The so-called official student organization was essentially a student council, intended to serve as a bridge and link between the Spiritual Arts Academy and its students.
After hearing Shinichi's explanation, Shiba Kaien immediately grasped the potential significance and influence such a student council could hold in the future.
To manage and serve students?
These days, most of Soul Society's Shinigami were directly produced by the Spiritual Arts Academy. Many of the current elites had once studied there. If a student council could truly be established and start recruiting promising individuals early on, then once they became official Shinigami, they would already have a network of mutual connections formed during their academy days.
After Shinichi proposed the idea, Kaien's mind instantly flooded with all the pros and cons such an organization could bring.
The key question was—would this student council even be allowed to exist?
Soul Society was essentially governed by the nobility. Though Kaien himself was a noble, the influence of the Shiba Clan was not what it once was.
In Soul Society, the gap between nobles and commoners had practically become a form of reproductive isolation. For commoners, the academy was nearly the only path to becoming a Shinigami. Nobles, however, often had their own means of training—even without attending the academy, they could still become Shinigami.
So what would the noble clans think of a student council? Would they even encourage their own descendants to enroll in the academy just because of it?
Maybe he was thinking too far ahead. Perhaps the nobles wouldn't even allow its formation to begin with.
The cafeteria was noisy, filled with overlapping voices, but to Kaien, they all blurred into a single haze of white noise. He had paused his meal, eyes fixed on the boy in front of him, expression wavering.
"This… is something I'll need to seriously consider," Kaien finally said.
Shinichi's smile didn't fade. "No problem. I'm in no rush."
Kaien gave him a faintly amused look. "You're quite the surprise, kid."
Shinichi replied in an easy tone, "Vice-Captain Shiba, maybe you're overthinking it. It's just a small organization, and technically it would fall under the Academy's jurisdiction."
Kaien neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, he asked, "If this does go through, by the time you graduate two years from now, would any ordinary seated officer position in the Gotei 13 even be worthy of your attention?"
"You think too highly of me," Shinichi said calmly. "I know my limits."
Kaien didn't press the issue. He didn't even touch the rest of his food. After sitting for only a short while longer, he got up and left.
As the vice-captain of Squad 13 departed, Hisagi Shūhei sat down across from Shinichi, carrying his lunch tray.
"You told him about it?"
"I had to. He's the only one who can help me." Shinichi lowered his head and began eating.
Hisagi offered a reminder: "I don't think it'll be that simple, Shinichi. You're being too idealistic. We're just ordinary students."
When Shinichi had first proposed the idea to him yesterday, Hisagi had been shocked that he'd even come up with such a notion. At the same time, he'd thought it was wishful thinking.
"You're right. It's because we're just students that it's simpler for us. Let someone else worry about the troublesome parts."
—
That afternoon was swordsmanship class.
Their instructor, Nanda Hidezawa, had arrived early and was already waiting in the kendo dojo. As students filed in, his eyes quickly locked on one particular boy entering with Hisagi—the refined-looking Tachikawa Shinichi.
Shinichi instantly felt uneasy under his teacher's gaze.
"…Why do I get the feeling something bad's about to happen?"
Hisagi just gave him a look of silent sympathy.
"What exactly did you say to cover for me yesterday?"
"I told the truth—that Vice-Captain Matsumoto from Squad 10 wanted to speak with you."
"Hisagi, you…"
Before he could finish, just as they stood at attention but hadn't yet sat down, Nanda's icy voice rang out:
"Tachikawa-kun. Care to explain why you missed class yesterday?"
The students had already knelt along the edges of the dojo, and now all turned their eyes toward the center—eager for a good show.
Hearing his name, Shinichi immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply to Nanda, his attitude unusually sincere.
"I'm sorry, Professor Nanda. I was in the wrong yesterday. I now fully realize my mistake. I shouldn't waste the opportunity to study at the Academy. I promise it won't happen again!"
Nanda sneered. "And how many times have you promised that now?"
