Chapter Four: Lucia

Chapter Four: Rukia

A week had passed since the last match. The previous battle had ended with Byakuya Kuchiki securing victory at the cost of a minor injury.

“What a lovely day,” Shuster murmured to himself as he stepped out of his room, newly awakened in the morning.

“Hey, Lolita, don’t you ever wake up? Why do you sleep so much after becoming a sword spirit? Yesterday’s fight, you were completely useless,” Shuster complained through the soul chain to Lolita, who had shown no sign of activity these past few days.

“Ah, I don’t know. I just feel so sleepy. Sleeping is great anyway—good for your health,” Lolita’s lazy voice rang out.

“Well, can’t help it then…” Shuster replied gloomily, yet before he could finish, a voice interrupted him.

“Second Young Master Kuchiki! The master is calling for you!” The old butler called out from the courtyard.

“Oh! Coming!” Shuster wondered what urgent matter Ginrei Kuchiki could have for him this morning.

…

In the early morning, inside Ginrei Kuchiki’s chambers, Ginrei was sitting face to face with Byakuya, each savoring a cup of the finest tea. Watching his grandson enjoy his tea with such composure, Ginrei found himself increasingly fond of the boy. Whether handling official duties or family affairs, Byakuya was methodical and meticulous. Since Byakuya had taken up the role of acting head, the household had seen far fewer incidents of missing items from the storerooms and pantries—much to the chagrin of Yachiru: “Little Byakuya, you’re so stingy!”

Knock, knock, knock.

Sensing the spiritual pressure outside the door, Ginrei already knew who it was. “Come in, Shuster.”

Creak. “Is there something you need, Grandfather?” Shuster asked, puzzled at being summoned; usually at this time he would be helping Byakuya with paperwork.

“Yes, about that. Last time, neither of you wished to inherit the position of family head and instead suggested finding a child from the branch families. When do you plan to start looking?” Ginrei took another sip of tea before asking.

“Ah, sorry, Grandfather. We’ll begin today.” Byakuya, caught off guard, quickly responded.

“Very well, don’t delay.” Ginrei watched as the two left, both awkward, and sighed.

Shin’o Spirit Arts Academy

“Morning, Rukia!” Renji Abarai, tall, red-haired, with a bandana around his forehead and dressed in a blue student uniform, waved at the girl walking down the corridor.

“Good morning, Renji… I heard you had an accident during soul burial practice in the world of the living a few days ago?” Rukia greeted her friend with a faint smile.

“Ah, don’t mention it. It was a disaster!” Remembering the real Hollow that had appeared during practice, Renji shuddered, relieved that Rukia hadn’t been present that day—it had been a close call. “But enough about that. Where are you headed?”

“Oh, the headmaster said he needed to see me in his office,” Rukia replied.

“The headmaster’s office… Don’t tell me you’ve broken some school rule?” Renji grinned, ruffling Rukia’s black onion-shaped hair. “Or were you caught being late again?”

“That was you!” Rukia shot him a glare, batting his hand away as she sidestepped him. “Don’t you have your second test today? Fail again and you’ll be repeating the year…”

“Damn! I’ve got to go! Bye, Rukia! Wait for my good news—I’ll pass for sure!” Renji dashed off down the hallway, leaving Rukia smiling softly as she continued toward the headmaster’s office.

…

(The walking process omitted.)

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in!”

Creak. “Excuse me for intruding, Headmaster. You wanted to see me?” Rukia drew a deep breath and stepped inside.

A bearded old man—the headmaster of Shin’o Spirit Arts Academy—spoke. “Ah, Rukia! Actually, it’s not me who needs you, but these two gentlemen… This is Lord Byakuya Kuchiki, heir of the Kuchiki family from the Seireitei, and this is the second young master, Lord Shuster Kuchiki…” The headmaster smiled, stood, and said, “Well then, I shall take my leave.”

Rukia turned to look at the two men. Both wore the same elegant silver brocade, their shihakusho immaculate. One tall and aloof, the other bright and sunny—a strange pairing indeed.

Unaware he was being silently criticized, Byakuya spoke bluntly, “From today onward, your surname will be Kuchiki.”

A resounding “crack” seemed to echo as Rukia’s jaw metaphorically hit the floor. Shuster had expected to watch the scene unfold with some amusement, but had not anticipated this sudden, commanding side of his brother.

