episode_0021

“Hey, Kim Noeul. Do you have time after school today?”

Today is the day when the leadership team comes to express their gratitude to the counseling department. Since it would be more convenient if Chief Kim Noeul were present, I asked her about her schedule.

“I have a mock exam class today. What’s up?”

“You’re coming to express gratitude today. So, can you make it to the club afterward?”

“For a little while, it’s fine. I’ll have time after my class ends.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s not necessary for the chief to be there. Besides, participating in the mock exam will enhance your resume, so give it your best shot.”

It seems that Kim Noeul won’t be able to exert her influence outside of school for a while. If that’s the case, she probably won’t be able to intervene in the upcoming fight with Jegal Hwarin’s gang either.

“This makes the help of the leadership team even more urgent.”

Since today is a day of gratitude, I decided to subtly throw my luck after the gratitude session.

Especially since Han Doa, the head of the leadership team, has previously come alone to the counseling department seeking advice.

Having accepted my polite refusal, Kim Noeul lowered her head with a somewhat lonely expression. Her reaction was akin to seeing a puppy with droopy ears.

“What else is bothering you so much?”

“…Wolves are lonely when they are alone.”

Seeing her suddenly mention wolves, it’s clear that Kim Noeul is closer to a dog than a wolf.

“Wolves are solitary animals, aren’t they? There’s even an expression ‘lonely wolf.’”

“That’s a misconception. Wolves form packs and act together.”

Suddenly, Alice’s face came to mind at Kim Noeul’s remark.

In the original work, Alice was often likened to a wolf. Although she appeared to be acting alone, inwardly, it was far from the truth.

“What is she doing right now?”

I’m working hard and making sacrifices because of someone I miss. It would be disappointing if she’s completely engrossed in dominating the academy without sparing a thought for me.

“Marru, your gaze has become distant?”

As I reminisced about someone I missed, Kim Noeul’s eyes became sharp.

Her gaze was as wolf-like as it gets, and it was slightly intimidating.

“There’s something in my eye. Anyway, prepare well for the competition.”

“…Sure.”

As I turned to leave the classroom, I heard the voices of a group of male students approaching Kim Noeul.

They were men who had always held a place in Kim Noeul’s heart. They were the kind of guys who wouldn’t hesitate even in the face of Kim Noeul’s ironclad defense.

“Noeul, we’re going to the karaoke today, wanna come?”

“Sorry, I have to prepare for the mock exam today.”

“Oh… then after you finish preparing?”

“Sorry, I need to go back to the dorm and start reviewing right away.”

“I see… that’s too bad.”

They retreated with dejected expressions as Kim Noeul firmly rejected them with a professional smile.

‘Didn’t she just say she had time after the mock exam class?’

I felt fortunate that she seemed sincere about the counseling department.

As I left the classroom, I sent a message to Na Yuna.

[Me: Did Teacher Chae Yubin come?]

[Na Yuna: Yeah, just now.]

[Na Yuna: But how did you know that Teacher Gomun also had to accompany us to the appreciation event?]

[Na Yuna: Didn’t they say it was the first autonomous club activity?]

[Me: It’s just something I found out by investigating.]

Since the original work explained it that way, I thought it was appropriate.

Arriving at the counseling department, I opened the door and went in. Teacher Chae Yubin and Senior Na Yuna were discussing the activity report and wrestling.

“Oh, Maru is here.”

Teacher Chae Yubin greeted me with a worried expression.

“This is my first appreciation event, so I wanted to be helpful as a teacher.”

“Actually, there’s nothing specific for the teachers to do. Ultimately, the main reports are done by the students. Just showing this much enthusiasm is better than most other teachers.”

In reality, many teacher chaperones fall asleep during appreciation events. Even though students are at the center of education, isn’t that a bit too much?

“I’m, nervous.”

Na Yuna tapped her cheeks with both hands. Was it an action to wake herself up?

“But I’ve already decided to do the presentation anyway, why are you two the most nervous?”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, really?”

“….”

Come to think of it, these two are subtly alike. It felt like watching a mother-daughter skit.

The three of us spent time organizing the materials, and before we knew it, the appreciation event was approaching. Considering Han Doa’s personality…

‘She’ll definitely come exactly on time.’

She never comes early or late. She always arrives at the destination like clockwork.

And my prediction was correct.

As soon as the bell rang, someone knocked on the counseling office door.

Knock, knock.

“It’s the student council.”

It was a voice of another female student, not Handoa.

“Come in.”

In response to Teacher Chae Yubin’s answer, the door creaked open.

There were three members of the student council.

One female student with clear eyes, a male student with a stern expression pushing up his glasses, and a female student entering the classroom swaying her long ponytail.

