The More One Doesn't See, The More One Misses

The final culprit behind the Human World training accident was identified as Twelfth Division member Sanada Ryoichi, who had laid spiritual bait to lure Hollows within the Kekai beforehand and murdered the barrier team members before making his escape.

As for his motive, it was exactly what Shiba Kaien had told Xin.

With that, the matter was settled. For the Spirit Training Academy students, it had been a close call, but the many Shinigami who had died still demanded accountability.

Word had it that the Twelfth Division captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, had been reprimanded, while the Thirteenth Division had dispatched Shinigami to pursue Sanada Ryoichi.

Xin guessed that this Sanada fellow was probably already dead.

As time passed, many people gradually forgot the incident. Perhaps the Spirit Training Academy students would only recall it when occasionally mentioning Xin.

And so life returned to calm. Over half a month slipped by quickly.

One day, after breakfast, Xin planned to nap a little longer in the Student Council office. He had always wanted to put a bed in there to make his rest more comfortable, and had begged Kasumi Oji Gorō about it many times, but each time Gorō had flatly refused.

Xin reached the office door and found it slightly ajar.

Someone had been here.

Xin was a little surprised. At this hour, almost no one else would come here besides him.

When he stepped inside, he saw a delicate young girl standing there.

"Rukia?"

"President!"

The moment Rukia saw him, her face lit up with joy, and she quickly hurried over.

Xin looked her over again. She hadn't changed at all—still wearing the red-and-white school uniform, her short black hair with its upturned ends, her fair, delicate cheeks now flushed with excitement.

"You're back. It's been so long."

Xin smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "I've really missed you while you were gone."

Hearing this, Rukia's cheeks seemed to redden even more. She lowered her head and murmured in reply, "I... missed you too, President. And everyone else."

Xin walked over to his seat and sat down. "So, how was your time at the Kuchiki house? Tell me all about it."

Rukia looked like she had a lot she wanted to say, so she nodded quickly and began earnestly recounting her experiences at the Kuchiki estate over the past half-month.

That day, after being taken back to the Kuchiki house, she had been directly arranged to stay there.

But the place she lived in was a separate courtyard. She stayed in that courtyard for two full days, and during those two days, she saw no one except the servant who brought her meals each day—not even Kuchiki Byakuya.

During those two days, Rukia had been very worried, her mind racing with all sorts of thoughts.

Not knowing what her future held, she had imagined all kinds of miserable outcomes and even regretted coming to the Kuchiki house.

But on the third day, the current head of the Kuchiki family, Kuchiki Ginrei, came to see her. He told her that very day, she would be adopted into the Kuchiki family as Kuchiki Byakuya's adopted sister.

That day, many people from the Kuchiki family attended. The occasion was grand and very solemn. Rukia didn't understand anything, but fortunately, a maid stayed by her side the whole time, reminding her of what to do.

After that day, the Kuchiki family arranged a new residence for her. Many servants attended to her daily needs, bought her new clothes and daily necessities, and even specially assigned four Shinigami teachers to instruct her separately in Zanpakuto, Kidō, Hoho, and Hakuda.

Over the past half-month, she had been studying all kinds of noble knowledge, concepts, and rules at the Kuchiki house.

Some of it she could accept; some she couldn't understand.

For example, according to noble etiquette, when she saw the President just now, she should have performed a specific noble greeting. She had practiced it many times at the Kuchiki house.

But the moment the President saw her, he directly ruffled her hair, and Rukia instantly cast all those noble manners aside.

The President's hand made her feel at ease.

She had initially worried that after returning, she might have grown distant from everyone.

During this time at the Kuchiki house, she had been very tired, but she knew all of this was something many people could only dream of. She had no complaints and had been trying her best to do everything well.

Yesterday, she mustered the courage to go see Kuchiki Byakuya and asked to return to the Spirit Training Academy to continue her studies. Fortunately, her "older brother" agreed.

"I didn't expect you to go through so much in such a short time," Xin said with a sigh.

"It's really nothing." Rukia scratched her head a little sheepishly. "I know a lot of it is for my own good, so I don't dare complain. It's just... I just wanted to come back early and see everyone."

"You're right." Xin suddenly teased her. "But now that you're the young lady of the Kuchiki family, is it still appropriate for you to keep being my assistant?"

Rukia quickly replied, "President, I'm fine with it!"

Xin stroked his chin. "If I still boss you around and make you run errands like before, I wonder if the Kuchiki family will hold a grudge against me?"

That old man from the Kuchiki family who came last time hadn't looked at him very kindly.

If he were a bit more arrogant, Xin guessed he'd be warned to stay away from Rukia.

Rukia said, "Everything the President has me do is to train me. If the Kuchiki family misunderstands, I'll explain it to them clearly!"

Seeing how serious she was, Xin couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her cheek. "Rukia, Rukia, you're too cute. I was just joking with you."

Rukia blushed and took a step back. She felt the President's actions were a bit too familiar, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

How was she supposed to say something like that...

Still, if Momoko saw this, she'd probably misunderstand again.

Luckily, Momoko shouldn't be coming to the office at this hour. She had specifically chosen to come before morning classes.

"Class is about to start. Are you going?"

Xin glanced at the time beside him and spoke.

Rukia stood up and said, "Then I'll head to class now, President. If there's any work today, you can still trust me with it, just like before!"

Walking out of the Student Council office, Rukia felt a bit cheerful, her steps much lighter.

She lived very oppressively in the Kuchiki household, with no one to talk to on a daily basis. The servants, though respectful toward her, were also distant. Her current elder brother was elusive, rarely seen from day to day, but even when he was home, she didn't dare to actively approach him for conversation.

Kuchiki Byakuya wore a cold face every day, and standing before him gave Rukia immense pressure.

In comparison, spending time with the President was much more comfortable.

She missed everyone at the Spirit Training Academy every day—Momoko, Renji, Kira, Hisagi-senpai, Kanazawa-senpai... and the President.

The more days that passed without seeing them, the deeper her longing grew.

Requesting monthly tickets. The novel will be published on Thursday, the 13th.