Rukia's Tears  

As Ailin and Tōshirō were praising themselves, they arrived at the entrance of the Kuchiki Manor.

"Haruko, why are you here?" Ailin hurried forward upon seeing his wife. "Didn't I tell you last night that you didn't need to wait for us?"

"Last night?" Tōshirō tilted his head, confused.

Hadn't Teacher Ailin been with him the entire time?

How could he have spoken to someone else last night?

"Go, go, go! Shoo! I'm not here to see you."

Despite the smile in her eyes, Haruko Kuchiki gently pushed Ailin aside. Then, she bent down and addressed Tōshirō with a warm smile. "You must be the little Shiro Ailin mentioned."

"Hello, Shiro. My name is Haruko Kuchiki. I'm your teacher's wife."

"Huh?" Tōshirō scratched his head in confusion. "Teacher's wife, it's true that I'm Teacher Ailin's disciple, but my name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya, not Shiro."

"Huh?" Haruko looked at Ailin quizzically. "Ailin, didn't you say your new disciple's name was Shiro?"

Tōshirō mirrored Haruko's expression, equally confused. Why had his teacher gotten his name wrong?

"Well…"

"Haha…"

Ailin chuckled awkwardly under their gazes.

When he was with Tōshirō, he naturally addressed him by his full name.

But when chatting with Haruko, he unconsciously slipped into the casual tone he used with online friends in his previous life.

And in the Bleach fandom, fans often gave their favorite characters nicknames that reflected their unique traits and personalities.

Byakuya Kuchiki was often called "Big Shiro," while Tōshirō Hitsugaya was known as "Little Shiro."

"Haruko, don't you think Tōshirō's hair is adorable?"

"Yes, his snow-white hair is like snow."

"So, I thought instead of introducing him to you with his formal name, it would be better to use 'Shiro,' a nickname that suits his temperament, to make a stronger impression on you."

Haruko rolled her eyes at Ailin, then ignored him and addressed Tōshirō with a smile once more. "I apologize for the mistake, Tōshirō."

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Haruko Kuchiki. I'm your teacher's wife."

"Hello, Teacher's wife. My name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya. It's nice to meet you."

"Oh, he's so adorable!"

Tōshirō's serious demeanor triggered Haruko's maternal instincts. She scooped him up in her arms. "Little Shiro is so cute! Come, come, come. I made a lot of delicious food."

"Teacher's wife, my name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya!"

"I know, Shiro. Don't worry, I'll call you Tōshirō…"

Watching Haruko carry Tōshirō away, Ailin opened his mouth to say something, then chuckled and followed them.

"Hey, Haruko, wait for me..."

...

Overjoyed at gaining an adorable junior, Haruko went into a frenzy. She either took Tōshirō to the Shinigami Women's Association to show him off or went shopping and played with him all over Seireitei.

It was as if she was pouring all her unfulfilled maternal love onto Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

Ailin was happy to support her. After all, he was the reason Haruko couldn't become a mother.

Now, with Tōshirō, she could at least find some solace.

One day, Ailin arrived at the front courtyard of the Kuchiki Manor but couldn't find Rukia. After focusing his senses, he heard faint sobs.

Sighing softly, he walked towards the cherry blossom tree and found Rukia huddled beneath it, crying.

Sensing his presence, Rukia looked up and saw Ailin.

She quickly stood up, tears still streaming down her face, and hurriedly explained, "Teacher, I, I haven't been slacking off. I, I just…"

"Yes, I know."

Looking at the distraught girl, Ailin sighed and gently stroked her head.

"Rukia has always been diligent. I have no doubt about that. So, who made my Rukia so upset? Look, you've cried yourself into a mess. Tell me, Teacher will avenge you."

"No…"

Rukia quickly wiped away her tears and shook her head. "Teacher, I just feel like I've failed to live up to your expectations and Captain Byakuya's. Both of you value me so highly, and Captain Byakuya even takes time out of his day to practice swordsmanship with me. But I haven't improved at all…"

"Oh?" Ailin raised an eyebrow. "Rukia, you should know that whether you improve or not is largely related to your teacher's guidance. Don't blame everything on yourself. While Byakuya isn't here, let me see what he has taught you that makes you feel like you haven't made any progress this past year."

