Writing a novel during work hours—what a fortable life.

  In the blink of ahe workday was over.

  Haruki looked at his 20,000-word manuscript, feeling pleased, and carefully stored it in a folder.

  He had pns to meet Hisagi for dionight and thought it would be a good opportunity to discuss submitting his work to the Soul Society Bulletin.

  As the vice-captain of the 9th Division and the managior of the Soul Society Bulletin, Hisagi was the seost iial editor after Tōsen, the editor-in-chief. Naturally, Haruki o talk to him about the submission.

  Sihey hadn't brought Hisagi along st time at Daruma-ya, they decided to meet there again. The food and drinks at Daruma-ya were excellent, after all.

  This time, it was just Haruki and Hisagi. As soon as they sat down, Haruki pced the folder in front of Hisagi.

  Hisagi, curious, took the folder and asked, "What's this?"

  "I wrote a novel. Do you think it could be serialized in the Soul Society Bulletin?"

  Hisagi was shocked. "A novel?! You write novels?!"

  "Why not? 't I write novels?" Haruki replied. "I love reading, you know."

  "Really?" Hisagi pulled out the draft from the f it, and quickly became engrossed.

  By the time Haruki had fiwo bottles of sake, Hisagi finally put the manuscript down.

  He looked astonished. "This is incredible. It feels even more engaging than Captain Ukitake's The Reje of Pisces."

  "Of course," Haruki said proudly. "Not that The Reje of Pisces isn't excellent."

  "It's just that The Reje of Pisces always tries to teach a lesson. While it's a great and educational novel, it iably falls a bit short in terms of pure eai."

  "Alright, I'll take it. Don't worry, I'll find a prime spot for it in the Soul Society Bulletin. It's guarao sell well!"

  If the sales were good, Hisagi, as the editor, would also earn a share of the profits.

  Unlike Haruki, who came from a noble family and had some savings, Hisagi, despite being a vice-captain, had signifit expenses.

  After settling the matter of the novel with Hisagi, Hisagi hurried off to make arras, leaving after only a few drinks.

  Haruki watched Hisagi leave with a smile, then shook his head and prepared to head home.

  But just as he was about to leave, he spotted Rukia Kuchiki.

  Daruma-ya was close to the Kuchiki estate, so it wasn't surprising to see Rukia nearby.

  After some thought, Haruki decided to approach her.

  He hadn't had many opportuo i with Rukia, so he o create one.

  Currently, the divisions of the Gotei 13 had little iion with each other. The only time captains and vice-captains from different divisions gathered was during the regur captaiings at the 1st Division.

  Evehe captains would stick together, and the vice-captains would do the same.

  Because of this, many vice-captains didn't even know the captains of other divisions.

  By the time the main story began, Renji didn't even know who the captain of the 10th Division was, which was absurd.

  Haruki also had few opportuo meet captains from other divisions, and approag them out of the blue would be sidered rude.

  So, for the most part, Haruki stayed put, fog on strengthening his own position first.

  However, since Rukia's abilities were too important, Haruki decided to make an effort to ect with her.

  "You are…"

  Haruki walked up to Rukia and said, "Rukia Kuchiki, right?"

  Rukia was startled. She looked at Haruki, who had suddenly appeared in front of her, with fusion.

  As a member of the Kuchiki family, everyone ih Distriew her. People treated her with such reverehat she found it hard to make friends.

  She was familiar with most people who frequehe 6th District, but now…

  Who was this?

  Rukia felt that Haruki looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.

  "I'm a friend of Renji Abarai," Haruki introduced himself. "I'm also a graduate of the 2061 css, so I'm your senior. I'm currently the vice-captain of the 5th Division, Haruki Murakami."

  "A friend of Renji's…" Rukia was surprised, then bowed slightly. "Vice-Captain Haruki, is there something you need from me?"

  "Huh?" Haruki was taken abad quickly took a step back. "Please don't let anyone see you doing that. Even though I'm a vice-captain, you're a member of the Kuchiki family. Our statuses are equal."

  Legally speaking, a vice-captain and an ordinary member of a great noble family were sidered equals.

  Of course, if Haruki were her direct superior, it would be appropriate for Rukia to bow.

  But he wasn't the vice-captain of the 13th Division, so he had no authority over Rukia.

  "Vice-Captain Haruki, what did you want to talk about?"

  "I wao discuss Renji. I just finished dinner here. Would you like to e in and sit for a bit?" Haruki poio Daruma-ya.

  Rukia hesitated.

  After a moment, she said, "Alright, but I only stay for ten minutes. If I'm te getting back, my brother will be upset."

  "No problem."

  Ten minutes was enough. Haruki led Rukia bato Daruma-ya.

  Before entering, Haruki grabbed a bottle of sake.

  "Care for a drink?"

  "No, thank you," Rukia shook her head.

  Haruki poured himself a drink and said, "Renji is ih Division now. He's mentioned you, and I couldn't help but be curious about the person the Kuchiki family adopted."

  Rukia smiled bitterly. "Now that you've seen me, are you disappointed? If I didn't resemble Lady Hisana, I wouldn't have been worthy of being adopted by the Kuchiki family."

  "…" Haruki looked puzzled. "Why wouldn't you be worthy? You've just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy, and you already have such strong spiritual power. I'd say it won't be long before you bee a seated officer."

  "…Really?"

  Rukia lowered her head. Even though Haruki was plimenting her, she didn't seem uplifted.

  During this period, Rukia struggled with feelings of inferiority.

  Haruki shook his head. "Sometimes, the truth be seen in the smallest details. What you think is real might not be the whole truth."

  "…What do you mean?" Rukia looked up, fused.

  "Miss Kuchiki, you like sweet foods, right?"

  "Huh? Did Renji tell you that?"

  Haruki didn't answer but instead gave a mysterious smile. "The food you eat at the Kuchiki estate is always sweet, isn't it?"

  "…Yes," Rukia replied, though her voice cked fidence despite her atus.

  "But Captain Byakuya prefers spicy food," Haruki added.

  "Wha—?! That's impossible!" Rukia became visibly agitated. "The food at home is always sweet!"