Two days later.
Suō Tsukasa, who was slacking off on duty, felt that his process of moving back and forth to the underground training grounds over the past two days should be described as an "ant moving house."
Fortunately, through persistent tinkering, he finally succeeded in setting up an open-air kitchen next to the hot spring.
"Tsukasa, there's a newcomer joining the squad in a bit. Remember to attend."
Shiba Kaien's hearty voice drifted in from outside the door.
"Will do."
Tsukasa snapped out of his daze instantly, pulling himself away from his empty state of mind as he nodded in response.
Daily paperwork was far too tedious and boring. In his spare time, he could read through magazines and advertisements from the living world with great interest; clearing his mind for mental training was an even more common occurrence.
He briskly tidied the documents on his desk, flashed a nonchalant smile as he thought of the predicament a certain someone might currently be facing.
Next, it was time for the hero to make his entrance!
Antechamber of the meeting room.
Kuchiki Rukia stood frozen on the spot, still maintaining the posture she had held when the squad member who guided her here left.
Even though a stack of cushions sat right beside her, she remained completely oblivious to them.
Outside the door.
A few squad members who were attending the individual induction ceremony gathered outside, peeking through the narrow gap of the partially closed sliding paper door.
Among the onlookers, one squad member lowered his voice, though it carried an undisguised tone of disdain and jealousy.
"I thought it would be another big shot who graduated early like 3rd Seat Suō, but it's just an unremarkable little girl."
"This is the privilege of the nobility for you. Honestly—"
"She's an adoptee of the Kuchiki family. Watch your mouth if you value your life!"
An older squad member beside him quickly yanked him back.
Unlike when Suō Tsukasa joined the squad, the discussions this time were clearly laced with resentment and malice.
This was unavoidable; ordinary squad members had to pass graduation exams and entry exams, exerting immense effort just to join a squad.
Yet the newcomer standing in the antechamber had bypassed every exam, becoming a member of the division solely through noble privilege. It was only natural for people to feel dissatisfied.
Although the voices outside the door were intentionally hushed, they still drifted clearly into Kuchiki Rukia's ears.
The girl's hands gripped the edges of her Shihakusho tightly, her knuckles turning white from the strain.
However, Rukia did not speak up to defend herself, because even in the depths of her heart, she felt a sliver of contempt for her current self.
The atmosphere in the antechamber was awkward, heavy, and suffocating. The time spent waiting for the ceremony to begin was a difficult ordeal, and she had nowhere to hide.
"3rd Seat Suō..."
The name escaped Rukia's lips subconsciously. They had only met once at the Shin'ō Academy, but the encounter had left a deep impression.
However, since they were in different year levels, they had never had any intersection in their daily lives.
It was only a few months ago that she heard his name again from Abarai Renji and learned of his appointment as the 3rd Seat of the 13th Division.
The pressure of her affairs and mental stress over the past few days had nearly made her forget all about it.
"If only I were a genius like 3rd Seat Suō, I wouldn't be in such a pathetic state right now."
"Big Brother wouldn't always treat me with that kind of attitude either, would he?"
The girl lowered her head, immersing herself in her own world of gloom as the bitterness of recent days spread through her heart.
"Were you calling me?"
Suddenly, a gentle voice came from in front of her.
Kuchiki Rukia snapped her head up, her gaze crashing directly into a pair of calm, warm eyes.
Suō Tsukasa, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, was standing at the doorway. His black Shihakusho was worn neatly, and the smile on his face was dazzling.
The partially closed sliding door had already been pulled open; the squad members who had been peeking outside had long since scattered back to their posts.
"3rd Seat Suō, good afternoon."
Rukia hastily bowed in greeting. Her movements were momentarily flurried, but she composed her state and expression in a very short amount of time.
"Long time no see, Rukia-san."
Tsukasa raised a hand in greeting and turned to call out to the hallway.
"Konoe, bring in two cups of tea. I haven't seen my friend in a long time, we're going to catch up."
"Yes, sir!"
A response and the sound of hurried footsteps immediately came from the crowd waiting outside.
Next, ignoring the whispering of the squad members caused by his words and actions, Tsukasa decisively closed the sliding door.
He then pulled two cushions from the nearby stack.
He dropped one directly at his feet and sat down, throwing the other at Rukia's feet as he gestured.
"Sit."
"Thank you."
At his word, Rukia nodded in acknowledgment and slowly sat down.
Every movement carried the elegant poise of a refined lady from a period drama, though it was evident her actions were slightly unpracticed.
Tsukasa looked levelly at Rukia, who was sitting perfectly upright, thinking to himself that noble etiquette was truly terrifying.
A perfectly fine young person had turned into a puppet who only knew how to comply after living in the Kuchiki manor for such a short time.
Her appearance and age should have been full of vitality, yet her expression betrayed a withered spirit, much like a parched onion.
Tsukasa naturally withdrew his gaze, tapped a finger on his knee, and said with a relaxed expression.
"You look like you're not quite used to me calling you by your first name just now."
"Would you prefer I call you Kuchiki, Rukia, or Miss Kuchiki?"
Their relationship could only be considered "friend of a friend." By standard etiquette, Tsukasa should technically refer to her as Miss Kuchiki.
However, since this was the 13th Division, he could directly call her Kuchiki based on his rank.
"Just call me Rukia."
Rukia hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
However, her smile was somewhat stiff and forced, as if she were just learning how to smile.
According to the etiquette she had studied, the Suō Tsukasa before her should have chosen to call her Kuchiki.
But she felt she was unworthy of the noble name "Kuchiki," so she chose her given name among the three options.
"Alright."
Tsukasa nodded, settling the simplest issue of how to address her.
Knock—Knock—Knock—
A knock came from the door.
"Come in."
The sliding door opened, and Konoe Shuzo entered the room carrying two cups of hot tea, stepping forward to offer them to the two.
Tsukasa reached out to take the tea tray, nodded in thanks, and took the opportunity to introduce her.
"Thanks."
"Konoe, this is Kuchiki Rukia. We're all colleagues from now on, so get to know each other."
"Now that she's in the 13th Division, everyone here has only one identity—a Shinigami."
"Make sure everyone in the squad looks out for her. Don't let some of those loose-tongued fellows keep blabbering nonsense in private."
Tsukasa knew he couldn't change the opinion of every single member of the 13th Division toward Rukia.
But converting a portion of them and silencing another was quite easy for him.
"Understood, 3rd Seat Suō."
"Hello, Kuchiki-san. I am Konoe Shuzo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Konoe nodded in agreement, then looked toward Rukia and spoke in a natural tone.
He used casual language to complete the initial greeting, completely disregarding her status as an adoptee of a noble family.
Since she had gained Suō Tsukasa's recognition, anything else was irrelevant to him.
"I am Kuchiki Rukia. Pleased to meet you."
Rukia's expression faltered for a second before she replied with a smile.
Her tense body relaxed slightly as her smile became more natural.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi