"Rukia!"
Amamiya Miyako and Kurosaki Ichigo burst into the Fourth Division's General Relief Station, racing up to the second floor and flinging open the door.
To their surprise, the kitchen wasn't a smoking battlefield. Nothing was burned, nothing had exploded. The two of them exhaled in relief—until they noticed Rukia's eyes.
"Eh? Miyako, Ichigo? What's wrong?" Rukia blinked at them. Her eyes were red and teary.
Miyako and Ichigo exchanged a glance. Both thought the same thing immediately: she must be crying because her cooking turned out so bad.
"Rukia, c'mon, there's no need to cry over this. As long as it's something you made, Captain Kuchiki will eat it," Miyako said gently, stepping closer.
"Yeah, exactly! The thought behind it matters most. Byakuya will feel your sincerity, y'know? Curry's all about the spices anyway. As long as the ingredients are cooked, it'll be fine," Ichigo added, nodding seriously.
"…What are you two even talking about?" Rukia asked, her tone puzzled.
"Don't act tough, Rukia. It's not your fault if your cooking skills aren't great. What matters is your sincerity," Miyako said, voice soft but confident.
"Yeah. Even if you mess up the prep a little, it's no big deal. We'll help you," Ichigo said, trying to be understanding.
At that moment, realization struck Rukia. Her hand tightened around the onion she'd been holding, and her face darkened as a vein popped on her forehead.
"You two…" She lowered her head, shoulders trembling.
Miyako and Ichigo thought she was so moved that she was on the verge of crying again. They even took a step forward to comfort her.
But Rukia suddenly snapped her head up, hurled the onion, and nailed Ichigo squarely in the forehead. The impact was so strong he stumbled backward and hit the floor with a loud thud.
Miyako blinked, finally noticing what she had thrown. So that's why her eyes were red… onions?!
"Wait, Rukia, I can… ex—explain!" Miyako tried to talk fast, hands raised.
Rukia didn't want to hear it. She rushed forward, charging straight at him.
"Rukia, that move won't work on me again—Ughhh!"
Miyako had thought he'd read her fighting style by now. He leaned back, ready for the usual kick. But instead, Rukia drove her head right into his stomach.
"Geh—!" Miyako doubled over and collapsed to the floor.
It was a headbutt…!
"You two idiots! Looking down on my cooking like that?! It's just basic prep work! What do you think I am, some pampered princess?!" Rukia barked furiously.
Ichigo groaned, rubbing the knot forming on his forehead as he pulled himself back up. Miyako was still gasping for air, completely winded.
"Oi, how was I supposed to know you were just cutting onions?! You could've said something before you threw it!" Ichigo complained, wincing. At least the kitchen wasn't blown apart. No explosions, no fire—thank goodness.
"Hmph. Serves you right for underestimating me," Rukia said, turning her head with a huff.
"Actually, Rukia… Ichigo and I weren't entirely wrong," Miyako muttered from the floor, still clutching his stomach.
"What did you just say?!" Rukia snapped, glaring down at him.
Miyako sighed, raising one hand weakly. "Don't you know? If you chop onions under water, they won't sting your eyes."
"Eh?" Rukia and Ichigo said in unison.
Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "Wait… for real?"
Miyako tilted his head back with a helpless sigh. "Yare yare… so neither of you knew."
"It's just an onion! A few tears aren't a big deal. Look, I've already cut up the onions, potatoes, and carrots. Now I just need the spices to arrive!" Rukia said stubbornly, pointing to the chopping board.
Amamiya Miyako took a careful step forward, staring at the strangely shaped potatoes and carrots that Rukia had chopped. He decided it was safer to keep his mouth shut—if he made one wrong comment, she'd probably hit him again.
"Hahahaha, Rukia, you're—" Ichigo started, but the sharp glare Rukia shot him froze him on the spot.
"Miyako," Rukia said sweetly, turning her smile toward him, "do you want to say something too?"
Miyako instantly shook his head, his expression stiff. "N-nope! Nothing at all."
Just then, the second-floor window creaked open, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Oh, you guys are working pretty fast! Looks like I'll be enjoying curry soon."
The group looked up to see Yoruichi Shihōin, lounging casually against the window frame.
"Y-Yoruichi-san?! That fast?!" Ichigo exclaimed, his jaw nearly dropping.
"Heh, of course. I am Yoruichi the Flash! Something like this is nothing." With a smug grin, she dropped a wrapped package down to them. "Here. These are the ingredients Amamiya mentioned. Oh, and when you're done, make sure to send a few portions over to the Second Division."
She gave them a playful wave before disappearing from sight again.
"Finally!" Rukia cheered, practically glowing as she unwrapped the package—only for her joy to vanish the next second.
"Wh-what the heck are all these?!" she cried in disbelief. Inside the bundle were strange powders, dried roots, and aromatic pods—none of which looked like the instant seasoning packets she'd seen in the Human World.
"These…" Miyako stepped forward reverently, picking up one of the spices. "Chili, star anise, pepper, cinnamon… These are the real ingredients needed to make curry. I never thought I'd see them again here in Soul Society."
"Miyako, what's going on?" Rukia asked, confused.
Ichigo stepped in before he could answer. "Ah, when I ran into Yoruichi earlier, Miyako was there. We started talking about curry, and he mentioned how the real version is made with spices like these. That's why Yoruichi brought them."
"I see… so this is all your fault!" Rukia suddenly grabbed Miyako by the collar, shaking him violently. "How do you expect me to make curry with this?! How am I supposed to cook it in time?! You! Tell! Me! Now!"
"Gah—R-Rukia! I will! I promise I'll do it right away!" Miyako sputtered, his head spinning.
At that, she finally released him, though suspicion still lingered in her eyes.
"You can actually cook? I've never heard you mention anything like that before," she said, narrowing her gaze.
"Cough… cough…" Miyako straightened himself out, brushing the dust from his robes. Before he could answer, Ichigo spoke up again.
"Miyako told me earlier—he lived as a human before becoming a soul, so he still remembers a lot from that time. He says he's got experience when it comes to cooking."
"Really now? And you never told me this?" Rukia asked, crossing her arms.
"Well," Miyako said with a wry smile, "Soul Society's culinary arts are centuries behind the Human World. And between missions and duties, I never had much time to cook. That's why it never came up."
Rukia stared down at the spices again, her expression softening into awe. "To think curry could be made with things like this… the Human World really is incredible."
Ichigo shrugged. "Don't look at me. My sisters were the ones who handled cooking at home. I just eat."
"Yare yare, Ichigo… you're really useless sometimes," Miyako said, smirking.
"Oi! Who are you calling useless?!" Ichigo snapped back.
"Stop fooling around," Rukia cut in firmly, puffing her cheeks. "Miyako, hurry up and teach me how to make it! I can't just let you handle everything. This curry is supposed to be for nii-sama, so I have to be the one to cook it."
Miyako looked at her for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. I'll guide you step by step. But you'd better follow my instructions carefully, Rukia-chan. Real curry isn't something you can just whip up without patience."
Rukia clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination. "Fine! I'll master this! Just watch me, Miyako!"
Ichigo groaned, muttering under his breath, "This is gonna be a disaster…"