The days of vacation were quiet—so quiet they bordered on suffocating.
With nothing else to do, Shin trained. And trained. And trained. Hisagi sparred with him almost daily—only to lose each time. Though he often complained, saying he'd had enough, the number of rematches never seemed to drop.
[Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv.14][Zanpakutō Awakening Progress: 7%][Reiryoku Reserves: 20%]
Self-training had become painfully slow. It had taken Shin half a year just to level up once.
Still, if he could keep improving steadily every six months, he'd eventually reach the top. A few decades—he could wait.
But he remembered—when he first began? He'd gained levels in days.
Progress would only get harder.
And then, as the dull vacation drew to its close, a summons finally arrived from the upper echelons of Shin'ō Academy.
It was Namita Hidezawa himself who came to fetch him—leading him all the way to the Headmaster's office.
Namita said little along the way, but there was something strange in his eyes. As if even he didn't know why this was happening—just that he'd been told to bring Shin.
"Go on. The Headmaster is waiting."
Knock. Knock.
"Enter," came a voice, clear and commanding from within.
Shin opened the door.
And stopped.
More than just the Headmaster was present.
He recognized them all.
Headmaster Sakubei Ginjō, the stern, white-haired patriarch of Shin'ō.
Captain Shiba Isshin of Squad Ten.
Captain Ukitake Jūshirō and Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien of Squad Thirteen.
And one other—an unfamiliar middle-aged man dressed in resplendent robes, neither Shihakushō nor haori, face solemn and unreadable.
A noble, clearly.
This was no small audience.
Shin's expression remained composed. He stepped in and bowed deeply.
"You're Tachikawa Shin?" asked Isshin first, his tone friendly, eyes scanning Shin with interest.
"Student Tachikawa," said Headmaster Ginjō, voice low but powerful."You must have some idea why we've called you here."
Shin paused. "Is it… about the Student Council?"
Ginjō, dressed in flowing formal kimono, had a face carved by years of discipline. No warmth lingered there—only gravitas.
"When did this idea first occur to you?"
"A year ago."
"And why?"
"I noticed the teachers often handled too many small administrative burdens themselves. Class reps help, yes—but one or two students can only do so much. That's when the idea came to me."
"That's all?" Ginjō pressed. "From what I've seen, your Student Council proposal is remarkably thorough. It looks ready to be implemented immediately."
Shin replied, "If an idea's worth having, it's worth executing. I spent the past year refining it, so that if it were approved, it could start without delay. That's also in line with the whole point: lightening the burden on our instructors."
He knew Ginjō's question had a deeper meaning—but that was all he could say.
There was no denying the benefit of the Student Council. No matter how it might be viewed politically, its function was simple and vital: easing the load on staff.
Students who served on the council would also graduate with real-world experience in leadership and administration.
A system like that could only benefit both Academy and students alike.
The higher-ups had all reviewed his profile: a civilian from Zaraki District of Rukongai. Just surviving there was impressive.
Seireitei paid that region no attention unless Hollows stirred up trouble. Otherwise, it was forgotten.
"…You came prepared," Ginjō said. It was unclear whether he meant the proposal, or something more.
Shin's academic scores already qualified him to graduate, yet he'd stayed behind. He'd never submitted his proposal through school channels. Instead, he'd gone to Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of Squad Thirteen.
Headmaster Ginjō had only heard of it through Captain Ukitake—and by then, it was already in discussion.
He'd been summoned to a Central 46 meeting, called specifically to review Shin's proposal. The plan passed by majority vote.
Ginjō, the Headmaster of Shin'ō, had been the last to know.
He'd interrogated Namita afterward, only to be met with the same confusion.
That was when Ginjō realized: Tachikawa Shin wasn't ordinary.He understood how the higher tiers of Soul Society functioned.
Of those present, Captain Shiba Isshin had volunteered to attend this meeting. The unfamiliar man was a current Central 46 Councilor, from the noble Kasugōri Clan.
"Do you have any thoughts about how the Student Council should recruit members?"
That part hadn't been included in Shin's documents—nor had any bylaws or code of conduct.
Shin said, "Selection from current students, based on interviews. Academic performance is secondary—what matters most is their administrative and organizational ability—"
"No."
The interruption was curt—and came from the nobleman.
"Grades are paramount. If a student cannot maintain basic performance, they won't succeed as a Shinigami. That should be the baseline."
Shin chose not to argue.
Ginjō interjected, "The standards and bylaws will be determined by us. That includes the duties, the internal structure, and recruitment metrics."
"Now, one final question."
"…Tachikawa Shin, do you wish to become the first President of the Student Council?"
It was obvious.
That had always been his aim. Ginjō knew it.
He had taken the long way around—through Vice-Captain Kaien, then Captain Ukitake and Captain Isshin—all to bring this to the attention of Central 46. Had he gone through the school directly, the position would never have gone to him.
But his records spoke for themselves. Skipping class aside, his performance and aptitude were flawless.
Captain Ukitake, though not from noble blood, had held his position for centuries. He was taught by the Captain-Commander himself.
Captain Isshin was of the Shiba Clan. Kaien's talent was already well-known.
And this boy…
Facing the varying gazes from the assembled, Shin did not waver. A confident smile played across his lips.
"I'm confident I can fulfill this role."
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