At night, sitting by the bonfire, Byakuya Kuchiki ate the boxed meal handed to him with his usual expression.
Although the workers at the logging camp were all strong and able-bodied, they possessed no talent for spiritual power; drinking water was sufficient for them. Therefore, he usually only ate with Suzuki Makoto after returning to the Seireitei each night. Dinner had been prepared today only because these students had come.
Rukia kept stealing glances at her noble brother-in-law while she ate. Seeing that he showed not the slightest hint of disdain and finished his meal bite by bite, she felt somewhat surprised in her heart.
"How is the taste?"
"The flavor is somewhat heavy. Do not eat this kind of food often."
"At the school cafeteria, the taste is a bit lighter than this."
"Mn, that is good."
After pausing for a moment, Rukia could not quite hold back her curiosity.
"Do you eat meals like this inside the Seireitei as well?"
"The meals of the Gotei 13 are similar to this."
"I see. I just thought that a great noble like you would eat something more luxurious."
"If you wish to understand the Seireitei, you can—"
"Stop. I don't want to become a noble."
Rukia placed her lunchbox on her lap, crossing her hands over her chopsticks.
"My meaning was, if you wish to understand the Seireitei, you can write letters to me. I can pick you up to stay for a few days, whenever you like."
These words surprised the young girl somewhat. Before this, her unexpected brother-in-law would hardly speak three sentences without mentioning letting her enter the Kuchiki family, saying it was her sister's dying wish and so on. She hadn't expected him to stop saying that now.
"I thought you still wanted me to take the Kuchiki surname."
"That was due to my somewhat narrow understanding of Hisana's words before. I felt that if I didn't let you enter the Kuchiki family, I couldn't take better care of you, nor give you a better life."
Byakuya Kuchiki set down his empty lunchbox and looked at Rukia.
"But now, seeing the way you and your classmates work, and your lively figure, I think that perhaps life outside the Seireitei is what truly makes you happy—Hisana would likely have preferred for you to live the life you like."
There was a touch of loneliness in the depths of his eyes. Hisana and her sister Rukia were actually the same kind of people; they were both free birds. If locked in a cage, they would gradually wither and die. If he had been able to see through this point earlier back then, and hadn't brought Hisana back to the Seireitei, perhaps she wouldn't have...
"Thank you, Brother-in-law."
The young girl smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. It was truly great that Byakuya Kuchiki could think this way. After all, he was currently her only living relative. Him abandoning that idea made her very happy.
The atmosphere of their chat was clearly much more harmonious than when they were in the Seireitei before. Byakuya Kuchiki also spoke of some of Hisana's past, and Rukia listened very seriously; after all, she truly didn't have many memories of her own sister.
The night grew deep. Suzuki Makoto, having waited for a long time, finally saw Byakuya Kuchiki appear.
"Good chat?"
"Mn."
Byakuya Kuchiki nodded, then bowed to Suzuki Makoto.
"Many thanks."
"Eh? Thank me for what?"
"Rukia is living very well."
"I didn't give her any special care."
"No, this is enough."
To be able to live on peacefully like this, without getting involved in any messy affairs—this was the best life for Rukia.
By the time the two returned to the Seireitei, Shunsui Kyoraku was already waiting at the city gate.
Seeing him appear, Byakuya Kuchiki frowned very obviously, clearly feeling very dissatisfied with the appearance of this 8th Division Captain.
"It was my private affairs that delayed the time; it has nothing to do with Vice-Captain Suzuki."
Before Suzuki Makoto could speak, he stepped forward and spoke, his tone icy.
Shunsui Kyoraku still wore that helpless, bitter smile on his face.
"Thank you for your understanding, Captain Kuchiki."
At least this was an explanation. Moreover, since Suzuki Makoto and Byakuya Kuchiki had returned, he could give an account to either side.
"In the future, we may not necessarily return on time. Captain Kyoraku may report this truthfully to Central 46. If they have any objections to this, the Kuchiki family can accept inquiries at the Gold Ring Noble Assembly."
As the head of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya Kuchiki naturally knew exactly who was secretly staring at Suzuki Makoto from the shadows. Although the Tsunayashiro family was ostensibly the head of the nobles, the Kuchiki family held not a shred of fear toward them.
Shunsui Kyoraku nodded in silence. Under his lowered bamboo hat was a somewhat astonished gaze.
He hadn't expected that even the Kuchiki family would start actively sheltering Suzuki Makoto so quickly. For Byakuya Kuchiki to say such words... if one were to take it seriously, it could even be seen as an open conflict between the Kuchiki family and the Tsunayashiro family.
This man... is he truly sincere, or is he unfathomably deep?
"I take my leave then, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kyoraku."
Suzuki Makoto acted as if he hadn't noticed anything. After bidding farewell to the two captains, he headed toward the 4th Division barracks. Byakuya Kuchiki did not intend to stay any longer either; he turned and prepared to leave as well.
"Captain Kuchiki, please wait."
"Is there something else, Captain Kyoraku?"
"I will slightly embellish the report I submit. As for the words you just said, it would be best not to say them again."
"What? Does the head of the Kuchiki family need to look at the Tsunayashiro family's expression to do anything?"
"No, that is not the case. I am just worried this will become a fuse for something blown out of proportion."
Shunsui Kyoraku was somewhat helpless. As the Captain of the Intelligence Division, he naturally drew the guard and wariness of others, though he found some bitter amusement in it.
"Ever since the appearance of the Yellow Turbans, the Tsunayashiro family's activity level has been quite high. They seem to have intentions of consolidating the nobles within the Seireitei, which has also sparked dissatisfaction among quite a few families. However, since the Tsunayashiro family's power is deeply rooted, they haven't dared to openly sing a different tune.
"But if the Kuchiki family clearly reveals an intention to confront the Tsunayashiro family, then these people will definitely gather swiftly around you, crowding you as their leader to confront the Tsunayashiro family—in that case, the situation could very likely proceed to a point that neither side can control."
Shunsui Kyoraku's voice sounded somewhat servile.
"The Yellow Turban Rebellion has only just dissipated; the Seireitei absolutely cannot afford for such internal strife to appear again. Although the Gotei 13 does not interfere in the internal affairs of the nobles, the Captain-Commander certainly does not wish to see endless tearing and confrontation among the nobles."
Byakuya Kuchiki fell silent for a moment, then nodded, tacitly accepting Shunsui Kyoraku's request.
"Many thanks for your understanding, Captain Kuchiki."
The Seireitei Weightlifting Champion had another day of patching things up.
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