Chapter 23: Three Girls, One Play

With the cultural festival approaching, all members of the student council were busy.

Aside from attending her regular classes, Rukia spent her days trailing after Shin, running here and there. She did not feel tired, however; having tasks to complete every day made her feel that her life was fulfilling. The president was a kind person who often offered her guidance, and she held a deep respect for him.

"Why are all the programs submitted by the classes so bizarre?" Shin muttered, looking through the booklet the head of the Literature Club had handed him.

Rukia peeked at the contents of the booklet as well: a play titled "The Fugitive Princess and Her Knight," a song-and-dance performance called "Kido Kagura," a "Kido Fireworks Display," and so on. She found these titles quite intriguing and wondered what the actual performances would entail.

"Rukia, what do you think?" Shin asked her suddenly.

"Ah... I think they're alright," Rukia replied hesitantly.

Shin remarked, "A single play lasting an hour is too long. If the performance is mediocre, the audience will find it boring and tedious."

"You are right," Rukia immediately agreed.

Shin pondered, "It seems I need to set higher standards for the selection process."

During the cultural festival, the activities would be centered around the grand plaza in the middle of the Spiritual Arts Academy. In addition to a stage built for performances, there would be class stalls resembling a flea market, where each class would have a dedicated booth to sell snacks, used items, or handmade trinkets. However, the stage performances were expected to be the main attraction.

Shin set the booklet down, glanced at Rukia beside him, and suddenly smiled. "What do you think? Should our student council put on a performance as well?"

"Eh? Us?" Rukia asked, surprised.

"I think you would be well-suited for the stage, Rukia."

Rukia's beautiful eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head repeatedly. "I can't do it, President!"

"How do you know you can't if you haven't tried?"

Rukia bit her lower lip and searched for an excuse. "We are so busy in the student council every day; where would we find the time to rehearse?"

"We don't need many people, two or three would be enough," Shin said, rubbing his chin as he thought. "Let me see..."

"It will be you, Hinamori, and Kanie. You three girls have different styles; you’ll definitely draw a crowd!"

The three girls had very different personalities. Kanie was serious and reserved; Hinamori Momo was cute, gentle, and a bit playful; and Rukia was the most inconspicuous of the lot, usually quiet but earnest and independent, sometimes appearing as clear as water, yet occasionally revealing a delicate and intelligent side.

"President..." Rukia remained resistant, looking at Shin with wide, watery eyes, as if hoping he would withdraw the idea.

"It's decided. Go find Hinamori and Kanie and talk to them about it," Shin commanded.

Rukia was not good at refusing others. Although she was reluctant, seeing Shin's firm attitude, she had no choice but to leave the office to find Kanie and Hinamori Momo.

Half an hour later, all three girls appeared in the student council office.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Kanie asked first, her brows furrowed in displeasure. Having known Shin longer, she was more comfortable speaking her mind than Hinamori or Rukia.

Shin sat in his chair behind the desk and smiled. "How can you call it nonsense? Every class has prepared a program; naturally, the student council should show its spirit as well."

"Ask someone else, I don't have the time!" Kanie refused flatly. She felt this was purely Shin’s eccentric whim and had no desire to play along.

"Kanie, I must criticize you. You are the head of the Disciplinary Committee; you have an obligation to represent the student council!"

"I also have the right to refuse," Kanie said bluntly. "Why don't you do it yourself?"

Shin continued to persuade, "I wouldn't be as attractive on stage as you girls. Besides, the three of you are so beautiful; it will help attract more students to join the student council next year."

"..."

Kanie fell silent, subconsciously touching her cheek.

Hinamori Momo took the opportunity to interject, "But President, we don't know what to perform. I don't have any particular talents."

"A play, a song, or a dance—all are fine. The three of you can discuss it slowly. For the coming days, you may set aside your regular student council work to focus on preparations."

Hinamori Momo looked at Rukia and then at Kanie. She didn't know what the other two were thinking. They had both expressed reluctance when they arrived, so she found it difficult to say anything more.

Seeing the three of them fall silent, Shin thought for a moment. "How about this: if you agree, I will grant each of you one wish afterward. After all, as president, I do have some authority."

Upon hearing this, Hinamori Momo’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course!"

She reached out and gently tugged on Rukia’s sleeve. Only then did Rukia hesitantly whisper, "O... okay."

Shin finally looked at Kanie.

Kanie was looking at him, too.

"...Fine."

Shin smiled. "Then I’ll leave it to you. Make sure to showcase the brilliance of our student council!"

Hinamori Momo clenched her fists and said with great spirit, "We will do our best!"

Once they were out of the office, Rukia couldn't help but say to Hinamori, "Momo, why did you agree? I’m not mentally prepared for this, and... I don't think I can do it well."

Hinamori Momo replied, "Rukia, you just lack confidence. This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself. You have to believe that you can do it!"

Rukia pursed her lips and remained silent.

Hinamori Momo looked at Kanie. "Senior Kanie, do you have any ideas?"

Kanie’s expression remained indifferent. "You two come up with a concept, and I will cooperate."

With that, Kanie turned and walked away alone.

Watching her back, Hinamori Momo whispered, "Senior Kanie is really hard to get along with. I’ve never seen her smile."

Rukia nodded. "Indeed."

In the student council, it seemed that only the president and Lieutenant Hisagi were on good terms with her.

Hinamori Momo cheered up again. "Rukia, let's think about what kind of program we should do. The president said we can set aside our student council work for now."

"I have absolutely no ideas."

"Then I'll come up with something."

As the day of the cultural festival drew closer, it became the main topic of conversation among the students every day. Many parts of the Spiritual Arts Academy had been decorated with banners and ribbons.

Being a Soul Reaper was a serious job—guarding the Seireitei and maintaining the balance of the three realms—and the overall atmosphere of the academy was usually not so relaxed. The cultural festival brought a great deal of vitality to the school.

Rukia and Hinamori Momo both loved this place, loved the student council, and cherished the lives they were leading now, which were so different from before.