“Huh?” Rukia looked completely bewildered.
“Is it not possible that the operators simply made a mistake?
That it’s a pure coincidence?
Is your entire family just plagued by delusions of persecution?”
“…Are you an idiot?” Ichigo looked at Rukia as if she were a fool.
“There aren’t that many coincidences in this world.
At the end of the day, the fact that you were assigned to Karakura Town was likely orchestrated.”
“…?”
“My old man briefed me on the Soul Society’s nobility system once,” Ichigo said calmly.
“The Kuchiki family is one of the Great Noble Houses at the very top of the hierarchy.
As a member of that house, your status is incredibly sensitive.
If something is discovered, or if something goes wrong, it’s a completely different story than it would be for an ordinary Shinigami.”
“That…”
“Besides, Karakura Town is a Spirit-Dense Land.
While most Shinigami aren’t aware of that, certain people pulling the strings from the shadows know exactly who resides here.”
“…You have some nerve yelling at your father for not explaining clearly.” Rukia narrowed her eyes.
If the gap in their strength hadn’t been so vast, she would have slapped him across the face.
“You’re terrible at explaining things too.”
“It’s not that I’m explaining it poorly; it’s that I don’t actually know the details,” Ichigo shrugged.
“I just know there’s a mastermind behind it all.
Everything regarding my dad’s presence in the living world and some of the things involving my mother were the work of this person.
The adults know, but for some reason, they refuse to tell me.”
“I see…” Rukia shifted her gaze to the two adults.
“Do you two know anything about this so-called mastermind?
Is there any evidence?”
“Don’t bother, Kuchiki girl.”
“If we had evidence, why would we be content to live in exile in the human world?” Isshin shook his head.
“Don’t think about investigating it, either.
If it were something you could just uncover on your own, that guy would have died a thousand times over by now.”
“I suppose that’s true…”
Rukia didn’t entirely believe the Kurosaki family, but she didn’t entirely doubt them either.
She was no naive girl; although these people showed no hostility, they were all highly suspicious—from the father who was once a Shinigami, to the teenage boy with the power to transform into one, and even the gentle patriarch of the house.
After all, how could a Shinigami and a normal human possibly unite?
“Well, that’s enough for today.” Isshin checked the time and realized it was already late.
“The children have school tomorrow; you should all get some rest.”
“Okay—!”
The two daughters responded and stood up.
After giving Rukia a few more looks, as if observing a rare animal, they headed back to their rooms together.
“Then, I shall take my leave.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Rukia stood and bowed.
Everything that had happened today was strange; she needed time to organize her thoughts.
“Alright, goodbye, Miss Kuchiki.”
The two adults nodded warmly to Rukia.
At this point, they had no desire for excessive contact with the Shinigami; they simply wanted to enjoy their own quiet lives.
If it weren’t for certain matters that threatened their daily existence, they would have continued living as ordinary people forever.
“If you ever need anything, feel free to come to me for help, Kuchiki…
Rukia.”
***
“This is a transfer student, Rukia Kuchiki.” In the classroom, the homeroom teacher stood at the podium, introducing her.
“Student Kuchiki has come to Karakura Town due to her parents’ work.
I hope you all get along well.”
“Yes, sir—!”
The students responded enthusiastically.
The girl on the podium was poised and graceful, a bright smile on her face.
She was exceptionally beautiful; although her figure was somewhat slight, for some, that was a definite plus.
“What is going on…”
Staring blankly at Rukia on the stage, Ichigo paused for a moment before placing his hand on his forehead and letting out a speechless sigh.
“Ichigo, Ichigo!” whispered his brown-haired friend beside him, Keigo Asano.
“What’s this?
Have you fallen for the new transfer student?”
“Oh boy!
What kind of taste do you have?
Is our Orihime not good enough?
This kind of small—pffft!”
Without mercy, an elbow strike landed with lightning speed in Keigo Asano’s stomach.
Ichigo’s movement was so fast that even the teacher, who had a full view of the room, didn’t notice.
“Shut up,” Ichigo rolled his eyes.
“Don’t talk nonsense, Keigo.
I just happened to meet her yesterday.”
“Ugh—” Groaning in pain while clutching his stomach, Keigo Asano still gave Ichigo a thumbs-up.
“So you already hooked up with her yesterday?
You really move fast…
Wait, wait!
I’ll stop talking!”
He knew the freak in front of him knew exactly how much force to use—there would be no external bruising or serious injury, but every hit felt like a stabbing pain in the heart.
“Is it…
something about that side?” In the seat in front of them, his black-haired, cute-looking friend, Mizuiro Kojima, asked softly.
“Is it about the Soul World?”
“…”
Both of the rowdy boys fell silent.
Ichigo’s lip twitched.
“Mizuiro, how did you guess that?”
“…You’re quite the observer.” Ichigo didn’t hide it.
“She’s a…
person?
From the Soul World?
I don’t know how to describe it, but don’t let her young looks fool you.
In reality, she’s an old lady who’s lived for who knows how long…”
*Swish—*
A piece of white chalk flew through the air.
Ichigo jerked his head to dodge it just as the teacher’s roar echoed through the room.
“You in the back!!
Don’t overdo it!
Class is starting!!” With one shout, the teacher restored order, then turned back and said softly, “Student Kuchiki, you can sit behind Student Kurosaki…
the one with the orange hair.
He may look like a delinquent, but his grades are actually quite decent.”
“Yes, teacher,” Rukia replied with a charming smile.
“I look forward to getting to know you, Kurosaki-kun.”
“…Right, Student Ru-ki-a!”
*Ringgg—*
The bell rang, signaling the end of the morning classes.
Students left the classroom in small groups, some to eat bento, some to buy bread, and others to head to the cafeteria.
“Kurosaki-kun, would you mind showing me around the school?”
Before Ichigo could make a move, a soft voice drifted from behind him.
Turning around, he saw Rukia wearing a picture-perfect smile, staring straight at him.
“You…”
Narrowing his eyes, Ichigo didn’t say anything more; he simply stood up and started walking toward the door.
“Please slow down a bit.”
Rukia followed in his footsteps and walked out.
As they left, one behind the other, many students looked on and whispered among themselves.
A boy with a delinquent aura and a girl who looked like a refined young lady—it was the perfect setup for a romantic story.
“I want you to help me perform my duties as a Shinigami!”