Kuchiki Rukia

Renji's reaction was somewhat beyond Rukia's expectations.

Or rather, it was not what she wanted to see.

Renji grabbed Rukia by the shoulder and continued speaking with an expression of happiness for her. "Once you get to the Kuchiki family, you'll be part of a great noble house! Becoming their adopted child means you'll enjoy endless wealth and luxury! What kind of food do nobles even eat? I can barely imagine it. Rukia, you really make people envious and jealous, hahaha..."

"..."

It was as though he had not noticed that something was off about Rukia's expression. Or perhaps he had noticed long ago, but understood in his heart which choice would be better for her.

The two of them were both orphans. They had never known stable lives in the Rukon District, and things had only begun to change after they came to the Spirit Training Academy. Now, an opportunity to have a family lay before Rukia!

He truly was a little envious. That was not a lie.

In Renji's heart, Rukia was someone with great inner strength, yet she was also somewhat insecure. It was a contradiction, perhaps one born of their origins.

"Rukia, don't you... think this is a good thing?" Seeing that Rukia had shown little reaction, Renji reined in his smile somewhat and asked.

Rukia reached out, caught Renji's wrist, and gently moved his hand away.

"Ah, it really is a good thing. The President said the same..." she murmured softly.

"Rukia..."

A complicated smile appeared on Rukia's face. "Thank you, Renji."

What was she thanking him for?

For suggesting that she become the Kuchiki family's adopted child?

Rukia's sudden thanks made Renji inexplicably uneasy, but this was not something he could press her about.

Had he overlooked something again?

What exactly was Rukia thinking...

Evening came.

Rukia went to the Student Council office, but she could not find Xin. After asking Hisagi Shūhei, she headed to the kendo classroom.

Using the classroom outside of class hours required an application, but the Student Council had special privileges.

When Rukia pushed open the classroom door, she saw that in the empty room, only one figure sat cross-legged at the center.

A visible barrier of spirit particles surrounded him. When Rukia looked at Xin, it made his entire figure seem somewhat blurry.

He did not move at all.

Other than the drifting spirit particles around Xin, everything there seemed to have frozen.

The President was training...

Rukia gently closed the door, then stood quietly to one side, silently watching Xin.

She could not tell what kind of training the President was undertaking, but seeing how completely absorbed he was, she did not dare disturb him.

The President worked hard in his daily life as well. Apart from handling Student Council affairs, he trained.

Rukia watched quietly like that when a voice suddenly rang out.

"Did you need something?"

The image before her eyes seemed to shatter without warning. Xin, who had been sitting there in deep concentration, had somehow suddenly become standing.

Rukia was certain she had not lost focus, yet the scene had given her such a disjointed sensation.

She was dazed for a moment before hurriedly saying, "I'm sorry, President. Did I disturb you?"

Xin casually held an Asauchi in his hand as he walked toward her. Rukia could feel that spiritual pressure still leaked from him, not yet fully dissipated. It was entirely different from what she had sensed just now, as though the scene she had witnessed earlier had been an illusion.

Xin chuckled. "Yes, you disturbed me."

At that, Rukia hurriedly bowed in apology. "I'm sorry, President! I..."

Looking rather helpless, Xin walked up to her and vigorously ruffled her hair.

"You take too many things too seriously. I was joking with you. When will you be able to joke with me too?"

Rukia covered her thoroughly mussed hair and looked at Xin with her lips pressed together.

"President... I've made my decision."

Xin raised a brow. "About the Kuchiki family?"

"Mm..."

Rukia nodded. A faint glimmer flickered in her eyes as she slowly said, "I've decided... to accept."

Xin immediately laughed softly. "That's good. Still, I didn't expect you to come to terms with it so quickly. From now on, you'll be Kuchiki Rukia."

Rukia was not used to being called that. She said awkwardly, "President, please just call me Rukia."

She had not expected the President to be so calm and casual about her decision. Not that she expected him to react like Renji, but Rukia had thought the President would either be happy for her or solemnly say, "As long as you've thought it through."

Rukia felt an inexplicable sense of loneliness, yet also a wave of relief.

She ought to be as composed as the President.

Kuchiki Rukia...

She clenched her hands tightly, feeling both melancholy and nervous.

There was something else about Rukia's situation that surprised Xin.

He remembered that, originally, Rukia had been arranged to graduate directly from the Spirit Training Academy and enter the Thirteenth Division after being adopted by the Kuchiki family. Yet when the Kuchiki family had come last time, they had said Rukia could continue studying at the academy.

Had something been affected by him?

But it did not matter much. He spun the Asauchi in his hand in a flourish and said to Rukia, "I happen to have some spare time. Let me guide your training."

Rukia froze, then instantly became delighted. "Really, President?"

"Go get an Asauchi from the room next door."

"Yes!"

Rukia immediately cast aside all her tangled thoughts and jogged toward the weapon storage room.

It was not easy to receive the President's guidance. In all the time she had known Xin, Rukia had only received his instruction a few times.

Three days later.

The Kuchiki family arrived as promised.

However, this time the elderly man from before led them, while Kuchiki Byakuya did not come.

"Miss Rukia, I hope to receive your favorable answer."

Inside the Student Council office, Rukia stood nervously at Xin's side.

"I've already considered it." She spoke with her hands clenched tightly.

"I'm willing."

A smile immediately appeared on the elderly man's face. Beyond that, he showed no surprise or astonishment. Of course, no one should be able to refuse an invitation from a great noble house like the Kuchiki family.

He had likely never considered that Rukia might refuse. Giving her time had merely been to allow her to prepare herself.

"That is wonderful, Miss Rukia. Please return to the family with us today. Young Master Byakuya and the head of the family are both waiting for you. I will arrange a month's leave from the academy for you."

"A month? That long?" Rukia was somewhat surprised. "Didn't you say I could continue studying here?"

"That is correct. However, becoming the Kuchiki family's adopted child requires a formal ceremony. This month will allow you to adapt to life in the Kuchiki family. You need not worry about falling behind in your Spirit Training Academy courses. The family will arrange a private tutor for you after school in the future. Also, you will no longer live in the academy dormitories. Someone will pick you up and take you to school every day."

Rukia found the matter far too complicated. As someone from the Rukon District, she would surely be utterly out of place among such great nobles. During this month, they would probably have to teach her many things.

She was very perceptive and could see through many things.

For instance, the true attitude hidden beneath the elderly man's smile.

"President..."

Xin lightly patted Rukia on the shoulder, signaling for her to relax.

"Go without worry."

The elderly man merely glanced at Xin's gesture, his expression unchanged.

Today, there was also