Half a year later— Soul Society, outskirts of the Thirteenth Division's training grounds.
BOOM!
A short-haired Shinigami was sent flying, his body skidding across the ground as dust clouded the air. Just as he tried to stagger to his feet—
ZUKI!
A blade was at his throat.
Standing before him, calm and composed, was Amamiya Miyako, his Asauchi steady in hand.
"Thanks for the match, Murakami-san. I appreciate the lesson." Miyako gave a polite smile, though his eyes were sharp.
The defeated Fifth Seat, Murakami, forced a bitter grin. "Yare yare… I got completely wiped out."
Whispers spread quickly among the gathered onlookers.
"Did you see that? He beat Murakami-san—he's a Fifth Seat!"
"He's only been with the Thirteenth Division for half a year, and he's already this strong…"
"Didn't they say his Reiryoku was at a fifth-grade level when he entered the Academy? No wonder…"
"He reminds me of Shiba Kaien-fukutaichou back in the day. Early graduation, lightning-fast advancement..."
"Maybe the Thirteenth will finally have a proper Vice-Captain again!"
Those murmurs pricked at Rukia Kuchiki's heart like small blades. For the past six months, she'd sparred with Miyako countless times. She had felt his growth firsthand. But to see him defeat a seated officer already…
'Ugh… I really got overtaken by this kouhai… and he's such a cheeky one too,' she thought, trying not to sigh aloud.
Suddenly, gentle clapping broke the chatter.
"Well done, Amamiya-san," Ukitake Jūshirō praised, his smile warm as always. "Your talent is truly remarkable."
"You honor me, taichou. I still have much to learn," Miyako replied, bowing respectfully as he sheathed his blade.
Then, straightening up, he asked without hesitation, "Captain Ukitake, may I ask… will I have a chance to be stationed in the Human World soon?"
Ukitake smiled kindly. "Ah, you haven't forgotten your goal. Good. The last group assigned to the World of the Living is due to return shortly. I, along with my two acting fukutaichou, am currently reviewing candidates for deployment. With your performance today… you'll certainly be considered."
Miyako grinned. "Thank you, taichou. I'll keep pushing forward. After all, I did say I'd become a Vice-Captain one day."
Rukia flinched slightly at the mention of "Vice-Captain." Her thoughts drifted again.
The crowd eventually began to disperse. Miyako lingered, and as Rukia turned to leave, he called out to her.
"Rukia-senpai, matte."
She paused, forcing a smile over her disappointment.
"What is it, Amamiya-kun? Oh right… I forgot to congratulate you. From now on, should I call you 'Fifth Seat Amamiya'?"
Miyako sighed. "Rukia-senpai, you're overthinking things again."
Amamiya Miyako was feeling a bit frustrated.
"Rukia-senpai… You fought me to a draw, and I've already defeated a Fifth Seat. That means you definitely have the strength to beat a Fifth Seat too."
"So what?" Rukia gave a wry smile. "Over the past six months, it's not like I haven't asked Captain Ukitake to let me challenge a seated officer… but he turns me down every time. One by one. It feels like Captain Ukitake still doesn't acknowledge how far I've come."
"Rukia-senpai… can you tell me what your life was like before you joined the Thirteenth Division?" Miyako asked, hesitating slightly before speaking. "If it's okay with you…"
"My life before the Thirteenth?" Rukia repeated, a little surprised. "I can, but… it's not a particularly happy story, you know."
"I still want to hear it," Miyako said, looking directly into her eyes. His voice was quiet, but firm.
Rukia looked at him for a moment. Then she sighed softly, as if releasing a long-held breath, and began to speak.
"My full name… is Kuchiki Rukia. That's right—Kuchiki, one of the Four Great Noble Families of Soul Society."
"But before that… I was just Rukia. A poor girl from Inuzuri District. When I entered Shin'ō Academy, I didn't have much talent with a sword. All my childhood friends were accepted into advanced classes, but I wasn't. I guess I just wasn't good enough back then."
She looked down for a moment, her voice softer now.
"Not long after I enrolled, I was adopted by Kuchiki Byakuya-sama—the current Captain of the Sixth Division. He made me his younger sister. At the time, I didn't understand what that meant. All I knew was that, after that, my old friends started keeping their distance."
"I once asked him why… why he chose me. But he never gave me an answer. Even now, I still don't understand his reasons."
Rukia paused. The weight in her voice made Miyako stay silent, letting her continue at her own pace.
"Because I became a noble, I didn't take the final exam at Shin'ō Academy. I didn't even go through the Thirteenth Division's entrance trial. I just… got assigned here."
Miyako listened intently, nodding to himself.
'So that's it...' he thought. 'It's not just talent or strength. It's the way she was brought in, the unspoken expectations, and the silence from Kuchiki-taichō that's been holding her back. No wonder she questions herself.'
And then, of course, there was Shiba Kaien.
That man's death had left a scar in Rukia's heart, one that time alone hadn't healed. She blamed herself. She lost confidence. But maybe…
Maybe this problem could be solved more easily than she thought.
Without saying a word, Miyako stepped forward and took Rukia's hand.
"Eh? Miyako-kun?" Rukia blinked, startled. "W-What are you doing?"
"Let's go," Miyako said with quiet determination. "Let's go talk to Captain Ukitake. I have a theory, and I need him to confirm it."
"Miyako-kun, don't! That's rude—there's no need to speak up for me! I… I'm sure the Captain just thinks I'm not strong enough…"
"Yare yare… you're wrong, Rukia-senpai." Miyako didn't even look back, pulling her along firmly. "This has nothing to do with your strength."
.....
Meanwhile, in the Captain's Office of the Thirteenth Division, Ukitake-taichō was discussing upcoming deployment rotations to the Human World with Kiyone-chan and Sentarō-san.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Captain Ukitake, it's me—Amamiya Miyako."
"Oh? Miyako-kun? Please come in," Ukitake said kindly, though he was a little curious. He had already given Miyako his assignment just yesterday.
As the door opened, the sight that greeted him made his eyes widen slightly.
Miyako stood there with Rukia, holding her hand.
"Oh my… Miyako-kun? And Rukia? What's going on here?" Ukitake asked, puzzled.
Kiyone and Sentarō exchanged glances, both looking equally confused.
"Please excuse us, Captain!" Rukia bowed quickly. "Miyako-kun might seem a bit brash, but he—"
"I'm going to stop you right there, Rukia-senpai." Miyako raised his hand. "Captain Ukitake, I have a question."
Ukitake gave him a soft look. "Go on, Miyako-kun."
"I heard that Rukia-senpai has been trying to challenge seated officers, but you've been turning her down. Is that true?"
Rukia froze. 'He was trying to stand up for me after all…'
Ukitake smiled faintly. "That's true, yes. But I'm afraid I can't explain the reason."
"I thought so," Miyako said, shaking his head. "But that's not what I really want to ask."
"Hmm?"
"What I want to know is this—are those decisions based on your judgment… or are they someone else's orders?"
At those words, the air in the room shifted.
Ukitake's expression changed slightly, and Rukia looked up, clearly startled by the question.
"Miyako-kun… why would you ask something like that?" Ukitake said, voice suddenly more serious.
Rukia stared at Miyako, confused. "W-What do you mean by that?"
"I mean exactly what I said," Miyako replied. "This isn't about your skills, Rukia-senpai. Someone's holding you back—but I don't think it's the Captain."