Their minds were still spiraling from the revelations and assumptions they had formed. Most of them were inclined to believe that this man possessed two different Authorities.
Two Authorities at once.
A theory about such a possibility had existed before, but there had never been proof. Now, however, things felt different. Someone unknown possessing two Authorities was no longer just speculation.
The two most compatible Authorities, according to that old theory, were Chakra and Akuma. The idea was based on observations of Bijuu inhabiting human bodies. But the theory had been debunked and turned into a laughingstock. It claimed that Akuma Authority had a will of its own — it chose its owner — while Chakra functioned through an entirely different system.
Even so, many still believed the theory was possible.
So the teachers who didn't know Maki assumed he possessed both Akuma and Chakra Authorities.
But three Authorities in one body?
They refused to believe such nonsense.
It defied centuries of human understanding and knowledge.
They didn't want to accept it.
In their minds, this man — forced to stay here and given special accommodations — possessed two Authorities. That alone made him a real dark horse, just as Nezu had said.
And he would become a true powerhouse in the near future.
Some clung firmly to their conclusions.
But not all the teachers were narrow-minded.
The world was no longer the same as before. The flow had changed. Unexpected things kept happening — just like this new discovery.
And they couldn't wait to meet him.
To uncover everything.
That anticipation filled some of them with excitement and desire for the unknown.
While they were still in the meeting room, the "camera" shifted to another room.
[ THE CAMERAMAN
👉🏻 ....(゜ロ゜) ]
In Unohana's office, Rangiku was now sitting beside him, watching him closely from the side.
Isane stood behind Maki, braiding his hair. She didn't know why she was doing it. Maybe she just wanted to see him with braided hair again.
Or maybe she simply wanted to touch him once more.
Both of them noticed the golden snake earrings on his ears.
They tried to touch them — but their fingers passed through.
Rangiku widened her eyes.
Long hair. Golden snake earrings.
She looked at Isane. "Don't tell me… he's that singer as well?"
Isane smiled. "Strange, isn't it? It's him. And somehow, he feels different when singing."
After confirming it, Rangiku took out her orange-cased Z-Phone 15.
She opened the camera and took a selfie beside him.
She positioned herself in front of the camera. Behind her, Maki's side profile was visible. Some strands of unbraided hair partially covered his face, but the golden snake earrings were visible. His sharp jawline alone revealed his identity.
She took more photos.
Then she leaned closer, resting her head lightly against his broad shoulder, and snapped another picture.
She leaned even more — but suddenly her head was pushed aside.
"Hey, watch it," Isane warned.
Rangiku glanced at her. "Looks like someone's jealous."
Isane looked away and continued braiding his hair, her cheeks slightly flushed for some reason.
Rangiku noticed.
She knew exactly what Isane was thinking.
Isane finished the final coil.
His hair was fully braided.
She examined her work and nodded proudly.
It looked beautiful — just like before.
With his hair braided, his entire face and features were fully revealed.
Both of them stared at him silently.
They didn't know what to say.
Then they noticed his eyelids twitch.
They watched closely.
Slowly, his eyelids began to open.
Time seemed to slow.
They saw his red irises.
He blinked twice.
Then those red eyes stared directly at them.
The three of them locked gazes.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
No one dared to look away.
No one even dared to blink.
An unspoken rule had formed — whoever blinked first would lose.
Then he blinked.
He stretched his arms upward casually.
It seemed the "contest" had only existed in their imagination.
When they looked at his eyes again, they were the same as always — indifferent. Uncaring.
After stretching, he looked at them again.
Neither woman spoke.
Rangiku finally broke the silence.
"Hello. It's my first time meeting you. I apologize for the earlier misunderstanding. You can call me Matsumoto Rangiku — or Ran-ran for short."
She extended her hand for a handshake.
He slowly reached out.
When his hand enveloped hers, it completely swallowed her hand.
Then they heard his deep voice.
"Maki. Naapillutit nuuan!"
Both of them stared at him in confusion.
They didn't understand what he had just said, but he had introduced himself.
Rangiku shook his hand, feeling the warmth of it.
She smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Maki-chan."
"Chan?" he tilted his head slightly, eyes settling on her face. The most noticeable feature about her was the mole.
Then he turned to the white-haired girl.
Just like before, he introduced himself first.
"Aluu… Maki-mik ateqarpunga…"
He extended his hand.
Isane smiled and accepted the handshake. "Hello. You can call me Isane."
She didn't understand his words, but his tone was deep — yet friendly.
"Naapillutit nuuan," he repeated.
Then he nodded.
The two women stared at him but didn't ask what the words meant.
He looked around the room.
Isane noticed. "They haven't arrived yet."
"Oh. Okay," he replied.
He stood up from the sofa.
Both women shifted slightly to give him space.
He grabbed the mug resting on the table.
They watched as he walked toward the small kitchen area in the office corner.
He inspected the coffee maker briefly, then pressed a button.
Black coffee slowly filled the cup.
He looked around for sugar and found a glass container. Opening it, he saw sugar cubes inside.
He scooped four cubes into his coffee and stirred it well.
Then he took a sip.
After drinking a little, he glanced back at them.
"Do you want some coffee?"
He asked while holding the mug.
For some reason, both women smiled.
Isane stood up. "It's okay. I'll prepare tea for us."
She walked toward the kitchen. He stepped aside to let her pass.
He watched as she prepared tea for two people. After finishing, she placed the cups on a tray, adding some snacks before bringing everything to the table.
He followed behind her.
Isane served tea for herself and Rangiku.
Maki sat down, enjoying his coffee.
Then he looked at the snacks.
The names seemed strange to him.
A rectangular one labeled "Fudge."
A round one labeled "Hereo."
Seeing the names reminded him of the earlier question from the test.
He glanced at the women staring at him.
Rangiku and Isane were watching him closely.
They noticed his confusion as he inspected the snacks.
He opened one.
Then he looked at them.
"Hey… do you know what an Orion is? Wasn't it some kind of cookie?"
Both women widened their eyes.
He doesn't know what Orion is, Rangiku thought.
"Cookies," Isane whispered.
"Yeah, cookies," Maki replied, opening the fudge.
They stared at him, confused.
Orion is cookies? What kind of nonsense is that?
Rangiku asked carefully, "Do you perhaps not know what an Orion is?"
Maki continued chewing. He heard her and looked at her.
So cute, both women thought.
"Isn't it the name of cookies?" he said.
Yup. He doesn't know.
They nodded slightly.
"Orion isn't the name of cookies."
"What?!" he exclaimed, still chewing.
Isane and Rangiku stared at him in awe.
Isane spoke gently.
"Orions are the title of those people chosen to venture into the Void Crack itself."
Maki stopped chewing.
"Venture… the Void?"
.
( *´д)/(´д｀､)
AM N. NOT.