Chapter 33 The Kuchiki Family
"Hinamori, are you alright?"
After the party, on the way back, Rukia couldn't help but ask Hinamori with concern.
Hinamori's reaction before and after was too drastic; something must have happened.
Thinking of the President and Kanisawa Senior she saw standing outside the restroom at that time, could it be that the two of them did something that Hinamori happened to witness?
Rukia wasn't stupid; as an observer, she clearly understood Hinamori's feelings and could guess Kanisawa Senior's possible intentions. For someone as excellent as the President, it would be strange if there were no feelings after spending a long time with him.
So, it was very normal for Hinamori to admire the President; she was just surprised that Hinamori could express herself so boldly.
Are Kanisawa Senior and the President a good match?
Rukia didn't think so either.
Hinamori pursed her lips and shook her head, her expression dim: "I'm fine."
Seeing this, Rukia sighed silently. She had no such experience and didn't know how to comfort someone. She just felt that if the President himself had no such feelings for Hinamori and Kanisawa Senior, their actions would probably cause him a lot of trouble.
She glanced at Tachikawa Shin, who was walking at the very front of the crowd, saying something to Shūhei.
If it were her, she would definitely be very troubled.
The next day.
After the Cultural Festival, many students still lingered on it, and the topics they discussed were still about what happened yesterday.
The Spiritual Arts Academy Principal expressed great satisfaction with the successful Cultural Festival and praised Shin greatly.
The Student Council had indeed done something very good for the students of the Spiritual Arts Academy this time. The Spiritual Arts Academy had never had such vitality, which also made Spegd Xiao Zong feel that the Spiritual Arts Academy had become different under his management.
The Student Council gained greater trust from the Spiritual Arts Academy and would be able to obtain greater authority in the future.
Shin also took the opportunity to tell the Principal some of his new ideas.
Interest clubs.
Also for enriching the students' extracurricular lives.
Spegd Xiao Zong, upon hearing this, did not directly express approval but frowned and said, "Won't this affect the students' studies?"
Shin explained, "Of course, not just any club can be established as an interest club. Initially, we can only establish clubs like the Kendo Club, Kido Club, and Koten Club, which are beneficial for students to improve their academic performance. We will strictly control their types, numbers, scale, and membership. If they develop smoothly, we can gradually expand to include more healthy, positive, and uplifting types of clubs."
Unlike the Student Council, such clubs are simply gatherings of people with similar interests, who study, discuss, and progress together. During their free time at the Spiritual Arts Academy, many students have nothing to do, and self-study is a very tedious thing. Principal Chojiro Sasakibe immediately saw the benefits that these interest clubs could bring.
After careful consideration, Spegd Xiao Zong couldn't help but say, "You really have a lot of clever ideas."
Then he added, "Go and make a detailed charter for me to review. I will discuss it with the school leaders."
Upon returning to the Student Council's main office, Shin began to work on detailed planning in this area, meticulously recording it on paper.
It was currently class time, and he was the only one in the office.
That's right, he skipped class again. Shin was completely indifferent about it, planning to tell Mr. Minamida that the Principal had something to discuss with him if he asked.
His authority and influence in the Spiritual Arts Academy had already surpassed Mr. Minamida, an ordinary class teacher, in many aspects.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Shin casually glanced at the time; it wasn't time for class to end yet.
"Come in."
Outside the office door were not leaders of the Spiritual Arts Academy, but several men dressed in exquisite white robes.
Shin looked up and couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
These people were clearly nobles, and one young man with a handsome appearance and extraordinary noble temperament was surrounded by them, appearing even more outstanding.
Kenseikan...
The identity of the newcomer was already clear in Shin's mind.
Yesterday at the Cultural Festival, Kuchiki Ginrei saw Rukia performing on stage, so it was not strange for the Kuchiki Family to come today.
"You must be Tachikawa Shin, the President of the Student Council."
The speaker was an old man, not Kuchiki Ginrei, and he looked older than Kuchiki Ginrei.
However, for people in the Soul Society, appearance often does not match their actual age.
"That's right."
"This is Young Master Kuchiki Byakuya." The old man introduced the young man beside him. The introduction was concise.