This brat had only behaved during his first year. By second year, he'd started slacking, and skipping class had become a habit. If not for his outstanding talent, he would've been expelled long ago.
"This time I really will change!"
Unmoved, Nanda turned to address the rest of the class.
"Today's lesson will be live combat practice using asauchi. Each of you will face off against Tachikawa Shinichi. Anyone who can defeat him will receive bonus points on your end-of-year assessment. There is no limit to the number of times you can challenge him."
"…?"
The kendo dojo fell silent for a few seconds. Shinichi suddenly felt dozens of fiery, eager eyes locking onto him.
"Professor Nanda, this isn't fair!"
"I think it's perfectly fair," said a voice.
It was Kaniezawa. She had already stood up without anyone noticing, gripping a black asauchi.
"Tachikawa-kun, it's been a while since we sparred," she said coolly.
An asauchi was tossed his way—it was Hisagi. From the look in his eyes, Shinichi could tell he was enjoying this a little too much.
Holding the heavy blade in his hand, Shinichi took a deep breath. Since there was no escaping this, he figured he might as well throw a match or two and surrender early.
But then—
"If you lose," Nanda added, "I'll deduct points from your overall evaluation. You've skipped so many classes this year… you might even get held back."
Shinichi's grip on the sword tightened.
That damned—
"Fine then! Bring it on!"
He stepped into the center of the dojo, ready for whatever came next.
Nanda stood calmly off to the side. The fourth-years had already completed all their coursework. This exercise wouldn't delay anything—and knowing Shinichi's skill level, he actually thought it might push the other students to improve.
But Nanda had still underestimated things.
In just half an hour, every one of the twenty-some students lay defeated—Kaniezawa and Hisagi included. Not a single person had lasted more than a minute against Shinichi.
Don't blame me.
I wanted to help you earn bonus points, but I also don't want to repeat a year.
Shinichi sheathed his blade with a silent apology.
"…The difference is this wide?" Nanda murmured.
He looked at the boy in the center of the room, whose uniform hadn't suffered a single tear.
He knew Shinichi's swordsmanship exceeded even his own—but now he had no idea what Shinichi's true limits were.
"Professor Nanda, I passed, right?" Shinichi asked with a grin.
The expression on his face felt like pure gloating. Nanda's smile dropped. He pointed at a few of the students groaning on the floor.
"You went that hard on your classmates? Do you even have a heart?"
"I used the back of the blade! Not a single one of them is bleeding!"
"You dare talk back!?"
Nanda scowled. "From now on, you'll lead the live combat portion of every swordsmanship class!"
The moment he said that, a chorus of wails erupted from the fallen students.
"No way, Professor Nanda!"
"Why are we the ones being punished when he's the one who messed up?!"
"You're playing favorites!"
—
After class, Shinichi was summoned to Nanda's office.
Most of the faculty at the Academy knew Shinichi by now. They also knew he was the "problem child" under Nanda's watch—and that Nanda had a strange soft spot for him.
Once they were alone, Nanda didn't bring up what had just happened in class.
"Why aren't you planning to graduate this year?"
Shinichi thought for a moment, then asked in return, "Didn't Kaniezawa-san explain it to you?"
Nanda adjusted his glasses. "If it's because you realize your own shortcomings and want to spend another year studying, then that's admirable. But do you really think another year will fix your lazy habits?"
"I'll do my best to improve!"
"So Hisagi and Kaniezawa aren't taking the graduation exam either. That's because of you, right?"
Shinichi chuckled. "Professor Nanda, even if they took the exam, what are their chances of passing?"
Nanda fell silent. The graduation exam was notoriously difficult for fourth-years. Although Hisagi and Kaniezawa had solid grades, Nanda couldn't guarantee they'd pass. And after graduation, there was still the squad entrance exam.
Nanda cared deeply about his students' success rates. That's part of why he'd always taken special interest in Shinichi.
"Don't blame me for everything," Shinichi said. "Everyone has their own path. Whether they take the exam or not is their decision. Me too. I just want to stay in the Academy a little longer and learn more under your guidance—is that so wrong?"
