Chapter 130.1

Chapter 130 – Henceforth, the Leader Adheres to All Rules (3)

With finals over, winter had come.

The final semester of the 45th Disciplinary Committee Leader’s term had safely concluded.

During winter break, the Disciplinary Committee would elect a new 46th Leader.

December 31st had arrived.

The Committee members held a year-end party to celebrate the end of the year together.

“Leader, why are you in a relationship!? Huh!?”

Ha Yesong pointed at Woo-jin with a cleaned chicken drumstick bone.

“Relationship! That damn relationship! Isn’t it against the school rules…! I can’t say anything because it’s you and Baek-seo! This must be how it feels when a family member becomes a criminal…?”

“That rule was abolished, wasn’t it? Because it didn’t align with Neo Seoul’s ideology….”

“Even the rule was abolished! Leader, you secretly pushed for it, right? Otherwise, how could it happen at such a convenient time!? Is this the power of Neo Seoul’s strongest!? Ugh, I’m so jealous…. Huh? Baek-seo, where are you going?”

In the middle of the party, Oh Baek-seo packed her things and got up.

Park Minhyuk and Yoo Doha, having already been informed by Baek-seo, were letting her go. Yesong, too busy lamenting to Woo-jin, hadn’t heard her explanation.

“I’ve been feeling worn out from handling the last bit of work. Sorry, but can I go home early and rest?”

“Baek-seo, you’ve worked hard…. It’s a shame since it’s the year-end party, but we can always meet again! Have a good rest!”

Yesong cheerfully agreed to let her leave.

Woo-jin, however, looked surprised.

“Were you that tired? Sorry I didn’t notice.”

“No, it’s fine. Have fun.”

Baek-seo placed her hand on Woo-jin’s shoulder and whispered discreetly into his ear.

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

Waiting? What did she mean?

“Oh… right. Rest well.”

Since they lived in neighboring houses, “waiting for you” didn’t seem unusual, and Woo-jin thought nothing more of it.

With a meaningful smile, Baek-seo left the party.

“Leader…, do you think a guy like me will ever find love?”

Out of the blue, Park Minhyuk asked, looking despondent.

It seemed the year-end had him feeling lonely.

“I expect the repeal of the rule will have quite an impact. Most people will probably feel more relaxed about it. If not, you could try picking someone up here.”

“I-I don’t have the courage…!”

Just then, Yesong burst into laughter, pointing at Minhyuk.

“Minhyuk trying to pick up someone!? What crime did the girl commit to deserve that!?”

“I’m going to kill you….”

Minhyuk trembled with anger.

Meanwhile, Doha quietly gnawed on her chicken, which caught Yesong’s attention.

“Doha, you’re so quiet. Something on your mind?”

“No, nothing. I’m just listening.”

“Oh, it’s the relationship talk, huh? Us single people need to stick together, right?”

Yesong draped her arm over Doha’s shoulder, giggling. Doha sighed softly and glanced at Woo-jin, who was too absorbed in Minhyuk’s woes to notice.

After spending a long time having fun, Woo-jin, Yesong, Minhyuk, and Doha finally parted ways late at night.

“Take care! See you next year!”

“Bye.”

“Get home safe.”

The night sky was blanketed in snow.

After midnight, it was January 1st.

They had become adults.

Before heading home.

Woo-jin almost used spatial teleportation but decided to walk through the city instead.

He found the sight of softly falling snow to be quite pleasant.

‘I still… don’t know.’

Even after the year-end party, Woo-jin’s internal conflict hadn’t resolved.

What exactly was the moderately happy life he had always wanted?

He had focused on preventing a dystopia, and everything afterward was just a vague notion.

There was plenty of time to think about it, but it was taking longer than expected to find an answer.

“Leader.”

“Hm?”

“Why aren’t you using spatial teleportation? You don’t need to walk, right?”

Woo-jin and Doha were heading in the same direction toward the bus stop. Walking side by side, Doha asked curiously.

“The snow is pretty. Besides, I’ll walk you to the stop since it’s on the way.”

“…I see.”

Doha subconsciously brushed her hair aside, revealing her neck. Her ponytail swayed.

“This reminds me… Back in our first year, I broke a sweat taking you to your assigned posts.”

“…Did you?”

“Honestly, I did. That’s why we used to walk together so often.”

“I didn’t realize you found it tough.”
“I kept up appearances. Pretended it was fine.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say it expecting an apology. No, do I deserve one?”

Doha glanced at Woo-jin. There was a playful smile on his lips.

They had been together since their first year as new Disciplinary Committee members. Over those two years, Woo-jin had grown more comfortable.

“…….”

Doha found herself staring at that smile, lost in thought.

Before they knew it, they had reached the bus stop.

Buses were still running.

The two waited side by side.

“Doha, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it?”

“As a Leader, how did I do?”

The city, blanketed in snow and silence.

Doha also looked at the falling snow.

“As a Disciplinary Committee Leader, I think you were a good fit. I just… thought you were great.”

“Great? I wasn’t expecting such high praise….”

A bus approached, its lights shining brightly.

“Take care. It was fun.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Doha exchanged farewells and stepped onto the bus, but then she stopped and glanced back, avoiding showing her face to Woo-jin.

“The meaning isn’t just as the Leader.”

“Hmm?”
“I mean… as a colleague, too. Anyway, looking forward to working with you.”

“Ah, sure….”

“See you.”

Doha left behind those ambiguous words before moving forward.

Hiss.

The bus doors closed.

Woo-jin watched the departing bus before continuing his walk home.

“Haa….”

Doha leaned her head against the bus window, letting out a quiet sigh.

She forced herself to suppress the feelings she would never be able to express.

Click.

Woo-jin unlocked his front door.

“Huh?”

He was immediately taken aback.

Standing at the entrance, dressed casually, Oh Baek-seo greeted him like a wife welcoming her husband.

“Welcome home.”

“Aren’t you tired? You said you were going home early. Why are you here?”

“Because I’m your girl.”

Baek-seo placed her finger on her chin and gave a mischievous smile.

It seemed that lately, influenced by their relationship, she’d been picking up some cutesy mannerisms.

‘Damn…!’

Woo-jin felt a strong impact on his heart.