The Kuchiki Family

"Momoko, are you all right?"

After the gathering ended, on the way back, Rukia could not help asking Hōmori about her.

Hinamori's reaction had changed too drastically before and after. Something must have happened.

Thinking of the President and Kanazawa standing outside the restroom back then, could it be that the two of them had done something that Hinamori happened to see?

Rukia was not stupid. As an outsider, she knew exactly what Hinamori was feeling, and she could also guess what Kanazawa might have been thinking. With someone as outstanding as the President, it would be stranger if a person developed no feelings at all after spending so much time around him.

So it was perfectly normal for Momoko to admire the President. Rukia was only surprised that Momoko could be so bold about it.

Were Kanazawa and the President well suited for each other?

Rukia did not think so.

Hinamori pressed her lips together and shook her head gloomily. "I'm fine."

Rukia silently sighed at the sight. She had no experience with this and did not know how to comfort someone. She only felt that if the President did not have those kinds of feelings for either Hinamori or Kanazawa, their behavior would probably trouble him greatly.

She glanced at Tachikawa Shin, who was walking at the front of the group and talking to Shūbīng.

If it were her, she would definitely be troubled.

The next day.

Even after the Cultural Festival had passed, many students still could not stop thinking about it. Whenever they gathered to talk, yesterday's events remained the topic of conversation.

The Principal of the Spirit Training Academy was extremely pleased with the Cultural Festival's complete success and lavishly praised Xin.

The Student Council had indeed done something wonderful for the students of the Spirit Training Academy. The academy had never possessed such vitality before, and Suzumebachi Gyosho felt that under his management, it had become different from what it once was.

The Student Council had earned greater trust from the Spirit Training Academy and would be able to obtain greater authority in the future.

Xin also took the opportunity to share some new ideas with the Principal.

Interest clubs.

They could likewise enrich the students' extracurricular lives.

However, Suzumebachi Gyosho did not immediately voice his approval. Instead, he frowned. "Wouldn't that affect the students' studies?"

Xin explained, "Naturally, not just any club can be established. At the beginning, we can limit them to clubs such as a kendo club, a Kido club, and a healing arts club—clubs that help students improve their academic performance. We can strictly control their types, numbers, scale, and membership. If things develop smoothly, we can gradually expand into more healthy and positive kinds of clubs."

Unlike the Student Council, these clubs would simply bring together people with shared interests to study, discuss, and improve together. During their free time at the Spirit Training Academy, many students had nothing to do, while self-study was tedious. Principal Suzumebachi immediately saw the benefits these interest clubs could bring.

After giving it serious thought, Suzumebachi Gyosho could not help saying, "You really have a lot of clever little schemes."

Then he added, "Go draft a detailed proposal for me first. I'll discuss it with the academy leadership."

After returning to the Student Council headquarters office, Xin began making detailed plans for the matter and recording them on paper.

It was currently class time, and he was the only one in the office.

Yes, he had skipped class again. Xin did not care in the slightest. If Teacher Nanda asked later, he would just say the Principal had summoned him to discuss something.

In many respects, his authority and influence at the Spirit Training Academy had already surpassed those of Nanda Hidezawa, an ordinary homeroom teacher.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Xin casually checked the time. It was not yet time for class to end.

"Come in."

The people outside the office were not academy leaders, but several men dressed in exquisite white robes.

Xin looked up and could not help pausing slightly.

These people were clearly nobles. Among them, one handsome young man with an extraordinary noble bearing stood out even more, surrounded by the others.

The Star Pin...

To Xin, the visitors' identities were already obvious.

Kuchiki Ginrei had seen Rukia performing onstage at yesterday's Cultural Festival. It was not strange for the Kuchiki family to come looking for her today.

"You are Tachikawa Shin, the President of the Student Council?"

The one who spoke was an old man. He was not Kuchiki Ginrei, and he appeared even older than Ginrei.

However, in the Soul Society, appearance usually did not match one's true age.

"That's right."

"This is Young Master Kuchiki Byakuya." The old man introduced the young man beside him, his introduction exceptionally brief.

Yet the name Kuchiki alone already represented many things.

Xin stood from his seat and walked to the desk. "May I ask why the distinguished members of the Kuchiki family have come here?"

