episode_0011

11.

Seated comfortably on the stone bench, a vein briefly pulsed on the forehead of the girl who appeared to be a senior student, but it vanished as she glanced at the badge on her left arm.

The taste of power was indeed sweet.

With a relaxed smirk, he inquired of her, “Senior. A guest has arrived; wouldn’t it be courteous to offer them a drink or tea? The hospitality here is quite lacking. We are not ordinary people, after all…”

“…I’ll bring some drinks.”

“Thank you.”

Nodding, he gestured to Han Hyojin.

“Chairman, please make yourself comfortable.”

“I won’t decline.”

Han Hyojin pulled a chair next to me and confidently addressed the president of the film club.

“I’m not particularly fond of carbonation. If possible, could you provide an ion beverage instead?”

“Euk, just because the student council holds power doesn’t mean they can just… just… Please repeat from the beginning. I didn’t catch that properly…”

The president’s tone softened as he remembered the student council president’s position and replied meekly.

The unfamiliar reaction was rather intriguing. Was the chairman similar? Her lip quivered slightly at the edges.

I gently chided her, “Chairman, if you smile so half-heartedly, it only worsens the other person’s mood. Just openly ridicule them, why don’t you?”

“I didn’t intend to mock, but I will actively consider your opinion.”

Hanjin’s lips drew a line that anyone could read. On the contrary, as the president brought the drinks, a faint sound – *pfft* – emanated from his mouth.

It’s harder to chew with your molars clenched as you age… I refrained from giving serious advice, fearing it might escalate the situation.

*Thud*! *Thud*!

The president spitefully placed the drinks in front of us. Seeing this, I thought it was wise not to give advice.

‘Even if I were hit on the head by that intensity, it wouldn’t be surprising.’

Trusting my intuition that brought me to this point, I shrugged my shoulders under the president’s intense gaze and opened the drink cap.

As requested by Han Hyojin, it was an ion beverage filled with the scent of peaches.

“It’s 3%. I prefer zero cola or pocari if possible… Haha, just kidding. I’ll gladly drink this. Thank you.”

I took a step back from the president’s aura, sipped the ion beverage, and swiftly moved on to the main topic.

“So, do you know why we’re here?”

“I’m not exactly sure… Only that our grand plan has been exposed.”

“You’ve been talking about this grand plan incessantly. What exactly is this grand plan?”

“Huh? You don’t know?”

The president tilted his head in confusion.

“If you don’t know, why did you come here?”

“We heard groaning in the hallway. If you knew, kindly explain your grand plan quickly.”

Under pressure, the president explained reluctantly.

“We’re going to turn the school into a movie… That’s our grand plan.”

“What an absurd plan… Apart from that, why were you looking for adult videos?”

“Because our utopia is an adult movie! Naturally, to gather information and devise a perfect plan, we need to look for them!”

“Why are there no normal people in this school…?”

Ah, my head really hurts.

I reached out, touching my forehead.

Understanding my gesture, a team member handed me the ledger. Without hesitation, I turned the page.

From the first page, a conspicuous entry caught my eye with unusual names.

“Purchase of adult videos from Japanese company S. A joint purchase with company A for 60,000 won. Premium membership registration on Western sites for 30,000 won…”

*Sigh* I mocked the president.

“You’ve collected a variety from East to West… Are you planning to set up an adult cinema at school? Even if you say you bought equipment now…”

My words trailed off as I saw the president’s sheepish expression. Looking at me with eyes that seemed to ask ‘Is it a lie?’ the president hurriedly tried to explain.

“Is there any detail that can’t be confirmed through video? There might be a need to use the school for movies…”

“…”

“And I purchased them regardless of gender. It’s definitely not because of my personal desires!”

Haha—A forced laughter escaped at the feeble excuse.

That laughter soon faded away. The moment the period was put, it was like closing a ledger.

The silence that came suddenly, I didn’t drag it out and asked Han Hyojin.

“What kind of punishment is possible if the budget is used for personal desires or for impure purposes?”

“At best, a reduction in next semester’s budget. In severe cases, even disbanding the club is possible. Considering the overall situation, disbandment seems most likely.”

