s.h.i.+ngo was unable to win his argument with Chiaki .

He wanted to take his daughter's place, but was completely unable to change her mind .

Since Chiaki wouldn't agree, Seiji naturally didn't go against her wishes .

In the end, the famous artist was half convinced and half chased off by Chiaki as he left .

Before s.h.i.+ngo left, he took a deep look at Seiji . Seiji did his best to smile politely with an expression of "I'll definitely take good care of your daughter" as he sent off his future father-in-law .

Seiji then had a stern expression as he immediately turned around and frowned at Chiaki .

Chiaki instantly understood his thoughts when she saw his expression, which made her retract her neck slightly .

"Do you know what you did wrong?"

"I know…"

"That's good, then . "

Chiaki had said foolish things that brought her father over to scold and hit her . She deserved what she got .

s.h.i.+ngo had scolded her already, and it seemed that Chiaki knew what she'd done wrong . Seiji didn't intend to say anything else . He simply wanted to show his att.i.tude .

At any rate, at least the result seemed to be good . The icy relations.h.i.+p between father and daughter was beginning to thaw, and would probably start improving gradually in the future .

Of course, the prerequisite was that this incident was taken care of successfully .

"Hey, my bro Haruta . "

"h.e.l.lo, Kamitani-kun . "

Seiji wasn't surprised at all when he received a phone call from Itsuki Kamitani as he was preparing to go to sleep .

This was because the next day was Soul Society's third planned battle in the Realm of Cherry Blossoms .

"Come be a hero again, my bro Haruta! Just like last time!"

"What's my payment?"

"Obviously, a hero's payment is the wonderful concept of peace!"

"…You mean there's no payment?"

"I told you, the payment is peace . Peace, yo~ Precious, wonderful, priceless peace . . . " Kamitani sounded almost like he was rapping .

"If you could truly guarantee eternal peace, I wouldn't mind working for you as a janitor for the rest of my life . However, you evidently have no such ability," Seiji stated coldly . "That's because you're someone who's not peaceful at all to begin with . "

Kamitani paused on the other end of the phone for a moment before chuckling .

"Heh heh, nicely said . I like it . That's how you should talk," Kamitani chuckled again . "Let us talk about the topic of 'peace' today . My bro Haruta, what do you think the concept of 'peace' is?"

"I don't want to talk about this topic with you . "

"Why not? It's so rare that we talk to each other . It's boring to only talk about serious business . We're friends, you know~"

"I don't recall becoming friends with you . "

"It doesn't matter even if you have a poor memory . I'll repeat it as many times as necessary for your sake . "

"I don't have any memory problems . You're the one with memory problems!"

"We can talk about the topic of memory or whatever next time . This time's topic is 'peace . ' Let's not get off topic . "

"Do you think that we're in a cla.s.sroom right now!?" Seiji retorted .

"No, this is simply a conversation between friends," Kamitani spoke in a joyous tone . "Let's just talk about it for fun . My bro Haruta, I really do want to know what you think about the idea of 'peace . ' You probably also want to know what I think about 'peace,' don't you?"

Seiji: "…"

If he had to be honest, he was indeed somewhat curious about what Kamitani, a high-ranked member of the Messengers, was thinking .

Seiji did not in any way consider Kamitani a friend, nor did he want to understand Kamitani . Seiji was simply curious .

"Peace means that there is no violence . The state of having no violence equals peace," Seiji decided to go with this explanation .

"Such a neutral way of thinking . "

"I apologize, I am indeed such a neutral type of person . "

"No need to feel inferior . Being neutral is fine . It's just a little boring . "

"That's right, I'm a really boring person . So you can stop wasting your time with me, and just get to the matter at hand!"

"You're an interesting existence . It doesn't matter even if some little parts of you are boring . " Kamitani chuckled . "According to your explanation of what 'peace' is, do you think that constant 'peace' is a good thing?"

Seiji fell silent for a moment .

"No . " After a long silence, Seiji answered with a denial .

"…Why's that?" Kamitani sounded evidently surprised .

"If peace could be maintained naturally forever, of course that would be a good thing," Seiji told him calmly . "Yet, humans have desires . Humans want better things for themselves . Humans are complex creatures that are difficult to satisfy . Humans will constantly fight each other .

"Many such things will slowly acc.u.mulate and finally end with explosive change . Forcefully suppressing this change and maintaining an unchanging peace is bad… because that might result in something even worse . "

Peace was good, and war was bad . Most people would likely say that this was common sense .

