The False Mask

A week had passed since the Captains' Meeting.

With the squad assignments finalized and the new recruits settling into their roles, the process had moved into a more detailed stage.

As planned, Seiya had officially moved out of the Shin'ō Academy.

—

"The duties of the 5th Division aren't particularly rigid."

"Since we're essentially the 'firefighting' division, we go wherever we're needed."

"Uh… I'd explain in more detail, but since you already interned here before, I'm just gonna take the lazy route."

Raising a hand, Shinji Hirako pressed his fingers against his stiff neck, sighing as though burdened by exhaustion.

His gaze, however, was complex as he looked at Seiya standing before him.

"Since you just joined, I won't give you any specific assignments yet. We'll keep it simple."

"For the next three or four months, you'll stick by my side and familiarize yourself with how the squad operates. After that, I'll assign you a specific role."

At first, Seiya nodded along, indicating his understanding.

Then he paused.

"…Huh? I'll be following you personally?"

Still scratching his head over his paperwork, Shinji lazily let out an "Ah?" before glancing up.

"What? You got a problem with that?"

With a slightly awkward chuckle, Seiya explained,

"No, no, not at all. I'm just… a little surprised."

"After all, captains don't usually do this sort of thing, right?"

As if reading Seiya's mind, Shinji tossed the stack of papers onto his desk with a careless flick, his expression slipping into one of pure exasperation.

"You think I want to?"

"It's just that this year's recruitment numbers for the 5th Division were insanely high, so we had to split them into separate training batches."

Normally, this 'firefighting' division barely got any volunteers.

Yet suddenly, this year, everyone wanted in.

What the hell kind of illusion was this?

Or maybe—

Was it because of someone that this change had occurred?

Shinji gave Seiya an unreadable look.

—This brat caused way too much trouble.

Not only had he turned Shinji into a walking target during the Captains' Meeting, but he'd also increased his workload.

Tch. He was starting to regret letting this kid in.

"You see, because we had so many applicants, I asked Aizen to lead a group for off-site training. They'll be gone for about six months."

"Since we technically take all assignments, some people have the wrong idea about our job. This training will help them understand what they're getting into. If they end up regretting it, at least they'll have a way out."

And among them—

"Especially those dumb kids who joined just because of you."

…Ah.

Hearing that, Seiya could only smile bitterly.

Even though he tried to keep a low profile, he'd still been the top student for years.

He'd even received his fair share of confessions—though he preferred not to acknowledge that part.

Like it or not, he was a well-known figure.

Even Ichimaru Gin, who'd graduated in just one year, hadn't overshadowed him.

Now that he thought about it, Seiya recalled where the others had ended up.

Tōsen Kaname had joined the 9th Division as planned and was settling in well. He seemed to be getting along with Kensei Muguruma.

As for Gin—

That snake had applied for the 5th Division as well.

Now, thanks to Shinji's arrangements, Gin had been sent off with Aizen for training.

Seiya supposed that was convenient, in a way.

Aizen and Gin needed time to get to know each other, after all.

Aizen had to recognize Gin's talent, and Gin had to experience Aizen's overwhelming depth firsthand.

In that sense, this was perfect.

But—

His own placement was unexpected.

"So I'm the only one training directly under you?"

"Yup. Feels real special, doesn't it? Other people would kill for this kind of opportunity."

Hah. Funny guy.

"Ahaha… If I had a choice, I'd probably go with Aizen instead. This feels a bit stressful…"

"Oi, oi, I'm not that hard to get along with."

After exchanging a few lighthearted jabs, the tension between them eased.

This wasn't their first meeting, after all.

Though they weren't exactly close, they'd known each other for years.

That familiarity made this conversation feel a little less formal.

"Alright. Back to business."

Shinji adjusted his posture, clasping his hands together atop the desk, and leveled a serious gaze at Seiya.

"I should have asked you this earlier, but better late than never… Seiya."

"I'm here."

"Why did you apply for the 5th Division?"

Though it was phrased as a standard question, Shinji's shift in demeanor carried a clear weight.

Seiya took a moment to compose himself.

"Because I don't think I have any particularly outstanding skills. Rather than specializing, I believe my talents are best suited for a division that requires versatility."

"That's why I chose the 5th Division."

"I see."

Shinji nodded.

"Then why not the 3rd Division?"

…A tricky question.

Because in theory, the 3rd and 5th Divisions shared similar roles—'Support' and 'Rescue'.

To the average observer, the distinction between them wasn't obvious.

But—

Seiya wasn't an average observer.

He barely hesitated before answering.

"While they might seem similar, a closer look reveals their differences."

"For example, their squad emblems—their flowers."

"The 3rd Division's flower is the Marigold. In the language of flowers, it symbolizes assistance, endurance, and suffering. But it also represents sorrow and pain."

"Which means—"

"The 3rd Division leans more toward combat support."

As seen in the original timeline—

Izuru Kira had once said:

'Fighting shouldn't be glorified. It shouldn't be treated as something noble or exhilarating. Combat should be viewed as cruel, grim, and terrifying—only then will people learn to fear it and avoid it altogether.'

There was meaning in every choice made when structuring the divisions.

Seiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he continued.

"Meanwhile, the 5th Division's flower is the Pieris."

"Its meaning is sacrifice, danger, and pure love."

"That suggests our division is more general in its support capabilities."

His reasoning wasn't perfect, but it was backed by subtle truths.

Like the absurdly high death rate of the 3rd Division.

In the Thousand-Year Blood War, nearly every single officer of the 3rd Division had been wiped out.

Sure, part of that was due to individual strength, but—

The fact remained:

The 3rd Division threw themselves into death's embrace.

They weren't just a support unit.

They were fighters.

"In short," Seiya concluded, "since I'm not particularly skilled in direct combat, I figured the 5th Division suited me better."

"…That answer good enough for you?"

It was a sincere response.

Seiya wasn't sure if it was right, but—

Across from him, Shinji inhaled deeply.

Then, with an exaggerated motion, he leaned back in his chair.

'Not good.'

Seiya's answer was way too good.

Hell, this kid could teach a class on division philosophy.

He'd just wanted to put the brat on the spot—not get schooled himself.

Shinji didn't even know half of that nonsense about squad flowers.

Who the hell memorized that stuff?

He coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.

"Eh… It's alright, I guess."

"…"

'That's it?'

Seiya couldn't help but feel a little cheated.

Shinji cleared his throat again, forcing himself to move forward.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase."

"Seiya."

"You joined the 5th Division…"

"Because of Aizen, didn't you?"

The question came with sharp scrutiny.

Shinji's eyes bore into Seiya's face, searching for any flicker of reaction.

But—

Seiya had expected this.

'Of course.'

'There's no avoiding Shinji Hirako.'

He had already prepared his answer.

And so, with practiced ease, he smiled and responded—

"Yes."

"It was because of Aizen-sensei."

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Powerstones?

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