Tatsuki might have looked like the bold, punch-first kind of girl on the outside,
but deep down—she was sharp.
She'd seen through Ichigo's core since they were just four years old.
So even now, she said nothing.
But the arm she held onto?
She clung to it just a bit tighter.
Rukia, for her part, could immediately feel the tension in the air.
That unknown girl beside Ichigo?
Her hostility was practically leaking from her pores.
Judging by how close she was holding onto Ichigo's arm…
They're either dating—or not far off from it.
But Tatsuki's clear hostility only made Rukia's own emotions stir in response.
—
After class started, Rukia gave a calm self-introduction.
As expected of a noble daughter of the Kuchiki clan— her every word, gesture, and tone carried an elegant grace that left the classroom thoroughly impressed.
Everyone except Ichigo, of course, who knew her actual personality.
Tatsuki remained skeptical, and when break came—
"Kuchiki-san, I need to talk to you. Come with me."
Ichigo didn't even give her the chance to say no. He walked off.
Tatsuki frowned but said nothing.
Orihime, meanwhile, looked like a sparkly-eyed gossip gremlin.
Rukia gave a polite smile to the others and followed him out.
"Hey, Tatsuki," Orihime leaned in with a grin.
"It kinda looks like Kurosaki-kun already knows the new girl!"
Tatsuki nodded slowly.
But her thoughts were elsewhere.
Ichigo had never mentioned this "Kuchiki" person before.
—
On the edge of the schoolyard, in a quiet corner—
Ichigo turned to face Rukia.
"How's your injury?"
His eyes held genuine concern. He might not know why she was here, but she was still someone who got hurt trying to protect him.
"How do you think?" Rukia scoffed. "I'm not some healing monster."
"Then why didn't you go back to the Soul Society to rest up?"
"Because I still have a job to do."
Ichigo sighed.
"Man, you guys really don't believe in sick leave, huh?"
Rukia couldn't go back.
She was the heir to the Kuchiki family.
Failing her mission and returning in disgrace?
Not happening.
"Tch! It's none of your business why I stayed!" she snapped.
Ichigo crossed his arms, eyeing her up and down.
"With your current strength, even a weak Hollow could beat you."
Rukia froze.
Then—
She looked up at him with the most uncharacteristic, fake-innocent smile he'd ever seen.
Ichigo's instincts screamed danger.
"Say, Ichigo-kun… you are a Shinigami, right?" she cooed.
Ichigo immediately took a step back.
"What do you want? And no, we are not close enough for you to call me Ichigo."
He only called people by name when they were truly close—Tatsuki, Rukia… that was it.
Even with Chad, he used surnames.
But Rukia kept going unfazed.
"You see, there's no other battle-ready Shinigami in Karakura Town… so could you, um, handle Hollow cleanup duty for me?"
Ichigo blinked.
Then relaxed.
"Pfft. That's all? I've been doing that for the past six months anyway."
Rukia blinked in surprise.
Wait. So that mysterious figure the Soul Society couldn't detect… was him?
She said nothing.
But she made a mental note to keep that information to herself.
"…So what's with the disguise?" Ichigo asked. "How come you're suddenly a student in my school?"
Rukia pointed at herself.
"I'm using a Gigai. A temporary human body for use in the living world. In this form, I'm basically human."
"But this thing is so uncomfortable," she muttered, twisting her waist uncomfortably.
Which… happened to be exactly when Tatsuki and Orihime arrived.
"Ichigo, what exactly are you two doing?" Tatsuki raised a brow at Rukia's weird movement.
Orihime's jaw dropped.
"Ah! It's Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-kun!"
Ichigo and Rukia both mentally facepalmed.
Rukia reacted instantly.
"Oh, my back was feeling a bit off, so I was going to ask Kurosaki-kun to help check it. Since his dad runs a clinic, I figured he might know a thing or two."
Ichigo nodded rapidly.
"Yeah! But I'm not that great at it. Tatsuki, why don't you check it for her?"
Tatsuki said nothing—then stepped forward and laid a hand on Rukia's back.
"…Your muscles are tense. Probably just fatigue. Rest should fix it."
"Thanks," Rukia said sincerely.
Then, with a perfectly innocent smile:
"By the way, are you two dating?"
Boom. Instant death flag.
Tatsuki and Orihime both froze.
Tatsuki was the first to speak.
"Of course not! We're childhood friends, that's all!"
Orihime visibly exhaled in relief.
But Rukia wasn't done.
"Oh? Then I guess it's okay for me to go after Kurosaki-kun?"
"WHAAAT?!"
Ichigo's soul nearly left his body.
Lady, we just met yesterday! Why are you dropping nuclear bombs on my school life?!
But before Tatsuki could say anything—
Rukia's phone beeped.
Her face hardened.
She grabbed Ichigo's arm and started dragging him away.
"I need to talk to Kurosaki-kun—privately."
"Oi! Let me go!"
Ichigo grumbled. But didn't resist.
He could already sense it.
A Hollow was near.
(End of Chapter)
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