Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 88: Kuchiki, the President

The new roster for the 4th Division's seated officers was officially announced soon after.

It was clear Unohana Retsu and Kotetsu Isane had long prepared for this restructuring—Tachikawa Shin's promotion to Third Seat merely served as the catalyst to implement it.

Shingyōji Ōgi and Naitō Shōgo were now listed as co-Fourth Seats, with Shingyōji continuing as head of the First Advanced Emergency Unit.

Shin, alongside assuming the title of Third Seat, had also taken over as head of the Seventh Advanced Emergency Unit.

He completed his handover of squad duties with Shingyōji and was given a small office of his own—not exactly glamorous, especially when compared to his old desk at Shin'ō Academy.

He also had Seika reassigned into the Emergency Unit, directly under his command.

Just like that, Shin had already spent over a month in the 4th Division, and the new semester at Shin'ō Academy was about to begin.

That day, Shin requested a leave and returned to the Academy.

He arrived during class hours, so the Student Council office was quiet.

Back in this familiar place, he couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

The room had changed a bit since he left—his old seat was still there, and while most of the items had been moved or rearranged, one thing stood out: a framed photo. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

A group shot of the former Student Council, taken before Shin's graduation. Shin stood in the center, flanked by Rukia and Hinamori. Everyone in the photo was smiling brightly—even Kezawa, whose rare gentle expression had been captured.

Shin reached out and brushed his fingers over the frame, then casually flipped through the notes and documents scattered across the desk.

The current council was preparing for recruitment season again.

From the thoroughness of the notes, it was obvious the new president was taking the role seriously. There were more detailed plans here than he'd ever made.

Shin leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting to the sakura trees beyond the window, soaking in the quiet he hadn't felt in some time.

Time slipped by until the door creaked open.

"P-President?"

A soft, disbelieving voice.

Shin turned and smiled at the petite figure in the doorway.

"Yo. Long time no see, Rukia."

She was still in her red-and-white Academy uniform. After a stunned pause, she hurried into the room.

She stopped just in front of him, opened her mouth to speak—and was immediately pulled into his arms, Shin kissing her forcefully without a word.

"Mmph—!"

Rukia went limp in his embrace, not resisting his firm kiss in the slightest.

When he finally let her go, her dazed eyes gradually regained clarity. Face flushed, she quickly stepped back and began fixing her uniform.

She muttered something under her breath, clearly flustered.

"President, you can't just..."

"Can't what?" Shin asked with a grin.

"You... you should ask first, before doing something like that..."

"If I stopped to say 'Can I kiss you?' wouldn't that ruin the mood?"

"..."

Rukia glared at him but said nothing more.

"What brings you back, President?" she finally asked.

"It's the start of term, right? Thought I'd stop by. The entrance ceremony's this afternoon, yeah? You giving a speech?"

She nodded, clearly nervous.

"I don't think I'll do well..."

Shin rested his chin on his hands, elbows on the desk.

"It's just a speech. Doesn't matter much. People won't judge you by that—they'll judge you by what kind of president you become."

But Rukia only looked more glum. Taking over for Shin meant everything she did would be compared to his legacy.

And in the long run, she didn't have much confidence.

"How's everyone else?" Shin asked.

"They're all doing well..."

She hesitated, almost saying "Momo misses you a lot too," but stopped herself.

"Oh, right—Vice-Captain Shiba from the 13th Division came by a few days ago. He asked me about which Division I plan to join after graduation."

"Kūkaku's cousin, huh. Always stirring up trouble." Shin chuckled.

"What did you say?"

Rukia shook her head.

"I don't know. Momo thinks I'll end up in the 6th Division."

That was the common assumption. After all, the current 6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya, was her older brother.

No one would have guessed Byakuya would place her in the 13th Division instead.

Rukia had her own thoughts, though.

She looked at Shin and asked, her eyes flickering with uncertainty—

"President... where do you think I should go?"

"The 13th is a good place. Captain Ukitake and Vice-Captain Shiba are both great people."

Shin understood what she meant. But in his opinion, there was no need for her to come to the 4th Division just to be near him. Her Kaidō skills were average at best—the 4th Division wouldn't suit her.

Besides, Byakuya probably had her future planned out already.

And if Rukia joined the 4th Division, it'd make things... complicated between him and Isane.

Rukia only responded with a soft "Oh," clearly disappointed.

Shin reached out and ruffled her hair.

"The 4th Division doesn't fit you. You should plan your future properly—and know yourself clearly."

That finally lifted some of her gloom.

She asked about Shin's time in the 4th, and he only mentioned becoming Third Seat.

To her, that was no surprise—she'd expected it. So had many others.

Back when he was still a student, both the 10th and 13th Divisions had competed to recruit him.

While the two chatted idly, the door opened again.

"President?!"

The figure in the doorway—Hinamori Momo—froze for a second before her face lit up with joy.

Before Shin could greet her, she flew across the room like a gust of wind and crashed into him, nearly knocking him back into the chair.

"..."

Shin blinked at Hinamori draped over him—then turned to see Rukia glaring, clearly displeased.

He sighed, patting Hinamori gently.

"Momo, this isn't exactly appropriate..."

She raised her tear-filled eyes.

"President... I missed you so much."

"I missed you all too. It's not like we've been apart that long—the break wasn't much shorter than this."

He glanced at Rukia, trying to keep things diplomatic.

But Hinamori wouldn't let go. She suddenly asked—

"Why didn't you say goodbye when you left that day?"

She meant the day Shin reported to the 4th Division. He hadn't said a word to anyone.

"You cried so hard during our farewell dinner," Shin said with a sigh.

"If I said goodbye again, you'd have bawled even harder."

Hinamori huffed, eyes shimmering.

Rukia finally stepped in, unable to watch any longer.

"Momo, you're making the President uncomfortable."

That made Hinamori remember Rukia was there. Reluctantly, she pulled away.

Rukia's expression was far from pleasant. Just minutes ago, the President had kissed her. Now Momo was hugging him like that?

She had no way to express her anger, but it festered silently.

Shin looked at the two lovely girls before him.

And suddenly felt a massive headache coming on.