At the same time, in a mansion in Karakura Town.
A young girl and a middle-aged woman were sitting at the dining table, having dinner.
"How is school, Masaki?" The black-haired, stern-looking middle-aged woman asked.
"Huh? Asking me?" The beautiful, orange-haired girl said with a dazed expression.
Then, the orange-haired girl swallowed the steak in her mouth and said with a laugh, "Uh, right! I go to school energetically every day! Auntie!"
The black-haired woman frowned. "I'm not asking about you. I'm asking about the school's situation."
The orange-haired girl said, "The school's... recently, I found the cabbage and side dishes at the school cafeteria can be refilled for free—"
"Enough!!" The black-haired woman interrupted. "Then, how about 'Sacred Training'?"
The orange-haired girl lowered her head somewhat shyly. "Ah, 'Sacred Training'... it's okay... barely getting by..."
"Barely getting by?!!!" The middle-aged woman roared.
"Yes, yes, I'm!!" The orange-haired girl nodded repeatedly in apology.
But the black-haired woman wouldn't let it go. "Do you understand your position?! With family gone, no siblings, as the sole remaining bloodline of the Kurosaki Family, you were raised by Quincy relatives!!"
The beautiful orange-haired girl was Kurosaki Masaki, Isshin's future wife, the mother of the protagonist, Kurosaki Ichigo.
Masaki lost her relatives young and moved into the Ishida Family, who is also Quincy and close to the Kurosaki Family, living a dependent life.
The black-haired middle-aged woman was the current mistress of the Ishida family, Ishida Izumi.
Although Izumi scolded her harshly, Masaki still forced a smile. "Yes, I know the steak is delicious... ahaha..."
Seeing Masaki play dumb, Izumi grew angrier. "You—"
"Mother!" A voice suddenly interrupted Ishida Izumi.
A young man with silver hair and glasses pushed the door open and entered. "Please stop, Mother. Even outside can hear."
The young man entering was the Ishida Family's young master, Ishida Ryuken, father of Bleach's supporting character, Ishida Uryu.
Well, he's also Masaki's fiancé.
In fact, Isshin was the third party, stealing Masaki away from Ryuken.
Of course, Masaki didn't love Ryuken. The engagement was due to her dependent situation and for Quincy development.
Seeing Ryuken intervene, Izumi stopped scolding Masaki and said to him, "I'm returning to my room. As for your meal, I'll have someone prepare it. After eating, have Katagiri clean up."
"What about Father?" Ryuken asked.
"The Fifth Training Ground. Even I want to know when he'll come back," Izumi said in a low voice.
With that, Izumi left.
After Izumi left, Ryuken said hesitantly, "Masaki..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Masaki asked, puzzled.
Ryuken said apologetically, "Sorry..."
"Please forgive Mother. She just vents her loneliness on you," Ryuken pleaded.
But Masaki smiled foolishly. "What are you saying, Ryuken! Forgive or whatever, I'm not angry!"
"Besides, this isn't something you need to worry about, right?" Masaki added.
"I'm full! I'm heading back to my room!" With that, Masaki turned to leave.
"Ah, Masaki..." Ryuken wanted to say more but didn't know how.
Masaki looked back. "Today's baked shrimp was delicious, you know. If you can't finish, Ryuken, I can help eat it, no problem!"
Then, Masaki waved. "That's it then—!!"
With that, Masaki left.
Ryuken watched Masaki leave, a hint of admiration in his eyes. Although the engagement was arranged by his parents without consulting him or Masaki, Ryuken genuinely loved her.
Just then, a woman in a maid outfit pushed a food cart in.
"Young Master, the meal is ready. May I set the table?" The maid asked.
Hearing the maid, Ryuken snapped back to reality. "Mm, please, Katagiri."
The maid was the Ishida Family's maid, also Ryuken's future wife, Katagiri Kanae.
Hmm, after fiancée Masaki was taken by Isshin, Ryuken married Kanae.
"Katagiri," Ryuken suddenly said.
Kanae, arranging the meal, quickly responded. "Yes! What does Young Master need?"
Ryuken said hesitantly, "Does Masaki know... Mother took her into the Ishida Family and arranged our engagement to protect the pure bloodline of the Quincy Ishida Family, not because of good relations with the Kurosaki Family?"
"Did Madam say that?" Kanae asked.
"Do you think not saying it means she won't realize? She's not that slow," Ryuken said in a low voice.
"Would someone like her truly feel joy marrying me?" Ryuken murmured, as if talking to himself or confiding in Kanae.
Although Ryuken loved Masaki and wanted to be with her, he hoped she'd be with him out of love, not to repay the Ishida Family's kindness or for Quincy pure bloodline.
Hearing this, Kanae couldn't help but look sorrowful.
Kanae had always loved Ryuken in her heart, but Ryuken loved Masaki.
Forcing a smile, Kanae said, "Young Master believes joy is necessary in a Quincy marriage. That's truly gentle."
"Young Master's gentleness is enough to bring joy to Miss Masaki..."
"What nonsense. Where am I gentle?" Ryuken denied.
"I just want Masaki to be happy. It's just that without happiness, one can't face the future."
"Not 'my' future, but 'the Quincy's' future."
Although Ryuken denied it, his words were full of love for Masaki.
Hearing this, Kanae felt heartbroken. A teardrop slid from her eye.