Chapter 23 Three Girls, One Show
Because they had to organize the Cultural Festival activities, all members of the Student Council became busy.
Besides regular classes, Rukia's daily job was to follow after him, running around. She didn't feel tired; having things to do every day made her feel that her life was fulfilling.
The president was a very good person, often guiding her on various things. She respected him deeply.
"How come all the programs reported by each class are so bizarre?"
He looked at the booklet handed to him by the head of the Literature and Arts Department and couldn't help but complain.
Rukia, standing nearby, also glanced at the contents of the booklet: the play "The Escaping Princess and Her Knight," the song and dance "Ura Kagura," "Kido Fireworks Display," and so on.
Looking at these titles, she was quite interested and wondered what the specific content would be.
"Rukia, what do you think?" he suddenly asked her.
"Ah… I think, it's alright," Rukia hesitated.
He then said, "This one play alone takes an hour. It's too long. If the performance is merely passable, it will make the audience feel bored and tedious."
Rukia immediately said, "What you said makes sense."
He pondered, "It seems the selection criteria need to be set higher."
The Cultural Festival's main location would be concentrated in the Spiritual Arts Academy's central grand plaza. Besides building a high stage specifically for performances, there would also be class exhibitions similar to a flea market, where each class would have a dedicated stall to sell items, which could be snacks, idle goods, or small handmade crafts.
However, these performances would be the most attention-grabbing content.
He put down the booklet in his hand, glanced at Rukia beside him, and suddenly smiled, "Do you think our Student Council should also put on a performance?"
"Huh, us?" Rukia was surprised.
"I think you, Rukia, are quite suitable for performing on stage."
Rukia's beautiful eyes widened, and she shook her head repeatedly, "I can't, President!"
"How do you know you can't if you haven't tried."
Rukia bit her lower lip and thought of a reason: "Our Student Council is so busy every day, where would we find time to rehearse a performance?"
"It doesn't need too many people, two or three are enough." He stroked his chin, pondering, "Let me think…"
"It'll be you, Hinamori, and Kanisawa. The three of you girls have different styles and will definitely attract a lot of attention!"
The three girls had significant personality differences: Kanisawa was serious and aloof, Hinamori Momo was cute, gentle, and a bit playful, while Rukia was the most unassuming one, usually quiet but very diligent and independent in her work, sometimes like clear water, occasionally revealing a delicate and intelligent side.
"President…" Rukia still felt a bit resistant, looking at him with watery eyes, seemingly wanting him to retract the idea.
"It's decided. Go find Hinamori and Kanisawa and you can tell them first." He made the final decision.
Rukia was not good at refusing people. Although unwilling internally, seeing his firm attitude, she could only leave the office to find Kanisawa and Hinamori Momo.
Half an hour later, all three girls appeared in the Student Council office.
"What are you up to?" Kanisawa was the first to question, frowning displeased.
She had known him longer, so her attitude was more casual than Hinamori and Rukia.
He sat in the chair behind the desk, smiling, and said, "How can it be 'up to something'? Every class has a performance, so our Student Council naturally needs to show something as well."
"You find someone else, I'm busy!" Kanisawa refused directly. She felt this was purely his bad taste and refused to go along with it.
"Student Kanisawa, I must criticize you. You are the head of our Student Council's Inspector Department, and you have an obligation to stand up for our Student Council!"
"I also have the right to refuse." Kanisawa was impolite, "Why don't you do it yourself?"
He continued to persuade, "I definitely won't be as appealing on stage as you girls. Besides, the three of you are so pretty; you can attract more students to join the Student Council next year."
"…"
Kanisawa suddenly fell silent, instinctively touching her cheek.
Hinamori Momo then took the opportunity to say, "But President, we don't know what to perform, and I don't have any talents."
"Plays, song and dance, anything is fine. 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 Kanisawa. She didn't know what the two of them were thinking; they had both expressed unwillingness when they arrived, so she didn't feel comfortable saying much.
Seeing all three fall silent, he pondered briefly, "How about this: if you agree, afterwards I can grant each of you one wish. After all, I am the president, and I do have some authority."
As soon as he said this, Hinamori Momo's eyes immediately lit up: "Really?"
"Of course!"
She gently tugged on Rukia's sleeve, and Rukia then hesitantly whispered, "Okay… okay."
He finally looked at Kanisawa.
Kanisawa was also looking at him.
"…Alright."
He smiled upon hearing this, "Then I'll trouble you all. Be sure to show the spirit of our Student Council!"
Hinamori Momo clenched her fists and said energetically, "We will do our best!"
After leaving the office, Rukia couldn't help but say to Hinamori Momo, "Momo, why did you agree? I wasn't mentally prepared, and besides… I don't think I can do it well."
Hinamori Momo, however, said, "Rukia, you just lack confidence too much. This is a good opportunity to challenge yourself. You have to believe you can do it!"
Rukia pursed her lips, saying nothing.
Hinamori Momo then looked at Kanisawa, "Senior Kanisawa, do you have any ideas?"
Kanisawa's expression was indifferent, only saying, "You two come up with an idea, and I'll cooperate."
With that, Kanisawa turned and left alone.
Hinamori Momo watched her retreating back and couldn't help but whisper, "Senior Kanisawa'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 Hisagi were on good terms with her.
Hinamori Momo cheered up again, "Rukia, let's both think hard about what kind of performance to put on. The president also said we can temporarily put aside our Student Council work."
"I have no idea at all."
"Then I'll think of something."
The Cultural Festival was drawing nearer, and it had become a daily topic of discussion among students. Many areas in the Spiritual Arts Academy had already been decorated with numerous banners and streamers.
Being a Shinigami was a very serious job, guarding the Seireitei and maintaining the stability of the three realms, so the overall atmosphere of the Spiritual Arts Academy was not that relaxed.
The appearance of the Cultural Festival indeed brought a lot of vitality to this school.
Rukia and Hinamori Momo both loved it here, loved the Student Council, and loved their completely different lives now.