Three Girls, One Show

Because they had to organize the Cultural Festival, every member of the Student Council became busy.

Aside from attending classes as usual, Rukia's daily work consisted of following Xin around from place to place. She did not find it tiring; having things to do every day made her feel that this kind of life was fulfilling.

The President was a very good person and often gave her guidance. Rukia respected Xin deeply.

"Why are the programs submitted by every class all so bizarre?"

Xin looked at the booklet handed to him by the head of the Arts Department and could not help complaining.

Rukia also glanced at its contents: the play "The Runaway Princess and Her Knight," song and dance "Inner Kagura," "Kido Fireworks Show," and so on.

Seeing those names piqued her interest, and she wondered what the actual performances would be like.

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

"Ah... I think they're all right." Rukia hesitated.

Xin said, "This one play alone takes an hour. That's too long. If the performance is only passable, the audience will find it tedious and boring."

Rukia immediately said, "You're right."

Xin pondered, "It seems the selection criteria need to be stricter."

When the Cultural Festival came around, it would mainly be held in the huge central plaza of the Spirit Training Academy. Besides a raised stage specifically built for performances, there would also be class exhibits similar to a flea market. Every class would have its own stall to sell things, whether snacks, unused items, or little crafts they had made themselves.

But these performances would be the most closely watched part.

Xin set down the booklet in his hand, glanced at Rukia beside him, and suddenly smiled. "Do you think our Student Council should put on a performance too?"

"Huh, us?" Rukia was surprised.

"I think you, Rukia, would be quite suitable for performing onstage."

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

"How would you know you can't if you've never tried?"

Rukia bit her lower lip and came up with an excuse. "The Student Council is so busy every day. How would we have time to rehearse a performance?"

"It doesn't need many people. Two or three will be enough." Xin rubbed his chin as he thought. "Let me see..."

"It'll be you, Hinamori, and Kanazawa. You three girls all have such different styles—you'll definitely draw a lot of attention!"

The three girls had vastly different personalities. Kanazawa was serious and aloof. Hinamori Momo was cute and gentle, with a hint of playfulness. Rukia was the least conspicuous of them. She was usually quiet, but she worked seriously and independently. At times, she was like a pool of clear water, though she occasionally revealed a delicate and clever side.

"President..." Rukia was still somewhat resistant. She looked at Xin with watery eyes, seemingly hoping he would take back the idea.

"It's settled. Go find Hinamori and Kanazawa and tell them about it first." Xin made the decision.

Rukia was not good at refusing people. Though unwilling inside, seeing Xin's firm attitude left her no choice but to leave the office and find Kanazawa and Hinamori Momo.

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

"What are you up to?" Kanazawa was the first to question him, frowning in displeasure.

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

Sitting in the chair behind his desk, Xin smiled. "How is this me being up to something? Every class is putting on a program, so naturally our Student Council needs to show something too."

"Find someone else. I don't have time!" Kanazawa refused outright. She thought this was purely Xin's bad taste and had no intention of indulging him.

"Kanazawa, I have to criticize you. You're the head of our Student Council's Discipline Inspection Department. You have an obligation to step forward for the Student Council!"

"I also have the right to refuse." Kanazawa was blunt. "Why don't you do it yourself?"

Xin continued persuading her. "If I went onstage, I definitely wouldn't be as eye-catching as you girls. Besides, the three of you are so pretty. You could attract more students to join the Student Council next year."

"..."

Kanazawa suddenly fell silent. She unconsciously touched her cheek.

Seizing the chance, Hinamori Momo said, "But President, we don't know what to perform. I don't really have any talents."

"A play or song and dance would both work. The three of you can discuss it slowly. For the time being, you can put aside your Student Council work and focus on preparing."

Hinamori Momo looked at Rukia, then at Kanazawa. She did not know what the two of them thought. They had both expressed reluctance when they came, so she did not feel comfortable saying much more.

Seeing all three fall silent, Xin thought for a moment. "How about this? If you agree, afterward I can grant each of you one wish. After all, I'm the President. I do have a little authority."

The moment he said this, Hinamori Momo's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course!"

She lightly tugged at Rukia's sleeve, and only then did Rukia hesitantly say in a low voice, "O-okay..."

Finally, Xin looked at Kanazawa.

Kanazawa was looking at him too.

"...Fine."

Xin smiled when he heard that. "Then I'll be counting on you. Make sure to show off the Student Council's spirit!"

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

After they left the office, Rukia could not help saying to Hinamori Momo, "Momo, why did you agree? I'm not mentally prepared at all, and... I don't think I can do it well."

But Hinamori Momo said, "Rukia, you just lack confidence too much. This is a perfect opportunity to train yourself. You have to believe you can do it!"

Rukia pursed her lips and said nothing.

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

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

With that, Kanazawa turned and left alone.

Watching her back, Hinamori Momo could not help whispering, "Senior Kanazawa really is 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 Hisagi had a good relationship with her.

Hinamori Momo perked up again. "Rukia, let's think of a program together. The President said we could temporarily put aside our Student Council work anyway."

"I have absolutely no idea."

"Then I'll think of something."

The Cultural Festival drew closer and closer, and it had become a topic the students discussed every day. Many places around the Spirit Training Academy had already been decorated, with banners and colorful ribbons hung everywhere.

Being a Soul Reaper was a very serious job: guarding the Seireitei and maintaining stability across the three realms. The overall atmosphere at the Spirit Training Academy was not all that relaxed either.

The arrival of the Cultural Festival truly brought great vitality to the academy.

Both Rukia and Hinamori Momo liked it here. They liked the Student Council, and they liked the lives they had now, which were completely different from before.

Thank you all for your support, dear readers!