There had been no prior notice from the Spirit Training Academy. The fact that these people could bypass the academy's leaders and teachers directly was enough to show the Kuchiki family's astonishing status in the Seireitei.

"There is a student named Rukia in the Student Council, correct?"

"That's right."

"We have business with her."

There was not a trace of politeness in the man's words. His meaning was that Xin was to go bring Rukia over.

No displeasure showed on Xin's face. He merely pointed to the clock on the wall and said, "It's almost time for class to end. Rukia will come after class."

"You expect us to wait?"

Xin looked puzzled. "Rukia is in class right now. Shouldn't you wait? If you are truly in a hurry, you can go find her in her classroom. She is in First-Year Class B."

At that moment, Kuchiki Byakuya raised a hand to stop the old man, who had been about to say something else. He looked at Xin and asked, "What is your relationship with Rukia?"

His voice was somewhat cool, and so was his expression.

"She is a member of the Student Council. I am the President of the Student Council," Xin said simply.

"What position does Rukia hold in the Student Council?"

"The President's assistant."

"Your assistant?"

"That's right."

Kuchiki Byakuya revealed no extra expression, and his cold face gave no hint of pleasure or anger.

Xin knew why they had come, so he did not ask a single unnecessary question.

Since Xin did not ask, Kuchiki Byakuya found himself unable to say the explanation he had intended to give, so he continued asking about Rukia instead.

"How has Rukia performed in the Student Council?"

"Very well. She is conscientious and responsible in her work, intelligent and quick-witted, respectful toward her seniors, and gets along well with her peers."

Other than lacking some confidence and not liking to speak first.

"You said she is in Class B?"

Class B was the ordinary class and was much worse than Class A.

It seemed Kuchiki Byakuya had not investigated any information at all. He had likely only learned about Rukia from Kuchiki Ginrei yesterday and hurried here today.

"Class B is fine too," Xin said.

Kuchiki Byakuya looked at Tachikawa Shin. He was now the Lieutenant Captain of the Sixth Division and could have long since succeeded Kuchiki Ginrei as Captain, but his marriage had caused a major conflict with his family, delaying the matter for quite some time.

He had also heard quite a few rumors about this Student Council President.

Because Kuchiki Byakuya had never attended the Spirit Training Academy and had instead received private education within his clan, he held no particular opinion of this so-called Student Council.

As a noble Division, the Sixth Division had few commoner Soul Reapers among its members. Even though Tachikawa Shin had now entered many people's sights due to his talent, he was not within the Sixth Division's sphere of consideration.

The atmosphere fell silent for a time. A servant moved over a chair for Kuchiki Byakuya to sit in.

Seeing that he was not speaking, Xin returned to his seat and continued with his work.

Seeing Xin simply leave them there, the Kuchiki family members secretly frowned one after another.

A few minutes later, the bell rang.

Kuchiki Byakuya seemed to sense something, but in the minute after class ended, the first person to enter the office was not Rukia, but Kasumi Oji Gorō.

He had originally come to discuss something with Xin, but he was surprised to see the Kuchiki family gathered in the room.

"L-Lord Byakuya?"

Kuchiki Byakuya politely rose to his feet. Looking at Gorō, he considered for a moment. "You are... from the Kasumi Oji family?"

Gorō bowed respectfully. "I am Kasumi Oji Gorō. I did not expect you to remember me. May I ask what brings Lord Byakuya here?"

Setting aside the fact that the Kuchiki family was more prominent and noble than the Kǎxiá Dàlù Clan, Kuchiki Byakuya's position as Lieutenant Captain of the Sixth Division alone was enough to earn Gorō's respect. Moreover, Kasumi Oji Gorō would most likely join the Sixth Division after graduation.

Kuchiki Byakuya replied indifferently, "I am looking for someone."

"Looking for someone?"

Kasumi Oji Gorō froze, then looked at Xin sitting there, shock appearing in his eyes.

Could it be...

Kuchiki Byakuya glanced at the time on the wall clock again. After a moment of silence, he suddenly told the servant beside him, "Let us leave for now."

"Young Master Byakuya?"

Kasumi Oji Gorō immediately saw them off. "Take care, Lord Byakuya."

