Chapter 1: Hosting a Contest

The reason I've called for a meeting today is to discuss a plan to resolve our funding issues for the Women's Soul Reaper Association.

But didn't we solve that problem when we went out as paparazzi and sold those candid photos of famous people?

The photos you took were completely useless. Therefore, this association is still very much lacking funds for this quarter.

Err... I'm sorry.

So here's another plan! How does everyone feel about holding a beauty pageant contest to get this problem solved once and for all?

Beauty...what? I've never heard of that.

It's a contest to choose the most beautiful or cutest female Soul Reaper in the 13 Court Guard Squads. They will become Miss 13 Court Guard Squads.

We will collect ballots from both male and female voters, but we will have the male Soul Reapers purchase these ballots in order to participate.

So we're gonna decide who's number one?

In essence, yes.

That being said, we must first gather several candidates in order to make this project happen.

Now, I want all of you to go out there and recruit our candidates!

Nanao can be so pushy sometimes.

She wants us to find a beautiful, cute female Soul Reaper, right? That's kind of hard to decide out on a whim.

Is something going on? I thought I heard you talking about something cute.

Right place at the right time! Rukia, do you want to compete in a beauty pageant?

A beauty...pageant? What is that?

They were having one when we were in the world of the living last time. Remember that contest where they picked a winner out of all those cute girls?

We are planning to host the same contest in the Seireitei, and we're currently looking for contestants.

I see. But if that's the case, then I would suggest Chappy over someone like myself.

The way she looks, the way she talks... Chappy's cuteness will surely win over everyone's heart in the contest!

If you need her, I'll go get Chappy right away!

Stop, stop! Now, just listen to me first!

And so, we're looking for a cute person or a pretty person, not a character like Chappy. You're probably thinking of another contest.

I understand now. I apologize for rushing to conclusions.

Oh, it's fine. Anyway, what do you think? You'd make a good candidate in my opinion.

But... I don't think I could.

Aww, you'd be perfect though! I mean, I'm not going to force you to do it.

We can find someone else.

That's true. I do have another idea, so I'll go talk to them first.

Hey, wait! Rangiku!

And she's gone already.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help.

Don't worry. We were the ones who asked without any warning.

Rukia, what are you doing? I thought you went to deliver the items.

Brother! I'm very sorry. The ladies were having a little trouble, so I was listening to their story.

I see.

They are looking for someone wonderful to appear in a contest, but I couldn't be of any help to them.

No, no! It's fine, really! You don't have to worry about it!

I sincerely apologize, Lieutenant Kotetsu and Lieutenant Kurotsuchi. I must get going now as I have an errand to run.

............

(Well... This is awkward.)