Rukia on Stage

The Spirit Training Academy plaza lay beside the inner raised platform.

This was where the various classes would be performing shortly.

Kyōraku Shunsui and the other captains had already arrived, gathered together in lively discussion.

A notice had also been posted nearby, listing the performances and their starting times.

"The first performance is by the Student Council." Kyōraku Shunsui stroked his chin. "Kanazawa, Hinamori Momo, and Rukia. Just hearing those names, they sound like adorable girls."

Fortunately, Ise Nanao was not at his side right now, or she would certainly have shot him a disdainful look.

"I've seen that Rukia before. She really is quite cute," Shiba Kaien said.

Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes immediately lit up at that. Appreciating beautiful girls was one of his greatest pleasures.

"I've always suspected that Tachikawa refuses to graduate just so he can stay in the Student Council and enjoy the company of beauties." Shiba Kaien brought up Xin again; it was clear he held a deep grudge.

Ukitake Jūshirō and Aizen were chatting idly.

Kuchiki Ginrei stood to one side with a relaxed expression, smiling without speaking. Though he was not the oldest person present, he was already a grandfather, and even his grandson had married. He was not particularly interested in this so-called Cultural Festival. He had only come this time to do Shiba Kaien a favor. His grandson and Shiba Kaien were not far apart in age, and when his grandson succeeded him in the future, the two would be spending a long time working together.

He had originally wanted his grandson to come along, but ever since that incident, his grandson had become increasingly taciturn and unwilling to associate with others.

Kuchiki Ginrei had been deeply worried about this. His son had already died in the line of duty, and he had placed all his hopes on his grandson.

A great many people had already gathered around the platform, waiting for the performance to begin. Since Kyōraku and the others were captains, someone voluntarily made room for them near the front.

Kyōraku Shunsui was discussing something with Shiba Kaien and his uncle, when he spotted Ise Nanao and Matsumoto Rangiku arriving among the crowd in the distance. He waved to greet them.

"Nanao-chan!"

Ise Nanao pretended not to see him and simply continued chatting with Matsumoto Rangiku.

Kyōraku Shunsui was deeply wounded by this, while Shiba Kaien could not help laughing at the sight.

"You're all here already."

At that moment, Unohana Retsu arrived as well, accompanied by Kotsubaki Kotone and Xin.

"Captain Unohana." Aizen greeted her with a smile.

"Captain Unohana, how did you find your tour?"

"This Cultural Festival is indeed quite lively. Many things have been done very well."

"Exactly," Kyōraku Shunsui agreed. "It would have been wonderful if we'd had a festival like this when we were students."

He and Ukitake Jūshirō had been the first class of students at the Spirit Training Academy. At the time, the Principal had still been the Captain-Commander, and the academy had been rudimentary in every respect, having only recently been converted from the Captain-Commander's Genji Academy.

As the captains chatted, Xin said nothing and merely stood quietly to one side.

Before long, someone stepped onto the center of the raised platform. It was the head of the Student Council's Arts Department, and he began his opening remarks.

"Welcome, everyone, to the first Cultural Festival performance at Seirei Academy. Next are the programs carefully prepared by each class to celebrate the festival. Please enjoy them at your leisure."

"First is a dance drama by Student Council members Kanazawa, Rukia, and Hinamori Momo..."

The students might not have known Rukia and Hinamori Momo very well, but Kanazawa was the head of the Discipline Inspection Department. She was stern and serious, showed no mercy in her work, and was someone they knew all too well.

They were therefore even more curious to see what Kanazawa dancing would look like. Amid the enthusiastic cheers from the audience below, the head of the Arts Department stepped down, and three figures slowly emerged from behind the backstage curtain.

Hinamori Momo walked at the front. She had changed into a vivid pink kimono, and with her carefully applied makeup, she looked far more mature.

Rukia followed behind her. Compared to Hinamori, her face still showed unmistakable shyness, as though she was unaccustomed to wearing such clothes in a public setting.

Kanazawa still wore an expressionless face, but her slightly stiff steps revealed that she was uncomfortable as well.

"How lovely..." Kyōraku Shunsui watched with narrowed, smiling eyes. It would be wonderful if all these cute, beautiful girls joined the Eighth Division after graduation.

The venue gradually fell silent on its own, but that silence placed even greater pressure on the three girls onstage. At that moment, music from the backstage orchestra slowly began to play.

Xin watched the scene with a smile, but then caught sight of Kuchiki Ginrei, the captain of the Sixth Division, beside him. His eyes were fixed intently on Rukia onstage.

The composed and dignified captain of the Sixth Division was experiencing a stormy upheaval within.

So alike! Far too alike!

The girl onstage looked exactly like the granddaughter-in-law of the Kuchiki family whom he had never acknowledged!

"Rukia, go for it!"

An ill-timed voice suddenly rang out from the crowd. The others looked over in displeasure and saw a red-haired boy excitedly waving at the stage.

Rukia, already nervous and shy, flushed even more deeply as she silently cursed that idiot Renji.

Xin regarded Kuchiki Ginrei's reaction thoughtfully.

It was inevitable that Rukia would be discovered by the Kuchiki family. It might happen a little earlier than it had originally.

No matter what, Kuchiki Byakuya was at least sincerely good to Rukia.

But living within the Kuchiki family might not be so easy for Rukia. Having such a powerful, outstanding, stern, and cold older brother only made her even less confident.

The performance had already begun. The three girls danced slowly onstage to the music. The style of the dance was soft and gentle, as if it were quietly telling a moving story.

Though none of the three were professionals, quite a few people still watched with great enjoyment.

Entertainment was scarce not only at the Spirit Training Academy, but throughout the entire Soul Society. Apart from a limited number of nobles, most people had rarely seen a dance drama like this.

The three girls onstage each had a distinct style, and they were all exceptionally pleasing to the eye. Many in the audience became immersed in the performance.

By Xin's standards of appreciation, this dance drama might not even have been average, but this was a school event after all, so there was no need to be overly critical.

A few minutes later, the piece came to an end.

Kanazawa, Hinamori Momo, and Rukia took their bows and left the stage, while enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted below.

"Excellent!"

Kyōraku Shunsui also clapped and shouted his approval.

But at that moment, Kuchiki Ginrei suddenly spoke. "My apologies, everyone. I've remembered something I need to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

The other captains found this somewhat strange. Shiba Kaien wondered whether the dance had really been that bad.

But Kuchiki Ginrei offered no further explanation. He simply turned and left.