I signaled to the head with a nod.

Cold sweat trickled down her neck.

“Dis-disbandment? How can you disband a club that I’ve nurtured! This is my territory! It’s my world that I’ve created!”

“You should have said that before committing the offense.”

“Just watching an adult movie! Is making a movie about a boring high school a crime!? No! This is like the dream of the protagonists of youth dramas!”

“Hmm… I empathize with your words. High school is indeed so boring. The idea of turning it into a movie struck a chord.”

Han Hyojin added, “However, the original purpose of the movie appreciation club seems to have deviated significantly. If it had been an adult club from the beginning, it would be different.”

“Ugh…! That’s true, but… No! We were all wrong! Please just give us a warning for the club!”

“The judgment of this surprise inspection will be made by Do Jinwoo sitting here, not me. Any requests or pleas should be directed towards him. You may even use your body if necessary…”

“…Not.”

I interrupted her.

“Hmm… I thought that’s what you’d want.”

“Not at all.”

Tsk. I bit my tongue quietly and pondered.

Disbandment or budget reduction.

Which one to choose?

“Hmm… Disbandment would be too harsh, I suppose.”

They were students in their prime. It was possible for things to go awry while watching a movie.

Of course, they could be reprimanded easily, but since there was no ill intent, I wanted to overlook it with just a budget reduction.

After organizing my thoughts, I made a decision.

“Since the movie appreciation club has its reputation, let’s compromise with a budget reduction for the next semester.”

“Really!?”

“But there are two conditions.”

“What are they! I’ll accept anything!”

I extended two fingers.

“First, the movies to be watched for a while will be designated by the student council. Second, write a review of the movies.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, while we’re at it, today’s movie for the club activity is ‘The Moving Treehouse of Hanman.’ Watch it, write a review, and come to the student council room.”

The head’s expression stiffened.

“Are you telling us to watch an anime movie right now…?”

“Yes.”

“Are you kidding me!? Are you telling us to watch an anime movie like those geeky clubs next door!? We can’t do that! Just kill us instead! Kill us!”

The words were excessive.

At least the animation club hadn’t caused any trouble.

Sometimes, aside from getting too absorbed, they seemed to be reciting spells or incantations.

Anyway.

“If you don’t like it, then close the door.”

“T-That’s…”

Under immense pressure, the head eventually relented.

“There must be somewhere on YouTube or similar. Purchase and watch it. Then I’ll get up first. We should clean up the mess. Yes.”

Han Hyojin got up from her seat and walked away.

There were still many corrupt clubs remaining.

As I ignited a sense of justice within me,

When Han Hyojin, who had been walking in step, paused for a moment. Then she turned around, grabbed the movie club’s laptop.

“I’ll use it as evidence.”

“Our club’s treasure…”

“Anyway, there won’t be anything to watch for a while. It’s not good for both the head and me if someone uses it urgently.”

“Abu-abuse…”

“Ah, Manager. If you keep me here too long, I might get upset too. I might even end up deleting all the data I borrowed and collected.”

“Ah….”

In response to this nonchalant threat, the manager knelt down with a bewildered expression.

His face resembled that of a parent who had lost a child, unable to prevent his eyes from turning red.

“This guy is like a complete child snatcher…”

“You’re not the only one. Loan shark.”

“I meet a lot of loan sharks in private, just imitating them. I can’t quite pull off the Chairman’s aura or atmosphere.”

“Practice a bit then.”

As we continued our conversation, we stepped outside.

Although it seemed like we heard something akin to a cry from behind, I attributed it to my mood.

***

“You’ve taken quite a lot.”

In front of me, a tower of items stolen while wandering around various clubs was piled up.

Even a quick glance revealed Nintendo X, laptops, PS5, monitors, and more. Not to mention the garish pink items that stood out.

“Anyway, the loot seems impressive.”

I asked Han Hyojin, tilting my head.

“So, Chairman, what do you do with the stolen goods?”

“Usually, they are handed over to the school office or dealt with by the student council. If there’s anything you want, feel free to take it.”

Saying this, he shook the pink jelly.

“What about this ‘good for men’ lotion? Or did you ask about this from the start?”

