The girl slowly opened her eyes, and what greeted her was an unfamiliar ceiling.
She stared blankly at the bright chandelier on the wooden board in front of her, her heart filled with confusion and bewilderment.
"So clean."
The girl instinctively exclaimed.
Just then, an unfamiliar voice rang out:
"Are you awake?"
The voice was clear and gentle, as if it could penetrate one's soul, making one feel warm and comfortable.
The girl turned her head to look, but found that the sharp pain from her chest made it difficult for her to even breathe.
"Are you uncomfortable? Let me help you!"
The pleasant voice came again, and a handsome face she had never seen before suddenly appeared before the girl's eyes.
Those were deep and bright eyes, shining like a brilliant star.
The owner of this face looked at the girl with gentle eyes, concern showing in them.
"I think I've seen you before, may I ask who you are…?"
The girl, feeling a little shy under the gaze of those beautiful eyes, asked unconsciously.
"I am the Eleventh Division Captain of the Gotei 13 of the Seireitei, my name is Aozaki Reiji."
The man answered with a smile.
Upon hearing this name, the girl immediately became flustered.
She only had a superficial understanding of the Seireitei, but she knew that a Captain was a prominent figure among Shinigami.
He was a noble existence she had never encountered!
She was so nervous that she didn't know what to do, and could only stammer:
"Ah, so it's a Lord from the Seireitei… I'm sorry, I, I…"
Aozaki Reiji gently shook his head, comforting the girl and saying:
"It's alright, don't be nervous, I just came to see you, Miss Hisana…"
Aozaki Reiji scratched his head, revealing a apologetic smile, and softly said:
"Sorry, I took the liberty of asking for your name."
"How do you feel now? Is there anywhere else on your body that's uncomfortable?"
His gaze was full of concern, carefully observing Hisana's reaction.
The girl took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
She looked at Aozaki Reiji gratefully, forcing out a small smile, and said with a slight tremor in her voice:
"No, I should be the one apologizing to you…"
"Because of me, I've caused you and the Gotei 13 such great trouble, I'm truly sorry."
She gently shook her head, her face showing deep self-reproach.
Hisana hurriedly waved her hand, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes.
"And you saved my life, this is an immense kindness, how could Hisana blame you?"
Her tone was full of sincerity and gratitude.
"This kindness, Hisana will never forget. I should be the one considering how to repay your kindness."
"Repay kindness, huh…"
Aozaki Reiji murmured to himself, falling into contemplation.
"Yes, please do give me this opportunity."
Hisana nodded earnestly.
Aozaki Reiji's eyes flickered, as if he was contemplating something.
After a while, he looked up at Hisana and slowly said:
"It seems there are indeed some things you can help me with…"
As soon as he finished speaking, Hisana immediately said excitedly:
"Please tell me! As long as it is within Hisana's power, Hisana will do it!"
She said with a serious expression.
......
"Civilians from Rukongai…"
Unohana frowned.
It wasn't that she was dissatisfied with the Fourth Division treating those poor and needy people.
It was just that this person was brought back by Aozaki Reiji, which made her anticipate that things were not simple.
After all, Aozaki Reiji himself knew Kaido; if he wanted to save someone, there was no need to bring them back to the Seireitei.
"Don't you think that Miss Hisana and Rukia look very alike?"
Aozaki Reiji hugged her from behind, answering her doubts.
"Are you implying that there's some kind of relationship between the two of them?"
Unohana frowned.
"What do you plan to do next?"
"After she fully recovers, I plan to keep her at home…"
Aozaki Reiji nodded and said.
"It just so happens that the three children at home need looking after, and she wants to repay kindness, so I might as well leave it to her."
"Hmm, you can decide on such matters yourself." Unohana nodded.
......
Seireitei, Noble District, Aozaki Family mansion.
In a certain luxurious room, Hisana and Rukia were sobbing and embracing each other.
Since they would live under the same roof from now on, Aozaki Reiji didn't like to be a riddle-maker, He also conveniently obtained a kinship identification report from Kurotsuchi Mayuri, increasing the credibility of his words.
After finding her younger sister, Hisana also did not hide anything.
She told Rukia the whole truth, including the fact that she had abandoned Rukia.
Rukia, upon learning the truth, naturally harbored some resentment.
But having lived in the Rukongai for so long, she could also understand Hisana's difficulties.
After hearing that Hisana regretted it at the time and had never given up searching for her all these years, Rukia's resentment gradually faded away.
"Do I, a person like this, still have the right to live with Rukia?"
Looking at the empty garden, Hisana sighed deeply.
For her, her younger sister was everything now.
But she had done something wrong to her younger sister and truly didn't know how to face her.
"Sister, I'm here."
Accompanied by a tender voice, Hisana immediately put away her sad expression, avoiding letting her bad mood affect her younger sister.
The paper door was gently pulled open, and a small figure walked into the room.
"I'm sorry, Rukia, I…"
Looking at Rukia, who had taken out a lunch box, Hisana still couldn't help but say instinctively.
"Please don't say such things anymore, Sister."
Rukia knelt before her, arranging the food on the low table.
"I understand everything."
"But…"
Hisana wanted to help, but didn't know whether she should reach out.
"Rukia, you go back first, leave the rest to me."
A large hand was placed on Rukia's small head.
Aozaki Reiji gently rubbed it, smiling as he spoke.
"Yes, Brother Reiji."
Rukia nodded, slowly getting up.
As she walked out the door, she deliberately slowed her pace, seemingly reluctantly looking back at the two of them.
"Ah… I'm sorry, Reiji-sama. When did you arrive?"
Watching Rukia's back disappear, Hisana finally came to her senses and immediately instinctively bowed and said.
Aozaki Reiji quickly reached out to help Hisana up, "I came with Rukia, Miss Hisana only has her younger sister in her eyes, it's truly disheartening."
"Ugh… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Looking at Hisana's anxious face, Aozaki Reiji waved his hand.
"Don't be so formal, I was just joking."
He sat opposite Hisana, and on his own, set out the bowls and chopsticks for Hisana.
"Actually, Rukia has already forgiven you." Aozaki Reiji suddenly said.
"I know that, Rukia is a kind child, but I can't convince myself… In the end, the weak one is me, her older sister."
Hisana closed her eyes and sighed softly.
Aozaki Reiji shook his head, his eyes gently looking at her.
"I've lived with Rukia for a while, so I should understand her pretty well."
"Recently, she keeps saying things like, 'Did I do something wrong?' or similar."
"She's not someone who's good at blaming others, is she?"
Hisana didn't know how to answer, only to hear Aozaki Reiji continue:
"Actually, what that child yearns for the most… isn't an apology or hatred."
"Rather, it's a warm home, and family members by her side."
"I know you can't let go of that matter, so whether it's to repay kindness or to compensate her."
"My advice is, don't do anything foolish, Miss Hisana, self-righteous atonement has no meaning."
"Please don't feel guilty, and don't be in pain, at least not in front of her."
"As her older sister, 'feel at ease' staying by her side."
Aozaki Reiji looked at Hisana and said softly.
Hisana looked up.
Her gaze passed through Aozaki Reiji.
She saw Rukia peeking her small head out from outside the door.
Hisana's eyes couldn't help but moisten slightly.
She gently nodded, seemingly understanding the reason for Aozaki Reiji's visit.
Looking at the man before her, she wondered what she was thinking.
After a long while, Hisana choked out:
"Thank you, Reiji-sama."
Seeing that Hisana understood his meaning, Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly.
He slowly stood up, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, and waved his hand as if nothing had happened.
Hisana sat quietly by the side, silently watching Aozaki Reiji's back gradually fade away.