Tenth Division Barracks.
"These were the questions on the student council recruitment test?"
Shiba Isshin raised an eyebrow as he looked at the two sheets Shiba Kaien handed him, clearly surprised.
"Where'd you get these?"
"I just asked for them," Kaien replied with a grin. "I am the honorary president, after all."
Isshin chuckled, but as he scanned through the exam questions, his expression shifted to something more intrigued.
"These came from that Tachikawa Nobu kid?"
"Exactly."
Isshin let out a low whistle. "Well, now. That's interesting. Really interesting. Hahahaha!"
His laughter echoed down the hall, drawing the attention of Matsumoto Rangiku, who was walking by.
"Captain, what's got you so amused?"
"Ah, Miss Rangiku," Kaien greeted her with a smile.
Isshin waved her over. "Take a look at these questions."
Rangiku read through the pages, her expression turning gradually from curious to astonished.
"These are... something else."
"Even I'm not sure I'd get these answers right," Isshin said with a carefree laugh. "That Tachikawa Nobu sure has some ideas. What do you think he's really testing here? Their character?"
Kaien answered, "The Academy's higher-ups already agreed that grades would be the main standard for council recruitment. But the timing of the intake — just weeks into the new term — meant the freshmen didn't have any solid academic records yet. Nobu must've used that opening to implement his own method."
Isshin rubbed his chin. "I get the feeling that kid has bigger ambitions than he lets on."
Kaien asked, "About what I mentioned before — the Third Seat position — did you ever talk to him about it?"
"Third Seat?" Rangiku's voice rose in surprise. "You're saying you want him to go straight into that position?"
Kaien laughed. "What's wrong with that? I started at Third Seat too."
Rangiku turned to Isshin. "Captain, you're really considering this?"
Isshin gave a helpless shrug. "What I think doesn't matter if the kid himself isn't interested."
Kaien frowned. "So he turned it down? He's not even tempted by the Tenth's Third Seat? Then what is he aiming for…"
---
Back at the Academy, the student council interviews continued.
After a moment of quiet reflection, Hinamori Momo answered the first question:
"I would choose to retreat immediately and seek reinforcements."
No one on the panel reacted strongly — it was a common response. Many had said the same.
Hisagi Shūhei followed up: "Please explain your reasoning."
Hinamori responded, "If the threat is a Menos Grande, it's clear that I, as a Shin'ō Academy student, am no match for it. Staying would only create more risk for the upperclassman and likely lead to unnecessary casualties. Seeking help from the Soul Society offers the best chance of survival — it ensures that the upperclassman's sacrifice wasn't in vain."
As she finished, Hinamori noticed the council members scribbling notes. Her heart thumped nervously.
No matter what, I gave the answer I truly believed was best.
She glanced at the president — Nobu — seated in the center. Unlike the others, he wasn't writing anything. He was simply looking at her, with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
The reason for that smile was something only Nobu knew — a change had just occurred on his system interface.
[Hinamori Momo]
[Affinity: 27]
[Every +10 Affinity: +1 Spiritual Pressure Level, +1% Zanpakutō Unlock Progress]
[At 90 Affinity: Home Run Bonus Unlocked]
[Eligible for Shinigami Covenant — unlocks Third Reward upon binding]
He glanced back at his own stats:
[Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv. 16]
[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 9%]
Back when I first met Matsumoto Rangiku, her affinity went up quickly too, he thought. But Hinamori… this is just her first meeting with me, and already my stats jumped two full levels. That's gotta count for something.
"You answered very well," Nobu said warmly, turning to the others. "What do you all think?"
The council members looked up from their notes. Hisagi raised a brow — her answer was decent, but nothing groundbreaking. Was Nobu seriously impressed? Don't tell me he's already into this girl…
But Hinamori's face lit up with joy at the compliment. She bowed deeply. "Thank you, President."
He's so kind…
[Affinity: 31]
Wow, that's rising fast…
Nobu's smile deepened. "Let's move on."
"Second question," Hisagi said.
Hinamori took a deep breath and dove into the next answer. The remaining two questions went smoothly — boosted by the president's encouragement, she answered with growing confidence and clarity.
When she finished, she stood silently, awaiting judgment. She felt she had done well — especially with the president's praise — but her nerves were still on edge.
Hisagi finally spoke: "After our joint evaluation… Hinamori-san, congratulations. You've passed the interview. Please report to the student council headquarters tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. Your specific role will be assigned at that time."
Delight flashed across Hinamori's face. She bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, senpai!"
Nobu smiled as well. "Welcome aboard. You may go."
"Yes! Thank you, President!"
[Affinity: 37]
She's progressing fast, Nobu thought, impressed. In all my time at the Academy, no one besides Rangiku ever triggered system affinity like this.
"Looks like the president has a favorite,"
The voice came from Mitsugorō, who had been silent until now — his tone tinged with sarcasm.
Nobu just laughed. "What can I say? She's adorable. Don't tell me you dislike her, Kasakurōji-san?"
Mitsugorō said nothing.
"Next up: Rukia from Class B. Send her in."
...
Outside the interview room, Hinamori didn't leave right away. Instead, she returned to the waiting room.
She beelined to Rukia, eyes sparkling. "Rukia! I passed!"
Rukia blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Really? That's great, Hinamori-san. Congratulations!"
"Just call me Momo, okay? You don't mind if I call you Rukia?"
"Not at all."
"Then it's settled! I'm sure you'll pass too. We'll be working together in the student council!"
Rukia smiled again, but it wasn't particularly bright. Her nerves were still taut — her interview was coming next.
At that moment, her name was called from the door.
"Here!" she answered.
"Good luck, Rukia!"
"Th-thanks…"
Her heart was pounding as she walked toward the interview room.
Inside, Nobu sat still, his gaze seemingly aimless — but in reality, he was watching the system interface.
Of the three girls I've interacted with so far, Hinamori seems like the easiest to progress with. If I choose her as the Shinigami Covenant partner, I should unlock the third reward pretty quickly…
But the system offered almost no information on what the third reward even was, so he hesitated to commit.
One of them is the original heroine, he reminded himself. The reward tied to her is probably something unique.
As his thoughts spun, the next figure entered.
She was even more petite than Hinamori — her appearance not quite as charming, perhaps — but unlike Hinamori's soft features, hers were sharper, with a quiet strength and a refined, unyielding look in her eyes.
A face that, upon closer inspection, hinted at someone not easily underestimated.
[Rukia]
[Affinity: 7]
[Every +10 Affinity: +1 Spiritual Pressure Level, +1% Zanpakutō Unlock Progress]
[At 90 Affinity: Home Run Bonus Unlocked]
[Shinigami Covenant: Bound]
[Third Reward unlocked upon reaching Home Run Bonus]
[Zanpakutō Bonus Ability: Freeze]
[Unlocking Third Reward enables Second Shinigami Covenant]