Wednesday.
It was Wednesday, the middle of the week, and to Rukia, these three days felt like an eternity. Just three days in the company, and she already felt like she was losing her mind. It was astonishing how fast he managed to break her spirit. But she refused to let him see that. She was determined to prove herself, convinced that she was capable of handling anything thrown her way. It seemed like he took pleasure in tormenting her, constantly testing her limits.
Every day felt like a challenge, waiting for him to give her a task she might not be able to complete. Yet, despite the challenges, it was finally 8 pm on Wednesday, and she had just finished her 11-hour shift. It had been a grueling day, but she refused to complain. She felt tired, more than tired actually, but she wouldn't let anyone disrupt her plans for the evening. All she wanted was to relax in a warm bath, watch some TV, and get a good night's sleep. She was determined to keep this small part of her day for herself.
Seems like those plans would have to wait. As Rukia closed her apartment doors and took off her shoes, she heard noises coming from her kitchen.
-"Hello?" Rukia called out cautiously, realizing it might not be the best move since there could be a burglar in her apartment. Just as that thought crossed her mind, a familiar face appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Hey, kiddo!"
-"Uncle Shunsui!" Rukia's face lit up instantly.
-"Where do you keep your kettle?"
-"Why do you need a kettle?"
-"For tea, of course!" he replied, disappearing back into the kitchen, leaving Rukia perplexed at the entrance of her apartment.
Once she shook off her confusion about why he was asking for a kettle and why Shunsui Kyoraku was in her apartment unannounced, Rukia headed towards the kitchen. "Um... Uncle Shunsui, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but why are you here?"
-"Well, you see, it's been awhile, and I haven't checked up on you. You were dealing with everything on your own and taking care of Jushiro... aaand Nanao kicked me out," he said, trying to slip the last part in unnoticed.
-"What? Again?" Rukia tried to look shocked, but this wasn't the first time it had happened, so it didn't shock her at all. It had happened far too often.
-"Yeah, you know Nanao," Shunsui said, attempting to lighten the mood. "She won't stay mad at me for too long, don't worry… Tell me," his tone turned serious, "how's Jushiro?"
-"Dad is great!" Rukia forced cheerfulness into her voice. "The medications he's taking now are working wonders. In no time, he'll be out of the hospital, like a new man."
Kyoraku feigned a smile, understanding her struggle. He knew she was concealing the truth, but he respected the sacrifices she was making and the battle she was fighting, making him hesitant to press further.
-"So… you know the drill: sheets are in the closet. If you need me, I'll be in my room. Sake's in that cabinet there," Rukia pointed towards the top cabinet, her tone casual.
He hated green tea, and that lie about the kettle was too obvious. Rukia knew him too well. With a nod and a small smile, he retreated to the guest room, leaving her alone. The apartment felt oddly comforting, like a sanctuary amidst the chaos of their lives. Rukia sighed, taking a moment to appreciate the brief respite. She hoped that the days of turbulence would soon fade, giving way to the calm they both desperately needed.
-"Miss Ukitake, could you please pass the sugar?" Ichigo couldn't help but tease Rukia, channeling her boss's formal tone.
-"Oh, for the love of...Aarrghhh!" Rukia's irritation was palpable. "If I hear 'Miss Ukitake' one more time, I'll go ballistic!"
Ichigo and the others burst into laughter, fueling Rukia's frustration. In a fit of annoyance, she hurled the sugar tray at Ichigo. He narrowly dodged it, tumbling off his chair, laughing even harder. Despite herself, a small smile tugged at the corners of Rukia's lips. The group had gathered at their favorite cafe, their usual morning ritual before work, sipping coffee and sharing laughs.
It was evident that Rukia had been sharing her experiences about her new job with her friends, particularly about her charming boss. Naturally, this became ammunition for Ichigo's teasing over the past few days. Though she secretly enjoyed the banter, Rukia never admitted it, instead feigning annoyance. It was all for a good laugh.
