BLEACH .] 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

Chapter 2

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The knock echoed through the room, reverberating through the unfamiliar space. Her pulse quickened as she stared at the door, anxiety tightening its grip on her. She wasn't ready to face anyone—how could she be when she didn't even know where or who she was now?

The door creaked open before she could decide on a course of action, and a young woman stepped inside. She was dressed in a maid's uniform, her movements graceful and efficient as she carried a tray with a porcelain teacup and pitcher. The maid looked up, her eyes meeting hers with a respectful nod.

"Good morning, my lady," the maid greeted with a curtsy. "I hope you rested well."

The formal greeting threw her off balance. "My lady?" The words sounded strange in her ears. She blinked, momentarily forgetting to respond as the reality of her situation began to sink in. This wasn't just a dream; she had truly woken up in another world—one that seemed to belong in a historical novel or drama.

"Good... morning," she finally managed to say, her voice barely steady. Her mind raced as she took in the maid's presence. The young woman seemed familiar with her—too familiar. Did she know this person? Did this person know her? Was she supposed to?

The maid approached the bedside table and placed the tray down, her movements calm and precise. "Would you like some tea, my lady? It's a special blend from the gardens—your favorite."

"Tea? Yes, thank you." She nodded absently, more focused on how to gather information without raising suspicion. The maid poured the tea, the delicate fragrance wafting through the room, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were elsewhere, trying to piece together what had happened and where she now found herself.

She had to ask questions, but she had to do it carefully. She couldn't afford to appear too confused—whoever this maid thought she was, she needed to maintain that façade until she could figure things out.

Her eyes flicked to the maid. "Could you... remind me where I am? I... I seem to have woken up with a bit of a headache, and everything feels a little fuzzy."

The maid looked concerned but not alarmed. "Of course, my lady. You are in the east wing of the Grand Duke Ukitake's estate, your family's home. Would you like me to fetch a healer?"

She shook her head quickly. "No, no need for that. Just a little disoriented, that's all." Grand Duke Ukitake? The name was oddly familiar, yet distant—like something from a story she'd read long ago. Then it clicked. Ukitake—Jūshirō Ukitake, a character from the Bleach universe. But how was that possible?

Her heart pounded in her chest. Was she... in some sort of Bleach-inspired world? And if so, who exactly was she supposed to be? Her mind scrambled for answers, but all she had were more questions.

"Thank you," she murmured, trying to sound as normal as possible. "And... my father, the Duke—has he left for his duties today?"

"Yes, my lady," the maid replied, smoothing the bedcovers as she spoke. "The Grand Duke had an early meeting with Lord Kyōraku regarding affairs in the northern territories. He left just after dawn. Your brother, Lord Shinji, has also departed for the city."

Shinji? She latched onto the name, trying to make sense of it. Shinji Hirako? Her mind reeled. This was definitely not the world she had known. In this reality, it seemed Shinji was her brother, and Ukitake was her father. She felt like she was living inside a fanfiction story, yet everything was so real.

As the maid moved around the room, preparing clothes and tidying up, she tried to think of her next question. She needed more information, but without revealing too much of her confusion.