Tenth Division barracks.
"These are the questions for the Student Council's recruitment assessment?"
Shiba Isshin looked at the two sheets Kaien had handed him, greatly surprised.
"Where did you get them?"
"I went and asked for them directly. After all, I'm an Honorary President." Shiba Kaien smiled.
After Shiba Isshin finished reading the questions, he clicked his tongue in amazement. "Who came up with these? That Tachikawa Shin?"
"That's right."
"Interesting, truly interesting! Hahahaha!" Shiba Isshin burst into laughter.
His laughter drew Matsumoto Rangiku in from outside.
"Captain, what's got you so happy?"
"Miss Rangiku." Shiba Kaien greeted her.
Shiba Isshin then had Matsumoto Rangiku take a look at the test as well. After reading it, she was equally astonished.
"This is..."
"Even if I were the one answering these questions, I might not get them right." Shiba Isshin chuckled. "That Tachikawa Shin really has some tricks up his sleeve. What exactly is he testing with questions like these? The students' character?"
Shiba Kaien said, "The Spirit Training Academy's higher-ups had already decided that Student Council recruitment would primarily assess academic performance. But the recruitment was scheduled not long after the new students started school, so they had no meaningful grades to reference. That gave Xin the opening to carry out his own approach."
Shiba Isshin pondered aloud, "I have a feeling that kid is after something big."
Shiba Kaien asked, "Did you ask him about the Third Seat position I mentioned before?"
"Third Seat?" Matsumoto Rangiku cried out in surprise. "You want him to directly become the Third Seat?"
Shiba Kaien laughed. "What's wrong with Third Seat? Didn't I start out as a Third Seat too?"
"Captain, did you agree as well?" Matsumoto Rangiku turned to look at her own captain.
Shiba Isshin said helplessly, "What does it matter whether I agree or not? The key is whether Tachikawa Shin is willing."
Kaien mused, "What do you mean? He refused? He doesn't even think the Tenth Division's Third Seat is good enough? What exactly does he want..."
The Student Council interviews continued.
After carefully considering the first question, Hinamori Momo answered, "I would choose to flee the scene with all my strength and promptly seek help."
Everyone present looked unsurprised. There had been all sorts of answers to this question, and Hinamori Momo's response was not particularly uncommon.
Hisagi Shūhei pressed, "Explain your reasoning."
Hinamori Momo said, "Since the enemy is a Menos, it is certainly not something a Spirit Training Academy student like me can resist. Staying behind would only hinder my senior, and we would very likely all be wiped out. Therefore, quickly leaving to seek aid from Soul Society would be the wisest course of action. That additional chance at survival would also ensure my senior's courageous sacrifice was not in vain."
After she finished speaking, she saw the Student Council members seated there writing and marking things down in their notebooks, making her feel uneasy.
No matter what, this was indeed the answer she had concluded was most appropriate after serious thought.
She noticed that the President seated in the middle was not writing anything in his notebook. He merely watched her quietly, a faint smile on his lips.
As for why Xin was smiling, it was because he had noticed a change on the system interface.
Hinamori Momo Affection: 27 For every 10 points of Affection gained, Spiritual Pressure Level +1, Zanpakutō Unlock Progress +1% Full Course Reward unlocked at 90 Affection Reaper's Wedge can be formed. The Third Reward will unlock after formation.
He then looked at his own information panel.
Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv. 16 Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 9%
When he had first met Matsumoto Rangiku, her Affection had also risen quickly in the early stages. This Hinamori Momo had only met him once, yet she had directly raised his Spiritual Pressure Level by two levels and his Zanpakutō Unlock Progress as well. Naturally, Xin was in high spirits.
"That was a very good answer." Xin smiled, then glanced at the people beside him. "What do you all think?"
The officers who were evaluating and scoring Hinamori Momo's performance all looked over. Hisagi Shūhei felt helpless. Hinamori Momo's answer could only be considered decent and conventional. He could not help wondering whether Xin had taken a fancy to this girl.
Hearing Xin's praise, Hinamori Momo immediately felt delighted and quickly bowed. "Thank you for your praise."
The President is such a kind person...
Affection: 31
Tsk!
The smile on Xin's face deepened. "Continue."
Hisagi Shūhei said, "Please answer the second question."
Hinamori Momo took a deep breath and continued with the interview. She made no mistakes on the remaining two questions either. With Xin's encouragement, she was no longer so nervous and gradually began answering fluently.
After answering all the questions, Hinamori Momo stood where she was, anxiously awaiting everyone's evaluation. She felt that she had performed well enough, especially with the Student Council President's encouragement just now, but her heart still hung in suspense until the result was announced.
Hisagi Shūhei spoke. "After our joint evaluation, Hinamori, congratulations. You have passed the interview. Remember to report to the Student Council headquarters office at seven tomorrow morning. Your specific duties within the Student Council will be arranged then."
Hinamori Momo was overjoyed and repeatedly bowed. "Thank you, seniors, for recognizing me!"
Xin also said with a light smile, "Welcome to the team. You may head back now."
"Yes! Thank you, President!"
Affection: 37
It's rising so fast.
Xin could not help marveling inwardly. During his years at the Spirit Training Academy, aside from Matsumoto Rangiku, he had never encountered another woman with system Affection.
"The President seems to like her quite a bit."
Kōgorō, who had not said a word from beginning to end, suddenly spoke in a strangely mocking tone.
Xin did not deny it. He chuckled and said, "Who wouldn't like such a cute girl? Does Kasumi Oji dislike her?"
Kōgorō chose not to speak again.
"Next is Rukia from Class B. Send her in."
After leaving the interview room, Hinamori Momo did not leave immediately. She first went to the classroom where the remaining new students were waiting for their interviews. Walking up to Rukia, she said excitedly, "Rukia! I passed!"
Rukia froze upon hearing this, then smiled as well. "Really? Congratulations, Hinamori!"
"I can call you Rukia directly, right? You don't mind?"
"Not at all. Of course not."
"Then just call me Momo too! You'll definitely pass as well. Then we'll be colleagues in the Student Council!"
Rukia was not particularly delighted, because she still had to go through her own interview and was currently quite nervous.
At that moment, the Student Council member at the door called her name.
"Here!"
"Rukia, good luck!"
"Mm, okay..."
Rukia felt her heart pounding as she walked step by step toward the interview room entrance.
Xin sat in his seat, his gaze unfocused as he watched the system interface.
Among the three women he had encountered, Hinamori Momo seemed to be the easiest one to win over. If he bound the Reaper's Wedge to her, obtaining the Third Reward should not be too difficult.
But the system's description of it was pitifully sparse, so he did not dare make a rash decision.
After all, one of them was the female lead of the original story. Her Third Reward would certainly be different.
Amid his swirling thoughts, the figure at the door had already entered.
She seemed even smaller than Hinamori Momo. Her appearance was not as cute as Hinamori's either. Compared to Hinamori's soft and gentle demeanor, there was an extra measure of determination and heroic spirit between Rukia's delicate brows. Looking closely at her, one could not help but feel she was not to be underestimated.
Rukia Affection: 7 For every 10 points of Affection gained, Spiritual Pressure Level +1, Zanpakutō Unlock Progress +1% Full Course Reward unlocked at 90 Affection Reaper's Wedge has been formed The Third Reward can be obtained alongside the Full Course Reward Additional Zanpakutō ability: Freezing The Second Reaper's Wedge can be unlocked upon obtaining the Third Reward
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