Amamiya Miyako and Rukia stood side by side at the table, working carefully through a pile of spices. Rukia furrowed her brow at the sight of some seeds and powders she didn't even recognize.
"You really don't know these?" Miyako asked with a wry smile.
Rukia crossed her arms stubbornly. "I grew up in the Kuchiki household, not in a kitchen! You're the one who dragged me into this."
"Haaah, yare yare… then I'll teach you step by step," Miyako said, shaking his head. His tone was teasing, but his movements were patient as he showed her how to grind each ingredient, mix the powders, and layer the flavors.
Little by little, the two of them produced something far richer than the crude spice mix Rukia had expected. When Miyako finally held up a small bowl of the completed curry powder, it shimmered with a fragrant blend of colors and aromas.
"That's the real deal," Miyako said proudly.
Rukia leaned closer to sniff. "Amazing… I never knew it could smell like this."
"By the way, Rukia," Miyako asked casually as he set the bowl down, "what kind of flavor does Captain Kuchiki prefer?"
Rukia blinked. "Nii-sama? Hmm… he probably prefers something sweeter. At least, that's what I've always thought. The meals at the Kuchiki estate are almost always on the sweet side. I guess… I was happy about it, since I like sweets too."
Ichigo, leaning against the wall with his usual impatient posture, raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're telling me Byakuya Kuchiki—the guy who acts like he's got an icicle stuck in his chest—likes sweet food? That's hard to believe."
Miyako scratched his chin. "Rukia, are you absolutely sure? The effort we put in matters most, of course, but it would be perfect if it actually matched his tastes."
Rukia faltered, her confidence shrinking. "…Well, I can't be a hundred percent sure. I'm only guessing based on what we usually eat at home."
Miyako turned toward Ichigo. "Ichigo, could I trouble you to ask the Kuchiki household chef directly? Their estate isn't too far from here."
Ichigo smirked, pushing off the wall. "Fine, I was just standing around watching you guys anyway. You want me to confirm what Byakuya likes, right? No problem."
With that, he gave a lazy wave and strode out.
Miyako turned back to Rukia. "Let's keep things moving. We'll prep the ingredients and start cooking them thoroughly."
Rukia nodded. "Ah, right!" She hurriedly picked up the vegetables and meat they'd set aside, tossing them into a massive iron pot she'd found in the storeroom.
Miyako's eyes went wide. "Whoa, Rukia… that pot is huge! What, are you planning to feed the entire Fourth Division with this batch?"
Rukia puffed her cheeks. "Of course not. But besides Nii-sama, I also want to bring some to Captain Ukitake… and you. So it needs to be big enough."
But as soon as she started stirring, her lack of strength became obvious. Her reiatsu still hadn't fully recovered, and with the pot's weight dragging against her, every motion looked like a struggle.
Miyako sighed and stepped behind her, gently catching her wrists. "Your body still isn't back to normal, right? You can't handle heavy work like this. Let me help."
"Eh—?" Rukia stiffened, her cheeks flaring pink as Miyako guided her hands. From behind, it almost looked like he was embracing her. The warmth of his chest at her back, the faint scent of his uniform—it was too much. Her grip began to weaken, her movements slowing until she almost collapsed into him.
"Rukia?" Miyako asked, confusion in his voice. He couldn't see her expression from behind. "What's wrong? Is your reiatsu still too unstable? Are you losing strength again?"
"N-no! It's not like that!" Rukia stammered, flustered. "I-I'm just a little tired, that's all! I'll be fine!" She tightened her hold on the wooden spoon and stirred with renewed vigor, desperate to erase any suspicion.
Miyako tilted his head but didn't press further.
Eventually, the pot bubbled, the food half-cooked and filling the kitchen with a warm fragrance. The two of them leaned back, waiting for Ichigo to return with his report.
"I'm back," Ichigo's voice cut in as he pushed the door open.
Rukia rushed forward. "Ichigo! Did you find out?"
"Of course," Ichigo said confidently, arms folded. "Turns out Byakuya actually prefers spicy food. That's what the family chef told me."
Rukia froze. "Ehh?! Nii-sama likes spicy food?! But then… why are all his meals sweet?"
Ichigo shrugged. "I asked that too. Apparently, Byakuya himself ordered the chef to keep things sweet. His wife liked sweet food, and later… well, he noticed you liked it too. So he kept the tradition going."
"…So that's it," Rukia whispered, her eyes widening. She hadn't known. All those years, behind his cold mask, her brother had quietly made room for her happiness. That thought filled a chasm she'd carried in her heart for so long.
Miyako watched her soften, his own gaze steady.
Rukia clenched her fists with sudden determination. "All right! Then I'll make a spicy curry just for Nii-sama, and deliver it to him personally!"
Miyako shook his head. "Not like this, Rukia. You should make his portion separately."
"Eh? Why separate?" she asked.
"Because if you make this entire pot spicy, everyone else will suffer. Captain Ukitake, for example—he definitely wouldn't be able to handle it. So we'll split the curry: one spicy portion for Captain Kuchiki, and the rest mild for everyone else."
"True… but wait, aren't spicy foods bad for patients in general?"Ichigo added, frowning. "In the Human World, stimulating flavors are usually discouraged."
"Ah, right, your family runs a clinic," Miyako muttered. "Guess you'd think about stuff like that."
