The Kuchiki Family Forty Years Later

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

"Hmm, no need for me to see you off."

A sliding door rustled.

Seiya turned inward, respectfully backing out of the room before departing.

He returned to the hallway—though not in the direction he had entered from. Instead, he had stepped further into the Kuchiki estate, withdrawing toward its inner quarters.

Without a sound, Seiya slid the door shut and turned slightly—

Until his gaze settled on the seated figure beside him.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

Compared to the reckless energy of forty years ago, he now possessed sharper edges and carried the same cold demeanor as depicted in the original story.

However, more than his appearance—

At this moment, his brows were tightly furrowed, his entire body bowed low in a kneeling posture.

He had likely been sitting like this for a long time.

The marks on his forehead made it evident that he had been repeatedly bowing.

Seiya sighed softly, gazing at the garden scenery outside the corridor as he spoke in a casual tone.

"How long have you been sitting here?"

"..."

"Not answering? Well… fine. You heard everything I said to the old man just now, right?"

"..."

"When I was coming in, I heard the household members mention that… every day after work, you come here to kneel."

"..."

"What is this? Some kind of self-imposed penance for your actions?"

"..."

"Did you just bow your head several times because of guilt?"

"..."

"Torturing yourself like this is pointless. If you really want to apologize, wouldn't it be more direct to just walk in and say it?"

"..."

"Or is this your way of saying, 'Even after all this, I still refuse to admit I was wrong'?"

"..."

Say something!

Are you mute or what?!

Seeing Byakuya's unyielding silence…

Seiya rubbed his face with his right hand, letting out an exasperated sigh.

These two—grandfather and grandson—were both so damn stubborn.

—The one inside only needed to say a few words of forgiveness.

—The one outside only needed to soften his stance and offer some reassurance.

Yet neither of them would.

How the hell was he supposed to mediate this? Huh?

Impossible. These two were mules in their past lives.

Considering Byakuya's current state, he wasn't just being stubborn—he was completely unreceptive.

If Seiya tried to forcibly change his mindset or did anything extreme—

Who knew? The guy might suddenly jump up and attack him.

Not even an exaggeration. Seiya had been in this situation before…

Honestly, Byakuya was just like Ginrei Kuchiki.

Both were impossibly obstinate, utterly committed to their own beliefs.

For his own safety, and since today's matters were mostly settled—

Seiya decided it was best not to interfere.

Just as he was contemplating whether to pretend he hadn't seen anything and simply walk away—

Ginrei's voice came from within the room.

"Byakuya…"

"I'm here!"

Wow, that was a fast response…

"Stop wasting time here and go do what you need to do."

"But I—"

"Your hearing should still be fine, correct?"

"..."

Byakuya's expression twisted in conflict, but the voice from inside remained calm.

"Starting tomorrow, there's no need for you to come anymore. I've thought it through… Regarding your actions, I will never approve."

As nobility, as a Kuchiki—

The gap in status and standing was a chasm.

Byakuya's mouth opened slightly, his expression instantly turning to panic.

"Wait, Grandfather, you—"

"But, Byakuya."

Interrupting someone wasn't polite.

But between grandfather and grandson, that didn't really matter.

"Cough… I do not approve. However… you truly love that woman, don't you?"

"..."

"That is enough. I won't be around much longer, but she will be by your side for the rest of your life."

Thus—

"Stop concerning yourself with my feelings. As head of the family, I cannot condone your actions."

That was principle.

"But as your elder… I want you to be happy."

That was reason.

"Go back, Byakuya. In my remaining time, I don't want to keep worrying over your troubles."

Humans are like yin and yang.

They embody both sides—where there is shadow, there is light.

And though Ginrei's words were rigid, from another perspective, this was already a compromise.

After all…

The old man had just admitted defeat, hadn't he?

Seiya cast a deep glance toward the door, his thoughts lingering.

—So this is your answer, head of the Kuchiki family.

If that's the case—

Then I'll respect your wishes.

"Get up, Byakuya."

As the dazed man struggled to stand, Seiya stepped forward just in time—

Supporting him as his numbed legs faltered.

Such an undignified sight.

It was embarrassing enough to be seen like this—

Let alone under these circumstances. Byakuya clenched his teeth, instinctively trying to stand on his own.

Seiya's expression instantly turned disdainful.

"Oh, give it up. You've been kneeling for hours. If no one helps you, you'll be crawling back inside."

Lies don't hurt people—truths do.

Byakuya hung his head low, saying nothing—nor did he resist further.

Seiya easily draped the man's arm over his own shoulder.

As he guided Byakuya down the corridor, he called back—

"Alright, I'm taking Byakuya now, old man!"

"Cough, cough… Mm, I'll leave him to you, Seiya."

The tone lacked its former ease, carrying an indescribable weight.

Others might not have caught the emotions within—

But Seiya had just spoken with Ginrei, so he understood perfectly.

Within that voice wasn't just the sentiment of entrusting Byakuya—

But also the sorrow of a final farewell.

Ginrei's days were numbered.

Perhaps, after today—

They would never meet again.

