Chapter 37: Rukia Kuchiki
Renji's reaction was somewhat unexpected by Rukia.
Or rather, it wasn't what she wanted to see.
Renji clapped a hand on Rukia's shoulder, still looking happy for her as he continued, "If you go to the Kuchiki Family, you'll be a great noble! If you become an adopted child there, you'll have endless glory and wealth! What kind of food do nobles eat? I can't even imagine it, Rukia, you really make people envious and jealous, hahaha..."
"..."
He seemed not to notice that Rukia's expression was off, or perhaps he had noticed long ago but knew what choice would be better for Rukia.
They were both orphans, never having a stable life in Rukongai, and only saw change after coming to the Spiritual Arts Academy. Now, what lay before Rukia was an opportunity to have a family!
He was indeed a bit envious; this was not false.
In Renji's heart, Rukia was a person with a strong inner self, yet at the same time, she had some low self-esteem. This was very contradictory, perhaps stemming from their origins.
"Rukia, don't you... don't you think this is a good thing?" Renji asked, seeing that Rukia still had no strong reaction, and reined in his smile slightly.
Rukia reached out and grasped Renji's wrist, gently pulling his hand away.
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"Ah, it is indeed a good thing. The President also said so..." she murmured softly.
"Rukia..."
Rukia showed a complex smile on her face and said, "Thank you, Renji."
Thank him for what?
For suggesting she become an adopted child in the Kuchiki Family?
Rukia's sudden thanks made Renji inexplicably flustered, but this kind of thing made it impossible for him to ask further.
Had he overlooked something again?
What was Rukia truly thinking deep down...?
Evening.
Rukia went to the Student Council office but couldn't find Shin. After asking Hisagi Shuuhei, she went to the Swordplay Classroom.
Using the classroom outside of class hours required an application, but the Student Council had special privileges.
Rukia pushed open the classroom door and saw that in the empty classroom, there was only one figure sitting cross-legged in the center.
A visible barrier of spiritual particles surrounded him, making Shin appear somewhat blurry to Rukia when she looked at him.
Motionless.
Everything seemed to be still in Shin's location, except for the drifting spiritual particles.
The President is cultivating...
Rukia gently closed the door and then stood quietly to the side, silently watching Shin.
She couldn't quite tell what kind of cultivation the President was doing, but his completely immersed appearance made her not dare to disturb him.
The President was also very diligent in his daily life; besides handling Student Council work, he cultivated.
Rukia watched quietly like this when suddenly a voice sounded.
"Did you come for something?"
The scene in her vision seemed to suddenly shatter. Shin, who had been sitting there cultivating, inexplicably stood up.
Rukia felt that she hadn't zoned out, but the image still created this sense of disorientation.
She was momentarily dazed, then quickly said, "I'm sorry, President, did I disturb you?"
Shin walked towards her, casually holding an Asauchi in his hand. Rukia felt that the President was still overflowing with spiritual pressure that hadn't dispersed, which was completely different from what she had felt just now, as if the scene she had just witnessed was an illusion.
Shin chuckled lightly, "Yes, you did disturb me."
Upon hearing this, Rukia bowed even more quickly in apology, "I'm sorry, President! I..."
Shin was a bit helpless. After walking up to her, he reached out and vigorously ruffled Rukia's hair.
"You, you're just too serious about many things. I'm joking with you. When will you be able to joke with me too?"
Rukia covered her ruffled hair, pursing her lips as she looked at Shin.
"President... I've made my decision."
Shin raised an eyebrow, "Is it about the Kuchiki Family?"
"Mm..."
Rukia nodded, a slight sparkle in her eyes, and slowly said, "I've decided... to accept."
Shin immediately chuckled, "That's very good, but I didn't expect you to come to terms with it so quickly. In the future, you will be Rukia Kuchiki."
Rukia was not quite used to such a title and said awkwardly, "President can just call me Rukia."
She hadn't expected the President to be so calm and casual about her decision. Not to mention a reaction like Renji's, Rukia had expected the President to either be delighted or say with a serious face, "As long as you've thought it through."
Rukia felt a strange sense of loneliness, yet also a wave of relief.
She should also be as calm as the President.
Rukia Kuchiki...
She clenched her hands, her heart filled with both melancholy and nervousness.
Shin was actually still a little surprised about Rukia's matter.
He remembered that originally, after Rukia was adopted by the Kuchiki Family, she was directly arranged to graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy and join Squad Thirteen. However, when people from the Kuchiki Family came last time, they said that Rukia could continue to study at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Was this because certain things were influenced by him?
But it wasn't a major influence. He twirled the Asauchi in his hand and said to Rukia, "I happen to have some free time left. Let me guide you in your cultivation."
Rukia was startled upon hearing this, then instantly became pleasantly surprised, "Can I, President?"
"Go to the next room and get an Asauchi."
"Yes!"
Rukia immediately cast aside all kinds of complicated thoughts and jogged to the sword storage room.
It wasn't easy to receive guidance from the President. In all the time they had known each other, Rukia had only been guided by Shin a few times in total.
Three days later.
The people from the Kuchiki Family arrived as scheduled.
However, this time, the one leading was the old man from before; Kuchiki Byakuya had not come.
"Miss Rukia, I hope to receive your kind response."
Inside the Student Council office, Rukia stood nervously beside Shin.
"I've already thought it over," she said, clenching her hands.
"I accept."
The old man's face immediately broke into a smile upon hearing this. Besides that, there was no surprise or astonishment. As expected, no one could refuse an invitation from the Kuchiki Family, right?
He probably never considered that Rukia might refuse; giving her time was just to let her prepare.
"That's excellent, Miss Rukia. Please return to the clan with us today. Young Master Byakuya and the family head are waiting for you. I will request a month's leave for you from the school."
"A month, that long?" Rukia was a bit surprised. "Didn't you say I could continue studying here?"
"That's correct. Your adoption into the Kuchiki Family requires a formal ceremony. This month is for you to adapt to life in the Kuchiki Family. You don't need to worry about falling behind in your Spiritual Arts Academy courses; in the future, the clan will arrange a dedicated after-school tutor for you. Additionally, you will no longer live in the Spiritual Arts Academy dorms; someone will specially pick you up and drop you off for school every day."
Rukia felt that things were too complicated. She thought of herself, someone from Rukongai, who would definitely be out of place with such a noble family. She estimated that she would be taught many things during this month.
She was very intelligent and could see many things.
For example, the true attitude beneath the old man's smile.
"President..."
Shin gently patted Rukia's shoulder, signaling her to relax.
"Go with peace of mind."
The old man merely glanced at Shin's action, his face betraying no emotion.