"Momo, are you okay?"
The gathering had ended. On the way back, Rukia couldn't help but ask out of concern.
Hinamori's mood had shifted drastically throughout the evening. Something had clearly happened.
Rukia recalled seeing the President and Kanisawa-senpai standing together outside the restroom. Could it be that something had occurred between them — something Hinamori happened to witness?
Rukia wasn't clueless. As an observer, she knew very well what kind of feelings Hinamori held, and could just as easily guess what kind of thoughts Kanisawa-senpai might have. With someone as exceptional as the President, it would be strange not to develop feelings after spending time around him.
So Hinamori falling for the President seemed perfectly natural. What surprised Rukia more was how boldly she'd shown it.
Were Kanisawa-senpai and the President a good match?
Rukia didn't really think so.
Hinamori's expression was dark as she shook her head, lips pressed tightly. "It's nothing."
Rukia sighed quietly to herself. She had no experience with this kind of thing and didn't know how to offer comfort. But she felt that if the President didn't share those kinds of feelings toward either of them, the way Hinamori and Kanisawa had acted would probably make things difficult for him.
She glanced ahead, toward Tachikawa Nobu walking at the front of the group, chatting with Hisagi.
If it were me… I'd definitely be troubled.
---
The next day.
Even after the cultural festival had ended, many students were still caught up in it, conversations still revolving around what had happened the day before.
The headmaster of Shin'ō Academy was thoroughly pleased with how well it had gone and praised Nobu generously.
This time, the Student Council had truly done something remarkable for the Academy's student body. There had never been such vibrancy at Shin'ō before. The success made Shakubuki Shōzō feel that, under his leadership, the Academy was becoming something different from what it used to be.
The Student Council gained even greater trust from the Academy's leadership — and with that, the prospect of broader authority in the future.
Nobu seized the opportunity to propose a new idea to the headmaster:
Extracurricular clubs.
Their purpose? To further enrich student life.
Shakubuki frowned at first. "Won't that interfere with their studies?"
Nobu explained, "Not every club will qualify. At first, we can restrict approval to clubs like the Kendō Club, Kidō Club, or Kaidō Club — organizations that help students strengthen their core academic abilities. We'll strictly control the types, numbers, scale, and membership. If things go smoothly, we can gradually expand into healthy and positive areas of interest."
Unlike the Student Council, these clubs would simply be places for like-minded students to gather, learn, and grow together. During off-hours, many students had little to do — and self-study could be painfully dull. The headmaster quickly grasped the value in Nobu's idea.
After a thoughtful pause, Shakubuki muttered, "You really are full of schemes…"
Then added, "Draft up a detailed charter for me to review. I'll bring it to the school leadership for discussion."
...
Back in the Student Council's main office, Nobu immediately began mapping out a full plan and recording it all in writing.
It was class time, and he was alone in the office.
Yes — he was skipping class again. Nobu didn't care in the slightest. If Teacher Nanada asked, he'd just say the headmaster had summoned him for a meeting.
At this point, Nobu's authority and influence at Shin'ō Academy already surpassed that of a run-of-the-mill homeroom teacher like Nanada Hideaki.
A knock came at the door.
Nobu glanced at the time. Class wasn't over yet.
"Come in."
But it wasn't a school administrator — instead, several men dressed in fine, white robes entered.
Nobu looked up and froze slightly.
These were clearly nobles. One of them, a young man with refined features and an air of noble detachment, stood out in particular, surrounded by the others like a crane among chickens.
Senkaimon clasp…
Their identity was already obvious to Nobu.
Yesterday at the cultural festival, Kuchiki Ginrei had seen Rukia performing on stage. So it wasn't surprising that members of the Kuchiki family would show up today.
"You must be the Student Council President, Tachikawa Nobu."
The speaker was an elder — not Kuchiki Ginrei, but someone who appeared even older.
Of course, in Soul Society, one's appearance rarely aligned with actual age.
"That's right."
"This is Young Master Kuchiki Byakuya." The elder motioned to the youth beside him — a succinct introduction.
But the name Kuchiki alone spoke volumes.
Nobu rose from his seat and walked to the front of his desk. "May I ask what business brings the noble House of Kuchiki here today?"
There had been no advance notice from the school. That they could bypass the Academy's administration and come directly was proof enough of their formidable status within the Seireitei.
"There's a student in the Council named Rukia, is there not?"
"Yes."
"We've come to see her."
The words carried no courtesy — the implication was clear: Go fetch her.
Nobu didn't show a trace of displeasure. Instead, he pointed to the clock on the wall. "Class is nearly over. She'll be here shortly."
"You expect us to wait?"
Nobu raised an eyebrow. "She's in class. You'd prefer she abandon it midway? If you're in a rush, you're welcome to go to her classroom — First-Year Class B."
Byakuya raised a hand to stop the elder from replying further. He turned to Nobu. "What is your relationship with Rukia?"
His voice was cool, his expression colder still.
"She's a member of the Student Council. I'm the President."
"And her position?"
"Assistant to the President."
"Your assistant?"
"That's right."
Byakuya's face didn't flicker. His impassive features revealed nothing of his thoughts.
Nobu already understood why they were here, so he didn't ask.
That silence made it awkward for Byakuya to offer the explanation he'd intended — so he continued asking instead.
"How is her performance in the Council?"
"She's excellent. Diligent, dependable, clever and quick-witted. She's respectful to seniors and gets along well with her peers."
Though she could use a bit more confidence… and initiative.
"You said she's in Class B?"
Class B — the standard section, far below Class A.
