The One Caught in the Spider’s Web

The meeting was nearing its end.

Because everything had been prepared in advance, and Seiya had already discussed the matter with Yamamoto beforehand…

For most people, this session was simply a matter of explanation and giving everyone time to process the information.

Of course, some weren't pleased with this after-the-fact approach.

Sui-Feng was particularly vocal about it.

"The Onmitsukidō and the Executive Militia require rapid mobility, and our missions rarely take place within Seireitei."

"Therefore, I see no reason for the Second Division to undergo this training or expansion."

Whether this was her being rational or simply being difficult was hard to say…

But in the end, Yamamoto acknowledged her reasoning.

Her argument was logical and sound, after all.

At the same time, Mayuri Kurotsuchi made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction.

His reaction?

Storming off after the meeting with a sour expression, muttering, "You'll regret this later…"

Within moments, he had vanished.

His hurried departure made it seem as if he had urgent matters to attend to.

This left Seiya in a rather awkward position.

He had initially planned to discuss a few things with Mayuri, but it seemed simply failing to inform him in advance had been enough to make him this upset.

—So… Mayuri actually throws tantrums?

As Seiya debated whether he should send a peace offering later, a polite voice called out from behind him.

"Excuse me… Are you Captain Arima?"

The voice was unfamiliar—one he hadn't heard often.

And yet, it carried a strange sense of familiarity, evoking an indescribable feeling.

Turning around, he saw a slender figure with delicate features.

Tall and poised, with neatly trimmed bangs and a single long braid cascading down her back like the branch of a willow tree.

Although she wore a Shihakushō, its design had been noticeably altered.

Rather than a standard uniform emphasizing her rank, it resembled a tailored dress uniform instead.

She could feel Seiya's gaze on her.

But unlike her soft-spoken voice, there was nothing timid about her demeanor.

Meeting his eyes directly, she offered a warm smile.

"It really is you, Captain Arima."

She knew his name.

And her distinct attire made her identity obvious.

Her name was already at the tip of his tongue.

"You're… Nemu?"

Her full name—Kurotsuchi Nemu.

One of the few people Seiya had known since she was a child, originally designated as Nemuri Number Seven, an experimental creation of Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

A faint blush rose on her cheeks, but she didn't shy away.

Instead, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Her posture and etiquette were impeccable—so polished that even the nobility would struggle to find fault.

To an outsider, she must have seemed like the epitome of grace.

"I didn't expect you to remember my name, Captain Arima."

"Ahaha, well, Mayuri mentioned it once in passing…"

—Oops, close call.

Mayuri had never once brought her up.

"Anyway, I didn't expect you to have grown so much, Nemu."

Seiya took a moment to examine her, his tone filled with nostalgia.

The image of the small, frail girl from his memories blurred slightly, and he found it difficult to reconcile the past with the present.

Nemu's smile remained unchanged, though she lifted her hand slightly to cover her mouth—a refined, almost elegant gesture.

"It has been eleven years since we last met."

—Huh? It's been that long already?

Thinking back, it had been a while.

When she was still a child, Mayuri hadn't particularly cared about their interactions.

But as she grew older, and his interest in refining his experiments intensified…

He had gradually reduced her contact with Seiya.

Now, watching Seiya gesturing animatedly, a deep sense of nostalgia filled the air.

"Back then, you were this small… Ah, time really flies."

To most beings with long lifespans, it was merely a blink of an eye.

"The once-uncertain little girl is now a graceful young woman."

Kurotsuchi Nemu was, in many ways, Mayuri's greatest masterpiece.

Because of that, both her personality and interactions were strictly controlled and conditioned.

Emotion was seen as an unnecessary impurity.

Logic was the foundation of all research.

This trait wasn't just evident in Mayuri—it had also become ingrained in Nemu.

That was simply inevitable.

As both a subject and a daughter, it was only natural that she would resemble him.

And yet, something about her felt different now.

Because in front of her at this moment stood the only adult aside from Mayuri who had been present throughout her early years.

Memories of warmth surfaced, softening her usual demeanor.

"Captain Arima, you haven't changed at all after all these years."

"Really? Ah, hearing that as an old man makes me feel like I'm tricking you young folks."

Nemu's eyes curved into crescent moons, her expression subtly brightening.

—So she's still the same simple, straightforward girl at heart…

With the passage of time, Seiya could now somewhat understand Kyōraku's casual attitude.

Approaching those with less experience with an easygoing, almost sloppy manner—lowering the distance between them—was also a form of social skill.

Sure, Aizen's method of being a flawless mentor worked too.

But that wouldn't be effective with someone like Nemu…

Lost in thought, Seiya suddenly smirked mischievously.

"So, you don't call hair 'flowers' anymore, right?"

"Uh—"

"And when playing 'horsey,' you don't dig your fingers into people's eyes?"

"Captain Arima…"

Nemu's face burned with embarrassment, and Seiya chuckled.

"Relax, I'm just messing with you. Sorry for the bad joke."

Returning to the main topic—

Seiya steadied himself and met her gaze directly.

"So, you're already the Vice-Captain of the Twelfth Division now?"

Though it was phrased as a question, the answer was obvious.

The insignia adorning her right arm marked her as second-in-command.

"Yes. Lord Mayuri deemed me suitable for the position. Though I still have much to learn, I will continue to improve."

—Quite the energetic response.

Compared to her cold, distant persona in later years, she seemed far more lively now.

Or perhaps…

This warmth was something she reserved only for a select few?

Regardless, the sight was still moving.

The frail girl who had once struggled to breathe, who had stumbled with every step…

Who couldn't even tell the difference between hair and flowers.

Had now grown into a dignified young woman, bearing the responsibilities of a division's Vice-Captain.

The sapling had become a towering tree.

"You really have grown, Nemu."

She nodded slightly, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Thank you for your kindness in the past, Captain Arima."

As soon as those words fell, a cold, stiff voice called out from behind her.

"Nemu! What are you doing?!"

Though Mayuri's face was expressionless, anyone familiar with him could recognize the shift in his tone.

He wasn't pleased.

And when it came to Mayuri, emotions weren't hard to decipher—his voice always carried distinct undertones.

Right now?

He was clearly irritated.

Considering his existing resentment toward Seiya, seeing Nemu speaking so freely with him…

—Ah, hell. Is this where he takes her back for "correction?"

Wanting to prevent any unnecessary punishments, Seiya started to speak—

But Nemu took a step forward, stopping him.

Still poised and graceful, she reassured him,

"Don't worry, Captain Arima."

"Lord Mayuri is kind. He won't do anything excessive."

"And… this is my duty and responsibility."

That statement alone reminded Seiya of something.

At the end of the day, Mayuri's treatment of Nemu was a family matter.

As someone unrelated, it was not his place to interfere.

Though her tone didn't change, Seiya understood.

If she had already grown into her role, then protecting her any further would be unnecessary.

With that, he sighed.

"Alright. Take care of yourself, Nemu."

She beamed.

"Of course. Until next time, Captain Arima."

With that, she hurried toward Mayuri, and the two vanished into the distance.

Seiya watched them go, lost in thought.

"Captain Arima, you sure know a lot of people."

Gin's voice came from beside him.

"It's nothing. Just an old acquaintance."

"Is that so…"

As Gin stared at their retreating figures, he murmured to himself.

—So many ties.

—So many connections.

—You, Captain Arima… are truly at the center of the spider's web.

—When everything falls apart… will you really be able to cut yourself free?

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Powerstones?

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