The last female student introduced was none other than Handoa.

She stepped forward and greeted us as she entered the counseling office.

“Thank you for responding today. Please report comfortably without being nervous.”

“Yes, sure.”

Nayuna stammered as she managed to respond.

The student council members seated as guided by Teacher Chae Yubin seemed uninterested in small talk. They all seemed to be looking at us as if they would listen to the report first.

“Well then, Maru, will you start?”

“Yes. Senior Yuna, please distribute the handouts.”

In response to Teacher Chae Yubin’s instruction, I asked Nayuna, the senior, to distribute the materials to the student council members.

After seeing all three of them receive the materials, I began to speak.

“First, the founding goal of our counseling office is….”

I smoothly proceeded with the presentation as I had practiced several times at home last night. In fact, I had practiced giving presentations a few times in my past life, so I wasn’t that nervous.

The report lasted for about 20 minutes. Despite being quite a long time from the listener’s perspective, the student council members listened attentively.

After the presentation, the student council members threw various questions.

“About the performance of the counseling office last month….”

“Do you have plans to increase the members….”

“What results can we expect from the Sky Festival in the second semester….”

Fortunately, most of the questions were as expected, so I answered without hesitation. However, Handoa kept her lips tightly sealed, and the other two bombarded me with questions.

‘Why isn’t she saying anything.’

In reality, among the three, Handoa would probably be the one most curious about the counseling office. However, she didn’t ask a single question.

“Are there any further questions?”

As the questioning subsided and the student council members remained silent, I asked. In response to my question, two members nodded.

“Thank you for listening.”

“It’s a new club, but they’ve really solidified their foundation.”

Both of them responded positively. Upon hearing their answers, Cha Yubin and Na Yuna’s expressions brightened.

At that moment, Han Doa suddenly threw out a question.

“Friction that occurred during the club establishment process.”

As she spoke, the expression on Teacher Cha Yubin’s face soured again. Na Yuna seemed to recall an unpleasant past as she hunched her shoulders.

“That friction seemed to significantly violate the regulations.”

“What kind of friction are you talking about?”

“There were reports of violence during the process of abolishing the existing counseling department.”

“That’s correct.”

I coolly acknowledged it. My response seemed unexpected, as Han Doa narrowed her eyes.

“You agree? Yet you don’t seem bothered at all. Are you planning to lead future club activities in the same manner?”

“I will make it clear after this inspection.”

I decided to make my move here. If the leadership here was similar to what I knew from webtoons, there was a very high chance of success.

“I believe there are many problems with Haneul High School right now.”

A male student wearing glasses took a deep breath.

“Students aren’t acting like students, and teachers aren’t acting like teachers. This tendency isn’t just limited to Haneul High, it’s spreading throughout the entire school.”

“Why the sudden criticism of the current situation?”

“To bring about change.”

“….”

“We’re going to uproot those who are corrupting Haneul High and foster new growth. The abolition of the existing counseling department was carried out with that purpose in mind.”

“This… seems too aggressive.”

A girl with clear eyes murmured, glancing at her superior.

Han Doa crossed her arms and glared at me. I returned her gaze.

After a brief staring match, Han Doa turned her head first. She looked at Teacher Cha Yubin.

“Teacher, were you aware that there was fighting among the students?”

“…Yes.”

Teacher Cha Yubin didn’t offer any excuses for not intervening. She genuinely felt ashamed of Han Doa’s reprimand.

In truth, she had nothing to be ashamed of.

“You did intervene, teacher. But I still took action. Of course, they were the ones who initiated it, but I actively responded and escalated the situation.”

“Oh, no, that’s not true!”

Suddenly, Nayuna, a senior student, interjected into the conversation between Han Do-ah and me. Han Do-ah stared at Nayuna in surprise.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I didn’t instigate this! It was those girls who were really behind it all. I was part of the same counseling department as them, so I know. I know how corrupt they are, how they bully students from other schools, engage in risky gambling! Maru and Noeul actually saved this school!”

Sometimes, the emotional appeal of the victim can overwhelm logical reasoning. Even Nayuna’s words weren’t entirely illogical.

In fact, some students who had been suffering at the hands of the previous counseling department came to our department to express their gratitude. Among them, the most representative student was Nayuna.

A male student with glasses spoke up in support of Nayuna’s argument.

“That’s right. We managed to save money that was previously wasted without purpose, and incidents of bullying within the school visibly decreased.”

“And you managed to minimize fights too? That guy can throw quite a punch, huh?”

Nayuna’s expression brightened slightly upon hearing the supportive words of a fellow member of the student council, whose clear eyes shone brightly.

“Of course, the establishment process was noisy. But it was a necessary procedure for Haneul High. If you find it hard to believe me, then please believe in Director Kim Noeul’s usual conduct and Nayuna’s appeal.”

