Chapter 3: Ideals and Reality

Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. How was your training session with Captain Muguruma?

It was a very meaningful one. However...

...the lieutenant I met afterwards was a bit, uh...

Oh! You met Lieutenant Kuna too? A nice young lady, isn't she?

She can be a bit rowdy at times, but she's a very skilled Soul Reaper.

Skilled? Are you sure?

Hey there, Jushiro. And is that Captain Kuchiki's grandson?

Hello, sir.

Good day to you. What are you doing here, if I may ask?

I was giving Byakuya a tour around the Seireitei.

Oh, yeah? Then maybe you'll want to visit our squad. We're in the middle of a full squad training right now.

You'll get to see what kind of training we do.

Thank you, sir! I would love to see it!

Hahhh!

Interesting. So this is how Squad 8 does their training.

Would you like to join them?

You would allow me to?

Well, you've come all the way here. I wouldn't mind giving you some experience.

Then, yes! It would be my honor!

All right, I'll leave it to you, Lisa.

I knew you'd make me do it. Not that I mind.

She may not look like it, but she's very strong. Lisa is my squad's lieutenant, after all.

Th-Thank you for the opportunity!

Hah!

Hrh!

Oh, it looks like something...fell?

Oh.

Wh-What's this...?!

Oh my, Lisa. You shouldn't be bringing stuff like that to training.

I was planning to read it after we were done.

You've got to be kidding me!!!

H-How dare you bring something like that to a training session?!

What is wrong with you people?! Snacks? Books? You're supposed to be working! What are you even thinking?!

Calm down, Byakuya.

You have to understand that there are people like this. I mean, Lisa's a bit of a special case, but she's very reliable when I need her.

I'm sure you were able to feel it yourself. She was strong, wasn't she?

B-But it can't be! The Thirteen Court Guard Squads aren't supposed to be this...this...!

............

Thank you for everything today. I will excuse myself now.

Wait, Byakuya?!

Byakuya told me you took very good care of him yesterday. I must thank you for that.

Um... Is he okay?

I've been informed that he's focused on his training more so than usual ever since he returned to the manor. Did something happen?

I took him out to meet the other squads, but I think some of the people he met were a little too unique for him.

I'm afraid we ruined his expectations of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

He might've gotten a taste of the real world a bit too much on that field trip.

I see. I am aware that he has a very serious personality. Too serious at times.

I am hoping that he'll learn to be more flexible to be able to accept others.

Hah! Hah!

I can't... I just can't leave this be.

I have to join the squads as soon as I can. I have to change them and make them worthy of the Court Guard name!