Typically, only teachers and incoming first-years were present at the event.
But right now, Shin was standing among the faculty, right beside Namita Hidezawa.
Onstage, Headmaster Sakubei Ginjō addressed the crowd of wide-eyed new students. His speech was textbook: encouragement to study hard, grow in discipline, and strive toward becoming excellent Shinigami.
Shin stood idly, eyes drifting, thoughts elsewhere.
Namita gave him a discreet kick in the shin to keep him focused.
The first-years were brimming with excitement, eager for the future that awaited them at the Academy. The Headmaster's words clearly had their intended effect.
"And now, let's welcome our student representative, President of the Student Council, Fifth-Year Tachikawa Shin, to deliver a few words."
Never before had Shin'ō Academy invited a student to speak during an entrance ceremony.
Hearing his name, Shin roused himself, casually smoothing out his lazy expression, and strode up to the podium.
The ceremony hall was massive. Hundreds of new students stood below him, all whispering in curiosity—about this so-called "Student Council," and the one called Tachikawa Shin.
He had a prepared speech, of course—written by the faculty. It mostly welcomed new students and explained the role of the Student Council.
Shin followed the script without any tricks or antics, delivered it properly, and then stepped down.
After the ceremony, as he was about to return to his dorm, someone stopped him.
"And you are?"
The speaker was another student, dressed in the white uniform of upperclassmen, but Shin didn't recognize him.
"Kasugōri Mitsugorō," the boy said blandly.
Shin thought for a moment, then smiled. "Ah, it's you. First time we've met, huh."
This was the one appointed from above as Vice President of the Student Council, a sixth-year from the Kasugōri noble clan of Seireitei.
It was his sudden appointment that had crushed Shin's original plan—to give Hisagi the VP role.
"I've heard a lot about you," Kasugōri said.
Shin scratched his chin. "Am I that famous already?"
The Kasugōri were a high-ranking noble house in Seireitei—just a step below the true greats like the Kuchiki or Shihōin. But tradition had it that only women could lead the family; the men held less power within the household.
Mitsugorō frowned. "I reviewed the appointments you made within the Student Council. You've stuffed the departments with your friends, haven't you?"
Shin shrugged. "I wouldn't say 'stuffed.' Just two of them."
Per the official decision, the Student Council was divided into seven departments:
The Executive Council
Academic Affairs
Organizational Planning
Disciplinary Oversight
Arts and Culture
Public Relations
Finance
Shiba Kaien had been assigned the role of Honorary President.
What Kasugōri was referring to were the two major posts Shin had filled himself: Hisagi Shūhei as Head of Organizational Planning, and Kanisawa as Head of Disciplinary Oversight.
Both key positions.
Mitsugorō's frown deepened. "Why didn't you consult me before making those decisions?"
Shin looked innocent. "We're meeting for the first time today, aren't we? Before this, I had no idea where to find you. Besides, we started building the council half a month before the entrance ceremony. Didn't see you lifting a finger back then."
He was clearly implying: You're the one who came out of nowhere.
Mitsugorō's face darkened. His family had suddenly informed him he'd be serving as Vice President. Upon hearing the Council President was Tachikawa Shin, his confusion and disbelief had only grown.
A guy from Zaraki, the worst district of Rukongai. Word around the Academy was that he skipped class constantly. How could someone like that become President? And now he's supposed to be my superior?
"I believe your appointments were purely personal. I don't approve," Mitsugorō said.
Shin countered, "Do you know anything about the two of them?"
"I'm a year above you. You should call me Senpai."
Shin grinned. "We're discussing Council operations, aren't we? When on duty, use the correct title. You should be calling me President."
"…You—!"
What surprised Shin was that Mitsugorō held it in.
"President," Mitsugorō finally said, forced calm in his voice. "I believe we should revisit the appointments for Organizational and Disciplinary Departments. As Vice President, I have the right to participate in candidate selection."
His shift in tone caught Shin off guard—and bored him. What happened to the whole snooty noble looks down on commoner act?
"If you feel my choices are inappropriate," Shin replied, "you're welcome to assess them yourself before deciding if they're fit for the role."
"I will," Mitsugorō said seriously. "Just don't abuse your authority for personal gain."
Shin waved him off and walked away, feeling a little less contempt for the guy than before.
"Abuse authority for personal gain," huh?
If he couldn't benefit the people closest to him, what was the point of being President?
Besides—he had full confidence in Hisagi and Kanisawa's qualifications.
All around campus, new faces moved about. The air they carried was different—fresh, energetic, curious about everything.
He had been like that too, once.
Cherry blossoms danced on the breeze, scenting the air with a soft floral fragrance.
Shin savored the stillness of it all. If not for what he knew about the future, he might've been happy spending his whole life here. Just another student, forever.
Before the new semester began, the Student Council had already recruited several members from the upperclassmen, forming a basic core.
And to be honest, most of them weren't chosen by Shin.
Besides Hisagi and Kanisawa, nearly every department head was a noble.
That didn't bother him. To Shin, the Council was just a tool.
There was little else he could do at this point. Mitsugorō—well, who knew what the Council would become in the years to come?
At the central plaza, announcement boards had been set up, drawing clusters of new students. They displayed information about the Student Council, seeking first-years to join.
Shin passed by with a glance—and then stopped cold.
[Rukia][Affection Level: 7][+1 to Spiritual Pressure Level and Zanpakutō Unlock Progress for every 10 Affection Points][Full Affection unlocks "Grand Slam" Reward][Eligible for Shinigami Bond – Unlocks Third Tier Reward]
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