Rukia had known about Shimo's noble status for quite some time.
In the beginning, she had been somewhat bothered by it.
But as time passed, she realized that Shimo never seemed to care about their difference in status at all.
Gradually, she became used to the idea.
Even so, seeing the noble district of the Seireitei for the first time today still left her stunned.
"Shimo… you've got to be kidding."
Rukia's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm just a commoner from Rukongai…"
"I'm not supposed to step foot into a noble's estate."
Her tone turned somber.
"Relax. Don't overthink it."
"We're not going to the Kyōraku estate today," Shimo replied calmly, gently taking Rukia's hand and continuing deeper into the district.
Until they came upon a gate inscribed with two words:
Kuchiki Clan.
The mansion before them was stately and elegant. Every brick, every tile exuded the air of nobility.
"Wow… it's almost blinding how extravagant it is," Shimo muttered in awe as he stepped forward.
The gate guards, Shinigami of the Kuchiki household, seemed to recognize him and didn't question his presence.
"Let's go, Rukia."
He took her hand again and led her through the grand entrance.
Surrounded by unfamiliar opulence, Rukia grew increasingly uneasy.
Her deep violet eyes flicked around anxiously, a trace of fear glinting within them.
There was a suffocating pressure that lingered within the Kuchiki estate—a feeling she couldn't quite describe.
"Shimo… let's go back."
She murmured, tugging at his sleeve.
Shimo gently ruffled her hair and reassured her, "Don't worry. I'm here."
Under the guidance of a servant, they were led to the main hall.
Along the way, some members of the Kuchiki clan cast strange glances at Rukia.
No one spoke to her directly—perhaps due to the clan's strict rules—but that only made Rukia more nervous.
"The clan head should be here soon," the servant said before departing.
Now seated in the main hall, Shimo and Rukia waited quietly.
The room was enveloped in a heavy silence.
"Shimo, can you at least tell me—"
Rukia began to ask, but he cut her off.
"No spoilers. It won't be a surprise otherwise."
"But up to now, it's been all surprise and no joy."
Seconds stretched into minutes.
And then—a white figure appeared at the doorway.
Handsome yet cold, his expression unreadable.
He wore his hair long, held back with a silver kenseikan—a mark of noble lineage. Around his neck was a white scarf woven from ginpaku kazahana no usuginu, a family heirloom. His black Shihakushō was covered by a pristine white haori.
It was an appearance that could only be described as the epitome of noble refinement.
The Head of the Kuchiki Clan.
"Shimo. It's been a while."
Byakuya Kuchiki greeted him with unexpected warmth.
"She's Hisana's sister, isn't she?"
Shimo gestured toward Rukia with a jerk of his chin, completely unconcerned with formalities—even when speaking to the head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses.
"Do I even need to explain that to you?"
"You're not still obsessed with those outdated noble protocols, are you?"
Once Byakuya had dismissed the surrounding servants, Shimo became even more relaxed.
"You understand the responsibility the Kuchiki Clan bears as one of the Four Great Noble Houses," Byakuya said earnestly. "Protecting the order of Soul Society is—"
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard this a hundred times already," Shimo interrupted, waving his hand dismissively.
"Let's just cut to the point."
He placed a hand firmly on Rukia's head and said loudly, "The reason I brought her here today should be obvious."
"You know very well this is for her sake."
Rukia, standing beside him, was utterly dumbfounded.
She was so shocked she didn't even notice the hand pressing down on her head.
Her bewildered gaze flicked back and forth between the two men.
What… is going on here?
Wasn't there supposed to be a rigid hierarchy between nobles?
Wasn't Shimo a high-ranking noble?
Then why was he speaking to Byakuya Kuchiki—the head of the most prestigious noble house—in such a casual, borderline disrespectful tone?
Is this even the real Kuchiki estate?
And also… who in the world was Hisana?
Looking at Shimo's firm and unwavering expression, Byakuya sighed with visible exasperation and finally relented.
"I'm not reprimanding you."
"But you could've at least given me a heads-up before you came."
"You suddenly show up saying you've brought Hisana's sister, and—"
Shimo shook his head and sighed.
"You really ought to learn from my foolish old uncle—always stuck in your antiquated ideals."
Byakuya was momentarily at a loss for words.
He was beginning to regret ever associating with Shimo.
"I should've kept my distance from you back then."
Shimo grinned and said, "By now, you owe me thirty-nine favors."
"Let's hope, in the long lives of Shinigami, you find the time to repay them."
Byakuya sighed again, internally cursing his poor judgment in choosing friends.
"Come. Hisana is resting."
With that, he turned and walked out of the hall.
Shimo, still holding Rukia's hand, followed close behind.
Rukia, trailing after them in a daze, muttered under her breath:
"…What the hell is going on?"