"H-Hey, Rukia... is this really the right way?, I mean, are we really allowed to be here?"
"Do you think I know? It's my first time too!"
"It's my first time too! ...Damn it, I was freaked out when we got to the Seireitei 'cause it looked completely different from the Rukongai, but what the hell is this place!!"
My, my, they are getting anxious, aren't they?
But I was surprised the first time I came here, too. The Noble District, from its streetscape to everything else, truly looks like a different world. For these kids from the Rukongai, the culture shock must be too immense.
"I'm going to leave you two behind, you know? I get that it's rare to see, but make sure you keep up."
"Yes, Sensei!"
"Wait, don't go! Don't leave us alone!!"
The two of them hurried after me like a mother duck's ducklings.
Am I their chaperone or something...?
'You are in a relationship of instructor and student, so that is not incorrect, is it not?'
Now that you mention it, that's true.
So, here we are, intruding on the familiar Noble District once again.
And this time, I have Renji-kun and Rukia-san with me.
Well, those two are full of curiosity and excitement at the scenery of the Noble District, seeing it for the first time. Though their reactions make them look like total country bumpkins.
About a week has passed since that 'Touching Family Reunion Special in the Academy'.
Partly encouraged by the reply to the letter, Rukia-san didn't end up in a hasty situation like 'You're living at the Kuchiki house starting today.' She remained in the dorms. She wouldn't skip grades to graduate or suddenly become a Soul Reaper; it was decided she would attend the Academy according to regulations and study properly.
As for her surname, well, that couldn't be helped.
As promised, she became 'Rukia Kuchiki,' but at this point, the only ones who know about it besides the parties involved are the faculty. Apparently, they decided to reveal it gradually after she takes her time to broaden her circle of friends.
If she were to suddenly declare, 'I am an acquaintance of the Kuchiki family,' who knows what kind of strange pests might come swarming around her.
Since Renji-kun was Rukia's family, he was received favorably by the Kuchiki family and seems to be treated like a VIP.
That's good, that's good.
And today, both Rukia-san and Renji-kun were invited to the Kuchiki manor together.
They wanted to deepen family exchanges—simply put, they wanted to hold a social gathering and properly introduce them to the household staff. That's why they were asked to come.
...Well, for some reason, I was invited too.
All I did was 'save Hisana-san,' 'punch Byakuya Kuchiki,' and 'report Rukia who happened to be there,' you know?
'Just the first one alone would be enough to warrant a reward! And regarding Rukia-dono, from the Kuchiki family's perspective, it was like "Someone we couldn't find for years was suddenly found!? This person is amazing!!" so it is only natural!!'
It was nothing but a coincidence, though...
'Please give up! Within those two, Airi-dono's stock is already hitting the daily limit up every single day!!'
It seems that's how it is.
So, since I was invited, I decided to go along with them.
Also, look, if I abandoned these two, I'm terrified they'd get stranded and go missing, so I can't take my eyes off them.
"If you stay too shocked, you'll get tired before we even arrive. Also, don't worry about getting lost. The Kuchiki manor is right there."
"Eh... That is it...?"
"I don't even know what to say anymore..."
When I pointed, their gazes followed—and their jaws dropped, unable to close.
After all, it is the mansion of one of the Five Great Noble Families. It is top-class in size even within this Noble District, visible from anywhere.
So there's no need to worry about getting lost.
"Rukia-san, please get used to it quickly. Your older sister—your family lives there."
"R-Right, that is true..."
"Renji-kun... well, let's just take it easy. I think some amazing food will probably be served, so look forward to that."
"I'm so nervous I don't think I'll be able to taste anything..."
I intended to pep them up, but it seems I dampened their spirits instead. They don't need to be that intimidated...
"Seike-san. Thank you for coming out to meet us."
"No, no, with Hisana-sama's family and Yukawa-sama arriving, this is only natural."
When I brought the two, who continued to be astonished, to the Kuchiki gate—they were still surprised even at the gate—Nobutsune Seike, Byakuya's personal attendant, was there.
He is an old man with long white hair, a white mustache, and round silver-rimmed glasses. He has the air of a veteran butler straight out of a painting.
I've come here many times for regular checkups, so I'm completely familiar with him.
"N-Nice to meet you!"
"Thank you for inviting us today, um...!!"
"Hahaha, please do not be so tense. I am merely a servant. Your words are wasted on me."
"S-Servant...!?"
The word 'servant' doesn't seem to click for them. Both of their eyes are darting around in confusion.
But in this house, this level is normal.
"I hear today is also Hisana-sama's checkup day. Therefore—"
"Yes. Hisana-san is in her room, right? I think I'll stop by there first."
"Understood. Do you need a guide?"
"I'm fine, I've been here many times. So please take care of guiding these two."
Saying that, I lightly pushed the backs of the two who couldn't keep up with the situation.
"Um, what does this mean?"
"Seike-san will guide you, so follow him. Be careful, or you'll get stranded if you get separated. I'll join you after I examine Hisana-san, so I'll see you later."
