Kuchiki Rukia

Renji's reaction was somewhat unexpected for Rukia.

Or rather, it wasn't what she wanted to see.

Renji placed a hand on Rukia's shoulder, still looking happy for her as he continued, "If you go to the Kuchiki family, you'll be a great noble! Becoming an adopted child there means you'll have endless glory and wealth! I can't even imagine what kind of food nobles eat, Rukia, you make me so envious and jealous, hahaha..."

"..."

He seemed not to notice Rukia's slightly off expression, or perhaps he had noticed long ago but knew what choice was best for Rukia.

They were both orphans who had never known stability in the Rukon District. Things only changed after they came to the Spirit Training Academy, and now, Rukia was being presented with an opportunity to have a family!

He was indeed a little envious, that wasn't a lie.

Rukia was someone Renji saw as very strong-willed, yet also somewhat insecure, which was contradictory, likely stemming from their origins.

"Rukia, you... don't you think this is a good thing?" Renji asked, his smile fading a bit as he saw Rukia's lack of strong reaction.

Rukia reached out and grasped Renji's wrist, gently taking his hand off.

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

"Rukia..."

Rukia offered a complex smile and said, "Thank you, Renji."

Thank him for what?

For suggesting she go to the Kuchiki family as an adopted child?

Rukia's sudden gratitude made Renji inexplicably flustered, but it was something he couldn't pry into.

Had he overlooked something again?

What was Rukia truly thinking...

Evening.

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

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

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

A visible barrier of spiritual particles surrounded him, making Xin appear somewhat blurry to Rukia.

Unmoving.

Everything seemed to have stopped where Xin was, except for the drifting spiritual particles.

The President was cultivating...

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

She couldn't quite tell what the President was cultivating, but his completely absorbed demeanor made her hesitant to disturb him.

The President was usually very diligent; besides handling Student Council work, he would cultivate.

Rukia watched quietly when suddenly a voice broke the silence.

"Is there something you need?"

The scene in her vision seemed to shatter. Xin, who had been sitting there cultivating with focus, was now inexplicably standing.

Rukia felt she hadn't zoned out, but the scene gave her a sense of disorientation.

She blinked in a daze and quickly said, "I'm sorry, President, did I disturb you?"

Xin walked towards her, casually holding an Asauchi. Rukia sensed that the President was still exuding residual Reiatsu, which was completely different from what she had felt moments before, as if the scene she had just witnessed was an illusion.

Xin chuckled lightly, "Yes, you disturbed me."

Hearing this, Rukia bowed apologetically, "I'm so sorry, President! I..."

Xin looked somewhat helpless. He walked up to her and roughly ruffled her hair.

"You know, you're just too serious about many things. I was joking with you. When will you ever joke with me?"

Rukia covered her messy hair and looked at Xin, pursing her lips.

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

Xin raised an eyebrow, "Is it about the Kuchiki family?"

"Mhm..."

Rukia nodded, the light in her eyes flickering slightly as she slowly said, "I've decided... to accept."

Xin immediately chuckled, "That's great. I didn't expect you to figure it out so quickly. From now on, you'll be Kuchiki Rukia."

Rukia felt a bit awkward with the new name and said hesitantly, "President, please just call me Rukia."

She hadn't expected the President to be so nonchalant and accepting of her decision. She hadn't expected him to react like Renji, perhaps either overjoyed or sternly saying, "It's good that you've thought it through yourself."

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

She should be as composed as the President.

Kuchiki Rukia...

Her hands clenched, her heart filled with both melancholy and nervousness.

Xin was actually still a little surprised about Rukia's situation.

He remembered that after Rukia was adopted by the Kuchiki family, she was supposed to graduate from the Spirit Training Academy and enter the Thirteenth Division directly. However, when someone from the Kuchiki family came last time, they said Rukia could continue her studies at the Spirit Training Academy.

Was this because of something he had influenced?

But it wasn't a big deal. He twirled an Asauchi in his hand, then said to Rukia, "I have some free time, let me guide your training."

Rukia was stunned by his words, and her expression instantly brightened with surprise. "Can I? President?"

"Go to the next room and get an Asauchi."

"Yes!"

Rukia immediately cast aside her jumbled thoughts and trotted off to the sword storage room.

It wasn't easy to receive guidance from the president. In all the time she had known him, Rukia had only been personally instructed by Xin a few times.

Three days later.

Someone from the Kuchiki family arrived as promised.

However, this time the person leading the group was the same elder from before; Kuchiki Byakuya did not come.

"Miss Rukia, I hope to receive your kind response."

In the Student Council's office, Rukia stood nervously beside Xin.

"I've made up my mind," she said, her hands clenched.

"I agree."

The elder's face immediately broke into a smile upon hearing this. There was no other reaction, no surprise, which was understandable. After all, no one could refuse an invitation from the Kuchiki family, right?

He probably never even considered that Rukia might refuse, and giving her time was just to let her prepare herself.

"That's wonderful, Miss Rukia. Please return to the clan with us today. Young Master Byakuya and the head of the family are waiting for you. I'll request a month's leave for you from the school."

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

"That's correct. You need a formal ceremony to become an adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family. This month is for you to adapt to life in the Kuchiki family. Don't worry about falling behind in your Spirit Training Academy courses; the clan will arrange a special tutor for you later. Also, you won't be living in the Spirit Training Academy dorms anymore, and someone will pick you up and drop you off for school every day."

Rukia felt that things were becoming too complicated. She thought that coming from the Rukon District, she would surely be out of place among such prominent Nobles. She figured she would be taught many things during this month.

She was very intelligent and could see many things.

For example, the true attitude beneath the elder's smile.

"President..."

Xin gently patted Rukia's shoulder, signaling her to relax.

"Go ahead, don't worry."

The elder merely glanced at Xin's gesture, his expression remaining unchanged.

There was still more today.