Compared to Rukia and Kanisawa, Hinamori's personality made her far more popular and well-liked within the Student Council.
So when she arrived late, she immediately became the center of attention.
Seeing her choose to sit beside Nobu—and that Hisagi Shūhei even made space for her—inevitably got people thinking.
Hinamori seemed to realize her actions might have been a little bold. After sitting down, she sneaked a glance at Nobu, who was enthusiastically chatting with the vice president.
Kasakurōji Mitsugorō, looking rather displeased, kept inching away from him.
There were quite a few noble students in the Student Council, but there had never been any real conflict between them and the commoners—none of those tired clichés about nobles looking down on others.
Kasakurōji Mitsugorō, as the most illustriously born among them, was naturally the leader of the noble faction.
And Nobu, as the president, had conducted himself in such a way that even the nobles couldn't find fault with him.
At first, Mitsugorō wasn't pleased when Nobu appointed Hisagi and Kanisawa as heads of the Organization and Disciplinary departments, respectively. But over time, he came to see they were indeed capable.
Both were diligent and responsible by nature, and held their positions by merit, silencing any whispers of discontent.
All in all, the atmosphere within the Student Council was actually quite good—and tonight's dinner had brought everyone even closer.
"Mitsugorō, you're a pillar of the Student Council! We couldn't survive without you. What are we going to do when you graduate this year?!" Nobu said, tirelessly repeating the sentiment again and again.
Mitsugorō saw through it immediately: this guy just wanted access to his money.
He was a year above Nobu and definitely graduating this year.
Nobu had been thinking about who should replace him as vice president. He'd considered nominating Hisagi, but that probably wouldn't pass—chances were, the role would have to go to another noble.
There were other noble students in the council, but apart from Mitsugorō, Nobu didn't know most of them that well.
Besides, Mitsugorō was easy to get along with. Nobu liked him. Once Mitsugorō left, would squeezing resources be this easy again?
"You can't graduate. Just stay back a year—for the sake of the council! This place is our life's work!"
Mitsugorō's face darkened. What nonsense is this kid spouting? Stay back a year? He couldn't afford that humiliation—and neither could the Kasakurōji family.
Just then, a figure approached Nobu with a drink in hand, clearly from another seat.
"President, I'd like to toast to you. I really admire you…"
Nobu looked up to find it was Kira Izuru.
He'd kept an eye on Kira after the latter joined the council. But Kira had always kept a low profile, quiet and reserved, never one to step into the spotlight. He didn't have much presence in the group.
Everyone else had already toasted Nobu—except the latecomers Hinamori, Mitsugorō, Hisagi, and Kanisawa. Only Kira hadn't. He'd probably felt obligated to do it, fearing that skipping the toast would come across as disrespectful.
Nobu, ever gracious, smiled and said, "Kira, I remember you did really well during the council assessment. But ever since you joined, you've been so quiet. What happened?"
Kira replied a little stiffly, "I'm just a kōhai. I'm here to learn from my seniors."
"No need to be so modest. The council's future depends on all of you."
After sharing the toast with Kira—even with his decent tolerance—Nobu, as the focus of the entire event, was starting to feel the effects of all the rounds. His head was growing faint, his thoughts slightly sluggish.
Letting out a breath, he figured it was time to stop talking so much.
"President."
A cup of tea was handed to him from the side. Hinamori Momo beamed at him.
"Thanks, Hinamori."
Nobu took a sip—and promptly heard someone tease, "Why's Hinamori being so nice to the president, huh?"
"Yeah, I'm drunk too. I want some tea. Anyone gonna hand me a cup?"
Laughter broke out around the table.
Nobu glanced sideways. The ringleader was Aoshika.
Hinamori flushed slightly and scolded, "Aoshika-senpai!"
Then she glanced quickly at Nobu to see how he reacted.
He acted like he hadn't heard, adjusting his posture to something more comfortable. The private room didn't have chairs or stools—most people were kneeling. Only Nobu, ever informal, was sprawled out on a cushion.
"As subordinates, isn't it normal to care about the president?" Hinamori added, defending herself when Nobu didn't speak up.
"Ohh, is that how it is?" Aoshika suddenly stood, holding a cup of tea with both hands and offering it with exaggerated reverence. "President-dono, your tea."
They were all a bunch of drunk guys anyway. Seeing a chance for mischief, several others joined in the fun. Aoshika and Nobu were good friends to begin with—he wouldn't have dared otherwise.
The room erupted in laughter, and Hinamori's cheeks turned even redder.
Nobu chuckled at Aoshika. "You still aiming for the 4th Division after graduation?"
Aoshika froze.
"Then we've still got a long future together."
Sweat broke out on Aoshika's forehead. "Nobu, I take it back! I was wrong!"
He scrambled back to his seat and stopped making a scene. The rest booed him good-naturedly.
