Renji had been thinking in that direction himself, considering the longer he sat near Aidou, the more he was reminded that the boy wasn't human. He didn't bother fighting about credit for the idea. Even in this case, he was just too tired. He was also too tired, in too much pain, to react to Aidou's statement about his IQ, his little tantrum there. That, he could put down to worry and the like. It was natural enough.

"No one can," he said. He took his time leaning forward, moving like an old man, and settled his forearms against the table with care before bowing his head. This would take a while, and he was already tired and aching with every nerve. This sort of thing, though, was more important than his aches and pains.

It took more concentration than it should have to see the spirit threads. He took his time examining Aidou's, then began methodically sorting through all of the other patients, noting absences, and so many new souls. All the while, blood pattered down from his nose onto his folded hands steadily.

He didn't know how long it took; when he finally let the technique go, his head was too heavy to hold up, though he had thought to cushion it with his arms. He swallowed hard against a moment of extreme vertigo and nausea, where the only thing he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears. It was far faster than he would have liked.

"Three," he said thickly. "Two other than you."