“I don’t need it. Besides, these are items purchased with school funds, so taking them feels like a guilty conscience…”

“Let me correct you. It’s not school money; it’s my money.”

“That’s right.”

He shrugged and continued, “I may not like it, but I’m not sure about others.”

“Subin likes it. She always grabs the most expensive items.”

“Weak.”

“Indeed.”

For the first time, Han Hyojin and I agreed on something.

Impressive, Su Bin!

Amidst my trivial thoughts, the student council room suddenly fell silent.

The atmosphere seemed to shift slightly towards contemplation. Perplexed, I blinked and turned my head.

Han Hyojin was sitting at the main seat, fiddling with a laptop.

‘A laptop?’

The laptop we brought…

“Wait, th-that’s a movie…!”

Ah-! Ah-!

A woman’s moans echoed through the laptop speakers. The sound quality was so good it pierced through my ears.

Afraid the sound might leak outside, I hurriedly rushed over, snatched the laptop, and closed it.

Han Hyojin’s face contorted like a child deprived of candy.

“What are you doing?”

“What about you, Chairman?”

When I retorted, she boldly declared, “Watching porn. Japanese people having sex.”

“I know that too! Why did you suddenly feel like watching it?”

“I borrowed it, so I should watch it, shouldn’t I?”

“This is driving me crazy.”

I ran my hand through my hair.

What should I do with this person…

As I pondered, the dilemma intensified.

“You seem troubled.”

“Aren’t you going to do anything?”

“I can’t understand your dilemma.”

“I can’t understand you either, Chairman.”

After exhaling deeply, Han Hyojin spoke.

“Isn’t it embarrassing to cater only to my needs? Well, such an embarrassing situation wouldn’t have happened if you just catered to my needs.”

“What needs are you talking about?”

“Satisfying curiosity, experiencing what I say and desire firsthand. For example, ‘Bang!’ You know. Not that I expect much from a coward like you.”

“…”

“Dojinwoo, you don’t seem like a man at all. There are three pretty female students in the student council, and you’re keeping your cool… Could it be that you’re impotent?”

Han Hyojin scratched her stomach awkwardly.

Normally, one wouldn’t fall for such an obvious ploy, but perhaps due to the gauge that had been steadily building up until recently, reason didn’t prevail.

Setting the laptop aside, my hand slowly moved towards Han Hyojin.

Despite the presence of calluses and numerous scars on the approaching hand, Han Hyojin’s red eyes remained unwavering.

My hand passed over Han Hyojin and reached the back of the chair where she was sitting.

“…”

I leaned forward. Han Hyojin’s face, gradually getting closer, narrowed the distance between us until our breaths were shared.

Listening to Han Hyojin’s faint breathing, I cautiously opened my lips.

“Are you satisfied?”

“…”

“What should I say…”

Instead of a response, Han Hyojin pushed my arm away abruptly.

“?”

Delving into the newly created gap, Han Hyojin rose from her seat. Then, without a word, she left the student council room.

Alone in the student council room, I murmured while looking at the spot she had vacated.

“Is she angry…?”

I could tell her anything with words, but experiencing it was a different story.

It wouldn’t be strange if Han Hyojin was angry.

“Hmm… But would the president get mad at this? Perhaps unexpectedly sensitive to attacks?”

That’s probably not it.

Apologize when she returns.

***

“Haa. Haa.”

Han Hyojin breathed heavily.

The scene from earlier still played in her mind.

“…”

Her cheeks turned slightly red. If her skin hadn’t taken on a brownish hue, she might have been completely exposed in the recent situation.

“…”

Once again, the image of Do Jinwoo’s face up close came to mind.

“Ah….”

With a thud, steam seemed to rise above her head.

If someone saw, it would raise question marks above her head. Would the always confident and aggressive Han Hyojin crumble after just one attack?

If she had said this to her followers, they might have slapped her for lying and she could have been exiled to the school gate.

But they didn’t know.

Attacks were routine. The protection of Han Hyojin, who had never tried to defend herself and had no intention to, was infinitely close to zero…

Perhaps no one would know right away.

‘Right away,’ that is.