Meeting Room

Watching Byakuya Kuchiki's fleeing figure disappear through the main gate, Yuko's already slight sense of guilt grew heavier.

"Sister Hana, I feel so guilty as a teacher." Yuko scratched her head as she looked at the sprawling Kuchiki Manor. "Byakuya is always so polite to me, yet I turned around and led an entire gang of bandits into his home. Isn't that a little much?"

Retsu Unohana walked inside with elegant composure. "What's inappropriate about it? This is called making the best use of resources. The Kuchiki Family has so many unused rooms. Leaving them empty would only let them gather dust. Come on. Yachiru is already waiting for us."

"I wonder where Rukia is."

"Over here, over here!"

Yuko followed Yachiru to the rear courtyard, where a secluded-looking corridor lay.

Yachiru hopped along in front, moving with the familiarity of someone in her own home. She reached the corner on the left side of the corridor.

Click.

The originally seamless wall suddenly split down the middle, revealing a hidden door.

Yuko's eyes nearly popped out. "Wait, there's a hidden door too?"

Yachiru turned and made a shushing gesture. "Keep your voice down, Little Yuko. It'd be bad if Byakuya heard us, though he usually turns a blind eye anyway."

You actually know that?

Yuko's mouth twitched as she squeezed through the hidden door. Surprisingly, there was a secret chamber inside.

"Did you dig this yourselves?"

"How long did it take?"

"Not that long." Yachiru proudly puffed out her chest.

Yuko walked inside and took a look. Good grief, it was an extravagantly decorated tearoom. The tatami mats were brand-new, the folding screen bore exquisite paintings of the four seasons, and there was even a small bookshelf, along with numerous flower arrangements and potted plants.

Those potted plants were obviously