Shimo gently pulled Rukia closer and explained:
"Actually, you still have an older sister who's alive."
"Back in the Human World, after Hisana and you passed away, your souls were sent to the Rukongai."
"You should know better than anyone how harsh life in the 78th district is."
"Given Hisana's frail condition, there was no way she could have survived while also raising a baby… So she had no choice but to abandon you."
As Shimo spoke, Rukia's expression shifted from confusion to shock, and eventually grew somber.
"So I… had family all along..."
Shimo reached out and gently ruffled her hair to comfort her.
"Later on, Hisana met Kuchiki Byakuya in the Rukongai—you know, that uptight noble walking ahead of us."
"Despite being the heir of a noble clan, Byakuya defied tradition and married her."
"After they settled down, she dedicated herself to searching for you."
"But… her body had already grown weak."
At those words, Shimo felt Rukia's small hand suddenly tighten around his.
"Why… why did it have to be ?"
Shimo closed his hands around hers, holding them firmly.
"Hisana was always sickly. She never stopped searching for you in the Rukongai whenever she had free time. The strain only worsened her health."
"So you see, the world didn't abandon you."
Rukia lifted her head. A trace of gratitude flickered in her deep violet eyes.
She understood—everything Shimo was doing was for her sake.
Up ahead, Byakuya, who'd been listening in silence, finally broke it with a soft cough.
"Let's not keep Hisana waiting too long."
Shimo shot him an annoyed glare. "You've clearly got a bone to pick with me, don't you?"
"Not at all," Byakuya replied with a faint smirk, his white haori fluttering as he quickened his pace.
He kept his expression calm and composed the whole time.
Shimo scowled at him but still pulled Rukia along as they followed behind.
Kuchiki Estate – Side Residence
After weaving through several curved walkways, the scenery gradually changed.
Petals from blooming cherry blossoms drifted lazily through the air, adding an ethereal calm to the garden's already serene beauty.
Outside a quiet room, beneath the eaves, sat a woman in a pale-colored kimono. She gazed at the rippling surface of the pond, seemingly lost in thought.
Her features were nearly identical to Rukia's.
The only differences lay in the slight droop of her eyes and her soft, gentle demeanor.
At this moment, even Byakuya's normally detached tone softened.
Though subtle, it was a change only the woman before him could perceive.
"I've brought someone to see you."
Hisana turned her head toward Shimo and Rukia—and in the instant her eyes met Rukia's, her body froze.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
The calm expression she wore shattered like still water disturbed by a falling stone. Emotions surged.
Ignoring Byakuya's gentle protest, Hisana stumbled to her feet and ran toward Rukia.
Shimo released Rukia's hand just in time and silently stepped back.
But before he could retreat too far, Byakuya stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Give them a moment alone."
With that, Byakuya used shunpo to flash step away, taking Shimo with him.
The sudden surge of spiritual pressure left Shimo no choice but to match pace.
"Damn!" he muttered under his breath, channeling a large amount of spiritual energy to keep up.
Byakuya noticed Shimo's shunpo and gave a rare look of mild surprise.
"Hmph. That's unexpected."
They landed in a nearby courtyard, sitting across from each other in a garden pavilion.
"You'll find a lot of things you didn't expect about me," Shimo shot back with a sneer.
Cold on the outside, warm on the inside—what a typical tsundere.
"You've grown significantly stronger in just a few months at the Shin'ō Academy."
Byakuya observed him calmly. "Have you decided which division you want to join?"
Shimo rolled his eyes. "Well, it won't be the Sixth Division or the Eight Division, that's for sure."
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. That answer caught him off guard.
Shimo looked up at the sky. His tone was calm, yet there was a hint of defiance in it.
"A fledgling hawk needs to brave the open skies to strengthen its wings."
"Sixth Division and Eight Division aren't for me."
Byakuya seemed to consider something.
"Don't tell me… you're aiming for First Division?"
Judging by what Shimo said, it seemed only the combat-heavy Eleventh Division could suit him.
Shimo turned to meet Byakuya's gaze and gave a sly smile.
"My choice is... Fourth Division!"
A vein throbbed on Byakuya's forehead. Once again, Shimo had thrown his thoughts into chaos.
"Then what was all that about a fledgling hawk just now?"
Shimo tapped the stone table in front of him, producing a thunk thunk thunk sound.
"Do you remember the most infamous criminal in Soul Society's history?"