Byakuya Kuchiki strode out of the conference room, his steps measured and purposeful. The board meeting had just concluded, and as the CEO of Kuchiki Enterprises, his schedule was a relentless march from one task to another.

As he approached the sleek desk that served as the nerve center of the meeting organization, he glanced at the young woman seated behind it. She was efficient, he noted, as she meticulously organized papers and schedules. Byakuya had always appreciated efficiency.

"Miss Yamada," he addressed her, his voice as composed as his demeanor.

The girl behind the counter looked up, her eyes meeting Byakuya's. She had heard tales of his stoic nature, his unwavering commitment to his work, and his unyielding standards. Meeting him in person was a rare occasion.

"Yes, Mr. Kuchiki?" she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Byakuya inquired about his upcoming appointments, his voice unwaveringly calm. "What is my schedule for the rest of the day?"

Miss Yamada, eager to assist, began listing off his meetings and obligations, one after another, "Um… yes, in 15 minutes…", however, Byakuya's attention had drifted elsewhere. Amidst the neatly arranged documents on the counter, a single sheet of paper lay waiting, forgotten by the rest. Byakuya's keen eyes caught sight of it, and his fingers reached out to pick it up, almost of their own accord.

As he perused the document, he barely registered Miss Yamada's continued recitation of his schedule. The words on the paper held his focus, and an expression, rare for Byakuya, crossed his features—a subtle but unmistakable intrigue.

"Who is this?" he inquired, his voice laced with a curiosity that rarely surfaced.

Miss Yamada halted her recitation, momentarily caught off guard. "That's... the candidate scheduled for a job interview at 10 a.m. with the HR department."

Byakuya's decision was swift, a testament to his ability to make quick and efficient choices. "Postpone the board meeting by two hours, and have the candidate sent directly to my office for the interview. HR's involvement will not be necessary."

With that, he turned and continued his deliberate stride toward his office, leaving behind a stunned and speechless Miss Yamada.


In the grand lobby of Kuchiki Enterprises, Rukia Ukitake entered, her demeanor radiating professionalism. A sleek black pencil skirt accentuated her figure, complemented by a crisp white blouse exuding sophistication. Her onyx hair was elegantly tied into a small bun, and her confident steps in heels resonated through the air.

Approaching the desk where Miss Yamada was stationed, Rukia offered a polite smile. "Good morning, I have an interview scheduled for 10 a.m."

Miss Yamada, her eyes brimming with excitement, immediately recognized Rukia. "Oh, you must be Miss Ukitake! We've been expecting you." Her voice held a distinct note of enthusiasm as she continued, "There have been some last-minute changes. Mr. Kuchiki is ready to meet you in his office. Right this way, please."

As Miss Yamada led the way through the pristine corridors of the corporate headquarters, Rukia couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. The mention of "Mr. Kuchiki" had her inner thoughts swirling.

' Mr. Kuchiki? Oh well, I am so screwed ,' a fleeting thought passed through her mind.

With a warm yet slightly anxious feeling swirling within her, Rukia followed Miss Yamada as she led the way. The name 'Byakuya Kuchiki' carried immense weight, and the prospect of being interviewed by the CEO himself left her with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She couldn't shake the feeling that this interview would be unlike any other she had experienced before.

Miss Yamada's knuckles lightly rapped against the polished wooden door, the sound echoing through the corridor. She announced Rukia's arrival in a clear, professional tone, "Mr. Kuchiki, Miss Ukitake is here for her 10 a.m. interview."

Byakuya, who had been absorbed in reviewing a stack of contracts spread out before him on his imposing desk, paused his meticulous examination. He lifted his gaze from the paperwork, his piercing cerulean eyes fixing on Miss Yamada for a brief moment. Without a word, he calmly set aside the neatly arranged documents and delicately removed his glasses, folding them with an elegance that spoke of practiced precision.

With a graceful motion, he gestured to Miss Yamada, who had respectfully remained just outside the office. Her poised demeanor seemed to reflect the utmost respect she held for her CEO. Byakuya's silent request was clear, and with a nod of her head, she gracefully stepped aside, creating a pathway for Rukia to enter.

The young woman couldn't help but feel a shiver of apprehension. The very air in Byakuya's office seemed to hum with a subtle aura of authority and elegance. As she stepped over the threshold, she became acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

As Rukia stepped over the threshold of his office, a profound shift in the atmosphere was palpable. The air grew heavy with anticipation, and her every step seemed to echo like a solemn heartbeat. The door behind her closed with a soft click, sealing her fate.

Her violet eyes met his steely gray ones from across the room, and for a moment, it felt as though time had come to a standstill. Eternity stretched between them before he finally broke the silence.

"Miss Ukitake," his voice was measured and composed, greeting her with a nod of acknowledgement. He gestured toward the chair opposite his imposing desk. "Please, have a seat."

She gracefully strode to the chair, offering a polite word of thanks before settling into it. Byakuya's gaze, like a scrutinizing magnifying glass, fell upon the paper in his hand. "Ukitake Rukia", he repeated her name softly, as if to confirm her identity, "Would you like something to drink?"

-"No, thank you", Rukia politely declined.

-"I should apologize for the last-minute changes to the interview process."

-"This is perfectly fine", her composure unwavering despite the palpable tension in the room.

Their eyes remained locked in a fierce, unyielding gaze. Without breaking the intense eye contact, he posed his question.

-"So, Miss Ukitake," his tone was steady, the question a challenge wrapped in professionalism, "I have reviewed your resume; it's quite impressive. Can you tell me why you believe you would be the best candidate to contribute to getting us... to the top?"

Rukia raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

-"To get you... to the top? Mr. Kuchiki, you already are at the top.", a subtle tease hung in the air, and their unyielding eye contact felt like a silent duel of wits.

-"Tease," Byakuya responded, his tone carrying a playful note, though it was almost imperceptible.

Rukia's lips curled into a sly smile as she leaned slightly forward, her eyes never leaving his. "So, Mr. Kuchiki, it seems you're searching for someone to take your company even higher. But tell me, what can you offer me in return?"

Byakuya's eyebrow quirked ever so slightly, a hint of intrigue in his gaze.

-"An excellent question, Miss Ukitake. What would you like in return for your expertise?"

She paused for a moment, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the chair. "How about a challenge? I've heard you're a formidable leader, and I enjoy a good challenge."

Byakuya's lips curved into a faint smile. "You'll find no shortage of challenges here, Miss Ukitake. But I must warn you, I don't easily back down."

Her eyes sparkled with determination. "Neither do I, Mr. Kuchiki."

Their exchange left an electric tension in the air, a palpable connection between them. Byakuya found himself genuinely intrigued by this young woman sitting across from him.

"When can you start?" he inquired, his interest evident.

Rukia's confidence unwavering, "Whenever you need me to."