But the joke seemed to have laid something bare. Many council members glanced toward the sweet, lovely Hinamori and couldn't help but feel a bit of a pity.
Then they looked at Nobu—seated at the center, surrounded by admiration—and thought, Well… that makes sense.
Having had quite a bit to drink—tea and sake both—Nobu felt nature calling and got up to head to the restroom.
The party kept going strong. Kanisawa, who had barely spoken all evening, also quietly slipped away from the table.
Nobody really noticed her absence.
Except Hinamori, who watched her go with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Nobu, now finished, was at the sink washing his hands when he heard footsteps approaching.
"Kanisawa?"
He laughed lightly. "You needed the restroom too?"
Kanisawa didn't answer. She leaned silently against the doorway, her expression unreadable.
"Something wrong?"
There was a glint in her eyes—like she was holding something back. Nobu suddenly had a bad feeling.
She opened her mouth. "You remember what you promised me, right?"
"…What?"
Kanisawa didn't seem offended. She simply reminded him, "You said if I agreed to perform at the festival, you'd grant me a wish afterward."
"Oh, that. Right. I did promise the three of you."
"..."
"So, what is it you want?"
Kanisawa fell silent, gently biting her lower lip as if debating whether to speak. The more hesitant she looked, the more Nobu sensed that it probably wasn't anything small.
"Nobu…"
"..."
The private room wasn't far from the restroom—they could still hear the laughter and shouting from a drinking game underway. The atmosphere on this side of the hallway, however, was still and tense.
So quiet, in fact, that Nobu could hear the uneven rhythm of Kanisawa's breathing.
…
He'd never gone out of his way to provoke Kanisawa. Not because he didn't want to—but because her name didn't appear in the system.
Maybe that was because Kanisawa hadn't been an important character in the original storyline.
He remembered her original fate—during Kira, Renji, and Hinamori's first field exercise, they encountered Hollows, and Kanisawa had died in that very mission.
It had been orchestrated by Aizen behind the scenes, testing Kira and the others.
If she hadn't died, with her talent and strength, she'd likely have become a high-ranking seated officer in some division decades later.
She had a calm personality and a meticulous, serious approach to everything she did. Her stern expression and current position as head of the Disciplinary Committee only made her seem even more rigid and unapproachable. Most people kept their distance.
But she had always respected Nobu—respected all of his decisions. And she had always wanted to help him, to shoulder burdens alongside him.
She never fought for attention. She believed that with how exceptional Nobu was, no one could keep pace with him.
And yet, Nobu's freewheeling charm had naturally drawn many people to him—so many that Kanisawa suddenly, inexplicably, felt a deep sense of crisis.
If I don't fight, if I don't take a step forward… maybe I'll lose him.
Feelings, after all, are meant to be exclusive.
And Kanisawa didn't like the others.
"Nobu." Her voice came again.
And then, he saw something unexpected: her face lit up with a radiant smile, like snow melting into spring.
"..."
"I want… to kiss you."
"..."
Nobu didn't look particularly shocked—just stared at her in stunned silence. It was the first time he'd seen her smile, and it was even more beautiful than he imagined.
She should really smile more often…
Kanisawa waited for his response. Part of her wanted to see him surprised—that she'd asked something so bold, that she'd hidden such feelings for so long.
But he didn't look surprised.
Which could only mean—
He already knew.
Her lips pressed together, eyes searching his face. Panic crept into her chest. Maybe she'd been too impulsive.
"Momo, what are you doing here?"
A voice suddenly rang out from the corner of the hallway, shattering the tension like glass.
"N-Nothing…"
The sound of quick footsteps receding.
Then Rukia's little head peeked around the corner. Upon seeing Nobu and Kanisawa standing together, she immediately turned tail and bolted.
Kanisawa panicked.
She stood frozen, not knowing what to do, completely thrown off balance. Her composure crumbled. Her mind became a blur, so much so that even Nobu's face seemed to waver before her eyes.
She didn't even notice when he moved closer—until his face was right before her.
Nobu gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"That counts as your wish. Don't tell anyone."
And with that, he left.
When he returned to the main room, he saw Hinamori had switched seats and was now beside Rukia, head lowered.
Nobu sat back in his place. The moment the others saw him, they pulled him into the next drinking game.
"President, you sure took your time!"
"We were waiting on you!"
Nobu laughed, brushing everything aside, and joined in without missing a beat.
Kanisawa returned a little later. Just as no one had noticed her leave, she slipped back in without fanfare.
Hisagi glanced at her faintly flushed cheeks… then looked at Nobu… then at Hinamori, now sitting quietly off to the side.
He clicked his tongue.
It was like he saw right through everything. He lifted his cup, took a long sip, and let out a bitter little laugh.
So unfair…
Nobu, that bastard!