Three Girls, One Play

The Student Council members were all busy preparing for the cultural festival.

Aside from her regular classes, Rukia spent her days running errands for Xin, following him everywhere. She didn't feel tired; having things to do made her feel like her life was fulfilling.

The president was a very kind person and often gave her guidance. She deeply respected Xin.

"The programs each class submitted are so bizarre," Xin muttered as he looked at the booklet handed to him by the head of the literature club.

Rukia glanced at the contents of the booklet from the side: the play "The Runaway Princess and Her Knight," the song and dance "Rikagura," the "Kido Fireworks Display," and so on.

She found the titles quite interesting and wondered about the specific content.

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

"Ah... I think it's okay," Rukia replied hesitantly.

Xin said, "This one play alone is an hour long, which is too much. If the performance is just mediocre, the audience will get bored and tired."

Rukia immediately agreed, "You have a point."

Xin pondered, "It seems we need to set a higher standard for selection."

The cultural festival would mainly take place in the huge central plaza of the Spirit Training Academy. Besides a main stage for performances, there would also be class booths similar to a flea market. Each class would have a dedicated space to sell items, such as snacks, used goods, or handmade trinkets.

However, the performances would be the most anticipated part.

Xin put down the booklet, glanced at Rukia beside him, and suddenly smiled, "What do you think, should our Student Council put on a performance too?"

"Huh? Us?" Rukia was surprised.

"I think you'd be perfect for performing on stage, Rukia."

Rukia's beautiful eyes widened, and she repeatedly shook her head, "I can't, President!"

"How do you know you can't if you don't try?"

Rukia bit her lower lip and came up with an excuse, "We're so busy with Student Council work every day, we don't have time to rehearse a performance."

"We don't need too many people, just two or three would be enough," Xin mused, stroking his chin. "Let me think..."

"How about you, Hinamori, and Kanazawa? The three of you girls have very different styles, and you're sure to catch everyone's eye!"

The three girls had very different personalities. Kanazawa was serious and aloof, Hinamori Momo was cute, gentle, and a bit playful, while Rukia was the most unassuming. She was usually quiet but very diligent and independent in her work, sometimes like a pool of clear water, and occasionally showing a delicate and intelligent side.

"President..." Rukia was still a bit resistant, looking at Xin with teary eyes, as if wanting him to retract his idea.

"It's decided then. Go find Hinamori and Kanazawa, you can talk to them first," Xin declared.

Rukia wasn't good at refusing people. Although she didn't want to, seeing Xin's firm attitude, she had no choice but to leave the office to find Kanazawa and Hinamori Momo.

Half an hour later, the three girls were all in the Student Council office.

"What are you up to?" Kanazawa was the first to speak, frowning unhappily.

She had known Xin for longer, so her attitude was more casual than Hinamori's and Rukia's.

Xin sat smiling in his chair behind the desk, "How can you call it 'up to something'? Since every class is putting on a performance, our Student Council should naturally showcase something too."

"Find someone else, I'm busy!" Kanazawa flatly refused. She thought this was purely Xin's mischievous whim and didn't want to go along with it.

"Classmate Kanazawa, I must criticize you. You are the head of our Student Council's Disciplinary Committee, and you have an obligation to represent our Student Council!"

"I also have the right to refuse," Kanazawa said unceremoniously. "Why don't you perform yourself?"

Xin continued to persuade her, "I definitely wouldn't be as attractive on stage as you girls. Besides, the three of you are so beautiful, you can attract more students to join the Student Council next year."

"..."

Kanazawa suddenly fell silent. She subconsciously touched her cheek.

Hinamori Momo seized the opportunity to say, "But President, we don't know what to perform. I don't have any special talents."

"Plays or song and dance are fine. You three can discuss it slowly. You can set aside your Student Council work for now and focus on preparing."

Hinamori Momo looked at Rukia, then at Kanazawa. She didn't know what the other two were thinking. They had both expressed reluctance when they came, so she didn't feel comfortable saying much.

Seeing that all three were silent, Xin thought for a moment, "How about this: if you agree, I can grant each of you one wish afterward. I am the president, after all, and I do have some authority."

This statement immediately made Hinamori Momo's eyes light up, "Really?"

"Of course!"

She reached out and gently tugged Rukia's sleeve. Rukia then hesitantly whispered, "O... Okay."

Xin finally looked at Kanazawa.

Kanazawa was also looking at him.

"...Okay."

Xin smiled upon hearing this, "Then I'll have to trouble you all. Make sure to showcase the spirit of our Student Council!"

Hinamori Momo clenched her fist and said energetically, "We'll do our best!"

After leaving the office, Rukia couldn't help but say to Hinamori Momo, "Momo, why did you agree? I'm not mentally prepared yet, and... I don't think I can do a good job."

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

Rukia pursed her lips and remained silent.

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

Kanazawa's expression was calm. She simply said, "You two come up with an idea. I'll cooperate."

With that, Kanazawa turned and left alone.

Watching her retreating back, Hinamori Momo couldn't help but whisper, "Senior Kanazawa's personality is really hard to get along with. I've never seen her smile."

Rukia nodded. "Indeed."

In the Student Council, it seemed only the President and Minister Hizaki had a good relationship with her.

Hinamori Momo cheered up again. "Rukia, let's the two of us think of a performance. The President also said we can put aside our Student Council work for now."

"I have absolutely no clue."

"Then I'll think of something."

The Cultural Festival was drawing nearer, a topic that students discussed daily. Many areas within the Spirit Training Academy had already been decorated with banners and streamers.

Being a Shinigami was a very serious job, guarding Seireitei and maintaining the stability of the three realms. The overall atmosphere of the Spirit Training Academy wasn't very relaxed.

The appearance of the Cultural Festival truly brought a lot of vitality to the school.

Rukia and Hinamori Momo both liked it here, liked the Student Council, and liked their completely different lives now.

Thank you to all our readers for your support!