"Captain Ukitake," Amamiya Miyako said calmly, eyes steady, "if I'm not mistaken... the main reason Rukia-senpai can't challenge other seated officers isn't really because of you, is it?"
His words caused the room to fall completely silent. All eyes shifted to Ukitake, who blinked with slight surprise. Even Rukia's expression tightened. Had Miyako truly hit the mark?
Ukitake's gentle face revealed a trace of hesitation. "May I ask... why you think so?"
Miyako gave a light nod. "Just now, Rukia-senpai told me a bit about her background before she joined the Thirteenth Division. It's true that she didn't stand out much during her time at the Shin'ō Academy."
He paused and looked directly at Rukia. "But over the past six months, she and I have sparred many times. I've seen firsthand how strong her will is—how hard she pushes herself. Her growth as a Shinigami… it's undeniable."
"She may not be a seated officer right now, but her skill easily surpasses that of most in the Gotei 13. To keep someone like her stuck in place... well, it just feels wrong. And you, Captain Ukitake, don't strike me as the kind of superior who would hold someone back without reason."
The others looked on in quiet awe. His tone was respectful, but his insight pierced deeply.
"I can only assume," Miyako continued, "that the issue lies elsewhere."
Rukia turned toward her Captain, her eyes filled with a flickering hope. Was it true? Was there more to this?
Ukitake closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and turned to Rukia with a faint smile.
"Rukia… as your Captain, I'll say it clearly. You've grown into a fine Shinigami. As Miyako-kun said, your ability is more than enough for an upper-seated position. That's my honest assessment."
"Then why, Captain Ukitake?" Rukia's voice shook slightly. "Why have you stopped me from challenging the seated officers all this time?"
Ukitake sighed lightly. "To be truthful… when you first joined the division, Captain Kuchiki—your brother—approached me. He asked that I not promote you too quickly. He felt you needed time... to mature and grow at your own pace."
Miyako narrowed his eyes. 'So it really was Kuchiki-taichō behind it…'
Ukitake continued, his voice soft. "At the time, I agreed. I thought it would benefit you to take things slowly. But looking back, perhaps keeping you at a lower seat for so long had the opposite effect."
Rukia's breath hitched. "Nii-sama…"
"It wasn't a punishment or doubt in your strength. I just... didn't reconsider things soon enough, especially after Kaien's death. You became distant… closed off."
A pause hung in the air like mist on a rainy day.
"But now," Ukitake said with a smile, "I believe in your strength. I've made up my mind. From today, I will no longer restrict you from challenging others. That's my decision as your Captain."
Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Captain…"
Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki whispered among themselves nearby.
"Huh? Her brother made that kind of request? Must be a noble thing…"
"Yare yare… the ways of the nobles, huh?" Sentarō muttered.
Rukia stood there, her mind spinning. 'So... Nii-sama really was the one who—?'
Miyako, standing beside her, folded his arms and spoke gently. "Rukia-senpai, you don't need to figure everything out today. You'll understand in time. But at least now, the weight on your shoulders should be lighter."
He turned toward Ukitake and gave a formal bow. "Captain, thank you for telling us the truth."
Ukitake smiled wryly. "You're very perceptive, Miyako-kun. You've caught me off guard. I suppose I do have some reflecting to do as well."
He chuckled softly. "But that's part of being a Captain, isn't it?"
"Well then," Miyako said, turning toward the door. "We'll take our leave."
He glanced at Rukia, still frozen in thought. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her hand. "Let's go, Rukia-senpai."
"Eh?! H-Hey, wait—!" she exclaimed, snapping out of her daze as he pulled her out of the Captain's office.
Once they were outside, Miyako turned and gave her a cheeky grin.
"Congratulations, Lower Seat Rukia."
"Ha? What are you saying all of a sudden?" Rukia blinked, confused.
"You've regained your right to challenge other seated officers, haven't you? That means you "You've regained your right to challenge the seated officers. You've finally shaken off the invisible chains," Miyako said, folding his arms with an almost teasing grin. "That means you now have a shot at catching up to me. That's worth celebrating, right?"
Rukia narrowed her eyes. "Oi... don't get ahead of yourself."
"Tch… You really have some nerve, you know that?" Rukia huffed, clearly unimpressed. "You're acting all high and mighty just because you beat the Fifth Seat. And now you're calling yourself 'senpai'?"
"But it's true, isn't it?" Miyako raised an eyebrow. "I am in a higher seat than you. It's only natural for juniors to call their seniors 'senpai,' ne?"
"But before that—" Miyako leaned in teasingly, "—you should call me senpai."
"Hah?!"
"Well, I am a higher seat than you. It's only fair, right, Rukia-chan?" he said with a mischievous wink.
"Don't call me that!"
"Yare yare… I should've just left you back there in the Captain's office," Rukia muttered, but there was no real venom in her tone.
Miyako's expression softened a little. "But seriously, Rukia. You do realize how huge this is, right? Captain Ukitake is one of the most senior Captains in the Gotei 13. He's seen generations of Shinigami come and go."
"Of course I know that," Rukia replied. "Captain Ukitake and… my brother, both of them are incredibly strong."
"That's not what I meant," Miyako shook his head. "What I'm saying is—someone like Captain Ukitake recognizing your talent? That's no small thing. You've got strength. You've got resolve. Even if Captain Kuchiki—your brother—had his reasons, that recognition proves that you're ready."
"Whatever's going on in Captain Kuchiki's mind, I can't say. But now it's your turn to show him. Show everyone that his worries were unnecessary," Miyako added. "Captain Ukitake was right—you are an excellent Shinigami."
Rukia fell silent.
Her gaze dropped as countless memories surged within her—being taken into the Kuchiki family… leaving behind her childhood in Rukongai… Kaien-dono's smile… his death… her own blade piercing him.
All those burdens she'd carried for so long weighed heavily on her chest.
And yet, something had changed.
The fog in her heart… was finally starting to lift.
Captain Ukitake's encouragement.
Kaien-dono's final words.
Miyako's support and steady presence.
These things became light in her darkness.
"…You're right," she finally said.
Lifting her head, Rukia looked straight at Miyako.
Her lips curled ever so slightly—not a smirk, not sarcasm—but a true smile. Calm and soft. A gentle spring breeze after a long winter.
"Arigatou, Miyako-kun."
Miyako stared, momentarily stunned.
He had seen Rukia fight fiercely, frown deeply, stand tall even under pressure… but this? This was the first time he had ever seen such a serene, radiant expression on her face.
There was strength in her eyes. Not just from duty or vengeance—but something purer. Hope.
He quickly looked away, flustered, brushing his hair back with a cough. "A-Ahem… well then, good luck, kouhai. Don't fall too far behind your senpai now."
"Senpai, huh…" Rukia chuckled lightly. "We'll see how long that lasts."
The hallway echoed with the sound of their footsteps and quiet laughter.
For the first time in what felt like years, Rukia Kuchiki smiled—not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
And to Miyako Amamiya, that alone made all the difference.