"Well…"

Rukia longed for Ailin's guidance, but she was afraid that if her performance disappointed him, he would blame Captain Byakuya.

She felt conflicted.

Seemingly sensing her dilemma, Ailin gently ruffled her hair.

"Come, Rukia. You need to understand that for Byakuya, your progress is more important than anything else. Besides, wouldn't you like to surprise him?"

"Yes, I understand, Teacher."

Taking a deep breath, Rukia followed Ailin to the open space in front of the cherry blossom tree and gripped her Asauchi tightly.

"I'm ready, Teacher."

"Good. Attack me with everything you've got."

"Haaaah!"

…

That evening, Byakuya Kuchiki returned home, his face impassive. He headed directly towards the front courtyard, where he usually trained with Rukia.

However, as he walked, his expression subtly shifted.

He even paused for a moment. But eventually, he continued forward.

When Byakuya arrived at the courtyard, he saw his Uncle Ailin practicing swordsmanship with Rukia.

However, his gaze was fixed on Rukia.

He noticed that compared to when she sparred with him, Rukia's movements—her swings, blocks, retreats, and attacks—now possessed a certain fluidity.

Although she couldn't fully replicate her training form yet, the improvement was significant. Compared to when she could only display half her strength during their sparring sessions, sometimes even less, this progress was astonishing.

But what caught Byakuya's attention the most was the look in Rukia's eyes.

When she fought him, her eyes were filled with panic and confusion.

Now, Rukia appeared calm and composed. Her every movement seemed to follow a certain pattern, as if she had already planned her next attack or defense before her sword even struck.

Had Rukia truly changed so much in just one day?

Could this be the difference between himself and his teacher?

At this moment, Byakuya couldn't deny that in terms of training disciples, his year of effort couldn't match his teacher's one day of guidance.

"Alright, Rukia, I understand your situation now," Ailin said, sensing Byakuya's arrival. He disarmed Rukia with a single stroke, ending their sparring session.

"Huh?"

This battle had been the most fulfilling one for Rukia since becoming a Shinigami.

Initially, she had been hesitant and restrained while fighting Ailin.

However, as the fight progressed, Rukia realized that her teacher only defended against her attacks, never exploiting her weaknesses like Captain Byakuya.

This emboldened her, and she began to adjust her movements, mimicking her solo training form.

The force of the impact each time her Asauchi clashed with Teacher Ailin's Zanpakutō, how to adjust her body to negate the recoil…

After retracting her sword, how to strike again with maximum speed, what posture to maintain to block or counterattack if her teacher attacked…

These elements gradually integrated into Rukia's attacks, allowing her to find her own "combat rhythm."

This was why Byakuya saw Rukia practically displaying her full training form.

Although she was reluctant to stop, Rukia obediently sheathed her Asauchi when Teacher Ailin interrupted their rhythm.

She bowed respectfully to Ailin.

"Teacher, thank you for your guidance. I think I finally understand how to fight."

As she straightened up, Rukia noticed Byakuya standing nearby.

"Captain Byakuya?"

She gasped in surprise.

Then, she asked cautiously, "Captain Byakuya, when did you arrive?"

"I arrived when you attacked Uncle Ailin's left side."

"Ah? This…"

Hearing Byakuya's response, Rukia became flustered. She didn't know what to do with her hands.

Had her performance just now discouraged Captain Byakuya?

After all, she hadn't made any progress after a year of training with him, but after just one spar with Teacher Ailin, she had found her preferred combat rhythm. The difference…

As Rukia had feared, Teacher Ailin was furious.

"Hmph!"

"Byakuya, you've done well!"

Ailin sheathed his Zanpakutō and strode towards Byakuya, his voice laced with barely suppressed anger. "I thought you, having spent the most time with me, would have learned at least a few things. That's why I entrusted you with Rukia's swordsmanship training."