But just the name Kuchiki already represented a lot.
Shin rose from his seat and walked to the desk, asking, "May I ask if the adults of the Kuchiki Family have something to attend to here?"
There was no prior notification from the Spiritual Arts Academy, and these people were able to bypass the Spiritual Arts Academy's leaders and teachers directly, which showed the astonishing status of the Kuchiki Family in the Seireitei.
"Is there a student named Rukia in the Student Council?"
"That's right."
"We have something to discuss with her."
There was no honorific in this person's words; the meaning was to have Shin bring Rukia.
Shin did not show any displeasure on his face; he just pointed to the wall clock nearby and said, "It's almost time for class to end. Rukia will be here after class."
"You want us to wait?"
Shin looked puzzled: "Rukia is currently in class. Shouldn't you wait? If you are really in a hurry, you can go to her classroom to find her. She is in First Year Class B."
Kuchiki Byakuya then raised a hand to stop the old man who was about to say something more, looked at Shin, and asked, "What is your relationship with Rukia?"
His voice was a bit cold, and the expression on his face was also cold.
"She is a member of the Student Council, and I am the President of the Student Council," Shin said simply.
"What is Rukia's position in the Student Council?"
"President's Assistant."
"Your assistant?"
"That's right."
Kuchiki Byakuya did not show any extra emotion; his cold face revealed no joy or anger.
Shin knew their purpose for coming, so he didn't ask any more questions.
His not asking, however, made it impossible for Kuchiki Byakuya to say what he had intended to explain, so he continued to ask about Rukia's situation.
"How is Rukia's performance in the Student Council?"
"Very good. She is serious and responsible in her work, intelligent and clever. In terms of dealing with people, she respects her seniors and gets along very well with her peers."
Except for a lack of confidence and not being very proactive in speaking.
"You just said she's in Class B?"
Class B was an ordinary class, much inferior to Class A.
It seemed that Kuchiki Byakuya hadn't investigated any information at all. He probably only learned about Rukia from Kuchiki Ginrei yesterday and rushed over today.
"Class B is also quite good," Shin said.
Kuchiki Byakuya looked at Tachikawa Shin. He was currently the Sixth Division Vice-Captain and could have taken over as Captain from Kuchiki Ginrei long ago, but his marriage caused a major conflict with his family, and the matter had been delayed for a long time.
He had also heard many rumors about this Student Council President.
Because Kuchiki Byakuya had not studied at the Spiritual Arts Academy, he received his education separately within the family, so he had no opinion on this so-called Student Council.
As a noble Squad, the Sixth Division rarely had commoner Shinigami among its members. Even though Tachikawa Shin had entered the sight of many due to his talent, this was not within the scope of their Sixth Division's consideration.
The atmosphere became cold for a moment, and a servant nearby moved a chair for Kuchiki Byakuya to sit down.
Seeing that he wasn't speaking, Shin returned to his seat and continued with his work.
The Kuchiki Family members frowned secretly, seeing Shin ignore them like that.
A few minutes later, the class 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 Kōji Kogoro.
He had come to find Shin for something, but was surprised to see the Kuchiki Family members in the room.
"Bya... Byakuya-sama?"
Kuchiki Byakuya politely stood up, looking at Kasumi Kōji Kogoro and pondering for a moment: "You are... from the Kasumioji?"
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro bowed respectfully, his face showing reverence: "I am Kasumi Kōji Kogoro. I didn't expect you to still remember me. May I ask why Byakuya-sama has graced us with his presence?"
Not to mention that the Kuchiki Family was more prominent and noble than the Kasumioji, Kuchiki Byakuya's position as the Sixth Division Vice-Captain was enough to warrant such respect from him, and Kasumi Kōji Kogoro would most likely go to the Sixth Division after graduation as well.
Kuchiki Byakuya said calmly, "Looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro was stunned at the words, then looked at Shin, who was sitting there, his eyes showing surprise.
Could it be…
Kuchiki Byakuya glanced at the wall clock again, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly said to the servant beside him, "Let's go first."
"Young Master Byakuya?"
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro immediately bid farewell: "Byakuya-sama, take care."
