Renji's reaction caught Rukia off guard.
Or rather—this wasn't the reaction she had hoped for.
With one hand on her shoulder, Renji grinned with genuine excitement and continued, "If you join the Kuchiki family, you'll be a noble! Once you're adopted into their household, you'll have riches and luxury beyond imagination! I can't even picture the kind of food nobles eat. Rukia, you're going to make everyone jealous, hahaha…"
"..."
He either didn't notice the subtle change in Rukia's expression—or he did, but had already made up his mind about what choice would be best for her.
They were both orphans. Back in Rukongai, they'd never had a stable life. That only changed after entering the Academy. And now, in front of Rukia, was the chance to finally have a family.
He really was a little envious. That wasn't a lie.
To Renji, Rukia had always seemed emotionally strong, yet still a bit self-conscious—a contradiction likely rooted in their background.
"Rukia… don't you think this is a good thing?" he asked, his smile fading slightly when he saw how quiet she remained.
Rukia reached up and gently removed his hand from her shoulder.
"Yeah… it's a good thing. The President said so too…" she murmured.
"Rukia…"
She gave him a complicated smile. "Thank you, Renji."
Thank him?
For what?
For suggesting she accept becoming the adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family?
Her sudden gratitude made Renji nervous, though he couldn't say why. He didn't dare ask.
Did I miss something again…?
What's really going on in Rukia's heart…?
...
Evening.
Rukia stopped by the Student Council office but found it empty. After asking Hisagi Shūhei, she headed to the Kendō training hall.
Ordinarily, reserving the dojo outside of class hours required a formal application—but the Student Council had special privileges.
When Rukia pushed open the door, the spacious room was nearly empty. Only one figure sat cross-legged in the center.
He was surrounded by a faintly visible layer of spirit particles, a shimmering spiritual barrier. It made him seem blurry, as if she couldn't fully focus on him.
He didn't move at all.
In that moment, the space around Nobu felt suspended in time—aside from the drifting Reishi, it was utterly still.
The President is training…
Rukia gently closed the door and quietly stepped to the side, standing silently as she watched him.
She couldn't tell exactly what kind of cultivation he was doing, but his deep immersion made her hesitant to interrupt.
The President worked hard every day. If he wasn't handling Student Council affairs, he was training.
She stood watching in silence, until—
"Did you need something?"
The scene in front of her shattered like glass. Nobu, who had just been sitting still in meditation, was suddenly standing.
Rukia hadn't spaced out—but still, the shift felt surreal.
Snapping to attention, she quickly bowed. "I'm sorry, President—did I disturb you?"
Nobu was casually holding a practice Zanpakutō as he approached. Rukia could still sense traces of spiritual pressure clinging to him, residual and potent. It felt entirely different from before, like the earlier scene had been some illusion.
He chuckled. "You did. You interrupted my training."
Rukia bowed again, flustered. "I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Looking slightly exasperated, Nobu stepped in close and rubbed her head roughly.
"You're always too serious about everything. I was teasing. When are you going to tease me back, huh?"
Rukia straightened her hair and looked up at him, lips pressed together.
"President… I've made my decision."
He raised a brow. "About the Kuchiki family?"
"Mm…"
She nodded, her eyes reflecting a faint glow. "I've decided… to accept."
Nobu smiled right away. "That's great. I didn't expect you to come to a decision so soon. Looks like you'll be Kuchiki Rukia from now on."
The new title made Rukia fidget. "You can just keep calling me Rukia, President…"
She hadn't expected him to respond so casually. Not that she wanted some over-the-top reaction like Renji's, but… part of her thought the President might either be pleased or quietly serious and say something like "as long as you've thought it through."
Instead, she was left with a strange mix of disappointment… and relief.
Maybe I should try to be as calm about this as he is.
Kuchiki Rukia…
She clenched her hands tightly, feeling both anxious and melancholy.
Nobu was genuinely a little surprised by her choice.
In the original storyline, after Rukia was adopted by the Kuchiki family, she was pulled from the Academy and directly assigned to the Gotei 13. But when the Kuchiki family came last time, they'd said she could continue studying at the Academy.
Is that change… because of me?
Regardless, it wasn't a major divergence.
Spinning the shallow-drawn blade in his hand, he said, "I've still got some time. Want me to help you train?"
Rukia blinked. Then her face lit up. "Really, President?"
"Go grab a practice blade from the storeroom."
"Yes!"
Rukia dashed off, all her tangled emotions briefly cast aside.
Being taught directly by the President was no small thing. Even after all this time, she'd only received his personal guidance a few times.
...
Three days later.
The Kuchiki family returned, right on schedule.
This time, the elder who had spoken last time led the delegation—Byakuya himself did not appear.
"Miss Rukia, we hope to receive your kind reply."
Inside the Student Council office, Rukia stood nervously beside Nobu.
"I've made up my mind," she said, hands clenched tightly.
"I'm willing."
The elder smiled at her words—no surprise, no amazement. He had clearly never expected a refusal. The three-day window had always been just to give her time to adjust.
"Wonderful, Miss Rukia. Please accompany us back to the family estate today. Master Byakuya and the clan head are both waiting to receive you. I will submit a formal request for a one-month leave of absence from the Academy on your behalf."
"One month? That long?" Rukia was startled. "But I thought I could keep attending school?"
"That's correct. However, becoming a Kuchiki requires a formal adoption ceremony. This month will help you adjust to life in the household. Don't worry about falling behind—we'll assign a private tutor to help you stay current with Academy lessons. Also, you'll no longer reside in the dormitory. A carriage will take you to and from school each day."
It all sounded so elaborate. Rukia suddenly felt overwhelmed.
She knew she'd never fit into a great noble house. Growing up in the slums of Rukongai, she was nothing like them. This month would no doubt be filled with intensive etiquette training.
But Rukia was sharp. She could see what lay beneath the surface.
Like the faint, almost invisible edge behind the elder's polite smile.
"President…"
Nobu gently patted her on the shoulder, signaling reassurance.
"Don't worry. Go on."
The elder glanced at Nobu's hand, but said nothing.