Hi, I really love your rivals!au and I was wondering how you think the idea Byakuya having to get a job would have gone down and what sort of job he got?
The bell over the door rang, signaling a new customer, and Byakuya fervently hoped it wasn't anyone he knew. No such luck.
"Kuchiki?" Yukimura Hisana, the bane of his existence, asked in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like? I'm working," he ground out. God, this was humiliating. He still had no idea why Grandfather had suddenly insisted that he find a job and 'learn what it's like to support yourself.'
Hisana blinked.
"You work here," she said slowly. "You work here."
"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" He asked defensively.
"Not at all." Hisana shook her head and Byakuya felt his shoulders untense slightly. "Just...never thought I'd see the day."
She glanced up at him, a faint smile on her lips. Byakuya swallowed, feeling his heart thump oddly in his chest-- must have had too much caffeine today, he thought.
"Jokes aside though, I know you're probably the last person who needs to work, so for you to get a job? That's...I mean, good for you, Kuchiki," Hisana said, eyes warm.
Byakuya shifted uncomfortably, wondering if he should correct her. It wasn't like he was here by choice, after all-- he was only here because Grandfather had insisted on it, but Hisana was actually being pleasant to him for once (even smiling at him! He hadn't thought the girl could smile), and didn't Grandfather and Yoruichi always urge him to stop arguing so much and make nice with her? And she seemed to be in a rare good mood, it seemed a shame to do anything that could ruin it.
"Were you going to order anything?" He asked, tone coming out more brusque than he intended. But then, it was her fault for making him feel all conflicted, he thought to himself with a scowl.
At that, she straightened up, suddenly all business.
"Right, sorry. I'll take a package of the Red Heaven oolong tea, please," she said.
Byakuya stiffened, startled. That was Grandfather's favorite tea.
"Are you sure you can afford that?" He blurted out. He immediately regretted it when Hisana's face went blank, the warmth in her eyes replaced by something brittle and tired.
"That's none of your concern, Kuchiki," Hisana said stiffly, before pausing.
"Besides, it's for a friend," she said quietly, voice almost inaudible. "I can splurge a little for a friend."
Something of what he was feeling must have shown on his face because her eyes narrowed.
"Don't you dare pity me, Kuchiki," she said, voice ice-cold, sliding a bag of kan across the counter. Byakuya had no doubt it would contain the exact amount of money to pay for the tea, no more, no less. "Congratulations on the new job. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
(General comments and reviews of Byakuya’s social/flirting skills are appreciated)