On the day the written exam results were announced, a large notice board was set up in the Spiritual Arts Academy's plaza, displaying just a few dozen names.
Countless students crowded forward to check the results—some disappointed, some elated, and others visibly distraught.
Rukia, being petite, couldn't push through the crowd, so she called out loudly to Abarai Renji, who was up front:
"Renji! How is it?"
"Rukia! Your name's on the list—you passed!"
Renji turned around, his face lighting up with joy.
Hearing that, Rukia's tension melted into relief. Then she asked, "And what about you?"
Renji didn't answer right away. He was still frantically scanning the notice board. After checking it twice from top to bottom and not finding his name, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way… really?"
He murmured, already realizing the truth.
After stepping away from the crowd, Rukia asked again, "What about you? Did you pass?"
Renji scratched his head awkwardly. "No… my name's not up there."
Rukia was momentarily stunned. The faint smile on her face faded as she pressed her lips together. "I see…"
She quickly tried to comfort him. "Renji, there's no need to feel bad. The test questions were really weird anyway. What's more important is learning to become a Shinigami. You're already in Class A—that's impressive enough."
Renji shrugged nonchalantly, then placed both hands on her shoulders and encouraged her instead, "It's fine. What matters is that you passed. Rukia, do your best in the next interview."
Rukia hesitated a moment, then said, "Honestly, I hadn't really planned on joining the student council…"
"What are you saying?!" Renji cut her off. "So many people applied, and only a few dozen passed the first round—that just proves how great the student council must be. The selection's this strict for a reason. Rukia, you can't give up on this opportunity so easily!"
"…"
Rukia looked into Renji's eyes and saw nothing but sincere support. Slowly, she nodded.
The day after the written exam was the interview.
With only a few dozen candidates remaining, the workload wasn't too heavy.
Shinichi, Kazamaji Mitsugorō, and all the department heads were present. Two adjacent classrooms were used—one for the interviews, and the other as a waiting room.
"Hello."
As Rukia sat alone waiting, someone suddenly called out to her. It was a girl about her age, with her hair in a bun and a sweet, pretty face.
"Hi." Rukia quickly stood up and returned the greeting.
"I'm Hinamori Momo. We haven't met before, right? Not in the same class?" The girl was warm and friendly, smiling brightly.
"I'm Rukia, from Class B."
But Hinamori didn't show even a hint of judgment or disdain. Still smiling, she replied, "Oh, I'm in Class A. I wonder what kind of questions they'll ask during the interview. The written exam was already pretty tricky—I honestly didn't think I'd make it."
She chatted naturally with Rukia. The real reason she approached was because there weren't many girls waiting, and Rukia seemed the most approachable.
"I didn't think I'd pass either," Rukia admitted.
"How did you answer that one question? You know, the one about being assigned to a division you didn't want?"
Rukia thought for a moment. "I wrote that it was fine. Any division would be okay."
Hinamori tilted her head. "Really? That works?"
"How did you answer, Hinamori-san?"
Hinamori made a face. "I wrote a lot. Basically, I said that I'd work toward a specific division while I'm in the Academy, but if I'm placed in a different one, I'd assume the decision was made after careful consideration. I'd reassess my strengths and weaknesses and try to do my best in that division… Is that too long-winded?"
"Not at all! I think that's a very thoughtful answer. I could never have written something like that," Rukia replied quickly.
She couldn't help recalling Renji's response when they had reviewed the questions—just a blunt, one-line answer. No wonder he didn't pass.
"Hinamori Momo! A-Class student Hinamori Momo!"
Just then, a senior student council member called out at the door.
Hinamori stood up immediately. "Here!"
She looked back at Rukia. "I'm up. Wish me luck."
"Good luck!"
As Hinamori walked out, she noticed another senior speaking to a blond boy at the door of the next classroom.
"Congratulations on joining the student council, Kira-san. Seems like the president really has high hopes for you."
So he passed too… Also Class A, I think…
Hinamori found him vaguely familiar—after all, school had only just started, and she hadn't gotten to know everyone yet.
They passed each other without a word. Hinamori paused briefly at the interview room door, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The classroom felt large and quiet. A row of desks had been neatly arranged at the front where the faculty lectern usually was—these were likely the student council leaders. Sitting in the center was someone Hinamori recognized from the entrance ceremony: Tachikawa Shinichi, the student council president.
Facing them on the opposite end of the room was a single desk and chair.
Hinamori walked up and noticed a sheet of paper on the desk—its format resembled the written exam. This one had just a few questions.
Before she could begin reading, one of the people in front spoke:
"Hello, Hinamori-san. Please start by introducing yourself. You can talk about your strengths, hobbies, and which department you'd like to join if accepted into the student council."
Since this was the first student council recruitment ever, there was no previous experience to draw from. Hinamori had spent the whole night wondering what kinds of questions might be asked.
Now, under the scrutiny of so many upperclassmen, her nerves spiked. She found it hard to breathe and stood frozen for a moment before bowing and starting:
"Good afternoon, senpai. I'm Hinamori Momo, a first-year student in Class A…"
Her self-introduction was plain, even a little stiff. She simply said she enjoyed reading and studying, hoped to make friends during her time at the Academy, and would be happy to join any department.
Even as she finished, Hinamori felt her performance was mediocre at best and grew more anxious.
"No need to be nervous,"
Shinichi, sitting in the center, smiled kindly. "We're all students here—just a few years ahead of you. This is just so we can get to know you better. Nothing more."
That's the president…
Hinamori looked at Shinichi's gentle smile. To her surprise, he was quite approachable, which helped her relax a little.
Kanisawa glanced over at Shinichi.
Then Hisagi Shūhei added, "On the desk in front of you is a sheet with three questions. You have three minutes to review and prepare your answers. If you're ready before time's up, just let us know."
Hinamori nodded and picked up the paper. There were only three questions:
Question 1:
As a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy, you encounter a Menos Grande during a soul burial exercise in the Human World. Your senior takes the rear to buy time for your escape. What do you do?
Question 2:
You're a member of the student council. The organization is newly founded, and many students are skeptical of its usefulness. What would you do to change their perception?
Question 3:
You are the student council's finance department head. With a holiday approaching, the student council plans to host an event and the publicity team asks for funding. At the same time, the Academy leadership asks you to use the funds to buy gifts for every teacher. There's only enough budget for one—what do you do?
After reading the questions, Hinamori felt overwhelmed. Each one more difficult than the last.
She couldn't help but think of the blond boy she'd seen earlier—how had he answered?
These questions had no "right" answer. It all came down to one's reasoning and articulation. Hinamori stood there in deep thought, her mind racing.
"I'm ready."
She didn't wait the full three minutes and spoke up midway.
Sweeping her gaze across the upperclassmen, she reminded herself that they were also students—just a few years ahead of her. But she didn't dare take them lightly.
This president had spoken right after the headmaster at the entrance ceremony. That alone made it clear he wasn't just any student.
The one beside him was dressed elegantly, with a noble aura. Clearly a member of the aristocracy.
The questions were tough—but the tougher they were, the more it convinced her that the student council was the right place to be. This wasn't some trivial student club.
Hisagi Shūhei spoke: "Please answer the first question."in