Your Happiness

"A little unexpected, honestly."

Seiya let out a quiet sigh, resting his right hand on the desk while tapping his curled index finger against the surface.

"What do you mean?"

Ichimaru Gin glanced to both sides, his expression carrying a rare trace of melancholy.

"That you actually acknowledged someone like that…"

"Please don't make it sound like I'm some heartless and indifferent person."

…Aren't you, though?

Seiya didn't voice the thought, but the look in his eyes made it clear.

Ichimaru Gin sighed and turned back to face him, his usual sharp smirk absent from his face.

"I didn't even realize how many decades I've spent here…"

Seiya chuckled.

"You don't have to leave, you know."

"But the notices have already been sent. Everyone is prepared to welcome the new lieutenant. If I back out now, it would go against proper decorum."

"Ahaha, don't worry about that—being a captain comes with the right to be a little selfish sometimes."

Gin pressed his lips together in resignation.

"After all these years, you really haven't changed a bit…"

Seiya shrugged lightly.

"I may have aged, but keeping a youthful mindset is important."

Furrowing your brows all the time would only lead to premature wrinkles, after all.

"So… do you really intend to change your mind last minute?"

"Once water is spilled, there's no taking it back."

"Exactly~"

"Well then, let's get back on topic, Captain Arima."

Gin's fingers lightly brushed against the hilt of his sword as his expression turned serious.

"For decades now, you've been deliberately keeping me away from Aizen."

"At first, I thought it was a good thing. I assumed you had a plan, that you were preparing to expose him…"

"But that wasn't the case."

There was a pause—

Gin's gaze fixed on Seiya, who had turned his face slightly, as if avoiding the conversation.

His tone grew heavier.

"You only wanted me to stay away from that man."

Why?

Why are you still doing this even now?

From Gin's perspective, he couldn't see the full picture.

But precisely because he didn't know everything—

He could deduce things backward.

"Given the available information, I can only make two unlikely assumptions."

"First, you're planning to act soon, and I'm simply not strong enough to get involved yet."

But that idea was ridiculous.

There weren't even a hundred Soul Reapers capable of Bankai.

With his level of ability, Gin was certain he wouldn't be brushed aside as insignificant.

Which meant the only possibility left was—

"Second, this isn't Aizen's decision."

"It's yours, Captain Arima."

"You want me to stay away from them. You're hiding something… You're trying to keep me from danger?"

The last statement even sounded uncertain coming from his own mouth.

That alone proved Gin had no real confidence in what he was saying.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have spoken so carelessly—

Throwing out vague theories without certainty wasn't like him.

But now, Gin didn't care if he was being reckless.

Taking half a step forward, he leaned over the desk, planting both hands firmly on its surface.

His expression was deadly serious.

"Captain Arima—answer me!"

Yet, Seiya simply grinned and waved off the question with his usual carefree tone.

"An interesting guess, but you're overthinking it~"

That single sentence was enough for Gin to realize—

He wouldn't get an answer.

If Seiya had no intention of explaining, then there was no point in pressing further.

So that was it?

That was the end of the conversation?

Frustration flickered across Gin's face.

His lips parted, as if trying to push for more—

But before he could say anything—

Seiya beat him to it.

With two casual coughs, as if changing the subject, Seiya smiled and said:

"Anyway, your work here is done, Gin. I appreciate everything you've done, so…"

There was no need to feel pressured.

There was no need to feel guilty.

"Go to the Tenth Division and get some rest. I can't promise what the future holds…"

"But for now, at least—"

"You belong on the peaceful, brighter side of things."

Aizen's plans encompassed many different factors.

And from a purely strategic standpoint,

Having more people would always be better.

But—

Seiya disagreed.

"Everyone has the right to pursue happiness."

That was the fairest truth for everyone.

For Aizen, that happiness was found in pushing past his limits and challenging authority.

For Tōsen, he had already lost the person he cherished most—

His life would remain void of joy forever.

For someone like him, there was no happiness left in the world.

Gin, however—was different.

Seiya's gaze flickered toward the clock on the wall.

The time was slowly ticking forward.

"Time's up, Gin."

"Rangiku is probably waiting for you with a welcome party."

If he didn't leave soon, Matsumoto Rangiku might start making a scene.

Yes—

That was the difference.

Unlike in the original timeline—

This Gin didn't need to hide his emotions.

He didn't have to silently suffer as his loved one stood on the other side of an uncrossable divide.

After all these years, Seiya knew Gin better than anyone—aside from Rangiku herself.

"Even though I taught you a lot, you were always brilliant on your own."

"No matter where you go, you'll always shine—I'm really looking forward to what you'll accomplish."

"So… isn't that where you belong?"

No one who followed Aizen was normal.

That rule applied universally.

Hearing those words, Gin's expression became even more conflicted.

He was no fool—

Far from it.

And after everything they had just discussed—

He understood exactly what Seiya was trying to do.

Perhaps, in one last act of resistance, Gin's voice softened—

"Then, Captain Arima… what about your happiness?"

For a brief moment—

Seiya's smile stiffened.