A man already stepping onto the river of the afterlife was offering a last farewell to those still among the living.

So then—

How should he respond?

Melancholy? Reluctance? But considering Ginrei's mindset, and his peaceful tone—

Seiya forced a smile and called back cheerfully.

"Yeah—have a safe journey, old man."

"Heh… I'll take your blessing."

It was only a matter of time.

He was simply leaving first.

After returning Byakuya to his family's care, Seiya was about to leave—

When a voice called out behind him.

"Wait, Captain Seiya!"

He paused and turned slightly—

His face full of mischief.

"Oh? What is it, Young Master Kuchiki~? Still got something to say to me?"

His tone—

Was the definition of smug.

Byakuya, clearly embarrassed, hesitated before blurting out—

"Earlier, I… I acted very rudely toward you…"

Ignoring Seiya, showing his disgraceful side—

It was deeply mortifying.

But Seiya didn't seem to care.

With a calm smile, he stepped forward and lightly patted Byakuya's shoulder.

"You're so stiff, Byakuya."

"No need to be so formal—we've known each other for years."

"I understand your temper. I won't hold onto trivial things."

So—

"Just be yourself. Like your grandfather said…"

"Choose the path that makes you happy."

"Besides, that's why I came here today."

Byakuya swallowed his words of gratitude, unable to voice them.

Simple thanks felt too light—

They wouldn't be enough.

So instead—

"You're not about to do something overly formal, are you?"

Seiya pressed a hand on Byakuya's shoulder, his tone amused.

"Come on, you should know my personality by now."

No need for grand gestures.

"Just get me some incense when you have time~"

Before Seiya could leave, a new voice called out from behind.

"Ahem… Lord Byakuya, are you outside?"

A completely unfamiliar voice.

The sound of a sliding door being pulled open.

Seiya's expression shifted slightly as he turned toward the source of the voice.

There—

Stood a petite figure.

Black-haired, slender. Her shoulders were barely half the width of others…

A girl as delicate as a porcelain doll.

She wore a traditional kimono, standing there looking lost and uncertain.

Upon spotting Seiya, she instinctively covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes widening in shock.

"Um… You are…?"

Seiya smiled calmly, raising a hand to gesture toward his own face.

"I'm Seiya. Do you remember me?"

Her smile bloomed like cherry blossoms in full bloom.

"Yes! I remember you, Captain Seiya!"

His guess was right—this was Hisana Kuchiki… Or rather, she hadn't taken the Kuchiki name yet.

Shortly after Byakuya and Hisana met, Seiya, using his connections, had also reached out to her.

The first time they met, he almost mistook her for Rukia.

These sisters really did resemble each other…

And thanks to his foresight, Seiya had arranged some "coincidences" that allowed Byakuya to learn about Hisana's health conditions early on.

This eliminated unnecessary tests and delays.

With Seiya's help, Hisana was immediately placed under the care of the Fourth Division's top medical team.

At the time, Seiya had merely thought, Do my best and leave the rest to fate.

But the results had been surprisingly good.

—Her condition was merely the result of prolonged malnutrition.

"Had this gone on much longer, it might have become an untreatable chronic illness,"

Unohana Retsu's words still echoed in his ears, as vivid as the gentle smile she wore when she spoke them.

"But fortunately, it's not too late."

Under Unohana's supervision, Hisana had been receiving ongoing treatment.

Because of this, she and Seiya had become quite familiar with each other.

Hearing her excited response now, Seiya couldn't help but chuckle.

"Didn't expect a rising star of the Kuchiki family to still remember me. Ahh~ What an honor."

"Ah! I-I didn't mean it like that, I just—"

Hisana clearly wasn't used to teasing.

Flustered by Seiya's joke, she struggled for words, her face growing redder by the second.

Then, unable to respond, she shrank slightly, looking like she was about to burst into tears.

Seiya quickly waved his hands.

"Alright, alright, my bad. I was just joking—don't take it seriously."

If she started crying—

That blockhead beside her would probably draw his sword on him.

Forget "old friends"—offending the future lady of the Kuchiki family? Ginrei would probably jump out of his sickbed to deal with him.

After some quick consoling, Hisana's emotions gradually calmed.

Looking at her tearful yet lovely expression, Seiya found himself musing—

How unexpected.

Byakuya really liked this kind of delicate, fragile type?

Well, it did match his strong-willed personality in a way.

"So, have you been keeping up with your medicine?"

Hisana clasped her hands together at her chest and nodded eagerly.

"Yes! It's very bitter, but with Lord Byakuya encouraging me, I can manage to swallow it!"

"Oh~ So the young master of the Kuchiki family even does things like that? How interesting."

Beside him, Byakuya's face turned red, while Hisana fidgeted in embarrassment.

Ahh.

Teasing this couple was too much fun.

Seiya waved a hand, still grinning.

"Alright, enough jokes. Just keep taking your medicine properly. I'll take you both to the Fourth Division for a check-up soon."

"We should get a more thorough diagnosis and see if any further treatment is needed."

"Your health is your foundation."

After all…

"I assume our dear Young Master Kuchiki has no intention of taking a concubine?"

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