{🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 100+ advance chapter through Patreon by using the link:
The alley lay quiet as Su Li and Rukia Kuchiki walked side by side. Greetings rose with every step.
"Captain Su Li, morning!"
"Captain Su Li, good morning!"
"Ah, Captain Su Li, good morning!"
Shinigami passing by bowed with visible excitement, their voices filled with admiration. Su Li acknowledged each with his calm smile, but the attention spilled onto Rukia as well. She found herself under countless gazes, her cheeks flushed, her body taut with unease.
It was as if she stood at the center of an orbit, stars wheeling around her, their admiration for Su Li casting a light she could not escape. She had never been looked at this way, never been placed so squarely in the public eye. The warmth of their eyes pressed against her like heat, leaving her restless and strangely self-conscious.
She stole glances at Su Li, eyes shifting in hesitation.
"Rukia," his voice broke through, clear and steady, as soft as a spring breeze, "how is your brother?"
The gentleness carried her like water, cooling her nerves. Grateful, she bowed her head slightly. "Brother Byakuya is recovering well. He should be discharged from the Fourth Division within two days."
Su Li gave a faint nod, lips curving into a smile as he studied her. "And your relationship with him now?"
Rukia blinked, surprised at the question, but answered honestly. "Byakuya-san treats me far more kindly than before. Some time ago, he even told me about my past..." Her gaze grew complicated at the memory.
Su Li's eyes softened, a trace of amusement slipping through. "So. He's finally thinking on his own."
Rukia stared at him blankly. "What... what do you mean?"
"Nothing. I simply know a little about your family," Su Li replied with an easy laugh. Then, more quietly, "Your brother has always cared for you. But he is a rigid man, poor at expressing anything. A pure straight-laced noble. You must know by now—he isn't nearly as indifferent as he looks."
The light smile on Su Li's face, paired with his words, carried warmth that seeped into her chest. She remembered the day of her execution, when Su Li had stood between her and Byakuya's blade, speaking almost the same truth. Memory after memory followed—his visit at the Repentance Cell, his voice before the Sōkyoku, his quiet reassurance now. Every time, his words had cut through hesitation, grounding her with a sense of undeniable certainty.
It was as though the boy always held the world in his grasp. His confidence came from strength, yes, but there was more: courage, heart, and a sharpness of mind that far outshone his age. Even among captains, his light blazed. He had walked straight into Yamamoto Genryūsai's presence without fear. Rukia had never seen anyone like him.
Next to him, she felt small, almost unworthy. Yet she could not stop her lips from trembling into words. "Thank you, Su Li..."
He smiled, lifting a hand to rest gently on her shoulder. "Relax, Rukia. Don't be so stiff. This doesn't suit you."
She froze, startled by the ease of his tone.
"Let's talk again when time allows," Su Li added, before stepping into the courtyard at their side.
Rukia remained rooted, dazed and flushed. Had he been paying attention to me all this time? The thought bloomed, her face reddening to the neck. Could it be... Su Li... has always treated me this way? The realization twisted in her chest, making her heart race. She had clearly misunderstood something.
But her daze shattered when she noticed her surroundings. This was the Second Division's sector, deep inside the Court of Pure Souls. In her distraction she had walked all the way from Chūōdōri Square to here. The Thirteenth Division was at the outskirts. She was far from her post.
Her expression drained. "It's over... I'm going to be late!" She spun, running full tilt, hands clasped together as she muttered like a prayer. "Don't ring the morning bell, don't ring the morning bell, don't ring—"
The sound cut her off.
The bell boomed.
Inside the Second Division headquarters, the corridors shook.
"Captain! Something is wrong!" A figure slid across the floor, crashing on his knees outside the office door.
Shimizu KenjirĹŤ, panting and pale, shouted in panic.
"What are you screaming for first thing in the morning?!" Omaeda Marechiyo scowled, his tea disturbed, his irritation spilling over. "With the captain here, what could possibly be worth wailing about?!"
Kenjirō slammed his head down, voice breaking. "It's Captain Kuchiki of the Sixth Division—he's here, with Vice-Captain Abarai! They've come to the door!"
Omaeda froze. "What?!"
"Judging from Captain Kuchiki's face, he doesn't look pleased. It seems... he's here for trouble."
Omaeda scratched his chin, eyes narrowing. "So, he's here to demand an explanation."
Byakuya Kuchiki, with Abarai Renji at his side, had entered the Second Division without preamble. Their approach carried no softness, no courtesy. They had not come for tea.
"The visitors are not kind..." Omaeda muttered, eyes flickering nervously before glancing toward Su Li, who sat lazily reclined in his chair. "Captain, do you want to make a move? If you don't move, I won't either."
Su Li chuckled, shaking his head at Omaeda's slippery tongue. "It's fine. Let them in." His lips curved faintly. "I want to hear what Byakuya Kuchiki has to say."
{ Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 100+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on Patreon – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!
patreon.com/Oreski}