Dong, dong, dong.
Suzuki Makoto opened the door to see Byakuya Kuchiki carrying a large bag, and Rukia Kuchiki, who was laden with bags big and small.
"Are you guys... moving?"
"No. Rukia mentioned she is not accustomed to living at the Kuchiki manor, so I brought her here to the 4th Division. There haven't been any major battles recently, so there should be plenty of living space here. Apart from my own place, this is the only place I can feel at ease about."
Behind him, Rukia stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. She really couldn't get used to living in that kind of place. Even lying on a hospital bed for a night would be better than that Great Noble residence, which looked populated but lacked a single trace of human warmth.
"Alright, leave it to me. Have you eaten, Rukia?"
"Eaten, we've eaten. I'm truly sorry, Lord Suzuki, to have to trouble you."
Suzuki Makoto took the bundle from Byakuya Kuchiki's hand and found it wasn't particularly heavy—probably just some clothes and the like.
"Then I will leave her in your care, Suzuki-kun. If there is anything she needs, just send someone to pass a message to the Kuchiki household."
Byakuya Kuchiki gave Rukia a few final instructions, nagging like a brother to a sister. One could see that Rukia was a bit unaccustomed to this level of concern, but she was still trying hard to accept this care.
Once this Captain had left, Suzuki Makoto poured a cup of tea for Rukia.
"Rest for a while first. Later, I'll take you to find the 3rd Seat, Miss Isane Kotetsu. You can stay with her. She has already complained several times about why her Captain hasn't been staying with her recently, saying she's a bit scared sleeping alone at night."
"Oh, oh, okay."
"How are things getting along with Captain Kuchiki?"
"It's alright, I guess. Aside from his personality being a bit cold and aloof, I didn't feel that arrogant air that most Nobles have. Though, perhaps that's because of my sister?"
Rukia didn't hold much prejudice against Byakuya Kuchiki. This wasn't entirely because he was her brother-in-law, but because she could feel that genuine care coming from him. Obviously, he truly wanted to treat her as his own sister.
"Actually, before your sister passed away, he was quite cheerful, and his personality was somewhat high-spirited. It's just that your sister's death was a huge blow to him, so he became like this. Otherwise, how could he have met your sister in Rukongai and married her back into the Seireitei?"
"That's true. It's really impossible to imagine such a cold-faced person appearing in Rukongai, eh."
Rukia held her teacup, trying to imagine a "high-spirited and lively" Byakuya Kuchiki, only to find she couldn't imagine it at all.
"By the way, Lord Suzuki, did my sister and brother-in-law... have any children?"
Suzuki Makoto shook his head.
"I see."
The young girl sighed. Having seen only the photo of the two of them in that room earlier, she had already guessed as much, so she hadn't asked Byakuya Kuchiki to his face. She hadn't expected it to be true.
"It's getting late, and you've been running around with us all day. I'll take you over to Miss Isane's place. Rest early. Captain Kuchiki will come to pick you up again tomorrow morning."
"Eh? He still won't give up?"
"If he gave up, he would have directly asked me to call someone from Rukongai to take you away."
Suzuki Makoto picked up the large and small bags, preparing to take Rukia to Isane Kotetsu's side.
"Lord Suzuki, do you wish for me to stay? If I stay, can I be of help to you?"
The young girl asked cautiously. She hadn't been very interested in Byakuya Kuchiki's various promises before, but when he said she could live at Suzuki Makoto's place, her heart had moved. That was why she had brought the things her sister left her and moved here.
"Don't use honorifics with me, Rukia. I told you, whether you want to stay or not depends on your own will. As for me, I stay here only hoping that the Yellow Turbans' tomorrow will be better."
"Yes, I understand, Lord Suzuki!"
Rukia nodded firmly; she had made up her mind.
Over the next few days, Byakuya Kuchiki came to pick Rukia up every day and then sent her back in the evening. Obviously, he hadn't given up on letting her stay in the Seireitei. However, Rukia's attitude was also very firm; she didn't want to stay and wanted to return to Rukongai.
"Then I must trouble Suzuki-kun to look after Rukia for me."
Byakuya Kuchiki sat opposite Suzuki Makoto, bowing his head.
"Rest assured, I will say hello to Jeanne. If you want to visit her, you can come find me anytime, and I will help arrange it."
"Then I offer my many thanks. If Suzuki-kun has any need in the future, I will definitely aid you with all my strength."
Byakuya Kuchiki didn't say the "Kuchiki family," but "I," indicating that he drew a clear line on this matter. However, this promise was already rare enough.
Once the other party left, another person appeared at the table, picking up the teapot very naturally and pouring himself a cup of tea.
"The matters concerning the Kuchiki family these past few days have already caused other Nobles to start making difficulties for them. The pressure on Captain Kuchiki is actually quite great, though he is obviously prepared to shoulder it all alone."
"Did the Tsunayashiro family reach out too?"
"Of course. How would those pawns dare to make difficulties for one of the Four Great Noble Houses? There must be someone supporting them behind the scenes."
Aizen analyzed the situation leisurely.
"Now that the Shihoin family has closed its doors, the Shiba family continues to decline, and the Kuchiki family is already lacking successors due to the Koga Kuchiki incident, the prestige of the Tsunayashiro family among the Nobles is naturally rising day by day—plus they have already roped in the Captain of the 3rd Division. Such a smooth situation will naturally make them gradually start to disregard other families."
"Oh, is it actually going that smoothly? Isn't Gin Ichimaru moving over to their side a bit too fast?"
"The Nobles are actually quite satisfied with this. After all, in their eyes, the Gotei 13 is nothing more than a watchdog. Facing their recruitment, one should naturally be this diligent."
The disintegration and division within the Nobles were also quietly proceeding. Suzuki Makoto utilizing Rukia's matter to push Byakuya Kuchiki to the forefront of the storm was also part of this plan.
If one uses swords to solve the Nobles, then one must use swords to maintain such order forever. But if the mountain in people's hearts collapses, then there will never be Nobles again in the future.
"That is true. After all, these people have stayed in the Seireitei for too long, so long that any turmoil from the outside world seems only temporary to them. Only the Nobles are eternal."
Suzuki Makoto hadn't forgotten the petty actions Tokinada Tsunayashiro had sent people to do before. Before officially falling out, he didn't mind dealing the other party a few ruthless blows.
"Captain Kuchiki seems to have a favorable impression of you now. However, this will actually make the Nobles even more dissatisfied with him later. I hope this young Head of the Family can hold up."
"I believe he will have no problem. After all, Koga Kuchiki hasn't been released yet. When that time comes, that will be the time when the Kuchiki family truly has to face the storm, right?"
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