The real culprit behind the incident during the real-world training exercise was ultimately declared to be Sanada Ryōichi, a Twelfth Division member. It was discovered that he had planted bait to attract Hollows inside the training barrier in advance, murdered the members of the Kekkai Unit assigned to the area, and then escaped without a trace.
As for his motive—it was just as Shiba Kaien had told Shin: resentment toward his squad captain's cruelty.
With that, the incident was considered settled. For the Academy students, it had ended without casualties, but the deaths of many Shinigami still required someone to take the blame.
Rumor had it that Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division was reprimanded, and the Gotei 13 had already dispatched operatives to capture Sanada Ryōichi.
Shin suspected the man was probably already dead.
With time, the memory of it faded from the Academy's collective mind. Perhaps only when someone mentioned Tachikawa Shin would that night's events resurface in conversation.
Peace returned, and more than half a month passed.
That morning, after breakfast, Shin was headed to the Student Council office to sneak in a nap. He'd always wanted to install a bed there, so he could rest more comfortably between duties. He'd petitioned Kasumiōji Kōgorō multiple times, but every request had been sternly denied.
As he approached the office, he noticed the door was slightly ajar.
Someone's been here.
That was strange—no one usually came by at this hour except him.
When he stepped inside, he saw a petite figure standing in the room.
"Rukia?"
"President!"
Rukia's eyes lit up the moment she saw him. She rushed forward.
Shin looked her over. She hadn't changed a bit—still in her red-and-white Academy uniform, her short black hair curled up at the ends. Her pale, delicate face was tinged with excitement and color.
"You're back. It's been a while."
He smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
"I really missed you while you were gone."
Her cheeks flushed deeper, and she dropped her gaze. "I… missed you too, President. And everyone else."
Shin sat at his desk. "So? How was it in the Kuchiki household? Tell me everything."
Rukia looked like she had a lot bottled up. She nodded quickly and began to recount her half-month stay.
The day she was taken to the Kuchiki manor, she was immediately housed in a separate residence.
For the first two days, no one visited her. Not even Byakuya.
Besides the servants delivering her meals, she didn't see a soul. Her mind spiraled into worry. She didn't know what to expect, and feared all kinds of grim outcomes. She even regretted accepting the offer to join the Kuchiki family.
On the third day, Kuchiki Ginrei, head of the family, finally appeared and formally announced that she would be adopted into the clan as Byakuya's foster sister.
The ceremony took place that same day. The venue was grand and solemn. Rukia knew nothing of the customs and was only able to keep up thanks to a maid who whispered instructions at her side.
After that, she was moved to new quarters. Multiple servants handled her daily needs. She was given new clothes, supplies, and four private tutors—each a seated officer—who taught her Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hōhō, and Kidō.
The past few weeks were filled with etiquette training, noble philosophy, customs…
Some of it made sense to her. Some didn't.
For instance, nobles were supposed to greet with formal bows—something she'd practiced many times in her new home. But when the President saw her today, he immediately ruffled her hair… and just like that, all that etiquette flew out the window.
His hand… felt so reassuring.
She had worried whether returning here would make her feel distant from everyone. Life in the Kuchiki family had been exhausting, but she knew it was a privilege most couldn't dream of, and she had no complaints. She tried her best to meet expectations.
Just yesterday, she'd mustered the courage to ask Byakuya for permission to return to the Academy.
To her surprise, her "brother" agreed.
"You've been through a lot in such a short time," Shin said with a sigh.
"It's really nothing," Rukia replied sheepishly, scratching her head. "I know all of this is for my benefit, so I can't complain. But I just… wanted to come back and see everyone again."
"You're right," Shin said, his tone shifting into a playful tease. "But now that you're the noble daughter of the Kuchiki family… is it really proper for you to still be my assistant?"
Rukia straightened, quickly saying, "President, I can still do it!"
Shin stroked his chin. "If I keep bossing you around like before… I wonder if the Kuchiki clan will come after me."
That old man from last time didn't seem particularly fond of him. If Shin pushed too far, he half-expected to be officially warned to stay away from her.
Rukia said seriously, "Everything you ask me to do is training. If the Kuchiki family misunderstands, I'll explain it myself!"
Shin chuckled and pinched her cheek. "Rukia, Rukia… you're too cute. I was just messing with you."
Rukia's face turned even redder. She stepped back slightly. His gestures were a bit too familiar, but she didn't know how to bring it up.
How do you even say something like that…?
If Momo had seen that moment, she'd probably start getting the wrong idea again.
Luckily, it was still early morning—Momo wouldn't be stopping by. Rukia had picked this time for that very reason.
"It's almost time for class," Shin said, glancing at the clock. "Are you going?"
"I'll head out now, then. President, if there's any work today, you can count on me—just like before!"
As she left the Student Council office, Rukia felt lighter. Her steps had more bounce.
Living in the Kuchiki manor had been suffocating. There was no one to talk to. The servants were polite but distant. Her "brother" was elusive and cold.
Standing in front of Byakuya always made her feel like she was under a glacier.
Compared to that, being around the President felt warm.
She had missed the Academy—Momo, Renji, Kira, Hisagi-senpai, Kaisawa-senpai… and especially the President.
The longer they were apart, the deeper she had come to miss him.