Shin'o Academy, Toshiro's former residence.
Toshiro half-carried Renji all the way back here, then unceremoniously dropped him onto the floor.
Toshiro said somewhat angrily, "Alright, you're not so drunk you're unconscious, are you? Sit up. We need to have a proper talk."
Hearing this, Renji propped himself up and sat.
Toshiro also sat down opposite Renji and immediately delivered unfortunate news: "Renji, Rukia has already responded to Kuchiki Clan's head, Kuchiki Byakuya. She agreed to become a foster child of the Kuchiki Clan."
Hearing this, Renji couldn't help but tremble all over, then forced himself to say, "Isn't that good?"
"Hmph, do you think saying that makes you look cool?" Toshiro snorted coldly.
"I don't think so at all. It's just... Rukia having a family of her own is a good thing." Renji said guiltily.
Toshiro frowned. "Enough. We all know how you feel. Are you really willing to let yourself and Rukia drift apart like this until you become complete strangers?"
Renji quickly said, "Of course I don't want that! But what can I do? I can't give Rukia anything. I have no right to stop her from entering the Kuchiki Clan. And once Rukia becomes a noble, I'll be even more unworthy of her."
Renji's inferiority complex was truly bone-deep.
If it were someone else, relying on their childhood friendship with Rukia and the bond of supporting each other through life in Inuzuri District for so many years, they might have already established a relationship with her.
"Hmph, it's your own fault. Now that Rukia entering the Kuchiki Clan is settled, regretting it is useless." Toshiro said.
Then Toshiro said seriously, "After Rukia enters the Kuchiki Clan, she'll be a noble. She can't be with an ordinary commoner. However, if you want to become worthy of Rukia, there is a way."
Renji quickly asked, "Toshiro, what way?"
"Train hard, Renji. Then strive to become a Lieutenant or a Captain. That will be enough." Toshiro said gravely.
In Soul Society, no matter how lowly your previous status, becoming a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13 grants you a status comparable to a noble.
As for a Captain, their status not only rivals nobles, but they command a Division, wielding greater power than most nobles.
Of course, families like the Kuchiki and Shihoin, who are both great nobles and control the 6th and 2nd Divisions, are special cases.
But even so, becoming a Lieutenant would definitely make one worthy of a Kuchiki Clan's foster child.
If Renji didn't even dare to try and work hard, then Toshiro would definitely look down on him.
After hearing Toshiro's words, the confusion in Renji's eyes gradually faded. His expression turned resolute. "Toshiro, you're right. I can't stay so decadent any longer. I must train myself desperately."
Renji stood up, his face serious. "I, Abarai Renji, swear upon my soul, that I will definitely defeat that man and become someone worthy of Rukia."
Looking at Renji's earnest, oath-swearing posture, Toshiro felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
It was like a loser, a standby lover, swearing to snatch the goddess from the rich, handsome rival's hands.
"Do your best, Renji. You will succeed." Toshiro looked at Renji and encouraged him.
Though he said this, Toshiro knew Renji never once defeated Byakuya.
The reason he said it was to give Renji a goal to strive for, to prevent him from remaining decadent like this.
Well, in the end, Rukia ended up with Renji anyway. The main objective was already achieved. Winning or losing against Byakuya wasn't important anymore.
Then Toshiro had Renji lie down on the bed to rest.
After all, he had drunk a lot today, could barely stand. Training could wait.
In the following days, Rukia officially moved into the Kuchiki Clan, becoming a foster child.
However, Rukia ultimately chose not to graduate from the academy immediately. After all, her strength hadn't reached the graduation standard. Forcing graduation wouldn't be good.
If her strength was insufficient, facing Hollows later would be tragic.
Moreover, she also refused the academy's offer to place her in the special advancement class, Class 1.
Perhaps she didn't want to abuse the Kuchiki Clan's power. Perhaps she wanted to avoid Renji.
…
Shin'o Academy.
It was noon. Classes were over. Students gathered in groups, some going to the school cafeteria, some finding spots to sit and eat their carefully prepared lunches.
Under a large tree next to a flower bed.
Rukia sat alone. Though eating a luxurious lunchbox prepared by the Kuchiki Clan, her face was full of loneliness.
She hadn't integrated into her class to begin with. Since entering the Kuchiki Clan, her classmates kept even more distance.
Commoner students feared her status. Noble students looked down on her for entering the Kuchiki Clan through luck.
Meanwhile, passing students pointed and whispered about her.
"Is that her? The one who got lucky and entered the Kuchiki Clan?"
"I heard she was adopted because she resembles the deceased wife of the Kuchiki Clan's head."
"Adopted? She looks like a little pet cat being kept."
Hearing the discussion from passing students, Rukia couldn't help but clench her fists, nails digging into her palms.
But ultimately, she said nothing. Since entering the Kuchiki Clan, she had encountered this many times. No matter what she said, people wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Hey! You people, stop spouting nonsense here!" Suddenly, a scolding voice rang out. It was Toshiro's voice.
Although Toshiro had graduated from Shin'o Academy, his prestige in the school remained high. Aside from new students, many students knew him.
Seeing him intervene, everyone dispersed. Even noble students didn't dare say anything.
The noble student who opposed Toshiro last time, Utsunomiya Yoshiaki, had become a waste.
"Toshiro, why are you here?" Rukia looked up.
"Although I've graduated, there's no rule saying I can't come back to visit. By the way, how are things in the Kuchiki Clan?" Toshiro asked.
"My... older brother treats me well. No one bullies me. The steward takes good care of me too, saying something about making me feel the warmth of a family." Rukia answered.
"Rukia, you and Renji..."
"Sorry, Toshiro. Please don't talk about Renji anymore." Rukia interrupted Toshiro.
Toshiro sighed helplessly. "Alright."
Rukia and Renji's matters could only be left to time to resolve.
Since entering the Kuchiki Clan, although Rukia's relationships with Toshiro, Momo, and Kira remained normal, whenever Renji was present, Rukia would deliberately avoid him.
An invisible barrier had formed between them.