Chapter 37: Rukia Kuchiki

Renji’s reaction was somewhat unexpected for Rukia. Or rather, it was not what she had hoped to see.

Renji firmly placed a hand on Rukia’s shoulder, continuing with a look of genuine happiness for her. “Once you join the Kuchiki family, you’ll be a noble! Becoming an adopted child there means endless glory and wealth! I can hardly imagine the kind of food nobles eat. Rukia, you’re truly someone to envy and be jealous of, hahaha…”

“…”

He seemed oblivious to the subtle unease on Rukia’s face, or perhaps he noticed it long ago but understood deep down what decision would be best for her.

Both of them were orphans who had never known stability while living on Rukongai Street. Only after coming to the Spiritual Arts Academy did their lives begin to change. Now, an opportunity to have a family was laid before Rukia!

He was indeed a little envious—that was no lie.

In Renji’s eyes, Rukia was someone with a strong inner spirit, yet she carried an underlying sense of inferiority. This contradiction likely stemmed from their shared origins.

“Rukia, don’t you think this is a good thing?” Renji asked, his smile fading slightly as he noticed her lack of reaction.

Rukia reached out, gently taking Renji’s hand off her shoulder.

“Ah, it is a good thing. The president said so, too…” she murmured softly.

“Rukia…”

A complicated smile appeared on Rukia’s face. “Thank you, Renji.”

Thank him for what?

For suggesting she become an adopted child of the Kuchiki family?

Renji felt inexplicably flustered by her sudden gratitude, but this was not a topic he dared to question.

Had he overlooked something again?

What was truly going on in Rukia’s heart…

As evening fell, Rukia visited the student council office but couldn’t find Shin. After asking Shuhei Hisagi, she went to the kendo classroom.

Using the classroom outside of class hours required permission, but the student council had privileges.

Pushing open the door, Rukia found the room empty save for a solitary figure seated cross-legged in the center.

A visible spiritual particle barrier surrounded him, making Shin’s form appear somewhat blurred to her eyes.

Motionless.

Except for the drifting spiritual particles, everything seemed frozen where Shin sat.

The president was training...

Rukia quietly closed the door and stood silently to one side, watching Shin attentively.

She couldn’t discern exactly what kind of training he was doing, but the intensity of his immersion made her unwilling to disturb him.

Besides managing student council affairs, the president spent most of his time training diligently.

Rukia continued to watch quietly when suddenly a voice broke the silence.

“Did you come for something?”

The scene before her seemed to shatter abruptly. Shin, who had been seated in deep concentration, was now standing for reasons unknown.

Rukia was sure she hadn’t been distracted, yet the image seemed disoriented.

Momentarily dazed, she hurriedly said, “Sorry, president, did I disturb you?”

Shin casually held his katana and walked toward her. Rukia felt the lingering spiritual pressure emanating from him, completely different from the calm she had just witnessed. It was as if that earlier scene had been an illusion.

He chuckled softly. “Yeah, you did.”

Rukia quickly bowed apologetically. “I’m sorry, president! I…”

Shin looked somewhat resigned. Reaching out, he ruffled her hair firmly.

“You always take so many things too seriously. I was joking. When will you joke back at me?”

Rukia pressed her lips together, staring at Shin with tousled hair.

“President... I’ve made my decision.”

Shin raised an eyebrow. “You mean about the Kuchiki family?”

“Mm…”

Rukia nodded, a faint gleam flickering in her eyes as she spoke slowly, “I’ve decided… to accept.”

Shin immediately smiled lightly. “That’s good. I didn’t expect you to come to that conclusion so quickly. From now on, you’re Kuchiki Rukia.”

Rukia felt awkward at the formal title. “Just call me Rukia, president.”

She hadn’t expected such a casual and straightforward reaction from Shin. She thought he might either be pleased or sternly say, “As long as you’ve thought it through.”

Instead, she felt an inexplicable loneliness, yet also a sense of relief.

She ought to be as calm and accepting as the president.

Kuchiki Rukia...

Clenching her hands, her heart was a mixture of melancholy and nervousness.

Shin was genuinely a bit surprised by Rukia’s choice.

He remembered that after being adopted by the Kuchiki family, she was supposed to graduate directly from the Spiritual Arts Academy and join the Thirteenth Division. But when the Kuchiki family representatives came last time, they said she could continue her studies at the academy.

Had something changed because of his influence?

It didn’t matter much. Twirling his katana in hand, Shin said, “I happen to have some free time. Let me help guide your training.”

Rukia was startled, then immediately brightened. “Really, president?”

“Go get a katana from the next room.”

“Yes!”

She quickly pushed aside her tangled thoughts and dashed to the weapon storage.

Receiving the president’s guidance was no small matter; in all the time they’d known each other, Shin had only given her a few pointers.

Three days later.

The Kuchiki family representatives arrived as promised.

This time, the leader was the elderly man from before; Kuchiki Byakuya had yet to appear.

“Miss Rukia, I hope for your kind cooperation,” the elderly man said.

Inside the student council office, Rukia stood nervously beside Shin.

“I have made up my mind,” she said, clenching her fists tightly.

“I am willing.”

The old man’s face immediately brightened with a smile upon hearing this, showing no surprise or shock. After all, who could refuse an invitation from the Kuchiki family?

He probably never considered that Rukia might decline; the time given was merely to let her prepare.

“That’s wonderful, Miss Rukia. Please accompany us back to the family today. Young Master Byakuya and the head of the family await you. I will arrange for your leave from school for a month.”

“A month? That long?” Rukia was taken aback. “I thought I could continue my studies here?”

“That’s correct. Becoming an adopted child of the Kuchiki family requires a formal ceremony. This month will be for you to adapt to life there. Don’t worry about falling behind in your academy courses. The family will assign you a private tutor. Also, you will no longer reside in the academy dormitories; someone will escort you to and from school daily.”

The situation felt overwhelmingly complicated. Coming from Rukongai Street, she was certain she would be utterly out of place among such high nobility. This month would likely be filled with lessons she had never imagined.

She was intelligent and could read many things.

For example, the true attitude behind the old man’s smile.

“President…”

Shin gently patted Rukia’s shoulder, signaling her to be at ease.

“Go with confidence.”

The old man glanced at Shin’s gesture but remained expressionless.

End of passage.