Perhaps Kuchiki Byakuya felt there were too many outsiders present, or perhaps he had suddenly formed some other thought.

Xin also stood and said, "Take care, Lieutenant Captain Kuchiki."

After Kuchiki Byakuya left the office and walked down the corridor, he saw a figure jogging toward him. The familiar face made him freeze in place at once.

Seeing a group of unfamiliar people emerge from the Student Council office, Rukia could not help finding it strange. She consciously went around them along the edge of the corridor and politely gave them a slight bow.

The old man also looked astonished.

"Young Master Byakuya, she... looks exactly like Lady Hisana..."

Kuchiki Byakuya let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes.

"Investigate all of her information thoroughly first... and that Tachikawa Shin as well."

"Yes."

Inside the office.

Gorō was asking Xin why the Kuchiki family had come.

"They came looking for Rukia."

"Looking for me?"

Rukia happened to appear at the office entrance and heard their conversation. She was greatly startled.

"Why... why would they be looking for me?" She was somewhat panicked. Those people were obviously nobles, and she had no connection with them at all.

Gorō was also puzzled. "Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course I am."

Rukia slowly walked inside. "President, were they really looking for me? What did they want from me?"

"I don't know. They did not say. I told them you would come after class, and they had originally been waiting for you, but then they suddenly left."

"..."

Xin teased her then. "Maybe someone saw you performing onstage yesterday and took a liking to you. Those noble lords might have set their sights on you."

Rukia took him seriously and was frightened stiff.

Gorō frowned. "What nonsense are you saying? Lord Byakuya is not that kind of person."

He deeply respected Kuchiki Byakuya, not merely because of his Kuchiki family background. Kuchiki Byakuya himself was an exceptionally outstanding Soul Reaper and had always been Gorō's goal.

Xin casually retorted, "Then why do you think they were looking for Rukia?"

"How would I know?"

Xin glanced at the frightened Rukia, then asked Gorō first, "Did you come here for something?"

Although Gorō was the Vice President, he rarely stayed in the office.

Only then did Gorō recall why he had come. "Wasn't a large portion of the money spent on the Cultural Festival left over?"

"Was there...? Probably..." Xin pretended not to know. "I remember we spent quite a lot."

Gorō frowned. "Stop playing dumb. How much is left?"

Xin scratched his head. "That... I'll need to check the accounts first. Why are you asking?"

"That is my money."

"Wasn't it money you sponsored to the Student Council?"

"It was money I sponsored for the Cultural Festival."

Xin gave a long sigh. "Student Gorō, don't be so stingy. You are the Vice President of the Student Council. Why be so penny-pinching?"

"I'll check the accounts myself."

Ignoring Xin's words, Gorō turned and left.

"Student Gorō, Lord Gorō!"

Xin called out twice but could not stop him, watching as Gorō disappeared through the office doorway.

Rukia asked anxiously, "President, what... what should I do?"

"What are you afraid of?"

Rukia bit her lower lip tightly and said nothing.

Seeing how easily she was teased, Xin said, "I was only guessing casually. You do not need to worry too much. They should be looking for you over something else."

"But what if..."

Xin laughed. "Those are members of the Kuchiki family, the most prominent and noble aristocrats in the Seireitei. Countless people would have no way of getting an opportunity like that even if they wanted one."

"I don't want it..."

Xin asked with a light laugh, "What, do you have someone you like? Is it that Renji?"

Rukia glanced at Xin upon hearing that. After a long moment, she said, "Renji and I are not that kind of relationship."

"You do not like Renji?" Xin looked utterly surprised.

"..."

Rukia pressed her lips together. "I just do not want... to be treated that way."

Seeing her worried expression, Xin walked over and patted her head. "Don't worry. I will not let you be treated that way."

Rukia trembled all over. Hearing those words, she relaxed considerably.

"...President."

While Xin was watching the changes in Affection on the system, someone had somehow appeared at the office doorway again.

"Hinamori."

Xin greeted her as if nothing were amiss.

Rukia's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly stepped back and looked at Hinamori standing there, her pretty face flushing bright red at once.

But after the blush came an impossible-to-hide panic.

"M-Momoko..."