-"Oh wow!" Matsumoto's exclamation grabbed everyone's attention instantly. She had been engrossed in a magazine, oblivious to the others. "He's very handsome, 34 years old, and still a bachelor. Aquarius, hmmm."
-"Who's she talking about?" Rukia asked, perplexed.
-"Your boss, Kuchiki Byakuya, of course," Matsumoto said, looking mischievous. "Apparently, he's been in a relationship, but not in relationship, with some girl named Kyoko Kurogane for the past 2 years... Why didn't you mention how handsome he is?"
Rukia merely scoffed at the question. "I never noticed."
-"Believe me, that would be the only thing I'd notice about him," Matsumoto retorted.
-"Of course you would, Matsumoto. Let me see." Momo grabbed the magazine to catch a glimpse of Rukia's boss. "Oh dear God! That man is a dream come true!"
Momo's reaction piqued the boys' curiosity. What was so amazing about this man?
-"Give me that!" Ichigo snatched the magazine and he and Uryu observed the pictures of the man inside. They examined his photographs for a solid minute before Ichigo concluded, "Doesn't look special at all."
The magazine featured an article about the top 10 most desirable bachelors in Japan, and the number 1 spot was occupied by none other than Kuchiki Byakuya. An entire page was dedicated to him, showcasing multiple pictures where he looked handsome and sophisticated in his black suit, and another one in a gray suit from some charity event. The article was rich in details about his life, from the tragic loss of his parents in a car accident when he was just a child, to his upbringing by his grandfather, to the vast extent of his fortune. He was clearly a public figure, scrutinized under the watchful eyes of both the public and the media.
After the magazine passed through several hands, it eventually landed in Rukia's grip. She couldn't pinpoint the moment she grabbed it, but she found herself engrossed in the article about him. The intricate details of his life captured her attention, and she realized she knew next to nothing about him. There was no denying the man was undeniably handsome.
-"Kurosaki, I don't agree with you entirely," Uryu wouldn't miss a chance to jab at Ichigo, "You can't deny that man is looking good."
Ichigo scoffed, "Come on, Ishida, don't tell me you're falling for him, too. Do you have a thing for older men now?"
Uryu rolled his eyes, not missing a beat. "Please, Kurosaki, I simply have a better taste than you. And I'm not just jealous of a man, like you are."
-"I'm not jealous of anyone, I'm looking good myself! I can have any girl I want" Ichigo was quick to defend himself.
-"And when was the last time you had a girlfriend?" snorted Matsumoto, while everyone tried to hold their laughter.
Ichigo was now irritated "I don't have one because I choose not to!"
And with that everyone burst to laughter again, except for Ichigo who angrily glared at Uryu.
The morning hinted at a good day ahead.
It was finally Friday, marking the end of the workweek and the exciting approach of the weekend. This thought provided Rukia with the motivation she needed to tackle the day ahead. The weekend held exciting plans for her—a visit to her dad and then the sheer joy of having some quality alone time to relax and do absolutely nothing!
Another email from the hospital arrived, announcing that her debt had increased to $250,000. Surprisingly, this news didn't dampen her spirits. Rukia decided to deal with it later in the day, remaining determined to enjoy her upcoming weekend to the fullest.
-"Who are you?" A rude and irritated woman stood at the door of Rukia's office, interrupting her train of thought.
The woman appeared to be in her 30s, with not-too-long blonde hair and sharp facial features. She was elegantly dressed in a black midi dress paired with white heeled shoes, adorned with pearls and gloves on her hands. Her makeup seemed a bit heavy for this time of the day.
-"Pardon me?" Rukia replied, momentarily taken aback.
-"There," she pointed at Rukia's seat, "used to sit a young and clumsy boy. Where is he, and what are you doing here?"
-"Pardon me, Miss…" Rukia started, trailing off as she awaited the woman's name.
