Byakuya didn't expect her to understand, to know that his wife - the woman he'd defied everyone for - had also been a girl with no family from Rukongai. The familiar ache clenched his heart, but he showed nothing of it on his face. Why? Because what good would it do? What would it prove? That he had emotions? Anyone who doubted that he cared for everyone in his small circle didn't know him at all.

... And he'd still step up and save them from any threat in any way he could. Hinamori included.

"I have never cared for the spring." His wife had died in the spring. He'd sat, holding her hand and pleading in his heart, begging her not to go, to give him more time... and still, she'd left him behind, to carry on, to hold onto only the memory.

"However, sakura are my favorite." A mild joke to drag him out of such melancholy thoughts.