Shin'o Academy.
The spiritual-pressure incident caused by Byakuya Kuchiki had gradually subsided.
The reason it had settled so quickly, aside from the teachers' reassurance, was that the students did not know that terrifying spiritual pressure belonged to Byakuya Kuchiki.
It was already afternoon. The students of Class 1-1 were brought to an open area on the field by the Flash Step instructor to begin their basic Flash Step lesson.
Renji Abarai had a carefree personality and had already recovered from Byakuya Kuchiki's influence.
He had been looking forward to the Flash Step class for a long time.
And he was not the only one; practically all the students were eagerly anticipating it.
After all, who did not yearn to soar through the air by their own power?
Only Rukia kept her little head lowered, showing little interest in the upcoming Flash Step class.
She still had not recovered from the fact that she had an older sister who had abandoned her while she was still an infant.
Though people said belated familial affection was worth less than grass, it could not be denied that this bond did exist.
And for Rukia, who had yearned for familial affection since childhood and whose mind was still immature, it was still difficult to decisively cut it off.
Just then, a not-so-large hand settled atop Rukia's head and gently rubbed it.
Then Gilgamesh's young yet gentle voice sounded. "Don't agonize over it. You can decide everything after meeting Hisana Kuchiki."
"Don't worry. I will always be by your side. After you meet her, if you decide not to forgive her or acknowledge her, then no one can force you."
"Not even the Kuchiki Clan."
Rukia's heart warmed at his words, and an unparalleled sense of security filled her entire body.
Without replying, Rukia merely