"Frankly," Byakuya says, stretching one arm sideways, "you're a waste of space out there on the stage. A fledgling, barely out of the nest." His disapproving stare fixates on you.

You're not a waste of space, though, despite what Byakuya says. He just feels threatened by your talent, resulting in offhanded insults. He's used to being the best, having practiced tirelessly to get here.

Being second-bested by someone like you is a pain in the neck. You are a risk to everything he has worked for, he believes.

"It'd be best if you didn't perform at all," he adds quite simply, stretching his leg out on the practice barre.