Chapter 58.1

Chapter 58 – Rule 22. The Leader Stays Composed (6)

Last year, on the day of the welcome party for the new Disciplinary Committee members.

That was the first time I met Oh Baek-seo.

Due to the large number of members, the welcome party was divided into several groups.

Naturally, Baek-seo, even among the new students, received a lot of attention.

Many seniors praised Baek-seo, saying, “You are the future of our Disciplinary Committee.”

The new members were busy trying to win her favor, admiring the talents of Baek-seo, who was hailed as an unparalleled genius.

The silent war among the male students who had romantic feelings for Baek-seo was quite entertaining.

Baek-seo, with her gentle smile, kindly accepted each person’s approach. Many male students were overjoyed just because Baek-seo did not reject them.

However, there was one thing Baek-seo couldn’t hide from me.

‘She’s avoiding everyone.’

It was clear that Baek-seo was showcasing her high-level boundary-setting skills.

With my past life’s social experience and knowing Baek-seo’s character from the game, it was easy to understand.

I wasn’t particularly interested.

After Kim Dalbi left, I didn’t urgently need someone to fill the emptiness in my heart.

The heroines attending Saim High School, the so-called love interests of the protagonist Lee Taesung, were the only characters I could consider from the game.

My impression of Baek-seo in the game was simply that of a ‘pretty female character.’

Of course, understanding the future vice-leader Baek-seo was important, but it was a secondary task.

More importantly, I needed to impress the seniors from the start. I had to become the next Disciplinary Committee Leader.

There wouldn’t be another opportunity like the welcome party.

So, I stopped paying attention to Baek-seo and focused on earning the favor of the seniors by displaying a disciplined demeanor.

The seniors found my stern discipline and seriousness amusing, and they nodded in satisfaction whenever I expressed my ambition to become the next Disciplinary Committee Leader.

However, every senior subtly hinted that they believed Baek-seo would be the next leader. It was their way of showing consideration.

I didn’t care.

Baek-seo wouldn’t become the leader.

The welcome party continued late into the night.

I went out to get some fresh air.

On my way to the convenience store, a female student approached me.

“Hey, where are you going?”

It was Baek-seo.

“?”

Why?

Why is she talking to me outside?

We hadn’t even exchanged greetings before.

The character of Oh Baek-seo I knew wasn’t particularly nice.

She was described in the game as someone who smiled deceitfully and looked down on others internally.

In a way, I didn’t like her personality. It felt too darkly mature for her age.

Of course, my perception changed later, and I realized there was no one as kind as Baek-seo.

But that was how I felt back then.

That’s why it was strange that Baek-seo, who I didn’t know, was talking to me.

“I’m going to the convenience store.”
“I am too. Want to go together?”

“Hmm? Sure.”

I really didn’t mind.

She wouldn’t have any harmful intentions.

At the convenience store, I looked for banana milk.

‘Buy 1 get 1 free. The promotion ends today.’

One would be enough to satisfy me, but it felt like a loss to buy just one, so I picked up two.

My frugal spirit, as Ahn Woo-jin, also played a part.

Baek-seo chose chocolate, and we each paid separately.

On the way back to the party location.

“Are you going to drink both of those?”

“I just picked two because of the promotion. Want one?”

I only wanted to drink one anyway.

I didn’t mind giving away the other.

“No, I’m good….”

Baek-seo glanced towards the party location and changed her mind.

“Actually, yes, please.”

I handed her one banana milk and a straw. Baek-seo inserted the straw into the carton.

Slurp. After taking a sip, Baek-seo spoke.

“I overheard earlier. You said you’re going to become the leader?”

She asked cautiously.

I finally understood why Baek-seo followed me.

‘She followed me to ask this.’

She must have been slightly curious after hearing my ambition.

It was understandable, as everyone in the Disciplinary Committee already assumed Baek-seo would be the next leader.

Baek-seo couldn’t be unaware of that atmosphere.

If I were someone else, I might have thought, ‘Is Ahn Woo-jin a fool?’

‘Well, others who aim to become the next leader can’t say it because of Baek-seo.’

Other students aiming for the next leadership, including the one who became the leader in the original story, were also keeping their ambitions to themselves because of Baek-seo’s presence.

It’s natural for people to feel intimidated in front of a high-level competitor.

So, if I were Baek-seo, I would have been curious too.

How could someone be so clueless and foolish as to declare, ‘I’ll become the Disciplinary Committee Leader!’ with a genius like Baek-seo as a competitor?

“That’s right.”

I answered nonchalantly.

Anyway, you’re not going to be the leader.

She would make her intentions clear during the leader candidate selection later.

Therefore, there was no reason for me to worry about Baek-seo.

“I will be. Sorry if you’re aiming to be the leader too.”

“…You’re confident.”

Was she testing me?

Or mocking me?