“What’s wrong, Shuster?” Byakuya ignored the stunned Rukia, turning instead to the source of the noise.

After a moment of jaw adjustment, Shuster awkwardly extended his hand to Rukia. “Ah, nothing. Um, welcome to the family, Rukia—my little sister!”

“Uh… Please take care of me, brother,” Rukia, bewildered, could only shake his hand, trying to dispel the awkwardness.

“In that case, you’ll come to the Kuchiki estate tonight. We’ll hold a welcome dinner for you.” Byakuya, seemingly oblivious to the tension he created, continued.

“…” thought Shuster.

“…” thought Rukia.

Byakuya’s verbal assault was devastating: Shuster and Rukia were both petrified.

“Hm? What’s wrong with you two?” Byakuya, still oblivious to the effect of his bluntness, asked again.

“I’m fine. You two continue talking—I’ll go make some tea,” Shuster, unable to endure, made his escape.

“So, what is your answer…” Byakuya pressed on, ignoring Shuster’s departure.

…

Outside, Shuster leaned against the door, grumbling, “This brother of mine… Is his ability to communicate really zero? That damned cat demon ruined him. Next time I’m in the world of the living, I’ll make her pay!” Far away, in a small shop in the living world, a black cat sneezed and scratched its face with a hind leg, puzzled.

“Here’s your tea. So, did you finish talking?” Shuster placed a tray between the two and spoke.

“Yes. That settles it. Shuster, you’ll stay with her today. Tonight, bring her to the Kuchiki estate,” Byakuya said after a sip of tea.

“Mm.” Rukia, face flushed, nodded softly.

“Uh, why do I have to stay behind?” Shuster protested.

Byakuya offered no answer, turning and leaving without another word.

“Well, I should’ve known. Asking him anything is always a mistake. Let me introduce myself again—my name is Shuster Kuchiki, 224 years old, vice-captain of the Sixth Division of the Seireitei. Pleased to meet you, Rukia, my new little sister!” Shuster was still a bit annoyed, but seeing Byakuya gone, he turned back to Rukia with a cheerful smile.

“Uh… My name is Rukia Kuchiki, I’m 149 years old. Please take care of me.” Rukia blushed at Shuster’s sunny smile, bowed, and replied.

“Well then… Headmaster!” Shuster called out.

“Yes, Second Young Master?” The headmaster appeared after a few moments.

“From today, Rukia is part of our family. Please look after her. Also, I’ll be attending classes with her today. Please make the arrangements,” Shuster said, standing.

“Of course, Second Young Master. Miss Kuchiki, please follow me.” The headmaster bowed deeply.

“Thank you very much!” Rukia added.

Shuster responded with a brief smile, saying nothing more. For commoners, assisting the nobility was an honor. After 224 years of noble life, Shuster had gradually grown accustomed to it, moving from dislike to acceptance. You can’t change their way of thinking; no matter what, they treat you with the same respect. Even if you dislike it, you get used to it in the end.

Following the headmaster to Rukia’s classroom, they saw the headmaster whisper a few words to the teacher, then nod toward the door.

“Go on in,” Shuster told the distracted Rukia. He understood—after all, someone from the Rukongai suddenly becoming the legitimate child of the most powerful noble family would naturally be a bit lost, like a beggar suddenly made a millionaire.

“Ahem, everyone, my name is Shuster Kuchiki, vice-captain of the Sixth Division of the Seireitei. I’m here today to accompany Rukia in class,” Shuster announced from the podium after Rukia took her seat.

“Wow, a noble!”

“So handsome!”

“Accompanying Rukia in class?”

Such exclamations filled the classroom.

“Ahem.” The headmaster’s cough restored order.

“One announcement: Rukia has been formally adopted by the Kuchiki family. From today, she is Rukia Kuchiki. Everyone, please applaud.” Once the class was quiet, the headmaster continued.

Chaos erupted anew…

“All right, Second Young Master, you can sit behind Rukia,” the headmaster said.

“I’ll just sit in the corner. I’m not really here for class,” Shuster said, seating himself in the classroom’s corner.

The headmaster had no choice but to leave.

The day passed quickly. After school, Shuster brought Rukia to the gates of the Kuchiki estate.

PS: Apologies for the oversight—the chapter wasn’t uploaded previously. Consider this compensation: three chapters today.