It seemed Byakuya hadn't done any real research. He'd likely only heard about her from Ginrei yesterday and come here hastily.
"Class B is a good place to grow," Nobu added casually.
Byakuya studied Tachikawa Nobu. He was currently Vice-Captain of the 6th Division and had long been capable of succeeding Ginrei as Captain. But conflicts over his marriage had caused major rifts with his family, delaying the matter for years.
He'd heard a few rumors about this Student Council President.
Byakuya had never attended Shin'ō Academy — he'd been privately educated within the Kuchiki household. So he had no particular opinion on this "Council" the students held so dear.
The 6th Division, as a noble division, rarely accepted common-born Shinigami. Even if Tachikawa Nobu had caught some attention due to his talent, that didn't put him on the 6th's radar.
The room fell into a lull. A servant stepped forward and placed a chair behind Byakuya, who sat down silently.
Nobu, seeing the conversation was over, returned to his desk and resumed his work.
The Kuchiki retainers frowned slightly. He's just going to ignore us?
A few minutes passed. The bell rang.
Byakuya sensed it — but the first to enter the office wasn't Rukia, but Kasakurōji Mitsugorō.
He'd come to see Nobu about something but was surprised to find the Kuchiki clan already there.
"Lord… Lord Byakuya?"
Byakuya rose with quiet courtesy, studying Mitsugorō for a moment. "You're… from the Kasakurōji family?"
Mitsugorō bowed respectfully. "Kasakurōji Mitsugorō at your service. I'm honored you remember me. May I ask what brings you here, Lord Byakuya?"
Even setting aside status — the Kuchiki house far outshone the Kasakurōji — Byakuya's role as the 6th Division's Vice-Captain alone demanded this level of respect. And Mitsugorō, after graduation, was almost certain to join the 6th.
Byakuya answered calmly, "Looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
Mitsugorō blinked, then glanced toward Nobu, eyes widening in surprise.
Could it be…?
Byakuya glanced at the clock again. After a pause, he murmured to his attendant, "We're leaving."
"Master Byakuya?"
Mitsugorō bowed once more. "Safe travels, my lord."
Perhaps Byakuya had reconsidered, or perhaps the presence of so many outsiders had made him change his mind.
Nobu stood as well and added, "Farewell, Vice-Captain Kuchiki."
As they left the office and walked down the corridor, a figure came jogging toward them — a familiar face that made Byakuya stop in his tracks.
Rukia, seeing a group of strangers exiting the Student Council office, instinctively stepped aside, giving a polite bow as she passed.
The elder with Byakuya looked visibly shocked.
"Master Byakuya, she… she looks just like Lady Hisana…"
Byakuya exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
"Start a full investigation on her… and on that Tachikawa Nobu."
"…Yes, sir."
---
Mitsugorō was asking Nobu why the Kuchiki family had shown up.
"They were looking for Rukia."
"Me?"
Rukia had just arrived at the door and overheard them, clearly startled.
"Looking for… me? Why?"
She looked flustered — those people were clearly nobles. She had no connection to them whatsoever.
Mitsugorō looked skeptical too. "You're serious?"
"Of course I am."
Rukia stepped in slowly. "President… they really came looking for me? What for?"
"No idea. They didn't say. I told them you'd come by after class. They waited for a bit, then left."
"…Oh."
Nobu quipped, "Maybe someone saw you on stage yesterday and fell for you. The noble lords were smitten."
Rukia froze, eyes wide.
Mitsugorō frowned. "Don't joke like that. Lord Byakuya would never do such a thing."
He deeply admired Byakuya — not just for his heritage, but as an exemplary Shinigami. Byakuya had long been his role model.
Nobu raised an eyebrow. "Then why did they come?"
"How should I know?"
Nobu glanced at Rukia, who looked visibly shaken, then turned to Mitsugorō. "You needed something?"
Though he was Vice President, Mitsugorō rarely came by the office.
He blinked. "Right — about the budget. Didn't the festival leave quite a bit of money unspent?"
"Did it…? I thought we used up most of it."
"Don't play dumb. How much is left?"
Nobu scratched his head. "I'd have to check the books. Why?"
"Because it was my money."
"You donated it to the Student Council."
"I donated it to the festival."
Nobu sighed. "Come on, Mitsugorō. Don't be so petty. You're the Vice President — no need to nickel and dime us."
"I'll check the books myself."
He ignored Nobu's pleading tone and stormed out.
"Mitsugorō! Mitsugorō-sama!"
Nobu called out, but he was already gone.
Rukia, clearly panicked, asked, "President, wh-what should I do?"
"What are you afraid of?"
She bit her lip and said nothing.
Seeing how easily shaken she was, Nobu said gently, "I was just guessing. Don't worry too much — they probably had another reason."
"But what if…"
Nobu laughed. "We're talking about the Kuchiki family here — one of the most powerful noble clans in the Seireitei. Most people would kill for a chance like this."
"I don't want it…"
He chuckled. "What, do you already have someone you like? Is it Renji?"
Rukia looked at him for a moment, then said, "Renji and I… it's not like that."
"You mean you don't like him?" Nobu looked genuinely surprised.
"…I just don't want… to be treated like that."
Seeing her so anxious, Nobu walked over and gently patted her head.
"Don't worry. I won't let that happen to you."
Rukia trembled slightly. Hearing that seemed to relax her.
"…President."
Just then, someone else stood in the doorway.
"Hinamori," Nobu greeted casually.
Rukia's face changed immediately. She took a step back, cheeks flushing bright red as she stared at the girl in the doorway.
And after that blush came something else she couldn't hide—
Panic.
"…Momo…"