The following morning, at the Shino Academy.
Stepping through the familiar school gates, Ren caught sight of the ancient, weathered campus buildings as students clad in uniform bustled past. Taking in the familiar scenery, Ren strolled leisurely. Before he knew it, nearly a year had passed since he left the academy.
Now dressed in his black Shihakusho, Ren made a low-profile entrance into the academy, heading straight for the preparation room of the Kaido class. Just as he reached the threshold, he paused slightly, sensing a familiar spiritual pressure emanating from within.
Ren pushed the door open. Inside the room, Aizen stood silently with a calligraphy brush in hand. Spread out across the desk before him were sheets of rice paper and inksticks. His gentle aura was no different from his usual mild-mannered demeanor, save for an added layer of scholarly refinement.
"Ren?"
"Lieutenant Aizen." Ren bowed in greeting, quietly sizing up the man. "What brings you here?"
"I had some free time, so I picked up a new hobby." Aizen set down the brush and gestured for Ren to sit, his tone casual. "I have always been fond of calligraphy, so I requested permission from my captain to teach a calligraphy class here at the academy. It passes the time."
Ren nodded. He understood Aizen's motives all too well.
The so-called calligraphy class was merely a front. His true purpose was undoubtedly to observe the student body, screen for potential talent, and lay the groundwork for his future factions. With Gin Ichimaru making such waves upon enrollment, there was no way Aizen hadn't noticed.
"I see. I wasn't aware that you harbored an interest in calligraphy, Lieutenant."
Aizen smiled faintly, his meaningful gaze landing on Ren. "You are quite dedicated yourself. Squad 4 is always bustling with activity, yet you still find the time to substitute for a Kaido class."
"It's no trouble at all. I simply heard that an extraordinary talent had joined the freshman class, so I came to take a look."
Sharing a tacit understanding, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries before heading out to their respective classrooms shortly after.
A wave of commotion echoed outside the preparation room. Ren glanced toward the distant calligraphy classroom. The corridor outside was packed with female students, all standing on their tiptoes to peer through the windows. Even the passing male students couldn't help but stop and stare. That was where Aizen's calligraphy class was being held.
Looks, charisma, status, and strength—Aizen possessed every conceivable advantage. To the students of the Shino Academy, he was the perfect idol. It was only natural that his popularity was through the roof.
By contrast, Ren's Kaido class—while also an elective—had always been unpopular, typically failing to fill even half the room.
Since there was still some time before his own lecture, Ren detoured past the freshman classroom. His peripheral vision swept across the room until it locked onto a small, silver-haired figure sitting in the corner.
Gin Ichimaru wore the standard academy uniform, his frame appearing somewhat slight. Though he looked lazy and harmless at the moment, deep within his squinted eyes lay a profundity and sharpness that belied his age.
Seeming to sense Ren's gaze, Gin opened his eyes a fraction, looking in Ren's direction. His body stiffened slightly, his eyes widening a fraction as if he hadn't expected to run into Ren here.
Seeing Ren offer a small nod, Gin returned the gesture before sinking back into his lazy demeanor. Ren withdrew his gaze and walked away calmly.
Shortly after, he arrived at the door of the Kaido classroom. Inside, less than half the seats were occupied by a scattered handful of students. The atmosphere was desolate, a stark contrast to the booming popularity next door.
In the front row, a young girl with shoulder-length black hair and a sweet, earnest gaze sat neatly in her seat well ahead of time. She held a Kaido textbook, her head lowered in focused preparation. Ise Nanao quietly studied the text before her.
Ever since learning that Ren had joined Squad 4 and even attained the position of 4th Seat, a seed of ambition had taken root in her heart. Since she was already adept at Kido, perhaps she could achieve something in Kaido as well. If she could use Kaido as a stepping stone to enter Squad 4, that wouldn't be a bad path at all.
Hearing footsteps, Nanao looked up toward the door, waiting for the instructor from Squad 4 to enter. However, the moment she saw the figure walking in, she froze.
She stared blankly as the familiar figure walked up to the podium, her mind grinding to a halt. 'How can it be... Hasumi Ren?'
The surrounding students also gradually recognized Ren, and the room instantly erupted into a flurry of excited whispers. The originally desolate classroom suddenly surged with vitality due to his arrival.
Ren walked up to the podium, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally resting on Nanao. Amused by the girl's thoroughly shocked, adorable expression, a gentle smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Without saying much, he simply raised a hand and pressed it down lightly, signaling for silence.
"Quiet down, everyone. I know some of you recognize me, but please settle down." His voice was calm and steady, carrying an innate authority that demanded respect. "I am currently serving in Squad 4 as the 4th Seat, handpicked by Captain Unohana. When it comes to Kaido techniques, I am more than qualified to instruct you. I will be handling today's Kaido lecture."
The classroom fell silent immediately as the students sat up straight, staring at the podium in awe.
Ren had glanced at the lesson plan earlier and found it consisted entirely of the most rudimentary concepts. He chose not to read verbatim from the book or drone on about dry theories. Instead, drawing from his extensive practical experience, he explained the core spiritual pressure control required for basic Kaido using the most straightforward language possible.
With a casual wave of his hand, he demonstrated a pale green Kaido aura, the spiritual threads extending from his fingertips precise and delicate, drawing gasps of admiration from the students. Ren's mastery was leagues above their previous instructor. Even these students who had only recently picked up Kaido could clearly perceive the exquisite refinement of his technique.
Nanao's mouth had been slightly agape since the lecture started. She stared blankly at Ren, who was teaching with effortless poise and breaking down complex foundational concepts into simple terms, gradually becoming completely absorbed in his words.
The class period flew by in the blink of an eye. As the dismissal bell rang, Ren wrapped up his explanation and gave a slight nod. "That concludes today's lecture. You are dismissed."
The students stood up to bow, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity as they left in small groups. A few curious individuals lingered behind to ask specific questions about Kaido, and Ren answered each one patiently.
The classroom grew increasingly empty until only Ise Nanao remained in the front row. Once everyone else had departed, Nanao finally stood up. She slowly approached Ren and gave a slight bow, her voice tinged with a hint of playfulness. "Instructor Hasumi."
The title was delivered with both sincerity and respect.
Looking at the young girl, Ren found it rather amusing. He reached out and gently ruffled the top of Nanao's head, her hair as soft and smooth as always. "Well, student, did you understand the lesson?" he asked softly.
Feeling the touch on her head, Nanao felt a long-absent sense of comfort. "Of course," she murmured softly. "You actually taught it really well."
"Good to hear." Ren smiled, glancing out the window at the sun, which had already climbed to the midday position. It was lunchtime. "Come on, your teacher will treat you to lunch."
Nanao blinked in surprise, then gave him a playful punch on the arm. Clutching her textbook tightly against her chest, she quietly followed behind Ren, just like old times.
The two stepped out of the classroom. Out in the hallway, the crowd of onlookers had mostly dispersed. The door to the calligraphy classroom opened, and Aizen stepped out unhurriedly. Peering through the thinning crowd, his gaze caught Ren and Nanao in the distance, an amused glint flickering deep within his eyes.