Nanda glanced at the files on his desk. "Several divisions from the Gotei 13 have approached me. They want to know your plans. For someone like you, the graduation exam wouldn't be a challenge. Whichever squad you choose, they'll value you."
This happened every year. Top students always attracted the attention of squad leaders. But Shinichi had once defeated Nanda himself in swordsmanship class, which gave him even greater prestige.
Nanda wouldn't be surprised at all if Shinichi graduated this year and immediately became a seated officer.
"Did Vice-Captain Shiba from Squad 13 speak to you today because he wants you to join their squad?" Nanda asked.
Kaien had made his intentions clear early on—and even tried to get Nanda to talk Shinichi into it.
Shinichi nodded slightly. "Vice-Captain Matsumoto from Squad 10 spoke to me as well. She said if I join, I'd be made the 23rd Seat."
Twenty-third seat, huh… quite fitting.
Nanda considered this. "So, which squad do you want to choose?"
With a grin, Shinichi said, "I want to stay your student a while longer."
Nanda was momentarily amused, then quickly grew stern again. "Don't get arrogant and try to play both sides."
"Professor Nanda, you misunderstand me," Shinichi replied innocently. "I'm being completely sincere!"
Nanda stared into his eyes for a long moment, unable to read what was truly in the boy's heart.
"The graduation exam is optional for fourth-years like you. If you don't want to take it, then stay another year."
"Professor Nanda, you always understand me best."
—
Two days later—
Shiba Kaien returned to the Academy. He found Shinichi just after the afternoon classes had ended.
"Vice-Captain Shiba, have you made up your mind?"
"I want to hear more about your plan for this student council. Its structure, responsibilities, member roles—have you thought it all through?" Kaien asked.
Shinichi pulled out a thick stack of documents and handed them over.
Kaien raised his brows slightly but didn't immediately look at them. Instead, he asked, "When did you come up with this idea?"
"Around a year ago," Shinichi replied. "I saw how hard the teachers worked managing the students, and it made me want to do something to help both them and the Academy."
Kaien shot back, "Then why do you keep skipping class? If you're so concerned about the staff, shouldn't you be a model student?"
"That's different!" Shinichi protested. "I only miss class when I have to. I've got a weak constitution and need lots of rest…"
Kaien didn't argue further. He finally opened the documents and began reading carefully.
They detailed the proposed student council's structure, roles, and responsibilities—down to individual departments and member duties. The more Kaien read, the more he felt this wasn't some half-baked scheme, but the framework of a mature, fully-formed organization.
This kid had done his homework.
Kaien's thoughts raced as he closed the file and looked at Shinichi.
The Academy had never lacked for geniuses. He himself had graduated in a year and become a third seat. Decades ago, Ichimaru Gin had done the same.
Compared to them, Shinichi's track record could at best be called "excellent."
What did it mean to be called a genius?
It smoothed the way for your Shinigami career. That's it.
But this student council—if it succeeded—what could it give him?
Kaien didn't dare think too deeply. He needed to carefully discuss it with his captain… and his uncle.
"Tell me. After graduation, which squad do you plan to join?"
Shinichi answered slowly, "Captain Ukitake of Squad 13 has long struggled with illness. But Vice-Captain Shiba, for you to take over his position... it'll probably still take a long time, right?"
Kaien showed no reaction. There were many other factors. His uncle was the captain of Squad 10. Could Soul Society really accept two Shiba captains at once?
Probably not. The Central 46 wouldn't allow it. His path to promotion was full of obstacles. But Kaien didn't mind. He was happy in Squad 13, and had no problem staying vice-captain.
Still, Shinichi's words hinted at much.
The vice-captain of Squad 13 was Kaien. The third seat was his fiancée. If Shinichi joined, the highest he could go was fourth seat.
No wonder he didn't take Matsumoto's offer of twenty-third seat.
"Third Seat of Squad 10," Kaien finally said.
"Would you take it?"