Among the first-year students, Hinamori Momo and Kira Izuru were assigned to the Organization Department under Hisagi Shūhei.
Most of the students didn't have a clear understanding of each department's specific duties within the student council, so there were no objections. They simply hoped to fulfill their roles well in the future.
The final name to be called was Rukia's.
"Rukia, you'll be serving as the Student Council President's assistant."
Student Council President's assistant?
Many were surprised upon hearing this—that was a position? But soon, a few students began to look at her with envy.
To these new students, the Student Council President was a big deal—practically on the same level as the academy instructors. Being able to work closely beside him was undoubtedly a huge opportunity.
Rukia herself was a little stunned. She couldn't understand what made her stand out among the other newcomers. Why had she been chosen for such a position?
In truth, she didn't particularly like standing out like this. The various looks from those around her made her feel immense pressure—perhaps even a little fear.
Ever since Renji had been eliminated in the first round of student council recruitment, she hadn't been all that interested in the organization. She wouldn't have even tried had he not encouraged her. It wasn't something she desperately wanted.
But at her side, Hinamori Momo tugged gently at her sleeve, eyes full of excitement.
Rukia steadied her uneasy thoughts and responded with a quiet, "Yes."
After the department assignments were completed, the new students were taken by their respective department heads or upperclassmen for private orientations.
Rukia, however, remained alone in the office.
Shinichi looked at her and said casually, "You don't seem too happy with this arrangement."
Startled, Rukia quickly responded, "No! It's not that… I just don't think I'm qualified for such an important role."
Shinichi chuckled lightly. "It's just a student council assistant, not anything too serious. If you don't want it, I can easily swap you with someone else. I don't like forcing people into doing things they don't enjoy."
Rukia's thoughts raced. Turning it down outright felt impolite, so she quickly said, "You misunderstood… I—I'll do my best!"
With a smile, Shinichi encouraged her, "Like I said, it's not some incredibly important position. You should have more confidence. Even if it was a high-ranking role, how would you know you weren't suited for it unless you tried? Just take a couple of days to get familiar with the work—you'll get used to it."
At least the President seems like a kind person… Rukia thought to herself.
"Y-Yes, President!" she replied quickly.
"Alright then, head back for now. Don't you have class this morning?"
In truth, after binding the Soul Reaper Wedge to Rukia, Shinichi was starting to regret it. He hadn't known there would be a "Second Soul Reaper Wedge" unlockable, and had assumed that, as the female protagonist of the original story, Rukia would yield greater rewards.
But she wasn't the easiest person to win over.
Compared to her, Hinamori Momo was far more approachable.
Still, it was too late for regrets. He would just have to take things one step at a time.
With both Rukia and Momo by his side now, Shinichi expected another period of rapid growth in his power.
As Rukia left the Student Council Headquarters, she let out a deep breath—only to see Hinamori Momo waiting for her at the end of the corridor.
"Rukia!" Momo beamed and waved enthusiastically.
"How was it?"
As soon as Rukia got close, Momo asked the question she'd been dying to ask.
"How was what?"
"The President! You're his assistant now. That means you'll be able to stay by his side all the time," Momo said, practically glowing with excitement.
Still unsure whether she was up for the job, Rukia replied, "I don't even know if I can do this well…"
"You totally can!" Momo cheered her on.
"I'll do my best," Rukia nodded. Then she turned the question around, "What about you? Your department head is that upperclassman Hisagi, right?"
Momo looked a little dispirited. "Senior Hisagi is kind of serious all the time. And the two others in my group are like that too. That Kira Izuru guy always has a long face. Everything feels so gloomy. Honestly, I'm jealous of you, Rukia. The President seems really easygoing."
Rukia thought the same, and then felt that someone like Momo—cheerful and bright—would actually be much better suited for the assistant role.
That thought only made her feel more uncertain about her own appointment.
"It's fine. Once we all get used to each other, it'll be better," Momo reassured herself. "Let's do our best together, Rukia."
During break time, Renji Abarai from Class A came to find Rukia.
She told him about the student council assignments, including the fact that she'd been made the President's assistant.
"President's assistant…" Renji scratched his head. That sounded like a high-ranking job—sort of like being a vice-captain.
Of course, he didn't know there was actually a Vice President role in the student council. He wasn't familiar with its structure at all.
Still, he was genuinely happy for her. "That's awesome, Rukia! Looks like the President knows talent when he sees it!"
"Idiot! I'm not some product to be picked off a shelf!" Rukia snapped.
Renji quickly corrected himself, "I meant your President has good taste, hahahaha!"
"…Idiot," she muttered, but her expression softened. It was nice to see a friend so sincerely happy for her.
"Renji, since we've come to the Spiritual Arts Academy to become Soul Reapers, we should both give it our all. You're in Class A—make sure you work hard too!"
"I know!" Renji raised a clenched fist, full of confidence. "Don't worry, Rukia—we're definitely gonna become amazing Soul Reapers!"
Now that Shinichi had the student council, he could skip class with impunity.
Professor Hidezawa was helpless against it, but truthfully, there wasn't much more he could teach him anyway.
All he could do was warn him not to slack off in his training. While Shinichi was undoubtedly one of the top students in the academy, there were plenty of people stronger than him outside.
Shinichi knew that too. Even with help from the system, he still made time every day for training.
But thanks to the system's character status panel, he could tell that his self-training barely moved the needle—whereas interacting with characters like Rukia and Momo brought massive gains.
"Captain's coming to inspect the Academy?"
The news came to Shinichi from one of the instructors.
"That's right. It happens every year—you should know that by now. This time, your student council will be in charge of reception. You'll mostly be guiding the visiting captain through each of the first-year classes."
Shinichi did remember that tradition. Not long after the school year started, it was customary for one of the Gotei 13 captains to visit the Academy.
The main purpose was to let the new students see what real captains looked like—hopefully inspiring them to one day join the Gotei 13 themselves.
"So… which captain is visiting this year?"
"Oh, it's Captain Aizen Sōsuke from the 5th Division."