To Abarai Renji, even though he and Rukia had lived together in District 78 of Rukongai for many years, she had always been soone he didn't dare reach out to so easily.
He still rembered the first ti he t her—small and delicate in stature, yet speaking with the tone of a tomboy. Her resolute gaze made him feel she was unlike any other.
Rukia was different. She stood up for others when they were bullied, even if the bully looked stronger than her. She shared her konpeitō candy with others when she could've kept it for herself. Renji himself had never done that—not before her.
In Inuzuri, everyone knew how precious food was, especially for those who had spiritual power.
No matter what she did, Rukia always carried a natural grace. Renji had never t a real noble before, but in his eyes, no noble could possibly surpass Rukia.
And now... Rukia had really beco a noble. One of the top.
She had beco sothing—soone—utterly out of reach.
And he... he was still the sa.
Just how much harder did he need to work, how far did he need to go, before he could catch up to her again?
Renji hated himself for being like this. He understood everything. He longed for her more than anyone—but he lacked the courage to speak his truth.
"Renji."
That familiar voice dropped into his heart like a stone into a deep pond, rippling through every layer of his chest.
"Yo, Rukia."
He greeted her like usual, with his casual grin.
That was how he always was with her—never showing too much, never letting on. He kept it light, even joked with her, so it would seem like they were just good friends. So it wouldn't seem like he was still that sa, scruffy kid from Inuzuri.
"So, I heard you're planning to apply for the Eleventh Division after graduation?" Rukia asked softly.
"Uh... yeah." Renji blinked, caught off guard, then nodded.
Rukia's violet eyes shone clear and sincere. She smiled. "That's great. I think it'll really suit you."
Renji hesitated for a second, then burst into laughter. "Damn, Rukia, you've got good taste!"
"But why didn't you ever ntion it to before?" she asked.
Renji shrugged. "We're only First Years. Graduation's still a long way off. Didn't think it mattered to say anything yet."
"Fair enough." Rukia looked at him seriously. "Back when I was lost, you supported —joining the Student Council, entering the Kuchiki Clan... both decisions changed my life. I hope I can support you in return."
Renji's chest clenched. So many emotions rose at once.
"...Thanks, Rukia."
But just as she was about to say more, Renji pointed at her and laughed loudly. "You dork! You really thought I was gonna cry? Who are you and what have you done with Rukia? What's with the sappy talk? Gave goosebumps all over!"
Rukia flushed and kicked him in the shin. "Idiot, Renji!"
He dodged with ease, smug grin on his face. "Doesn't matter where I go—I'll shine no matter what!"
Rukia stord off in a huff, Renji still cracking jokes behind her. When she turned back midway, she caught him making a ridiculous face at her.
Idiot! Hopeless!
Once she disappeared around the corner of the classroom, Renji's expression faded into sothing more somber.
He glanced around, then called out. "Kira!"
Izuru Kira turned around. "Student Council stuff. I won't be training with you today."
Renji frowned. "What's there to be so busy about?"
Kira seed to rember sothing. "Actually, I was going to tell you—President Tachikawa submitted a request to the Academy. They're starting up student clubs. Want to join one?"
"Clubs? What kind of thing is that?"
"It's a group of students with the sa interests. For example, a Kendo Club—anyone from any year who's interested in swordsmanship can join, train together, grow together. There'll also be a Kido Club, a Shunpo Club..."
Kendo Club?
Renji's eyes lit up instantly. He was about to say yes, but paused. "So anyone who likes swordsmanship can join?"
"Yeah, it's voluntary."
"Will your president be joining?"
Kira laughed. "Of course not."
Renji deflated a bit, then muttered, "Fine, I'll join."
He'd always wanted another chance to spar with the Student Council President—but hadn't had the opportunity yet.
Kira added, "We're still in the early stages. The Academy only just approved it. We'll be going around to classes to promote and recruit mbers."
"Sounds like a lot of work," Renji muttered.
From what Kira said, this whole idea had co from Tachikawa Shin again. That guy had too many sches. But what was he getting out of all this?
Renji didn't get it. And what baffled him more—how was soone who seed busy all the ti so insanely strong?
I want to fight him again... badly.
Maybe I should ask Rukia to talk to him for . She's his assistant, right? He'd probably listen to her...
Elsewhere—
Rukia was also helping promote the new student clubs. Each Student Council mber had been assigned a partner. She'd ended up with Kaniyuki Kaizawa.
And that was how she witnessed sothing... remarkable.
The mont Kaizawa stepped onto a classroom platform, the rowdy students below instantly went silent.
Rukia was amazed. Kaizawa's aura of authority was no joke.
It was true—Kaizawa was an upperclassman, and also head of the Student Council's Disciplinary Committee. She'd disciplined countless students for breaking Academy rules. Combined with her ironclad sense of justice and zero tolerance for nonsense, Kaizawa wielded more intimidation than most of the faculty.
So even during break ti, when she entered a room, students snapped to attention.
Outside the latest classroom, Kaizawa marked off a few nas on her clipboard, murmuring as if to herself, "Everyone's pretty cooperative."
Rukia couldn't hold back a smile.
Kaizawa glanced over. "What's funny?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all!"
Kaizawa didn't press further. She studied the list, clearly satisfied.
Everything was going smoothly. That would make him happy.
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