"You haven't been to the Fourth Division in a long time, have you?"

"A while ago, Isane came looking for you at the Fifth Division, but since you weren't around, I had to make up an excuse."

"I can go seek my happiness, but… Captain Arima—"

Gin couldn't finish the sentence.

Even he felt that saying it outright would be too cruel.

Seiya wasn't some power-hungry tyrant.

If anything—

Gin knew that deep down, Seiya longed for a peaceful life.

He didn't care about being the strongest.

He didn't seek power or authority.

He was the type who preferred drinking with Kyōraku Shunsui,

Handling his duties efficiently, and then spending time with Isane.

A normal, simple life.

But now, he was being forced into this role—

Wasn't that unfair?

Seiya fell silent for a long time.

He turned his gaze toward the window, his lips pressing into a firm line.

Did he want this?

Did he enjoy living like this?

Of course not.

But there was no one else who could take on this responsibility.

After several long breaths—

He finally forced a smile.

"You're sharp, Gin."

"Rangiku will definitely be happy to see how much you've grown."

"As for me… my happiness is still out there—just not yet."

Just a few more decades.

Once Kurosaki Ichigo was born—

Once the winds of change began to stir—

Once everything was set back on the right track—

Then, and only then—

"I can finally put everything down and live my life."

Until then—

"I still have things I need to do."

Gin stood still for a long moment.

His fingers rested against the doorframe, his body unmoving, as if trapped in indecision.

Seiya had already closed his eyes, his posture relaxed against the chair, as if the conversation was over.

There was nothing more to say.

Gin knew that better than anyone.

But knowing that didn't make it any easier to walk away.

He lowered his head slightly, his voice almost imperceptible—

"I understand, Captain Arima."

Then, step by step, he walked away.

His movements were slow—uncharacteristically heavy.

By the time he reached the long corridor of the Fifth Division barracks, the sunlight had shifted, casting deep shadows along the wooden floor.

Gin found himself standing still again.

The afternoon sunlight spread across his black uniform, its warmth seeping into the fabric, yet it couldn't dispel the cold feeling in his chest.

Was this truly the right decision?

Was it really okay for him to pursue his own happiness?

Gin already knew the answer.

But the reality that his own peace was built upon Seiya's burden made it impossible for him to smile.

He inhaled deeply—

Then turned away from the Captain's office and headed down the hallway.

The door he entered next was familiar.

The Lieutenant's Office.

Inside, Hinamori Momo sat at her desk, staring blankly at the mountain of documents in front of her.

Upon noticing his arrival, she immediately straightened, her expression shifting to one of surprise.

"I-Ichimaru Gin-senpai!"

Gin raised a hand to his lips in a shushing gesture.

"Lower your voice—Captain Arima is resting."

"…?!"

Hinamori immediately clamped her hands over her mouth, nodding with wide eyes.

She was eager to listen—that much was clear.

Gin observed her for a moment.

So…

Was there something left unsaid?

Did he come back for a reason?

Even he wasn't sure.

But his mouth moved on its own.

As he walked further into the office, he casually gestured to the cabinet against the wall.

"Third shelf from the top—there's a pack of hangover medicine inside."

"Captain Arima likes drinking with Kyōraku Shunsui, but his alcohol tolerance is terrible. He always ends up being carried back here."

"The back storage has extra blankets. Sometimes, he sleeps in this office instead of going home."

"Make sure to take one out for him when needed. And remember to air them out regularly—musty bedding makes you look unprofessional."

His words were scatterbrained—even Gin wasn't sure why he was listing all this.

But his mouth just kept going.

Because all of this was familiar to him.

These were things he had done for years.

At first, Hinamori looked confused.

Then she started listening more carefully.

And finally—

She grabbed a pen and started taking notes.

No extra words were needed.

A silent understanding passed between them.

And once everything had been said—

Gin paused.

Then he spoke quietly.

"Yesterday, I gave you instructions about work."

"Today, I'm telling you about his personal habits."

"But honestly… I think this is far more important than any of that."

Even if it was painful,

Even if he didn't want to let go,

This was Seiya's will.

So Gin had to respect it.

He took a slow breath, then turned his gaze back to Hinamori.

"Captain Arima… from now on, I leave him in your care."

"…?!"

Hinamori's fingers trembled slightly.

She clenched the pen in her hand, covering her mouth for a brief moment—

Her expression shifting from shock to determination.

Gin had never spoken to her this seriously before.

For a few seconds, she hesitated.

But then—

She straightened her back.

Her right hand clenched into a fist, pressing against her chest—

A silent vow of commitment.

"Understood!"

Her voice was firm—

Her expression, resolute.

She would not fail this responsibility.

Gin's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

Then—

He smiled.

Not his usual sharp grin—

But a genuine, almost nostalgic smile.

Just this once—

"Keep your voice down, Hinamori."

"Ah…? Ah! S-Sorry!"

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New fics out, one called Hogwarts: Don't Call Me a Wand Maker and another called One Piece: Farming from the Rocks Era. I will delete one based on the reception later, if both do well, I'll keep both.

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