#bleach oc

The pink-haired girl sat on a rock, watching with a mischievous grin as the blue-eyed boy trained with unwavering determination. She couldn't help feeling a little smug—after all, she had already earned the right to wear a shinigami uniform. A sly smile spread across her face.

"So, Ryūichi," she began teasingly, "when are you finally going to become a shinigami? All you ever do is train, train, and train, while I'm already doing my field training. And I'm younger than you. You should be embarrassed."

He spared her a brief glance without stopping his bokken practice. His expression remained calm and composed, though he tried not to show that her words had struck a nerve.

"Father says it's still too early," he replied evenly. "He intends for me to become an officer in his division from the very beginning, not an ordinary shinigami like someone I know. Besides, I'm still stronger than you."

The girl's cheeks flushed instantly.

"Or maybe Uncle just doesn't think someone is worthy yet, huh? I'm already training with the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division, so I'll be stronger than you soon enough!"

The older boy simply let out a quiet sigh.

They got along well, but sometimes she grew bored and deliberately tried to get under his skin. Officially, she was his cousin, and since they had grown up together, he could never stay annoyed with her for long.

"Fine. Believe whatever you want. Just don't interrupt my training anymore.

At dinner that evening, Ryūichi was quieter than usual. He ate in silence, and whenever his mother tried to ask about his day, he answered only with brief replies. He avoided meeting his father's eyes, afraid that his hurt feelings would show. The younger Abarai girl's words had wounded his pride more than he wanted to admit.

When dinner was over, he stood, bowed respectfully, wished his parents good night, and left the room. Two pairs of eyes followed him as he disappeared into the hallway of the grand estate—one calm and unreadable, the other quietly troubled.

Once their son's figure vanished from sight, Lucia cast a sideways glance at the head of the household. There was a silent plea in her eyes, met only by the unwavering firmness in his gaze. Everyone knew how desperately their heir longed to prove his strength and worth, to become someone his parents could be proud of.