The entrance ceremony for the new students at the Shin'ō Academy.
Normally, only faculty and first-year students would be present at such an event.
But at this moment, Nobu stood among the instructors — right beside Nanada Hideaki.
Headmaster Sasakibe Gyōsō was on stage addressing the newly enrolled first-years. His speech was formal, encouraging the students to study hard, strive forward, and become exemplary Shinigami as soon as possible.
Nobu's thoughts drifted. He stood there, eyes unfocused, only half-listening.
Nanada gave his calf a discreet nudge — a reminder to pay attention.
The new students below were brimming with enthusiasm, eager for their lives at the Academy to begin. Sasakibe's words had the intended effect.
"And now, please welcome our student representative from Shin'ō Academy — Student Council President, Fifth-Year Tachikawa Nobu, to give a speech."
Never before had a student addressed new enrollees during an entrance ceremony.
Hearing his name, Nobu finally straightened his lazy expression and walked calmly to the podium.
The auditorium was massive. Below him stood several hundred students. Many of them looked curious — what was this "Student Council"? And who exactly was this Tachikawa Nobu?
Nobu had been given a prepared speech — written by one of the faculty. The content was predictable: some words of encouragement for the new students, followed by a brief introduction to the Student Council.
He didn't pull any stunts. Gave the speech exactly as written and stepped down once it was over.
After the ceremony, Nobu was just about to head back to the dorms when someone stepped in to block his way.
"You are…?"
It was another student — dressed in the white uniform of the Academy — but Nobu didn't recognize him.
"Kasakurōji Mitsugorō," the young man said indifferently.
Nobu thought for a moment, then grinned. "Ah, so it's you. First time we've met, isn't it?"
This was the appointed Vice President of the student council — from the noble Kasakurōji family of the Seireitei, currently a sixth-year student.
He was also the reason Nobu's original plan — to make Shūhei the vice president — had been shot down.
"I've heard a lot about you," Mitsugorō said flatly.
Nobu rubbed his chin and muttered, "Guess I'm more famous than I thought."
The Kasakurōji clan belonged to the upper class of Seireitei nobility — just a tier below the top houses like Kuchiki and Shihōin. That said, leadership in the Kasakurōji line traditionally passed to the women, and male members of the clan generally held lower status.
Mitsugorō frowned as he looked at Nobu. "I reviewed the list of department heads. You appointed several of your own friends, didn't you?"
Nobu replied casually, "Not several, just two."
According to the plan approved by the upper ranks, the student council would have seven departments:
The Presidium, the Academic Department, the Organizational Department, the Disciplinary Committee, the Arts Department, the Public Affairs Department, and the Finance Department.
Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division, had been named honorary president — the only one.
Mitsugorō was referring to the fact that Nobu had made Hisagi Shūhei head of the Organizational Department and Kanisawa head of the Disciplinary Committee — two highly strategic roles.
Seeing Nobu admit this without hesitation or explanation made Mitsugorō's brow tighten further. "Why did you make these decisions without consulting me?"
Nobu put on an innocent face. "Isn't this the first time we've even met? I had no idea how to reach you before. Besides, the student council's groundwork was already in motion half a month before the term began — and you weren't exactly involved."
His words made it clear: You're the one who just showed up out of nowhere.
Mitsugorō's expression darkened. He, too, had been abruptly ordered by his family to take the post of vice president — and when he learned that the president was Tachikawa Nobu, he was both stunned and confused.
Tachikawa Nobu was practically a household name at the Academy. Everyone knew he came from the Zaraki District of Rukongai — one of the most dangerous and chaotic regions. Rumor had it he frequently skipped class. How could someone like that be president? And now he was expected to support him?
Mitsugorō said coldly, "I believe your appointments were purely based on personal bias. I don't agree with them."
Nobu shot back, "And what do you know about them, Kasakurōji-san?"
"I'm your senior — I'm a year ahead of you. You should call me senpai."
Nobu smiled brightly. "But aren't we discussing internal council business right now? Shouldn't we use our official titles when on duty? So you should call me President, shouldn't you?"
"You—!"
What Nobu didn't expect was that Mitsugorō, who looked like he was about to explode, actually held it in.
"President," Mitsugorō said, biting off the word, "I believe we should reconsider the appointments for the Organizational and Disciplinary Departments. I have the right to be involved in their selection."
His sudden shift in tone surprised Nobu — and left him a little disappointed. Where was that classic noble arrogance? The disdain for commoners?
"If you think my choices are questionable, Kasakurōji-san, you're welcome to assess them yourself. Then decide if they're the right fit."
"I intend to," Mitsugorō replied seriously. "I just hope… President, that you won't use your authority for personal gain."
Nobu waved him off and walked past, feeling a bit less hostile toward him now.
What does it mean to use power for personal gain?
If he couldn't look after the people closest to him, what was the point of being president?
That said, he was confident in Shūhei and Kanisawa's capabilities — they were more than qualified on merit alone.
The campus was filled with unfamiliar faces. These new students gave off a different energy from the upperclassmen — younger, brighter, full of curiosity about everything.
Nobu had been the same way when he'd first arrived.
Petals drifted on the breeze, scattering like pink snow across the grounds. A faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Nobu let himself savor the peace and quiet. If it weren't for what I know about the future, he thought, I'd love to stay here forever — just a regular student for life.
Before the new term began, the student council had already recruited a number of members from among the returning students, forming a foundation to build on.
And not all of those members had been chosen by Nobu.
In fact, aside from Shūhei and Kanizawa, nearly all the departmental heads were nobles.
To be honest, Nobu didn't mind. The student council, for him, was just a tool.
He couldn't do much right now. Someone like Kasakurōji Mitsugorō — who knew what the council would become in the future?
In the central plaza, several bulletin boards had been set up, displaying detailed information about the student council and encouraging first-years to join.
As Nobu scanned the crowd, his eyes suddenly locked on a familiar name.
[Rukia]
[Affinity: 7]
[Each +10 Affinity: +1 Spiritual Pressure Level, +1% Zanpakutō Unlock Progress]
[Affinity 90: Unlock Home Run Bonus]
[Eligible for Shinigami Covenant. Unlocks Third Reward upon binding.]
Damn, I nearly forgot to update this after drinking too much…