"Stranded... is it that huge!?"
"No, I think you could kinda tell that from the outside..."
"My, my, stranded, you say? Yukawa-sama is good at jokes."
Seike-san, you're laughing, but it's not a joke.
For these two, it's wide enough to get stranded in.
"Hmm..."
After parting with the two, I headed to Hisana-san's room first.
I am currently conducting her regular checkup there.
However, this is...
"Doctor, how is it...?"
"No problems at all. The vitality to live is welling up from deep inside your body, and you are becoming visibly healthier."
She asked anxiously, so I gave her my seal of approval.
Simply put, she is becoming incredibly healthy.
She's trying so hard to get better that her body as it was until now would be left behind.
It makes me want to make her do some more intense exercise.
'Intense exercise, you say!?'
Calm down.
"Is that true!?"
"It is true. As expected, the matter with Rukia-san was a heavy burden. It seems that resolving that was the silver bullet."
Since the thing she had been worrying about for so long was cleared up so beautifully, all that's left is for her to get better on her own.
As proof, this room has become lively. The dreariness of a year ago seems like a lie.
For example—
"Those flowers, did you perhaps arrange them, Hisana-san?"
"Yes, since I received such lovely items, I tried arranging them by watching and imitating others, but... was it strange somewhere...?"
"No, not at all. I think it added color and became vibrant."
Since that day I first treated Hisana-san, Byakuya and the servants had been gradually adding things, but those flowers look more brilliant than anything else.
She took the initiative to decorate with flowers herself; in other words, she has the leeway to pay attention to other things.
From here on, a complete recovery is inevitable even if left alone.
"Is that so? I do not know myself, but thank you."
"Please try challenging yourself with various things, not just arranging flowers. How about home cooking? If it's a man, he would be happy to have something made just for him."
"Cooking? Let me see... I have not stood in a kitchen since marrying into the Kuchiki family."
Was she treated like a bird in a cage?
"From now on, you can do more and more things like cooking and sewing. In fact, why not learn the sword from your husband? It would be good exercise, and if the purpose is to acquire self-defense skills, he can't say no."
"My, the sword...? I see, I will think about it."
Touching Hisana-san's body to teach her self-defense, the two of them getting a bit awkward and shy. But Byakuya steeling his heart and devoting himself to training because he has to teach her properly.
Mysteriously aroused by his wife's slightly pained expression...
'Aaah, that is bittersweet!! At that point, by all means, ground techniques! Instruction in ground techniques!! After all, I was known as the department store of ground techniques!! Practical skills! Leave the practical skills to me!!'
" The examination is done, so shall we join the social gathering soon?"
"Yes. I am sure everyone is waiting with bated breath."
Guided by Hisana-san's personal maid, the two of us moved to the location.
Now then, regarding the social gathering...
Today, Rukia-san is the guest of honor, right!?
I understand Renji-kun, who lived with her like family, being there too!!
Don't you think it's weird that I'm here!?
...I want to go home even now... but surely that would be rude...
By the time we arrived at the venue, it had already started a bit early, but... Byakuya is terrible at livening things up, and Rukia-san and the others didn't know what to say, so it was practically a wake.
The moment I entered the room, everyone pleaded with their eyes, "Help us."
So what do you expect me to do!?
Since it couldn't be helped, I did my best to liven things up with topics about the Academy.
When Byakuya learned that only Renji-kun was in the advanced class, he offered to secretly give Rukia lessons.
Aside from that, Hisana-san troubled Byakuya by doing the 'begging' we talked about earlier.
Later on, Ginrei-san and the servants gathered as well, so fortunately, I didn't have to worry as much.
Just in case, I told Renji-kun, "Since you're a senior in various ways, why don't you ask him for a pickup line or two?"
Do your best so you can call Byakuya "Brother-in-law."
Doing that, quite a bit of time passed. Let's go home soon.
Oops, no, no. I almost forgot.
"Captain Kuchiki, do you have a moment?"
"Hm, what is it?"
"It is about Hisana-san's condition. I told her first, but thanks to being released from the burden on her heart, she is rapidly recovering. At this rate, she will be in perfect health without a doubt in a month."
When I told him under the cover of the banquet's noise, Byakuya showed an expression of heartfelt relief.
"Is... that so... Good, a load is off my mind as well."
Oho, I wonder about that?
I whisper the continuation secretly so only Byakuya, who has let his guard down, can hear.
"By that time, she will be able to bear an heir. Please restrain yourself and do not lay a hand on her until then."
"W-W-W-W-Wh-Wh-What!!"
Returning the distance to normal.
"It is an important job as the head of the family. Please do your best."
"Byakuya-sama?"
Perhaps wondering about Byakuya's state and my whispering, Hisana-san asked...
Well now, I wonder how he will answer.
"It is a little early, but I will be taking my leave now. Please, take your time, everyone."
Let's escape quickly before I get dragged into it.
The figure of Byakuya panicking and sweating buckets while his face turned bright red was very memorable.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]