya asked urgently, "Has Shiba Kaien woken up?!"
"Y-Yes! Shiba Kaien has regained consciousness and is ready for questioning at any time!"
Shiba Kaien? Matsumoto froze upon hearing the familiar name. Hadn't he left the Seireitei a long time ago? What exactly happened yesterday?!
"Captain, when did Lieutenant Shiba return?"
"I'm heading over right now." Hitsugaya clearly had no intention of answering Matsumoto's question. According to the speculation of those old men, Shiba Kaien might know some inside information. Of course, he might also know nothing, but this was the only possible breakthrough they had so far.
Naturally, he hadn't forgotten about Matsumoto. Whether Ichimaru Gin was right or wrong, he would let the facts decide everything.
"You come along too, Matsumoto! Perhaps the answers you're looking for are with Shiba Kaien."
Completely bewildered, Matsumoto followed Hitsugaya out of the office. *Shiba Kaien? Will he give me answers? The answers I want.*
The two had just turned a corner when they nearly bumped into another squad member. Matsumoto recognized him—it was Takezoe, the 7th Seat of their squad, who was usually a very steady person.
"Captain, emergency report!"
"What is it?!" Hitsugaya was growing frustrated with these back-to-back incidents.
"According to an emergency notice just issued to all detention facilities, Lieutenant Abarai, Lieutenant Hinamori, and Lieutenant Kira have all escaped from their cells!"
Strictly speaking, these three weren't exactly imprisoned; they had been placed in solitary confinement for acting without authorization, with the goal of letting them cool off.
However, the situations of the three were different. Abarai was confined in Squad 6, and Kuchiki Byakuya, as his direct captain, would handle it with full authority.
Hinamori and Kira were temporarily confined in Squad 5. Since Squad 5 was currently under Hitsugaya's management, he logically needed to go there and see how to handle the situation.
Which side should he go to first? Although the matter at Squad 4 wasn't urgent, in terms of priority, he should go there first. After all, Shiba Kaien might hold information about Aizen's killer.
At the same time, he was worried that something might happen to Hinamori. Moreover, he needed to figure out exactly why Hinamori had suddenly escaped. Hadn't she already been calmed down?!
In the end, his concern for Hinamori won out in Hitsugaya's heart. He would personally go to Squad 5 to check the situation. As for Shiba Kaien, he would leave that to Matsumoto Rangiku.
In truth, Hitsugaya had never been an impartial person. His feelings for Hinamori were like a dormant volcano—once ignited, they would shatter all of his calm logic.
And this would mark the beginning of his nightmare.