"You surely cannot remember it. After all, when you first arrived in Soul Society, you were only an infant. Because of that, Hisana couldn't survive in the Inuzuri District while taking care of you alone. She had no choice but to leave you behind. She only told me all of this at the very end."
Byakuya finished speaking and slowly let out a breath. "This was also Hisana's greatest regret. I cannot say things like 'if it were you, you would have made the same choice.' But as for how you should view Hisana, I hope you will listen to everything I have to say before making your decision."
As Byakuya spoke, it was as if he had returned to the early spring of fifty years ago—a memory he was most reluctant to recall, yet could never forget. On that morning, before the first plum blossom of the year could bloom, his wife, Kuchiki Hisana, left him forever.
Hisana's health had always been poor. Because of this, the two of them only spent a short five years together. Yet, for both of them, it was their most cherished, dream-like experience.
This was Byakuya's eternal regret. Not solely because of his wife's passing, but because even with the power of the Kuchiki clan, he could not allow her to depart without regrets.
"I still have a younger sister, Byakuya-sama..."
When the bedridden Hisana first mentioned Rukia's existence, Byakuya did not blame her in the slightest. In truth, he should have noticed it long ago. Ever since entering the Kuchiki clan, Hisana would frequently mention wanting to visit the Inuzuri District. However, due to the clan's strict rules, the number of times she actually went was pitifully few.
Entering a noble family as a commoner—especially a great noble family like the Kuchiki clan—meant Hisana had to be extremely careful with her every word and action. Even as the wife of the clan head, mobilizing the Kuchiki clan's resources was an impossible task for her.
Harboring the thought of not causing trouble for Byakuya, Hisana could only do her best to search for Rukia in secret. It was only when she was truly powerless to continue that she finally confessed this small wish to him.
"To find you at all costs—that was Hisana's final wish. And when I did find you, I was not to tell you the truth. That was my promise to Hisana. But I believe she would have much preferred to make amends for her mistake in person."
"If I had paid more attention to Hisana, you and she might have been able to see each other one last time. But because of my obtuseness, by the time I found you, it had already been a year since Hisana passed away."
As Byakuya spoke, his eyes were filled with desolation. If he had noticed his wife's unusual behavior just a year earlier, he could have helped her fulfill at least one wish. Those five years had been wasted by him.
"After that, I immediately brought you into the Kuchiki clan. Just like with Hisana, this inevitably met with opposition from the family. Because of this, I swore before my parents' graves that this would be the last time. From then on, no matter what happened, I would strictly uphold the rules."
"However, I also did not want you to repeat Hisana's tragedy. I wanted to keep you safe, and I didn't want to see you looking depressed by my side. Squad 13 was the best choice. But when you were suddenly sentenced to execution, it made me begin to doubt whether my decision was truly correct."
Rukia felt the sweaty hand resting on the back of hers grip a little tighter, as if he were afraid she would suddenly disappear.
"I was lost. If I had kept you by my side, you wouldn't have had to die. Furthermore, I didn't know whether I should save you—whether to keep my vow to my parents, or to protect you, the younger sister who had suffered so much. I didn't even dare to visit you, afraid that you would plead with me just like Hisana did, and I wouldn't know what to do..."
*Was this still that aloof and unreachable older brother? He must have treated her sister with this same gentleness.* Rukia recalled the scenes of seeing Byakuya in the past. In that lifeless, gloomy room, she was always faced with her brother's proud, distant back.
It was just that, at the time, her sorrowful and dissatisfied self hadn't realized that her brother, who always stayed in that dark room, was actually so incredibly lonely.
"Brother, it... it was me..."
"I must apologize to you, Rukia. I am sorry," Byakuya said, gently pulling Rukia's hand to his side. "Whether you think it's out of guilt, or because of the promise I made to your sister, I want to do what an older brother should do just this once. Could you please indulge my selfish wish..."
"And try to trust me, this incompetent older brother?"
Byakuya's eyes were sincere and clear. Within them, Rukia saw only herself. She wasn't a replacement for anyone; the emotions held there belonged exclusively to her.
"A-All this time, I've caused you so much trouble. From now on..." Rukia lowered her head, pressing it against the back of Byakuya's slightly cold hand, and cried out loudly, "I'm so glad I can keep relying on you from now on, Brother!"
"I'll be in your care as well, Rukia."
Time always brings about all sorts of divergences.
Some people face the wind and rain of history, and though they may end up battered, they manage to grasp the beauty that would have otherwise passed them by.
But some people cower in an unknown cave, dreaming foolish dreams that everything will just blow over!
"No matter how thick-headed Kaien is, there's no way he's going to forgive you without a proper explanation. Being honest might not guarantee forgiveness, but it at least gives you a chance. What do you say, dead-fish eyes?"
Yoruichi felt that the Kōe standing before her was exactly that kind of person. Back in Squad 4, Kaien had actually been very restrained. Although he genuinely looked like he wanted to murder Kōe, he ultimately didn't take any action.
Of course, that restraint completely shattered the moment Kōe activated the Kidō he had spent years weaving throughout Shiba Miyako's entire body, instantly dispersing her condensed soul and placing it into a prepared Reigai meant to stabilize her.
This was practically turning Shiba Miyako into a Gikongan by force. Naturally, there were still differences. If she had been condensed exactly like a Gikongan, let alone relying on Kidō, even Urahara Kisuke, the inventor of the Gikongan, wouldn't have been able to reverse it.
But giving that kind of excuse to Kaien probably wouldn't have done any good. Therefore, Kōe didn't even bother explaining and just slipped away. Although he used the high-sounding excuse of, "Aizen's escape left a massive mess for me to handle; once I'm done, I'll personally go to the Shiba clan to apologize," in Yoruichi's eyes, this guy simply hadn't figured out how to explain himself yet!
By the time they finished settling Ishida and the others, it was already night. The two returned to the cave beneath Sōkyoku Hill. Even though she had many questions she wanted to ask, Yoruichi still made it her first priority to offer Kōe some advice.
For the three of them, using others could be a matter of necessity, but it could never be something done with a clear conscience. Even with Ichigo and those brats, Urahara had promised to give them a sincere apology. Not to mention the Shiba clan, who had close ties with them. Yoruichi didn't want to see Kōe turn into an emotionless spiritual tool.
"Are you sure you want me to be honest?" Kōe asked in return. With a highly peculiar expression, he continued, "If I hadn't treated Miyako like that, both of you would have died. Do you really want me to say that?"
*This is his version of honesty?* Yoruichi's mouth twitched. "You should first acknowledge the harm you caused them. Even if it was to protect the Hōgyoku, it's still a form of harm."
"Right, that's what I thought."
That sentence completely baffled Yoruichi. Kōe noticed this as well. "Did Urahara... seriously not tell you about this?"
"A-About what?"
*Alright, it seems Urahara never mentioned this either. Maybe even he didn't expect Shiba Miyako to still be alive?*
"Even though Old Man Yama will probably ask about it tomorrow, I suppose I can explain it to you first."