10th Division Barracks
"These were the questions from the student council recruitment interview?"
Shiba Isshin looked surprised as he examined the two sheets that Kaien handed over.
"Where'd you get these from?"
"I just went and asked for them. I am an honorary president, after all," Shiba Kaien said with a playful grin.
Once Isshin finished reading the questions, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. "Who came up with these? That Tachikawa Shinichi guy?"
"That's right."
"Interesting. Very interesting—hahaha!" Shiba Isshin burst into laughter.
His loud laugh caught the attention of Matsumoto Rangiku outside.
"Captain, what's got you so amused?"
"Ah, Miss Rangiku," Kaien greeted her casually.
Isshin waved her over and had her take a look at the questions too. After reading them, Rangiku looked visibly surprised.
"These are…"
"Even I might not be able to answer them correctly," Isshin chuckled. "That Tachikawa Shinichi really knows what he's doing. What do you think he's trying to test with these? The students' character?"
Kaien explained, "Regarding the student council recruitment standards, the Spiritual Arts Academy higher-ups decided that exam results would be the primary measure. But since the recruitment is taking place not long after school started, the freshmen don't have any solid grades to refer to. That gave Shinichi an opening to implement his own system."
Isshin mused, "I've got a feeling this kid has some serious ambitions."
Kaien asked, "Did you ever bring up that third seat position with him like I mentioned?"
"Third seat?" Matsumoto Rangiku gasped, "You're planning to make him third seat directly?!"
Kaien laughed, "What's wrong with third seat? That's where I started, too."
Rangiku turned to her captain. "Captain, so you've agreed?"
Isshin sighed, "Even if I do, what's the point if that Tachikawa Shinichi isn't willing?"
Kaien frowned. "What do you mean? He didn't agree? He's turning down the third seat of the 10th Division? What the hell is he aiming for...?"
The student council interviews were still underway.
After giving it serious thought, Hinamori Momo responded to the first question:
"I would choose to escape the scene as quickly as possible and immediately seek reinforcements."
The panel remained neutral upon hearing this. There had been many different answers to this question already, and hers wasn't exactly rare.
Hisagi Shūhei followed up, "Please explain your reasoning."
Hinamori answered, "Since it's a Menos Grande, there's no way a student from the Spiritual Arts Academy like myself could stand a chance. Staying behind would only burden the senior and could result in everyone being wiped out. Escaping to seek help from Soul Society would be the wisest choice. That way, I wouldn't let the senior's noble sacrifice go to waste."
As she finished, she noticed the panel members jotting notes in their notebooks, making her even more nervous.
Regardless, this was the answer she had thought through carefully and believed was the most appropriate.
She noticed that the student council president, seated at the center, wasn't writing anything—he was simply watching her with a faint, knowing smile.
The reason for Shin's smile was clear—his system interface had just updated.
[Hinamori Momo]
[Affection: 27]
[For every +10 Affection: +1 Spiritual Pressure level, +1% Zanpakutō unlock progress]
[Affection 90 unlocks "Home Run" Reward]
[Shinigami's Wedge can be formed; third reward unlocked upon binding]
Shinichi glanced at his own stats:
[Spiritual Pressure Level: 16]
[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 9%]
When he first met Matsumoto Rangiku, her affection level also rose quickly. Now, despite it being his very first meeting with Hinamori Momo, her affection gain had already increased his spiritual pressure and Zanpakutō progress by two levels. Naturally, Shinichi felt pleased.
"You answered quite well," Shinichi said with a smile, then turned to the others. "What do you all think?"
The student council officers who had been evaluating Hinamori's performance looked up at his question. Hisagi Shūhei sighed—Hinamori's answer was solid, but not outstanding. He couldn't help but wonder if Shinichi was just smitten with the girl.
Hinamori's heart leapt at the praise and she quickly bowed. "Thank you for your kind words!"
The president is so kind…
[Affection: 31]
Tsk!
Shinichi's smile widened. "Let's continue."
Hisagi continued, "Now, please answer the second question."
Hinamori took a deep breath and moved on with the interview. The remaining two questions went smoothly. Encouraged by Shinichi's praise, her nerves eased, and her responses became more fluent.
After finishing all the questions, Hinamori stood nervously, waiting for their verdict. She felt she had done fairly well—especially with the president's encouragement—but her heart was still on edge.
Hisagi spoke up, "After our evaluation, Hinamori-san, congratulations—you've passed the interview. Please report to the student council headquarters office at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Your specific duties will be assigned then."
Hinamori's face lit up with joy. She bowed repeatedly. "Thank you all for recognizing me!"
Shinichi also smiled warmly. "Welcome to the team. You may go now."
"Yes! Thank you, President!"
[Affection: 37]
That's rising fast...
Shinichi sighed internally. Throughout all his years in the Spiritual Arts Academy, aside from Matsumoto Rangiku, no other female had triggered the system's affection tracking—until now.
"The president seems to like her quite a bit,"
Kazamaji Mitsugorō, who had remained silent until now, said in a slightly sarcastic tone.
Shinichi didn't deny it. "Who wouldn't like such a cute girl? What about you, Kazamaji-san—don't tell me you dislike her?"
Mitsugorō fell silent.
"The next candidate is Rukia from Class B. Bring her in."
After leaving the interview room, Hinamori didn't head straight out. Instead, she went back to the waiting room for the remaining candidates. She rushed over to Rukia excitedly.
"Rukia! I passed!"
Rukia was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Really? Congratulations, Hinamori-san!"
"Just call me Momo, okay? You don't mind, right?"
"Not at all."
"Then you can call me Momo, and I'll call you Rukia! I'm sure you'll pass too. Then we'll be working together!"
But Rukia wasn't as cheerful—her own interview was still ahead, and she was feeling very nervous.
Just then, the student council member at the door called her name.
"Here!"
"Rukia, good luck!"
"Mm, thanks…"
Rukia felt her heart pounding as she stepped toward the interview room.
Back in his seat, Shinichi appeared calm, but he was actually studying the system interface.
Of the three women he had interacted with so far, Hinamori Momo seemed the easiest to win over. If he chose to bind the Shinigami's Wedge with her, the third reward would likely be easy to obtain.
However, the system's information on this feature was woefully limited, so he didn't want to rush the decision.
After all, one of the candidates was a main character in the original story—the third reward tied to her had to be something different.
As his thoughts swirled, the next candidate walked in.
Compared to Hinamori Momo, her frame was even more petite. She wasn't as cute, but there was a sharpness and resilience in her refined features. While Hinamori had a gentle charm, Rukia exuded a quiet strength—one that couldn't be underestimated.
[Rukia]
[Affection: 7]
[For every +10 Affection: +1 Spiritual Pressure level, +1% Zanpakutō unlock progress]
[Affection 90 unlocks "Home Run" Reward]
[Shinigami's Wedge already formed]
[Achieving "Home Run" reward unlocks third reward]
[Zanpakutō Extra Ability: Freeze]
[Third reward unlocks second Shinigami's Wedge]