Kuchiki Byakuya might have felt there were too many outsiders present, or perhaps he suddenly had other thoughts.
Shin also stood up at this moment and said, "Vice-Captain Kucihki, take care."
After walking out of the office, Kuchiki Byakuya went down the corridor and immediately saw a figure rushing towards him, the familiar face instantly freezing him in place.
Rukia was a bit surprised to see a group of strangers coming out of the Student Council office. She consciously walked around the edge of the corridor and even bowed slightly to them politely.
The old man also showed a look of surprise.
"Young Master Byakuya, she... she's just like Lady Hisana..."
Kuchiki Byakuya let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes.
"First, thoroughly investigate all her information... and that Tachikawa Shin."
"Yes."
Inside the office.
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro was asking Shin why the Kuchiki Family had come.
"They came to find Rukia."
"Find me?"
Rukia had just appeared at the office door, heard their conversation, and was greatly surprised.
"Find me... for what?" She was a bit flustered. Those people clearly looked like nobles, and she had no connection with them at all.
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro was also curious: "Are you serious?"
"Of course, it's true."
Rukia slowly walked in, "President, did they really come for me? What for?"
"I don't know. They didn't say. I told them you'd come after class, and they were originally waiting for you, but then they suddenly left."
"…"
Shin then joked, "Maybe someone saw you performing on stage yesterday, and these noble lords took a liking to you."
Rukia, however, took it seriously and was stunned in place, frightened.
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? Byakuya-sama is not that kind of person."
He greatly respected Kuchiki Byakuya, not only because he came from the Kuchiki Family, but also because Kuchiki Byakuya himself was an extremely excellent Shinigami and had always been his goal.
Shin casually retorted, "Then why do you think they were looking for Rukia?"
"How would I know?"
Shin glanced at the frightened Rukia, then first asked Kasumi Kōji Kogoro, "Do you have something to discuss?"
Although Kasumi Kōji Kogoro was the Vice President, he rarely stayed in the office.
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro then remembered his purpose: "Is there a large portion of the money spent on the Cultural Festival remaining?"
"Is that so... I suppose so..." Shin feigned ignorance, "I remember spending quite a lot."
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro frowned: "Don't play dumb. How much money is left?"
Shin scratched his head: "Well, I'd have to check the accounts to know. Why are you asking?"
"That's my money."
"Wasn't it money you sponsored to the Student Council?"
"It was money sponsored for the Cultural Festival."
Shin sighed deeply: "Student Kasumi Kōji Kogoro, you shouldn't be so petty. You are the Vice President of the Student Council. Why be so nitpicky?"
"I'll check the accounts myself."
Kasumi Kōji Kogoro ignored Shin's words and turned to leave.
"Student Kasumi Kōji Kogoro, Lord Kasumi Kōji Kogoro!"
Shin called out twice but couldn't keep him, watching Kasumi Kōji Kogoro disappear at the office door.
Rukia then asked somewhat flustered, "President, what... what should I do?"
"What are you afraid of?"
Rukia bit her lower lip, silent.
Seeing her so easily teased, Shin said, "I was just guessing. You don't need to worry too much. They were probably looking for you for something else."
"But what if..."
Shin chuckled: "Those are people from the Kuchiki Family, the most prominent and noble aristocrats in the Seireitei. How many people wish for such an opportunity but have no way to get it?"
"I don't want to..."
Shin asked with a light laugh, "What, do you have someone you like? Is it Renji?"
Rukia looked at Shin at his words, and after a long moment, said, "Renji and I are not like that."
"You don't like Renji after all?" Shin looked surprised.
"…"
Rukia pursed her lips and said, "I just don't want... to be treated that way."
Seeing her worried expression, Shin walked over and patted her head: "Don't worry, I won't let you be treated that way."
Rukia trembled all over and felt much more relaxed hearing those words.
"…President."
Shin was focusing on the changes in the system's favorability, when someone else appeared at the office door at some point.
"Ah, Hinamori."
Shin greeted her as usual.
Rukia's face, however, suddenly changed. She quickly stepped back, looked at Hinamori standing there, and her pretty face flushed instantly.
But after the blush, what followed immediately was an undeniable panic.
"Hi... Hinamori…"