-"Kurogane!"
'Ohh…'
-"Pardon me, Miss Kurogane. I am not sure which young man you're referring to, but I have been working here since this Monday as Mr. Kuchiki's personal assistant," Rukia politely informed her. "Is there any way I can assist you?"
The mention of Rukia being Byakuya's assistant visibly surprised Kyoko. She hadn't known about the new assistant, and especially not that it was a young woman.
-"I am here to see Kuchiki Byakuya," Kyoko informed.
Rukia swiftly clicked on the keyboard, scanning Byakuya's planner for the current week. After a few seconds, she said,"As I can see here, you don't have a scheduled meeting with Mr. Kuchiki for today. The dinner reservation for tomorrow is still confirmed. However, he is not in his office for the rest of the day; he had to leave urgently."
The woman eyed Rukia suspiciously and left without saying a word.
'Wow, what a piece of work.' thought Rukia to herself.
Her phone buzzed as she received a text message:
Byakuya: I have to go to Seoul for a business trip on Monday. Schedule everything and prepare all the necessary arrangements. I'll email you the detailed itinerary.
Rukia: Understood. I'll ensure everything is ready.
Byakuya: You will also accompany me on this trip.
'What? I have to go, too?' Rukia was a bit surprised at his last text message.
But Rukia wasted no time in questioning necessity of her attendance, and threw herself into the whirlwind of organizing Byakuya's Seoul trip. She handled flights, hotels, meetings, and an assortment of documents with finesse. Papers piled up on her desk, and emails flew out of her computer like confetti, but she remained unyielding, tackling each task with unwavering determination.
Around her, the entire floor buzzed with murmurs and glances in her office direction. People whispered about her efficiency and questioned the nature of her relationship with Byakuya. Rukia paid no attention, her focus solely on getting the job done.
Hours blurred as she delved into translating documents, confirming travel details, and alerting contacts in Seoul. The weight of responsibility pressed on her, but she met it head-on. The idea of accompanying Byakuya, even in a professional capacity, filled her with a mix of nerves and excitement.
And then, there came a soft knock at the door. Rukia, her desk buried under a mountain of paperwork, looked up and said, "Come on in."
In walked Lisa Yadomaru, Isane Kotetsu, and Yumichika Ayasegawa. They positioned themselves not too far from the door, appearing somewhat anxious. Yumichika and Isane avoided direct eye contact with Rukia, fidgeting with their fingers, while Lisa, sporting an amused expression, didn't seem to mind the tension. After what felt like an eternity, Lisa finally broke the silence.
"So... Is it true?" Lisa asked, getting straight to the point. "Is there something going on between you and Sir Strict-a-lot? And are you two really going on a trip next week?"
Rukia sighed and looked up from her laptop. "It's a business trip to Seoul," she replied, her tone laced with exasperation.
"Sure it is," Lisa quipped, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "And you conveniently didn't deny the first part of my question!"
Lisa burst into laughter, and the rest of the group couldn't help but join in, the tension dissipating as they shared a brief moment of bonding and laughter.
Rukia eyed her colleagues for a moment longer. "Now, what did you all come here for? Did you just come to ask me that?"
Lisa, Isane, and Yumichika exchanged glances, and then Lisa spoke up, a mischievous grin on her face. "Well, actually, we came here to invite you out tomorrow night. We thought we could use a girls' night out, considering you'll be jet-setting with Stone-Face soon. What do you say?"
Rukia hesitated for a moment, her mind calculating the logistics of a night out versus her workload. But then, she realized she deserved a break. With a reluctant smile, she agreed, "Fine, I'll go. But only for a couple of hours. I have a lot of work to do, especially before the trip. Don't expect me to stay out all night."
The trio cheered in triumph, and Rukia couldn't help but chuckle at their excitement. They informed her of time and location, and soon after they left her office, leaving Rukia alone to deal with preparations for the next week.