“….”

Han Do-ah remained silent. As the head of the student council at Haneul High, she probably knew more about Kim Noeul and Nayuna’s circumstances than I did.

“First, let’s clear up any misunderstandings. I’m not trying to interrogate the counseling department. I just wanted to inquire further about the friction during the process.”

Han Do-ah sighed briefly before speaking.

“…Do you understand what it means to want to change Haneul High?”

Han Do-ah asked.

“It’s not just about Haneul High. It’s about unraveling all the complex relationships entwined here… everything.”

“Ojakgyo?”

When I spoke frankly, Han Do-ah narrowed her eyes.

“Yes, Ojakgyo. A group of people still engaging in childish antics, causing harm to the students.”

“If it’s Ojakgyo…”

As Cha Yoo-bin, a teacher, murmured with a serious expression, Han Do-ah responded.

“Shinseong High’s Alice, Eun Yuri of Juwang High, Seo Yoon of Choyeon High, Lee Ji-hye of Dowon High, and Jegal Yeonhwa of Hankook High. They are a student group organized as executives. If we don’t stop them, the absurdity of the students’ organization won’t disappear.”

“If you’re not confident, you haven’t even started.”

As I confidently stepped forward, Handoa slowly closed her eyes. And after a while, she opened them.

“…There are people who have actually received help, so I can’t say anything.”

Handoa’s gaze lingered on Nayuna. She slightly lowered her head to Nayuna.

“Sorry. I didn’t pay attention even though we’re in the same grade.”

“Y-You haven’t been at school recently… so it’s okay.”

“Why are you being so formal with me?”

“…It just feels like I should.”

A male student looked puzzled at Nayuna’s response. The atmosphere lightened.

“Well, I’ve heard the declaration of a spirited junior, so shall I leave now? Actually, gratitude is just an excuse, and I came here to discuss this once, right?”

Without responding to the girl’s words, Handoa gazed into the distance.

I didn’t know that either. Had Handoa already noticed my thoughts to some extent?

‘I guess she pays a lot of attention to her fellow students.’

The expression of gratitude concluded, and the leadership members tidied up the place.

“Huh? Aren’t you going, President?”

“You guys go first.”

Handoa sent the members off first.

Teacher Chae Yubin tapped my shoulder and sighed.

“Ojak Bridge… I heard they’re dangerous students. Given the nature of the students’ organization, it’s natural for such a corrupt group to emerge.”

“Don’t worry. The students’ organization will change before you transfer to another school.”

“I feel somehow sorry. As a teacher, there’s nothing I can do. Even though it’s a students’ organization, it would be good if I could intervene to some extent.”

“It’s already enough. You’re helping and talking with Senior Yuna.”

“It’s nothing much.”

“You two looked like a close mother and daughter.”

In fact, from a distance, watching Teacher Chae Yubin and Senior Yuna chatting, they seemed like a close mother and daughter.

When I complimented her, saying she looked like a good mother, Chae Yubin blushed.

“W-What are you saying…! I’m still single!”

She was the type to blurt out information even when it wasn’t asked, leaving me completely bewildered. She scratched her head coyly and left the room. Seeing her neck turn red, it seemed she was embarrassed by the praise she received.

“Oh, Maru. I have to leave early today… Sorry.”

Nayu and Senbae also departed. I reassured her it was fine and saw her off. It occurred to me that it was almost time for the broadcast. That left just Han Doa and me in the room.

“Do you have something to say?”

“….”

Han Doa fell silent for a moment. She only mumbled, finding it difficult to open her mouth. Upon closer inspection, her ears were slightly flushed.

“I heard you’re the top student in our grade this year. Is that true?”

As Han Doa awkwardly brought up the topic, I felt something was coming.

“Well, yes.”

“Ah, does academic counseling cover your area of expertise as well?”

Perhaps due to nerves, her tone became quite formal. It had always been somewhat stiff, but now it was even more so.

“It’s because of the family environment,” she once said.

There’s a setting that her manner of speaking has been influenced by her famous swordsmanship family.

I responded cheerfully in counseling mode, “Yes, it is. It’s my specialty. When I was in middle school, I even managed to bring a classmate, who was known as a fool, up to fifth place through mentoring activities.”

“To that extent!?”

Surprisingly taken aback, Han Doa cleared her throat and composed herself.

“I’ll visit the counseling department sometime then.”

“I’ll be waiting. Oh, and…”

“Hmm? Is there something else?”

“In exchange for counseling, could you do me a small favor?”

“If it’s something I can do.”

“It’s nothing major. Just patrol near the academy for a while.”

Her expression turned serious at my request.