Rukia blinked. "Patients? Stimulating flavors? Is that really a rule? The Fourth Division never said anything like that."
Miyako shrugged, laughing awkwardly. "Well, the souls of Shinigami are amazing, aren't they?"
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh… yeah. Guess the rules are different here."
With that settled, the three got busy.
...
The three of them busied themselves in the kitchen, and before long, they had managed to make an entire pot of curry—complete with Kuchiki Byakuya's special "exclusive" spicy curry.
"How is it?" Rukia leaned forward eagerly, watching Ichigo taste the dish with expectation in her eyes.
Ichigo chewed, swallowed, then grinned. "Delicious! It's better than any curry I've ever had back in the Human World!"
"Really? Then try this one—the spicy version!"
Without hesitation, Ichigo scooped some onto his plate and shoved it into his mouth. A moment later, his face contorted.
"So spicy! Water! Water!" he cried, stumbling around the kitchen frantically until he found a jug and gulped down several mouthfuls, his eyes watering.
From the side, Amamiya Miyako chuckled, arms folded casually. "Heh. I told you, Ichigo… at your level, that kind of spice is gonna wreck you."
Rukia blinked at Ichigo with innocent curiosity. "So… how is it? What's your impression?"
"Honestly? It tastes good… but the spiciness is insane!" Ichigo said with a bitter face, still fanning his tongue.
"It's fine," Miyako smirked mischievously, "Captain Kuchiki should like it."
Rukia dared to try it herself. The regular curry was indeed flavorful, but one spoonful of the spicy curry sent her coughing uncontrollably. Miyako quickly handed her a glass of water, amused.
"Big Brother… will he really like something this spicy?" Rukia asked doubtfully, wiping her mouth.
"Don't worry. The Kuchiki family's own chef confirmed it, so it should be fine. C'mon, let's deliver it to Captain Kuchiki already." Miyako's tone was eager, almost gleeful at the thought of Byakuya's reaction.
"…Alright, I understand. I'll take it to Big Brother. But…" Rukia glanced at the large pot of curry. "Didn't we make too much? Even if Captain Ukitake shares some, there'll still be leftovers."
"If you don't mind, I'll handle that," Ichigo volunteered casually. "I'll give some to Chad, and maybe to Ikkaku-san and even Kenpachi-taichō from the Eleventh Division."
"The Eleventh? Since when are you so close to them, Ichigo?" Rukia frowned.
"Oi, don't ask so much," Miyako cut in with a grin. "Friendships between men happen fast. Just let him go."
"I know, I know. Don't push me already," Rukia said helplessly, lifting the tray.
Meanwhile, in the Fourth Division's hospital, Byakuya Kuchiki was recovering. His injuries had improved, and though still weak, he could now sit upright by himself. He gazed quietly out the window, deep in thought, his usual stoic composure unshaken.
Just then, voices drifted through the door.
"What glowing dish? Don't say nonsense, Miyako!" Rukia's exasperated voice carried in.
"Oi, Rukia, trust me!" Miyako insisted. "If you cover the curry, then at the exact moment you open it, fire a Hadō #20: Shōtenkyū at the plate—it'll look divine and taste even better!"
"Idiot! Stop saying such ridiculous things!" Rukia snapped, sliding open the door and stomping inside.
"Rukia? Miyako?" Byakuya raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at the sight of the two.
"Good evening, Captain Kuchiki," Miyako greeted cheerfully, far too casual. "We've brought you dinner!"
"Dinner? Doesn't the Fourth Division handle that already…?" Byakuya began, confused.
"This one's different," Miyako explained. "It's a new dish Rukia learned in the Human World. She made it herself, and she wanted you to try it personally." He gave her a little nudge. "Go on, Rukia. Don't get shy now."
Flustered, Rukia stepped forward with the tray and bowed slightly. "Big Brother… please, enjoy."
Byakuya glanced at the plate, then at Rukia's expectant expression. Without hesitation, he took it, scooped a spoonful, and placed it in his mouth.
Miyako leaned forward, watching intently, ready to see Byakuya recoil from the unbearable spice.
But instead, Byakuya chewed calmly, swallowed, and placed the spoon down with no change in expression.
"This dish…" he said softly, "I like it very much."
Then, to Rukia's shock, Byakuya's lips curved into a faint smile—a rare sight that stunned the room.
It wasn't just because Rukia had cooked it. The spicy flavor genuinely suited his hidden taste, and it warmed something deep within him.
"That's wonderful…" Rukia let out a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing.
"Rukia," Byakuya said gently.
"Yes, Big Brother!" she answered quickly, standing straighter.
"How did you know I prefer spicy food?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. Before tasting it, he had assumed it would be sweet.
Rukia's cheeks flushed. "Ah… well, um… actually, Miyako reminded me, and then Ichigo went and asked the Kuchiki family chef. That's how we found out."
"…I see." Byakuya's eyes softened. That long-hidden preference of his, discovered at last, didn't bother him. Seeing his sister's effort pleased him far more than secrecy ever could.
"Thank you, Rukia," he said quietly.
Her eyes sparkled at those words. "Big Brother…" she whispered, overwhelmed with happiness.
Miyako, meanwhile, gave up on seeing Byakuya's shocked face. Instead, he simply smiled faintly, watching the warm scene between siblings unfold.