Kuchiki Byakuya's words left Rukia's mind blank for a few seconds.
Weren't they here because some noble from the Kuchiki family took a liking to me?
What does 'adoption' even mean?
Could this be… some new game nobles play?
Her thoughts began to spin out of control, and she instinctively looked toward her Student Council President with a confused and slightly pleading expression.
Nobu, who had already anticipated this outcome, wasn't surprised. Noticing her look, he spoke calmly, "What exactly do you mean by 'adoption'?"
Though the elder from the Kuchiki family found Nobu's interjection presumptuous, the question gave him the opening to explain further.
"Miss Rukia would henceforth bear the Kuchiki name, and address Young Master Byakuya as her elder brother. In turn, Young Master Byakuya would regard Miss Rukia as a younger sister."
Now Rukia understood — but she still couldn't comprehend why.
She was just an ordinary student at Shin'ō Academy. An orphan from the outer Rukongai district of Inuzuri. Her talent and conduct weren't anything remarkable. What had she done to deserve the notice of someone like the Kuchiki family?
She wasn't blinded by the apparent good fortune. The sheer oddity of it all only deepened her unease. She couldn't help but grow more suspicious of their true motives.
She tightened her grip on Nobu's sleeve, seeking something solid to hold onto.
Nobu, watching Byakuya, spoke again on Rukia's behalf. "May I ask, Vice-Captain Kuchiki, why your family wishes to adopt Rukia?"
Byakuya had been observing Rukia's reactions the entire time — and had clearly noticed how deeply she relied on Nobu.
His own emotions were… complicated. The girl standing before him, apart from the slightly rougher bearing of her upbringing, was the spitting image of his late wife. As if carved from the same mold.
If he hadn't already learned that Rukia and Hisana were biological sisters, he wouldn't have believed two people could resemble each other so completely.
But he didn't intend to reveal the truth.
The elder next to him stepped forward instead and elaborated, "We were moved by Miss Rukia's character. If she joins the Kuchiki household, she may continue her studies at the Academy and will enjoy significantly improved living conditions and educational resources."
It all sounded… too good to be true.
Rukia still felt as though she were dreaming. To think that one of the Four Great Noble Houses of the Soul Society would suddenly reach into her life…
Even Kasakurōji Mitsugorō, the Student Council's Vice President, already seemed impossibly highborn to her.
The Kuchiki delegation seemed to believe they'd said all that needed to be said and were now awaiting her reply.
But given her obvious nervousness, the elder glanced at Byakuya and added gently, "It's understandable that such an important decision might catch Miss Rukia unprepared. Please take your time to consider it carefully."
Rukia took a deep breath and stepped forward at last.
"All right."
"Then we'll take our leave for now. In three days' time, we'll return to hear your decision."
Byakuya cast one final glance at Nobu before turning to leave. The rest of the Kuchiki retinue followed him, filing out of the office.
As the sound of their footsteps faded down the corridor, Rukia suddenly slumped forward onto the desk like air rushing out of a balloon.
She looked up. "President…"
Nobu spoke calmly. "The Kuchiki family is the most prestigious noble house in the Soul Society. They've existed longer than the Gotei 13, even longer than the Academy itself. They can influence — even override — the decisions of the Central 46."
Rukia pressed her lips together. "Are you advising me to accept?"
Nobu countered evenly, "Do you not want to?"
"I don't know," she said dazedly. "It sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… but it feels like something that shouldn't happen to someone like me. What they said didn't really seem like it was about me. Honestly, if we're talking about merit… you're far more worthy than I am."
Nobu laughed. "Maybe they were just looking for a girl."
That only made her anxiety worse. She thought of Byakuya's cold, expressionless face.
To be his little sister?
It felt too far-fetched. Too unreal.
Nobu realized his joke may have been misinterpreted and gently reached out to pat her head.
"Rukia. In matters like this, it's okay to follow your heart."
But even she didn't know what her heart was saying. It felt like any rational person would say yes. Maybe she should too.
But what unsettled her was how surreal the whole thing felt — how arbitrary. She needed to understand why the Kuchiki family was really doing this. Something she could trust.
Should she refuse?
Would refusing make her seem ungrateful? Would it offend them and bring trouble down on her?
A part of her wished the President would just make the decision for her. Whether it was yes or no — she would follow him.
But how could she burden him with that? It wouldn't be fair.
Even the comforting warmth of his hand on her head couldn't settle the storm in her chest. But without it, she'd probably feel even more lost.
If Nobu hadn't been here just now… she truly wouldn't have known what to do.
"Rukia, there's no rush. You've been given time to think it over, haven't you? I can also grant you a three-day leave from Council duties."
"…President. What about you? If it were you, what would you do?"
Nobu raised an eyebrow slightly. In this world, strength was everything. Truthfully, if he were just an ordinary person and an opportunity like this came along, he'd probably accept without hesitation.
But with the system on his side, these kinds of offers didn't mean much to him.
"I've never really thought about it," he said with a smile. "But I suppose I'd probably accept."
"…"
Rukia lowered her head and murmured, "I see…"
To Nobu, whether Rukia became a Kuchiki or not wouldn't make much difference to the larger picture. If anything, it might make one thing easier — he could hand off the Student Council to her someday.
But that was about it.
Overall, it was a good thing for Rukia. It was only because it had come so suddenly — and because she knew nothing of the real reason behind it — that she felt so uneasy.
She remained distracted for the rest of the afternoon's classes.
Until Renji found her after school.
"Yo, Rukia!"
He was beaming with his usual boundless energy and enthusiasm.
But seeing the worry written on her face, he tilted his head. "What's wrong, Rukia?"
Rukia stayed silent. She wasn't sure how to begin telling him.
Renji teased, "C'mon, it's been like two or three months already. Don't tell me you still haven't gotten used to this place?"
"…The Kuchiki family wants to adopt me."
Renji froze. "What… did you say?"
"That noble family — the Kuchikis. They came to see me a few days ago. Today, they told me they want to adopt me into the family," Rukia said quietly.
The Kuchikis… one of the Four Great Houses…
Those words sounded so distant, so far removed from anything Renji had ever known.
He didn't have time to think through the implications. His face lit up with astonishment and excitement.
"That's amazing, Rukia!"
"…"
Rukia just stared at him, stunned.