The Spirit Training Academy's new student entrance ceremony.
Ordinarily, only the entire teaching staff and the newly enrolled students attended.
Yet Xin was standing among the teachers at that moment, beside Nanda Hidezawa.
Principal Suzumebachi Gyosho stood onstage, delivering a speech to the first-year students below. Its contents were thoroughly official—encouraging them to study hard, strive for progress, and become outstanding Reapers as soon as possible, and so on.
Xin was somewhat absentminded, his gaze unfocused as he stood there.
Nanda Hidezawa lightly kicked him in the calf, reminding him to pay attention.
The newly enrolled students were brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation for their future lives at the academy, and Suzumebachi Gyosho's speech was quite effective.
"Next, please welcome the student representative of Seirei Academy, Student Council President and fifth-year student Tachikawa Shin, to deliver a speech."
There had never been a case of a student representative delivering a speech at the new student entrance ceremony before.
Only upon hearing his name called did Xin straighten out his lazy expression and slowly walk onto the stage.
The ceremony hall was enormous, with several hundred students standing below. Many of them were curious about what this Student Council was, and what sort of person Tachikawa Shin might be.
Xin had a prepared speech as well, given to him by the academy teachers. Aside from encouraging the new students, its general content was promoting the Student Council to them.
Xin did not pull any stunts during his speech either. He delivered it properly, then stepped down from the stage.
After the ceremony ended, Xin had just been about to return to his dormitory when someone stopped him.
"You are?"
The person was also a student, dressed in a white academy uniform, but Xin had no impression of him.
"Kasumi Oji Gorō," the man said flatly.
Xin thought for a moment upon hearing this, then grinned. "So it's you. This is our first time meeting, isn't it?"
This man was the vice president candidate chosen by the higher-ups. He came from the Kasumi Oji Clan, a noble family of the Seireitei, and was currently a sixth-year student at the Spirit Training Academy.
He was also the reason Xin's original plan to make Shūbīng the vice president had fallen through.
"I've heard about you quite often," Kasumi Oji Gorō said.
Xin stroked his chin and muttered, "So I'm that famous?"
The Kasumi Oji Clan was an upper-tier noble family in the Seireitei, only a step below top noble houses such as the Kuchiki and Shihōin. However, the clan had always been led by women, and men held considerably lower status within it.
Kasumi Oji Gorō frowned at Xin. "I looked over the Student Council's officer appointment list. You stuffed quite a few of your own friends into department head positions?"
"Not that many," Xin replied. "Only two."
Following deliberation and decision by the higher-ups, the Student Council was divided into seven major departments.
Presidium, Academic Department, Organization Department, Discipline Inspection Department, Arts Department, Publicity Department, and Finance Department.
Shiba Kaien, Lieutenant Captain of the Thirteenth Division, served as the Student Council's sole Honorary President.
What Kasumi Oji Gorō referred to was Xin appointing Hisagi Shūhei as head of the Organization Department and Kanazawa as head of the Discipline Inspection Department.
Both were key departments.
Seeing Xin admit it outright without even trying to explain, Kasumi Oji Gorō's frown deepened abruptly. "Why did you make such decisions on your own without discussing them with me first?"
Xin looked innocent. "We only met for the first time today, didn't we? Before this, I didn't even know where to find you. Besides, the Student Council had already been under preparation for half a month before the new students started school. I never saw you show any concern then, either."
His words implied that the other man was the one who had appeared out of nowhere.
Kasumi Oji Gorō's expression darkened. His family had suddenly informed him that he was to become some Student Council Vice President, and he had been even more shocked and confused when he learned that Tachikawa Shin was the president.
Tachikawa Shin was considered a well-known figure at the Spirit Training Academy. Many people knew he came from Gokō District of Rukon District, one of the worst places in terms of public safety. They had heard he often skipped class himself. How could someone like that become president, and have him assist him?!
"I think you appointed those two entirely out of selfish motives," Kasumi Oji Gorō said. "I don't agree."
Xin countered, "Then do you know those two, Kasumi Oji?"
"I'm a year above you. You should call me senior."
Xin smiled brightly. "We're discussing internal Student Council affairs right now, aren't we? Shouldn't we use our titles while working? You should be calling me President!"
"You!"
What Xin had not expected was that Kasumi Oji, despite his angry expression, actually endured it.
"President, I believe the candidates for the heads of the Organization Department and Discipline Inspection Department should be reconsidered. I also have the right to participate in the selection."
Kasumi Oji Gorō's change in attitude surprised Xin, but then he found it boring. Where was that cliché of nobles looking down on commoners from on high?
"Kasumi Oji, if you think there is anything wrong with my decision, you can personally assess those two before deciding whether they are suitable."
"I will!" Kasumi Oji Gorō said seriously. "I only hope... President, that you won't abuse your authority for personal gain when the time comes!"
Xin waved him off and left his side, his preconceived impression of this Kasumi Oji easing somewhat.
What did he mean, abusing authority for personal gain?
If he could not benefit those around him, wouldn't his position as president be for nothing?
Still, he was confident that Hisagi Shūhei and Kanazawa were both outstanding enough in their own right.
There were many new faces at the academy. They gave off something different from the older students—more youthful, more energetic, as though curious about everything.
Xin had been the same when he first arrived.
Cherry blossoms drifted throughout the campus, carried by the breeze, while a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Xin truly enjoyed this peaceful leisure. If he did not know about the future, he would have wanted to remain at the academy forever and be a student for the rest of his life.
Before the new students began school, the Student Council had already recruited some members from among the older students, establishing a basic core team.
And quite a few of those members had not been chosen by Xin.
Aside from Shūbīng and Kanazawa, every department officer was a noble student.
To be honest, Xin did not care. To him, this Student Council was merely a tool.
It was just that there was too little he could do now. People like Kasumi Oji Gorō—no one could say what the Student Council would become in the future.
Several notice boards had been placed in the central plaza, explaining the Student Council's details to the gathered new students and recruiting first-year members.
Xin swept his eyes across them, then suddenly stopped in place.
Rukia Affection: 7 For every 10 points of Affection gained, Spiritual Pressure Level +1, Zanpakutō unlock progress +1% At 90 Affection, unlock Full Course Reward Can form a Reaper's Wedge; after forming it, unlock the third reward
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