Mirai maintained a perfect smile. He turned his wrist slightly and filled his glass with wine. The clear liquid rippled in the glass. It reflected his face, which looked calm.
"A killer?" He laughed softly. He drank everything in the glass. His throat moved as he spoke in a joking way.
"Of course there is. If Meteor Street didn't have a few 'local specialties,' wouldn't the story be too boring?"
"Whoa~ that is so scary!" Shunsui Kyōraku spoke in a lazy tone.
He pulled his neck back to match his words. But his eyes became a bit darker.
"Tsk," Shinji Hirako finished the wine in his glass.
He put the empty glass on the table. He pulled at the corner of his mouth and stared at Mirai with dead-fish eyes.
"Stop that. The environment of Meteor Street in your writing is described so well."
"It is dark, chaotic, and the strong eat the weak... I cannot think of any place other than the 80th District, Zaraki."
He spoke while picking up the wine bottle again.
This time, he didn't just fill his own glass. He also filled Mirai's glass, which was rare for him. His movements were natural, but there was a hidden pressure.
"Mirai, when did you sneak off to a horrible place like Zaraki District?" Shinji tilted his head. He sounded like he was just asking, but his eyes said "tell the truth."
The smile on Mirai's face did not change. He picked up the wine Shinji poured for him.
"Captain Hirako, you think too highly of me."
"It has been decades since I fell into the Soul Society. The farthest I have gone is the 3rd District, 'Koifushi Mountain'."
"The 80th District? Just hearing the name makes me feel like my Reishi will be polluted by the violence there. How could I have been there?"
"Oh? That is strange then~" Shunsui Kyōraku acted like he found a fun puzzle. He finally lifted his glass after touching it for a long time and signaled for a toast.
"If you haven't been there, how did you capture the 'vibe' of Zaraki District so well?"
"You cannot describe that desert feeling, where even the Reishi smells like rust, just by using your imagination."
There was a soft "clink" as the three glasses touched. Mirai drank it all in one go. He felt the warm flow of the wine and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Ha! I mostly heard some bits from the Academy teachers and the squad records. As for the rest..." He put down the glass. He had a small, proud smile on his face.
"I just used my imagination. I took all the rumors about 'evil' in the world and made them concentrated and dramatic."
"After all, 'evil' is the same at its core—stealing, killing, and the strong eating the weak."
"It is always the same patterns, just with different names."
His tone was gentle, but he spoke as if it were a matter of fact.
"That is true." Shinji Hirako curled his lip. He picked up some food with his chopsticks.
"Evil people are all the same. They spend all day thinking about how to kill others or how to avoid being killed."
"Yes, yes," Shunsui Kyōraku agreed. He narrowed his eyes again and went back to his lazy look.
"I thought you really had a 'special meeting' in Zaraki District and knew that killer~ I got excited for nothing."
While speaking, an image of a gentle, water-like senior flashed through his mind. If she had some "interesting" misunderstanding... then Mirai would be in big trouble.
However, Shunsui Kyōraku would never do something like that to cause trouble for himself.
"By the way," Shinji seemed to think of something. He pointed his chopsticks at Mirai.
"If what you wrote spreads to those battle-crazy guys in the 11th Division... I bet that guy Kuruyashiki will immediately gather his men and run to Zaraki District to find your 'killer'."
"That's right~" Shunsui Kyōraku answered with a smile. He sounded happy, like he was watching a show.
"Captain Kuruyashiki is a direct and passionate person. To him, a strong opponent is more attractive than fine wine."
"Eh?!" The smile on Mirai's face froze instantly.
"Are... are you two talking about... the Captain of the 11th Division, Captain Kuruyashiki Kenpachi?"
His voice became a bit dry. "Why would he go to Zaraki District?"
Shunsui Kyōraku explained with a smile:
"Because your description is too vivid. To normal people, a 'killer' is a symbol of fear."
"But for the 11th Division, who love 'strength' and fighting, this is like the brightest lighthouse in the dark."
"It guides them to go and recruit... or 'spar'."
He waved his finger and added:
"Also, even if they cannot find the person from your story, Zaraki District itself is a place full of 'evil people'."
"To the 11th Division, going there is like going to a market. They can always find some good 'local products' to join the squad."
"Exactly," Shinji Hirako agreed while chewing food.
"Maybe when they come back, the 11th Division will have enough people to start a few more squads."
"Oh... oh! I see..." Mirai nodded as if he finally understood. He tried to make his face look natural again.
Damn it! I forgot about that! Those crazy people in the 11th Division do not act logically!
Right now, a real 'Killer' is actually living in Zaraki District!
It is the monster!
However, with 'his' current self-limited state, he shouldn't be strong enough to kill Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, right?
Wait! Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's Bankai, Gagaku Kairō, is an ability that Central 46 strictly banned in the Seireitei! But a lawless place like Zaraki District is not included in that rule.
If he gets too excited and actually uses his Bankai...
Could the real monster of Zaraki District—the one who will crawl out of a sea of blood—be killed early by Captain Kuruyashiki's Bankai?!
Hiss—! Mirai took a sharp breath.
He quickly grabbed the wine bottle. He poured himself two more glasses of wine without saying a word.
"Hmm? Mirai, your face looks a bit pale?" Shunsui Kyōraku leaned in.
His voice was very gentle. "You should drink wine slowly~ Did you think of something? Why don't you say it? Let the two of us help you 'think it over'?"
"N-nothing!" Mirai forced a stiff smile.
"I just suddenly felt that Captain Kuruyashiki Kenpachi is really a... well, a bold person with great action! I admire him!"
He quickly picked up the wine bottle. He filled the glasses of the two Captains to try and change the subject.
"Come, come! Let's not talk about that! We have great food and wine here."
"We cannot waste them! Let's keep eating and drinking! We won't stop tonight until we are drunk!"
I hope... Captain Kuruyashiki has better luck. I hope he doesn't really run into that 'Killer' in Zaraki District.
Mirai prayed silently in his heart. Then he drank the wine in his glass once more.