Yet, wars were still quite common in the world .

Some people said that true peace had never even existed at all .

Some people said that war had never changed .

If one seriously thought about this topic, it was quite profound and heavy… Seiji had once pondered upon this topic as well .

In the end, it was an issue of recognition or denial .

Seiji chose recognition .

Seiji recognized humanity's past, humanity's innate nature, himself, and everything around him .

"You really are such an interesting person," Kamitani said happily .

"Whatever you say… It's your turn, Kamitani-kun . What do you think of 'peace?'" Seiji asked .

"I think that 'peace' is something really boring . And, humanity always seeks out the interesting, which is why it's impossible for peace to constantly exist," Kamitani stated in a casual tone .

"What exactly do you mean by your so-called 'interesting?'"

"'Interesting' obviously means interesting . "

"What type of interesting?"

"The interesting type of interesting . "

"I don't get what you mean… You're basically going around in circles," Seiji stated coldly . "I'm not interested in word games, Kamitani-kun . "

"Don't be like that . Why don't I tell you an interesting story?" Kamitani cleared his throat . "Once upon a time, there was a cute girl .

"She lived her life peacefully and gradually grew up to be an adult .

"One day, she got together with a man and had his child .

"Some time later, the man disappeared, vanis.h.i.+ng as suddenly as he arrived .

"The woman didn't mind and raised the child by herself, continuing to live her life peacefully .

"After their son grew up a little, he disappeared .

"Although the woman minded, she searched for her child and couldn't find him . Then, she stopped minding his disappearance .

"After this, a new man arrived in her life, and she had his child . Afterwards, the man and child disappeared again .

"The exact same cycle kept happening many times over, until she could no longer give birth . She was then taken to an unfamiliar location…

"At this place, she finally found out what happened to all those men and all her children .

"In the end, she died .

"She experienced total peace during her entire life, and learned the truth of life right before her death . Congratulations to her~"

Seiji was rendered speechless .

"How was it? Wasn't that an interesting story?" Kamitani asked .

"This 'woman' you were talking about is actually a farm animal, isn't she . " Seiji hazarded a guess .

"Not at all . " Kamitani had a playful yet also deep tone . "She actually represents humanity . Humanity, who was once truly alive in the past . She had a peaceful life and death . She was blissful while alive . Yet, others felt that she had an incredibly pitiful life . That's why this is an interesting story .

"From start to finish, this story was filled with boring 'peace . ' Yet, it's an interesting story . I think that's what makes it so interesting . Now then, do you understand what I mean by 'interesting,' my bro Haruta?"

