She and Ichigo both shared a close friend.
However, during middle school, they had no direct contact, only knowing and understanding each other through Arisawa Tatsuki.
To call them familiar strangers wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Until today, she had always thought of it that way.
"...Alright, that's not surprising. After all, with what happened, it's understandable that you wouldn't be able to pay attention to others. I can comprehend that feeling."
Feeling the subtle gazes from Shimiya Takeru and the other two, Ichigo's face reddened slightly, and he decided to skip this topic.
"Regardless, you're still an acquaintance. If that guy forces you to do anything dangerous, I won't stand by and do nothing."
"Hey! What do you take me for?!"
Orihime, while holding back the fuming Rukia, hurriedly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Miss Kuchiki didn't force me to do anything unwillingly. She even gave me her power to save me."
"?!"
"What!"
"Oh ho!"
[...]
Orihime's confession brought a considerable shock to everyone.
If there was anyone who could remain calm in this situation, it was only Shimiya Takeru, who had already guessed the truth.
"No... this... that...!"
Realizing she had let something slip, Orihime panicked for a moment.
Rukia, seeing her distress, reluctantly interrupted, "Forget it. You're not good at lying anyway. Let me explain the situation. I was already mentally prepared on the way here."
She then quickly recounted the events.
Shimiya Takeru felt like she had prepared a draft in her mind beforehand, revising it countless times, just waiting to report it during an interrogation.
There was no intention of defending herself.
She stated the facts from a completely objective perspective.
The more she did so, the more the gravity in her words could be felt.
Clearly, even she didn't have high hopes for her own outcome.
The 'mental preparation' she spoke of on the way here.
It was likely for the judgment she would face later.
Not for the current confession.
So, even though she gained everyone's understanding, Rukia showed no sign of happiness.
"Shimiya, is transferring Shinigami powers to someone else really that serious?"
Seeing her solemn expression, Ichigo felt very uncomfortable.
One could even say he was indignant.
She saved someone, fulfilled her duty as a Shinigami, yet she was to be held accountable.
It was utterly ironic.
"According to spiritual law, it's a serious crime."
Shimiya Takeru glanced at Ichigo, his tone profound.
"The reason is that everyone's spiritual power is unique. Casually transferring Shinigami power is equivalent to transferring one's identity, involving fundamental moral issues, similar to the negative impacts of cloning technology in the Human World, and the hidden dangers to politics and class existence... In my opinion, that last point is the key factor in why it's considered a serious crime."
"What's the usual outcome?"
"Hard to say, but most likely not death."
Not death.
This outcome brought Ichigo no comfort.
Instead, he grew even more indignant, his expression becoming particularly grave.
"...Is that so? Then is there anything we can do?"
"Idiot, don't be foolish... As long as you don't report me to the Soul Society, I'll be grateful. Besides that, don't do anything unnecessary; just pretend you never met me."
Before Shimiya Takeru could answer, Rukia spoke first.
"Huh? What kind of tone is that! Didn't you come here to seek help!"
"What are you talking about! I saw an abnormal spiritual pressure gathering here and thought something had happened again, so I dragged Inoue over. I did consider that people from the Soul Society might come, but I was confident I could hide it, as long as Inoue wasn't discovered."
"But didn't she come running right up to us!"
"...Who told you to gather together and then suppress your spiritual pressure, making me unable to pinpoint your exact location, which is why I ran into you!"
"So, if you're so careless, don't try to be strong. You haven't done anything wrong. What's so shameful about honestly asking your comrades for help when you encounter difficulties!"
"Comrade? Are you referring to you, who haven't even graduated from the Spirit Arts Academy? If you ask me, that black-haired kid is more reliable than you."
"Ugh... I can't deny that, but you've fallen so low, what do you have to be so arrogant about!"
"..."
Watching the two of them argue as if no one else was present, their faces red with contention, Shimiya Takeru, Hachihara, and Rindo Yu consciously distanced themselves to avoid being splattered with spit.
Conveniently, there was an open space nearby, with several concrete pipes stacked together serving as seats.
Hachihara even lay down on the highest one, looking completely burnt out.
Rindo Yu, meanwhile, squatted on the ground, studying an anthill.
"Come and rest for a bit."
Shimiya Takeru waved to the bewildered Orihime.
"They..."
"That's also a way to relax."
Convinced by this reason, Orihime hesitantly walked over and sat down next to him.
"Isn't that sword inconvenient to carry around?"
"Huh? Not really, because I can do this."
Saying that, Orihime released her Shinigami state.
Her Shinigami attire and Zanpakuto transformed into particles of light, coalescing into a six-petal hairpin that rested quietly in her hair, a delicate embellishment amidst its warm color.
Shimiya Takeru saw this and couldn't help but think of Ginjō Kūgo.
