To Abarai Renji, even though he and Rukia had lived together in Inuzuri for a long time, she had always been someone he didn't dare get too close to.
He still remembered the first time he met her—she was small, almost fragile in build, but the way she spoke was bold and unflinching, almost like a boy. The determination in her eyes had left him with a deep impression: This girl is different.
And Rukia was different.
She wasn't afraid to step up when someone was being bullied—even if the bully was bigger and stronger than she was. She'd share her konpeitō candy with others without hesitation.
At least for Renji, that had never come easily.
In Inuzuri, everyone knew how hard food was to come by—especially for those who had spiritual power.
No matter what she did, Rukia always seemed to carry this quiet grace.
He hadn't met a real noble back then, but in his eyes, Rukia already seemed more noble than any aristocrat ever could.
And now, she truly was a noble. Not just any noble—one of the highest kind.
Rukia had become someone out of reach.
And he... he was still the same as always.
How hard do I have to work? How far do I have to go... just to catch up to her again?
Renji hated this about himself.
He knew how he felt. He wanted it more than anyone.
But he didn't have the courage to speak the truth.
"Renji."
Her voice—soft, familiar—dropped into the stillness of his thoughts like a stone in deep water, sending ripples straight through his chest.
"Yo, Rukia."
Renji greeted her like always, with an easy smile and a casual tone.
That's how he always acted around her.
He didn't dare show anything real.
Worse, he was afraid she might see through him.
So he'd pretend—make it seem like he didn't take her seriously, like they were just old friends who teased and joked and messed around.
Maybe that way, he wouldn't seem so pitiful.
"I heard you want to join the Eleventh Division after graduation?" Rukia asked gently.
"Uh... yeah."
Renji paused for a second, then nodded.
Her violet eyes were clear and sincere as she smiled. "That's great. I think the Eleventh Division would suit you."
Renji was quiet for a beat—then burst into a laugh. "Rukia, you've got good taste, huh?"
"But why didn't you ever tell me?" she asked.
Renji shrugged. "We're just first-years. Graduation's still a long way off. Talking about it now doesn't really mean much, right?"
"I suppose that's true."
Rukia's voice turned serious. "When I was lost and unsure, it was you who encouraged me to join the student council. You helped me choose the Kuchiki path. Both of those changed my life. So I want to give you the same support now."
A complex tangle of feelings twisted in Renji's chest. He looked down. "...Thanks, Rukia."
She opened her mouth to say more—
But Renji suddenly laughed, pointing at her. "You idiot! You didn't think I was actually touched, did you? Are you sure you're Rukia? What's with the cheesy lines all of a sudden? You gave me goosebumps!"
Rukia kicked him. "Renji, you idiot!"
He dodged nimbly and grinned. "No matter where I end up, I'm gonna shine!"
Rukia stormed off, fuming. Behind her, Renji kept teasing, and when she looked back, he was pulling faces at her.
Stupid Renji! she thought. Completely hopeless!
Only after Rukia vanished around the classroom corner did Renji finally let his smile drop.
He glanced around, then called out to Kira.
"Kira, where are you headed?"
"Student council stuff. Can't train with you today."
Renji frowned. "What kind of stuff?"
Kira paused, then said, "Actually, I was going to tell you. Our president submitted a proposal to the Academy. They're approving a new batch of student interest clubs. Want to join one?"
"Clubs? What's that?"
"Groups for students with shared interests. Like a kendo club—anyone who likes swordsmanship from any year can join. You get to train together, improve together. Besides kendo, there'll be Kidō, Shunpo, and so on."
Kendo club?
Renji's eyes lit up. He was just about to say yes—then paused and asked, "Are all kendo fans going to join?"
"It's optional."
"Is your president joining?"
Kira chuckled. "Of course not."
Renji looked a bit disappointed, pouting. "Fine. I'll join."
He'd always wanted another shot at sparring with the student council president, but the opportunity never came.
Kira added, "We're still in the planning stage. The Academy just approved it. Now we need to promote it in each class and recruit members."
"Man, you guys really work hard."
So this had been the president's idea again. Another scheme.
Renji didn't get it. Why was he doing so much? What was he even after?
And how—how—did someone that busy still manage to get so strong?
I want to spar with him again.
Maybe I should ask Rukia to help... get her to ask him for me?
She's his assistant, right? He'd probably say yes if she asked...
---
Elsewhere—
Rukia was helping promote the club program. Each student council member had different tasks; she'd been paired with Kanisawa.
And she witnessed something... astonishing.
The moment Kanisawa stepped into a classroom and climbed up to the podium, the entire room fell dead silent.
Rukia couldn't help but marvel at how intimidating Kanisawa-senpai was.
It wasn't an exaggeration. Kanisawa was an upperclassman and head of the disciplinary committee. Countless students had ended up in her hands for breaking school rules. Combine that with her stern, no-nonsense personality, and her authority easily outstripped some of the instructors.
Even during break periods, the second she entered a classroom, everyone straightened up like they were facing a military drill.
They stepped out of another classroom. Kanisawa marked a few names off a list and muttered to herself, "Everyone's pretty cooperative."
Rukia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"What are you smiling at?" Kanisawa glanced her way.
"Nothing! I wasn't smiling!" Rukia said quickly.
Kanisawa didn't press her. She looked down at her clipboard, seemingly in a good mood.
Everything's going so smoothly, Rukia thought. President Nobu will be happy about that.