“Ah!”
Renji and his companion cried out in shock at Rukia’s sudden appearance, then asked with faces full of wonder:
“Rukia, how did you get over here so suddenly?
From that far away?” Renji said, spreading his arms to gesture at the distance.
“That has to be over a hundred meters, yet I didn’t see how you moved at all!”
Perhaps to prevent Rukia from noticing his odd behavior, he reverted to that boisterous, hot-blooded boy in an instant, as if all his previous signs of hesitation were just an illusion.
“This is Shunpo.
Don’t you know it?
Right, you haven’t reached the level for upperclassmen subjects yet,” Rukia answered simply.
Of course, she hadn’t forgotten her purpose; Renji’s clumsy acting couldn’t fool her.
“Speaking of which, you’ve been getting a bit arrogant lately, haven’t you?
Even avoiding your big sister.
Is it really that hard to see you?
You don’t reply to my letters, and I have to stake out this place just to find you.”
“Come on, tell me what’s actually been going on.
You can fool others, but you can’t fool me!” Seeing Renji constantly avoiding her, Rukia suspected he had become a shut-in.
Renji pursed his lips and said nothing, making the atmosphere awkward.
It was Kira on the side who couldn’t stand it anymore and answered for him:
“Sigh, let me explain.
I only know the gist of it, of course; for the specifics, you’ll have to ask Renji.” After saying this, Kira glanced at Renji and continued:
“This guy is actually just overthinking things.
He keeps obsessing over the fact that you’re now a noble and whether your relationship can stay the same.
Now, the more he thinks, the more he feels his status is too far below yours, and he can’t snap out of it.”
“I thought it was something serious, but it’s just this?
Don’t worry, no matter what we become in the future, I will always be your big sister, someone you can rely on.
If you have any difficulties, I’ll help you solve them, so just relax!” Rukia patted Renji’s shoulder to comfort him.
Although she didn’t know where Renji’s ideas came from, the most important thing now was to help him out of this dead end.
Rukia continued:
“Besides, I wasn’t born a noble.
Like you, I’m from the Rukongai.
There’s no big difference in our origins.
Don’t think I’ve changed just because I’m a noble now.
Fundamentally, I’m the same as before.
Alright, don’t overthink it.”
Hearing this, Renji finally stepped out of his mental loop.
“Izuru, you’re right.
It seems I really was overthinking.
Even though Rukia is a noble now, our friendship hasn’t changed.
If even Rukia doesn’t care, why should I keep dwelling on it?”
“Exactly.
This is the Renji I know.
This guy finally doesn’t have to go to the woods to sigh alone anymore,” Kira Izuru joked.
“Hey, why did you have to say that out loud!” Renji’s face turned red when he heard Kira mention his embarrassing secret, though it was unclear if it was from anger or shame.
Rukia smiled as she saw Renji regain his usual vitality.
This smile left the bickering Renji and Kira dazed.
Rukia’s appearance was already top-tier, and this smile enhanced it even further.
Seeing Renji was no longer stuck in his head, Rukia spoke of the purpose of her visit:
“By the way, I won’t be coming to the Academy to study anymore, but don’t think I’ll fall behind.
You can ask me about any issues regarding the four arts of Zankensoki, and I can even teach you things you can’t learn yet.
Of course, you must complete your Academy coursework first.”
Seeing Rukia wanted to help him and Kira, Renji agreed without a second thought.
He had absolute confidence in Rukia’s strength, and he also had some questions about Kido he wanted to ask.
“My name is Kira Izuru.
Kuchiki-san, do you have any time right now?
Renji and I were just about to get something to eat.
Would you like to join us?” Kira said hurriedly, seeing Renji’s expression of wanting to rush into practice immediately.
Neither of them had eaten yet.
If Renji dove into training now, there was no telling when he’d come out.
“Of course.
It just so happens that I’ll treat you this time, so don’t be polite.
As Renji’s good friend, you are my friend.
Also, just call me Rukia.”
Since they were eating together, they might as well eat well.
The three were about to head to a nearby restaurant when a group of people suddenly blocked their path.
The leader wore the uniform of a sixth-year student of the Spiritual Arts Academy and looked arrogant.
The other four followed closely half a step behind him.
Rukia frowned as they were blocked.
Being stopped for no reason never put anyone in a good mood.
She asked in a displeased tone:
“May I ask if you have some business?
Why are you blocking us?
If there’s nothing, please move aside and don’t interfere with us going to eat.”
“That’s a coincidence.
We’re also going to eat.
I wonder if the lady would do me the honor of having dinner with me?” the leading sixth-year said.
“Sorry, I’m not interested.
If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going now.” Rukia refused decisively.
Was he joking?
Trying to hit on her?
No way!
After saying that, she pulled Renji and Kira along, trying to move around them quickly.
“Hey, give me some face.
It’s just a meal, nothing major,” the sixth-year said, stepping ahead to block the three again.
At this time, one of the sixth-year’s lackeys chimed in: “Exactly, it’s just a meal.
Our boss has invited you so sincerely, so just agree.
Not to mention our boss is from the High Noble Kasumioji family, second only to the Four Great Noble Houses.”
That member of the Kasumioji family raised his head in coordination, waiting arrogantly for Rukia’s answer.
Usually, when people heard he was a noble, they would agree to whatever he asked, and he would just have to act like he was reluctantly accepting.
“The Kasumioji family?” Rukia had heard of this family.
It was said they were the only family that had managed swords for the Royal Family since ancient times, though she didn’t know if it was true.
“That’s right.
I am a high-ranking noble.
You only need to agree to what I say, no need to consider anything else.
So, are you coming to eat with me now?”
“Still not interested.
I’m not going.”
“Right, just agree…
Huh?
Wait, you refused?” The noble’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
He never expected to be rejected this time, making him lose face in front of so many people.
In his exasperation, he tore off his disguise: “You’re coming today whether you like it or not.
It’s not up to you.
Go!
Take her away!” With a wave of his hand, he sent his lackeys charging forward.
“Rukia, look out!” Seeing the other side about to use force, Renji and Kira immediately shielded Rukia behind them and began to fight.
However, having only entered the Academy for a month, they were no match for these sixth-years and were soon beaten to the ground.
The noble leader and his four lackeys surrounded Rukia.
“Hmph, I advise you to come with us quietly.
That way, you can suffer less physical pain.”
“Sigh.” With a soft sigh, Rukia seemed somewhat helpless.
She didn’t want to look for trouble, but these people insisted on coming to her.
“Renji, Izuru, watch closely.
Today will be my first lesson for you.” Rukia spoke softly:
“Bakudo #1: Sai!”
Immediately, the hands of the five surrounding people were forced behind their backs, and they fell to the ground, unable to move.
“This Bakudo will last for two hours and will release itself when the time is up.
I’m in a hurry to eat today and don’t have time to mess around with you.
I’ll leave you here to reflect on your actions.”
Ignoring the curses of the five men, the three of them headed to a nearby restaurant together.