"Being a Substitute Shinigami must be tough, especially tonight."
"..."
Orihime nodded silently.
But there was no trace of dissatisfaction on her face; her gentle gaze was directed at Rukia not far away.
"Although it's tough, I would have died long ago without it."
"Kucihki mentioned you almost died at the hands of your own brother?"
"Yes."
Shimiya Takeru's words were blunt, but Orihime wasn't angry, as she had long since come to terms with it.
"After my brother died, I made new friends, the girl Kurosaki-kun knows. We became very close, so close that my brother mistakenly thought I had forgotten him, which is why he got angry."
"I don't blame him. I was wrong. I should have told him that I didn't want him to worry, but thankfully, I finally did. My brother can now rest peacefully in the Soul Society, no longer controlled by the Hollow's instincts."
"Miss Kuchiki not only saved me but also resolved the misunderstanding between my brother and me, bringing salvation to both of us. She is my great benefactor, and I feel like no matter what I do, I can't repay this kindness."
"So I will fight. Even though I'm scared and it's tough, I must protect Miss Kuchiki, who has lost her powers now."
Shimiya Takeru, along with Hachihara and Rindo Yu, listened quietly to her heartfelt words, flowing like water.
"Speaking of which... I still don't know everyone's names?"
Orihime realized belatedly.
"My name is Shimiya Takeru. That one over there is Rindo Yu. The one on top is Hachihara Kumao. As for Brother Kurosaki... no need for introductions. We are all Classmates and classmates from the Spirit Arts Academy."
Shimiya Takeru gave a brief introduction.
"I see, no wonder everyone seems to get along so well."
Orihime, enlightened, couldn't help but feel a little envious of their small group.
"It's alright. Hachihara is a social butterfly, and Rindo is in the same living group, so it's hard not to get along. As for Brother Kurosaki, no need to mention him; he and I were both killed by the same car."
Shimiya Takeru leaned back, adjusting to a more comfortable position and fully relaxing.
Because his eyes were closed, he didn't notice Orihime's surprised expression.
"Shimiya-kun also died in a car accident."
"Ah... strictly speaking, I dragged him into it, causing him to suffer an undeserved misfortune. So, whenever something good happens, I always think of him. I even shared extra-curricular guidance with him before."
"Is... that so."
Shimiya Takeru's confident reply made Orihime think of herself, completely oblivious to the strange expressions on Hachihara and Rindo's faces.
A car accident, too.
Also involving others, feeling guilty.
The difference was that she didn't die.
If she had gone out with her brother and died in a car accident back then, everyone would be able to meet in the Soul Society now, right?
"Ah~ ah~ Look what I've found."
Suddenly, a sarcastic voice, suppressing emotion, rang out.
Shimiya Takeru slowly opened his eyes and looked at the roof of the detached house directly opposite.
Two figures stood there.
"Suddenly appearing... who are you?"
Ichigo stopped arguing, his brows furrowed.
"It's quite something for a Spirit Arts Academy student not to recognize the important figures in the division they'll join in the future. Let me give you a lesson while I'm at it. I am Abarai Renji, Lieutenant of the Sixth Division of the Gotei 13. As for who is with me, I won't say, because... someone here definitely recognizes him."
Abarai Renji's stern gaze was fixed on Rukia.
"Am I right, Rukia?"
"..."
Rukia's body trembled, unable to stop, not only from the spiritual pressure's deterrence but also, more so, from the fear of the silent man beside Renji.
"Brother... Brother Byakuya!"
Dressed in black, draped in a white haori, adorned with exquisite and elegant ornaments, he looked less like a Captain of the Sixth Division of the Gotei 13 and more like a cold, aloof nobleman.
The spiritual pressure emanating from him made the atmosphere exceptionally heavy, pressing down on everyone's shoulders as if filled with lead.
Not to mention Rukia and Orihime, even Hachihara and Rindo Yu's expressions changed.
Their breathing grew heavy, and cold sweat dripped.
This oppressive feeling was both familiar and strange to them.
The Intermediate Menos Grande they had collectively fought a while ago also had spiritual pressure comparable to a Captain's, but it was clearly a step below this person.
Only Shimiya Takeru, Ichigo, and Abarai Renji among those present could remain calm.
"Rukia, you've become weaker."
Kuchiki Byakuya stated the fact in a calm tone.
That wasn't all. Ignoring Rukia's stiff posture, as if she had fallen into an ice cave, his gaze landed on the face of the only human present—Inoue Orihime.
"An hour ago, the Onmitsukidō sent intelligence from the screening room, saying they found you acting with a human suspected of possessing Shinigami power. Now, seeing you in a Gigai, so weak that your spiritual pressure is barely perceptible, I have nothing more to ask."