Nemuri Nanagō directly translates to Number Seven which is why I haven't shortened the name to Nemu just yet.
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"Due to the early development of her speech regions, it's perfectly normal for her to occasionally vocalize."
"Although I didn't directly replicate Nemuri Rokugō's brain, the production methods are virtually identical. It's highly probable that some of her deficiencies have carried over through this process."
"This warrants further investigation... If I have the opportunity to improve, this kind of cognitive redundancy shouldn't happen again."
As Mayuri Kurotsuchi went on with his long-winded explanation, Seiya Arima glanced up with a confused expression, clearly not following.
"Mayuri-san, what are you talking about?"
"I'm saying you don't need to pay attention to what this one says. It's merely an unconscious reaction."
"To put it simply..."
"It's like the aimless wriggling of a single-celled organism. It might appear purposeful to an observer, but to the organism itself, it means nothing."
Mayuri looked down, picked up another green bean cake, and resumed eating.
"There are no two identical leaves in the world, let alone two identical beings."
"I know what you're thinking, Seiya Arima. But no matter how much she resembles someone else..."
"Nemuri Nanagō is Nemuri Nanagō. No matter how similar or alike..."
"She isn't Nemuri Rokugō."
As expected of a scientist.
Mayuri's sharp perception struck Seiya like a knife to the heart.
It stung—not because it was harsh, but because it was true.
The Nemuri Rokugō who had stumbled over her words, struggled to write kanji, and relied on katakana to communicate was gone.
Now standing before him was another life, entirely new.
"To seek the traces of the dead in the living... That is a form of disrespect."
Mayuri's gaze was calm as he set down the now-empty food tray.
"You're a clever person, Seiya Arima. Though not on my level, you've earned my acknowledgment."
"Focus your time and energy where it matters. Don't let yourself be held back by the past."
"That's what I wanted to say."
Clapping the crumbs from his hands, Mayuri turned and began walking toward the exit.
"Let's go, Nemuri Nanagō."
Her eyes, now carrying a faint glimmer of awareness, hesitated briefly.
Nemuri Nanagō glanced back at Seiya, then turned and stumbled after Mayuri, her steps still awkward.
"Mayuri-san!"
Seiya's voice stopped them. Mayuri paused, and Nemuri Nanagō bumped clumsily into his leg.
"What? I'm very busy, so I'll only listen to three sentences at most."
Mayuri's brusqueness hadn't softened despite his earlier indulgence.
Seiya took a deep breath, straightened up, and spoke calmly, his tone devoid of hesitation.
"For the next little while, can I take Nemuri Nanagō around?"
It wasn't about seeing someone else in her. Nor was it to fill the void left by Nemuri Rokugō.
It was just something he wanted to do.
After all, perhaps keeping himself busy was the only way to avoid dwelling on the road behind him—a path filled with regret and lingering pain.
Mayuri let out a vague grunt, not even turning around as he replied:
"I don't care."
"But don't bother her on Mondays; she has scheduled check-ups."
"Also, if you take her out, it must be after 7:30 in the morning and before 5:30 in the evening."
"She's not allowed to eat mangoes or pineapples; I haven't tested her for allergies yet."
"And..."
...Wait a second.
This isn't "not caring"!
Mayuri, do you even hear yourself?!
Once they had left Seiya's line of sight and returned to the entrance of Mayuri's laboratory, the man suddenly stopped.
He glanced down at Nemuri Nanagō's hand, which still clutched a fistful of Seiya's hair.
The sight of it made his brow furrow.
"Tch... Where did I go wrong? Why does she keep making such bizarre choices?"
Grumbling to himself, he turned to the child with a dispassionate tone.
"Do you want to keep it?"
"...Yes."
"You can pick three strands at most."
"..."
"And make sure to change the water and clean it regularly. If it starts to rot, throw it out immediately. I don't want my lab smelling like garbage."
"..."
"Well? Answer me. I've told you before—every command requires a response, whether you follow it or not. How else am I supposed to evaluate your behavioral logic?"
"...Yes."
"Hmm. Why so reluctant? If you want more, just ask. We can pluck him bald if necessary; it wouldn't bother me in the slightest."
"...Yes!"
"Good. Anyway, I'll reach out to him even if he doesn't come find me. Since he's decided to intern here, I won't just let him sit idly by."
Nemuri Nanagō murmured softly, "Pretty! Flower!"
Mayuri sighed.
"Seriously, why does she have such a weird fixation..."
After Mayuri left, the only ones remaining in the break room were Seiya and Akon.
The latter, dressed in his lab coat, leaned casually against a table, smirking slightly.
"You're impressive, Seiya-kun."
Caught off guard by the compliment, Seiya tilted his head in confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It's not often Mayuri-san compromises. In fact, no one in the Research and Development Institute can make him back down—not even Urahara-taichō."
Was Mayuri really that stubborn?
Seiya didn't have a strong impression of it, but he decided to make a mental note.
Just as he was reflecting, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
Moments later, a familiar figure appeared at the doorway.
"Ahahaha, sorry for the delay, Seiya-kun! I knew you were coming, but I got caught up with some things."
The cheerful voice belonged to Kisuke Urahara, captain of the 12th Division.
Seiya quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
"No need for that," Urahara waved off the formality with a grin. "I heard you brought some gifts? Green bean cakes, wasn't it? So thoughtful of you!"
His tone was lighthearted as he stepped further into the room, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.
"Where are they? I can't wait to try them!"
The room fell silent.
Seiya froze awkwardly. Akon averted his gaze entirely, his lips twitching as he struggled not to laugh.
Urahara blinked.
"Hmm? What's this? Are you hiding a special deluxe box just for me? How thoughtful! But really, no need to go overboard."
Seiya's face twitched. After a long, painful pause, he finally spoke in a defeated tone:
"Urahara-taichō, I'm terribly sorry..."
They've all been eaten, Sumida!
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Powerstones?
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