Amamiya Miyako was just about to step out of the Eleventh Division's gate when a familiar voice called from behind.
"Oi, matte, Fukutaichō Amamiya!"
Turning slightly, Miyako glanced over his shoulder. "Abarai-san?"
Abarai Renji jogged up, looking a little hesitant. "Vice Captain Amamiya… can I ask… how's Rukia been lately?"
Miyako's expression softened. "Aa, much better than before. Her kicks pack quite a punch now," he said with a faint smile.
Renji blinked. "Hontō ka…? That's… that's good." His voice dropped into a relieved murmur.
Miyako tilted his head. "Were you thinking I helped Rukia resolve things with her aniki, Captain Kuchiki?"
Renji gave a slow nod. "I… kinda thought so, yeah."
"Kuchiki-taichō? Iie. From what I've seen, their relationship hasn't changed much," Miyako replied calmly.
Renji frowned slightly, clearly puzzled.
Miyako narrowed his eyes. "Oi, Abarai… you mean you don't know what happened to Rukia back in the Thirteenth?"
Renji shook his head. "No. After I graduated… I didn't really go see her."
"I see…" Miyako thought quietly. So Ukitake-taichō hadn't spoken about Shiba Kaien's death… or maybe the higher-ups deliberately kept it hidden. A Hollow that could erase a Zanpakutō—something like that would definitely be classified information.
But he didn't plan to reveal it. "Anyway, Rukia's decided she's going to show her growth as Kuchiki-taichō's imōto through her own strength."
Renji's gaze sharpened. "Sou ka…" He clenched his fists slightly, realizing the rift between Rukia and Byakuya hadn't been mended. That meant there was still a reason to fight. Vice Captain of the Sixth… Kuchiki Byakuya…
"Oh, and Abarai," Miyako added casually, "if you get the time, drop by the Thirteenth and see Rukia."
"Eh? Me?" Renji asked, surprised.
"Yeah. She's busy prepping for a mission, so she might not have time to chase you down, but… after your last run-in, she's been wanting to talk."
Miyako didn't dislike Renji. For all his hot-blooded bluster, the guy was loyal and dependable—exactly the kind of comrade you wanted at your back.
But Renji shook his head. "Iie… not yet. Thanks for the invite, Amamiya-fukutaichō, but… before I face Rukia, there's something more important I have to do."
Miyako understood without asking. Renji still hadn't forgiven himself. Whether it was supporting her entry into the Kuchiki family or later keeping his distance, it weighed heavily on him. He wanted to confront Byakuya, defeat him openly, and then face Rukia with an honest apology.
Miyako's gaze softened. "Wakatta. Then, ganbatte, Renji. Oh—and from now on, just call me Miyako."
Renji cracked a small grin. "Then you can just call me Renji."
"Ja, Renji… until next time," Miyako said, turning away.
Renji waved him off before heading back toward the Eleventh Division's training yard. Losing to Miyako didn't bother him much, but their spar had exposed weaknesses in his Zanjutsu. He wasn't done training yet—not by a long shot.
...
Meanwhile, at the Thirteenth Division barracks, a small group of shinigami were anxiously waiting by the entrance.
"Vice Captain's still not back yet…?"
They'd been worried ever since Miyako had gone to the Eleventh alone. He had convinced Ukitake-taichō to let him handle the matter personally, refusing any escort from the division members.
After what felt like an eternity to the waiting crowd, Amamiya Miyako finally stepped through the gates of the Thirteenth Division.
"Look! Vice-Captain Amamiya's back!" one of the seated officers called out.
"Miyako-fukutaichō!" Kiyone-chan and Sentarō-san practically flew across the courtyard, skidding to a stop at his side.
"Miyako-fukutaichō, are you alright?!" they asked together, voices overlapping.
Miyako scratched the back of his head with a faint grin. "Yo. Do I look like I'm not alright?"
"Honestly, going to the Eleventh Division alone… that was way too reckless!" Kiyone-chan puffed her cheeks in protest, clearly forgetting she had been the one who first brought the situation to his attention.
"Yeah, yeah," Sentarō-san chimed in, nodding vigorously. "The Eleventh Division is full of kenka-baka—battle maniacs. It's dangerous to get tangled with them."
By now, the rest of the division had crowded in, voices firing questions one after another.
Miyako chuckled. "Ahahaha… don't worry. After this visit, those Eleventh Division guys probably won't be running their mouths about us anymore."
In truth, Miyako wasn't the type to brawl for no reason—he wasn't like those battle-crazed brutes. But if the opponent was worth it, someone with spirit like Madarame Ikkaku… well, that was another story.
"Yare yare… have a little faith, will you? I don't just solve problems by swinging my Zanpakutō around," Miyako said with a light shrug. "Though… I might have exchanged a few blows with them."
The crowd erupted into a noisy mix of laughter and admiration. Praise was being thrown from every direction.
"Anyway," Miyako said, waving a hand dismissively, "I still need to report to Ukitake-taichō. You guys can keep gossiping without me."
"Ah—wait, Miyako-fukutaichō!" Kiyone-chan reached out, but in the next instant, Miyako was gone, shunpō carrying him from sight.
Kiyone-chan dropped her hand with a sigh. "Honestly… doing something so reckless and making us worry like that…"
Sentarō-san crossed his arms, smirking. "But come on—didn't Miyako-fukutaichō handle it perfectly? Look at everyone. They're fired up."
Indeed, the division members were still buzzing, exchanging words of pride and encouragement. For the first time in a long while, the Thirteenth Division felt united and spirited.
Kiyone-chan tilted her head slightly, a sheepish smile crossing her face. "I thought his excuse about avoiding desk work was just that—an excuse. I didn't think he'd actually take this so seriously."
Sentarō-san nodded. "Same here. Guess we were wrong."
Though Miyako's time as vice-captain hadn't been long, his actions spoke louder than any speech. In that short span, he had already won the trust—and respect—of most of the division.