s.h.i.+ngo was unable to win his argument with Chiaki . He wanted to take his daughters place, but was completely unable to change her mind . Since Chiaki wouldnt agree, Seiji naturally didnt go against her wishes . In the end, the famous artist was half convinced and half chased off by Chiaki as he left . Before s.h.i.+ngo left, he took a deep look at Seiji . Seiji did his best to smile politely with an expression of Ill definitely take good care of your daughter as he sent off his future father-in-law . Seiji then had a stern expression as he immediately turned around and frowned at Chiaki . Chiaki instantly understood his thoughts when she saw his expression, which made her retract her neck slightly . Do you know what you did wrong? I know… Thats good, then . Chiaki had said foolish things that brought her father over to scold and hit her . She deserved what she got . s.h.i.+ngo had scolded her already, and it seemed that Chiaki knew what shed done wrong . Seiji didnt intend to say anything else . He simply wanted to show his att.i.tude . At any rate, at least the result seemed to be good . The icy relations.h.i.+p between father and daughter was beginning to thaw, and would probably start improving gradually in the future . Of course, the prerequisite was that this incident was taken care of successfully . Hey, my bro Haruta . h.e.l.lo, Kamitani-kun . Seiji wasnt surprised at all when he received a phone call from Itsuki Kamitani as he was preparing to go to sleep . This was because the next day was Soul Societys third planned battle in the Realm of Cherry Blossoms . Come be a hero again, my bro Haruta! Just like last time! Whats my payment? Obviously, a heros payment is the wonderful concept of peace! …You mean theres no payment? I told you, the payment is peace . Peace, yo~ Precious, wonderful, priceless peace . Kamitani sounded almost like he was rapping . If you could truly guarantee eternal peace, I wouldnt mind working for you as a janitor for the rest of my life . However, you evidently have no such ability, Seiji stated coldly . Thats because youre someone whos not peaceful at all to begin with . Kamitani paused on the other end of the phone for a moment before chuckling . Heh heh, nicely said . I like it . Thats how you should talk, Kamitani chuckled again . Let us talk about the topic of peace today . My bro Haruta, what do you think the concept of peace is? I dont want to talk about this topic with you . Why not? Its so rare that we talk to each other . Its boring to only talk about serious business . Were friends, you know~ I dont recall becoming friends with you . It doesnt matter even if you have a poor memory . Ill repeat it as many times as necessary for your sake . . I dont have any memory problems . Youre the one with memory problems! We can talk about the topic of memory or whatever next time . This times topic is peace . Lets not get off topic . Do you think that were in a cla.s.sroom right now!? Seiji retorted . No, this is simply a conversation between friends, Kamitani spoke in a joyous tone . Lets just talk about it for fun . My bro Haruta, I really do want to know what you think about the idea of peace . You probably also want to know what I think about peace, dont you? Seiji: … If he had to be honest, he was indeed somewhat curious about what Kamitani, a high-ranked member of the Messengers, was thinking . Seiji did not in any way consider Kamitani a friend, nor did he want to understand Kamitani . Seiji was simply curious . Peace means that there is no violence . The state of having no violence equals peace, Seiji decided to go with this explanation . Such a neutral way of thinking . I apologize, I am indeed such a neutral type of person . No need to feel inferior . Being neutral is fine . Its just a little boring . Thats right, Im a really boring person . So you can stop wasting your time with me, and just get to the matter at hand! Youre an interesting existence . It doesnt matter even if some little parts of you are boring . Kamitani chuckled . According to your explanation of what peace is, do you think that constant peace is a good thing? Seiji fell silent for a moment . No . After a long silence, Seiji answered with a denial . …Whys that? Kamitani sounded evidently surprised . If peace could be maintained naturally forever, of course that would be a good thing, Seiji told him calmly . Yet, humans have desires . Humans want better things for themselves . Humans are complex creatures that are difficult to satisfy . Humans will constantly fight each other . Many such things will slowly acc.u.mulate and finally end with explosive change . Forcefully suppressing this change and maintaining an unchanging peace is bad… because that might result in something even worse . Peace was good, and war was bad . Most people would likely say that this was common sense . Yet, wars were still quite common in the world . Some people said that true peace had never even existed at all . Some people said that war had never changed . If one seriously thought about this topic, it was quite profound and heavy… Seiji had once pondered upon this topic as well . In the end, it was an issue of recognition or denial . Seiji chose recognition . Seiji recognized humanitys past, humanitys innate nature, himself, and everything around him . You really are such an interesting person, Kamitani said happily . Whatever you say… Its your turn, Kamitani-kun . What do you think of peace? Seiji asked . I think that peace is something really boring . And, humanity always seeks out the interesting, which is why its impossible for peace to constantly exist, Kamitani stated in a casual tone . What exactly do you mean by your so-called interesting? Interesting obviously means interesting . What type of interesting? The interesting type of interesting . I dont get what you mean… Youre basically going around in circles, Seiji stated coldly . Im not interested in word games, Kamitani-kun . Dont be like that . Why dont I tell you an interesting story? Kamitani cleared his throat . Once upon a time, there was a cute girl . She lived her life peacefully and gradually grew up to be an adult . One day, she got together with a man and had his child . Some time later, the man disappeared, vanis.h.i.+ng as suddenly as he arrived . The woman didnt mind and raised the child by herself, continuing to live her life peacefully . After their son grew up a little, he disappeared . Although the woman minded, she searched for her child and couldnt find him . Then, she stopped minding his disappearance . After this, a new man arrived in her life, and she had his child . Afterwards, the man and child disappeared again . The exact same cycle kept happening many times over, until she could no longer give birth . She was then taken to an unfamiliar location… At this place, she finally found out what happened to all those men and all her children . In the end, she died . She experienced total peace during her entire life, and learned the truth of life right before her death . Congratulations to her~ Seiji was rendered speechless . How was it? Wasnt that an interesting story? Kamitani asked . This woman you were talking about is actually a farm animal, isnt she . Seiji hazarded a guess . Not at all . Kamitani had a playful yet also deep tone . She actually represents humanity . Humanity, who was once truly alive in the past . She had a peaceful life and death . She was blissful while alive . Yet, others felt that she had an incredibly pitiful life . Thats why this is an interesting story . From start to finish, this story was filled with boring peace . Yet, its an interesting story . I think thats what makes it so interesting . Now then, do you understand what I mean by interesting, my bro Haruta?