Disclaimer: All characters of Bleach belong to Kubo Tite.
Author's Note: Timeline of this story is set after the Soul Society Arc. Since I'm waiting for the anime to catch up with the manga (when this was written), I've taken some liberties in assuming that Rukia returns to Karakura.
PA system Blues: Prologue
The dreary month before the examination period had arrived at Karakura High. To accommodate the senior students, who were in various stages of panic breakdowns, the school authorities decided that morning assemblies would be called off for the moment.
After all, they didn't want a repeat of that incident where a senior suddenly went berserk and assaulted the principal on stage, screaming about last-minute cramming, while hammering the poor man with the microphone.
And so, they wisely decided that school announcements would be broadcasted over the Public Addressing System every Monday morning before classes commenced. The duty of picking the student who would be 'honored' with the responsibility of reading the school notices fell to the homeroom teacher of Form 3, Class 1.
"Volunteers anybody? Just imagine, you'll be given the chance to grace the school with your dulcet voice!"
The offer was met with dead silence as all the students tried to avoid eye-contact with the teacher in front. Everyone knew about that incident involving the berserk student during assembly last year. Who in their right mind would want to risk distressing those jumpy seniors?
The teacher sighed. Looks like she'd have to depend on that age-old method to pick a victim. She opened the class register, picked up her red-ink pen, squeezed her eyes tightly shut, and jabbed randomly at the list of names.
As one, the class held their breath -each student wondering who the unfortunate comrade would be. A trickle of sweat ran down Ishida's brow. Kurosaki Ichigo's eyebrows were knitted together in a frown of concentration more severe than usual.
During the suspenseful hush, the class could clearly hear Asano Keigo chanting in prayer, "Don'tletitbemeDon'tletitbeme…pleeeease!"
The teacher cleared her throat and glanced at the class over her spectacles.
"Kuchiki Rukia-san?"
An oblivious Rukia blinked at her name while beside her, Ichigo's face blanched to match his white school shirt.
Author's Note: And thus, was the 'honor' bestowed upon one clueless Rukia.
Next chapter: The first Monday morning!