Episode 21. The Popular Kid Goes to the Student Council.

Surin noona : [Junior. Hello?]

Sent by Surin noona. Why is this noona contacting me all of a sudden?

Still, I don’t feel bad about it. I should try to unleash my hidden romantic instincts here.

Me : [Hello. What’s with the tone, noona lol]

Surin noona : [Hehe. It’s my first time texting, so I was trying to be polite!]

Me : [Is something wrong?]

Surin noona : [Can’t I just contact you? Hing.]

Was I not supposed to ask about the reason right away? My romantic instincts are all dead; I don’t even know what I did wrong.

By the way, why is this noona so cute?

For now, I sent another reply.

Me : [No, no! You must be busy, but I’d be happy if you contacted me.]

Surin noona : [Actually, I do have a reason. You know club promotion starts this week, right? By any chance, Hoyeon, are you thinking of joining the Student Council?]

The Student Council?

Suddenly the Student Council?

This noona is really jumping ahead again. In the game, club activities were just contrived devices to get me involved in events alongside the heroines.

There wasn’t even a route to join the Student Council, so what should I do?

Me : [I appreciate the offer. There’s still a lot of this week left, so I’ll think about it a bit more and let you know.]

I’m not sure, but should I have refused more firmly? As someone who was originally a shut-in loser, my conversational skills are still lacking.

Suddenly telling me to live the life of a social butterfly is too difficult for me.

Surin noona : [Okay. Let’s talk again tomorrow. Please think carefully today!]

Me : [Yes. Noona. Have a good night.]

Surin noona : [You too, good night~ (emoticon of a cat turning off the lights)]

Ahh, I don’t know.

The club I had in mind was Lucy’s friendship club.

The heroines who joined are Lumi and Lucy. With two heroines involved, there are so many incidents and accidents that occur there, making the friendship club a mandatory join.

Alice is in Reading. Nam Daeun is in the Relaxation Club. Moon Surin is in the Student Council.

At Victoria Academy, one club per person is mandatory. That’s why Nam Daeun also joins a place called the Relaxation Club. Of course, she doesn’t participate in club activities.

The Reading Club that Alice joined doesn’t have any major incidents that would be treated as events in the original work. So I only intended to join Lucy’s friendship club, but I never expected a request would come from the Student Council.

“No matter how I think about it, not going seems like the right thing to do.”

The Student Council must surely be a place where children from influential families or guilds gather, so if I went there, I wouldn’t be able to fit in.

There’s also the issue of time.

The Student Council requires sacrificing personal time, but I allocate a lot of time for heroine routes and the main story. To handle my personal training and studying as well, even two bodies wouldn’t be enough.

Come to think of it, isn’t the Student Council elected by vote?

That’s strange. There were no mentions of voting in the original game. Maybe they just didn’t mention it because it wasn’t an important event?

For now, I’ve considered it out of courtesy, but should I still make up my mind to refuse?

“Huh? Wait a second, isn’t the disciplinary committee also part of the Student Council?”

The disciplinary committee is surely affiliated with the Student Council.

Should I try the disciplinary committee?

Victoria Academy’s disciplinary committee has a different role compared to other schools.

It’s not just about pointing out behavior or uniform status; it’s an organization to resolve incidents within the school independently when incidents occur at the school.

This is because various incidents and accidents happen frequently as the young cadets gain power.

Whenever that happens, the disciplinary committee takes on the role, citing that borrowing the power of public institutions would lower the Academy’s prestige.

‘The more I think about it, the better it seems.’

As part of the disciplinary committee, I can roam the school freely and maybe find some hidden opportunities. Also, find some hidden opportunities.

Since the disciplinary committee doesn’t operate daily like the Student Council, my club activities or personal time won’t be significantly restricted.

In any case, I’ll have to get involved in any large-scale incidents where the disciplinary committee intervenes.

“Good. My worries are over.”

Now that my worries are over, should I just go to sleep?

*

“First-year, Class A, Lee Hoyeon.”

“Yes. I will put him on a blacklist for all clubs at Victoria Academy.”

“Handle it thoroughly. He ignored our Magic Research Club and framed the professor in charge. That vulgar guy.”

“Don’t worry. In every club, hearing the name Lee Hoyeon will make them want nothing to do with him.”

In the club room labeled Magic Research Club, the head of the Magic Research Club and the Victoria Academy Club President were making a backroom deal.

Surprisingly, the Magic Research Club had considerable influence among the clubs. Not only were there many members, but the head of the Magic Research Club, Kim Hyundo’s family, had been a renowned magic family for generations.

Moreover, the Club President had greatly supported the Magic Research Club in exchange for a contract with Kim Hyundo’s family guild after graduation.

Thanks to that, the Magic Research Club’s influence was supreme over all other clubs, excluding the Student Council.

“Um, is he really someone without backing?”

“Don’t worry. He’s an orphan and has no affiliated guilds. He was photographed with the Student Council President recently, causing a brief stir, but it was eventually revealed to be nothing. Don’t worry about anything and proceed.”

“Oh dear, I understand.”

“Scum like that must be crushed so thoroughly that they can’t even squirm, to know their place. That’s how they learn.”

“Yes. Everything will go according to what you said,部長님.”

“Lee Hoyeon. I don’t know how you deceived Professor Im Sol, but I will definitely get it back…!”

Khahaha! Hahaha!

The hearty(?) laughter of the two men filled the club room.

*

Ttiriring- Ttiriring-

Tuesday is a strong and good morning!

Waking up in the dormitory in the morning has become familiar.

Of course, hearing the alarm and getting up is still a pain.

After vaguely coming to my senses, I looked into the bathroom mirror while washing my face.

“I really am handsome…”

It’s not a lie; it’s unbelievable. A sharp nose, skin and lips that look vibrant without any product, and suitably sharp, masculine eyes. If I had a friend like this, just by hanging out with him, my own shoulders would rise with pride, but I wouldn’t want to introduce him to women – that’s the kind of face it is.

Wearing my cadet uniform and pinning the first-year brooch to my chest, I left the dormitory.

Today especially, I feel refreshed, like something good is about to happen?

“Hoyeon! Want to go together?”

A male voice is heard from behind. There’s only one close male friend I have.

The blonde delinquent, Kim Yeonghan. Although the nickname “blonde delinquent” sounds worrying, he just looks that way. He’s a very upright friend.

This is the reason why Kim Yeonghan and I get along well, even while I’m busy charming the heroines.

This guy never betrays me.

In the original game, whenever the protagonist faced a crisis, he would warn me first, and if there was any news, he’d pick it up from somewhere and tell me. Later on, even when a group threatening the protagonist threatened Kim Yeonghan’s life and demanded information, he was a tough guy who wouldn’t spill anything until the end.

Simply put, he’s just a good guy.

Keeping him around means there’s no loss to be had. He can’t be used as emergency rations, but he can be used as a meat shield. He’s a reliable friend, like a hearty bowl of gukbap.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

As is usual for two guys, walking without much conversation wasn’t uncomfortable. Then, Kim Yeonghan brought it up first.

“Have you decided which club to join?”

“Me? I have two places in mind.”

“Really? I’m planning to join the Tea Ceremony Club and the Fishing Club. What are you thinking of?”

Tea ceremony and fishing? It doesn’t suit the blonde delinquent at all. What a choice.

If that’s the case, dye your hair black. You punk.

“I think I’ll join the Student Council and the friendship club Lucy made.”

“The Student Council? Did you get a Student Council recommendation letter?”

“Recommendation letter? What’s that?”

“You don’t know about recommendation letters? To join the Student Council, you need to get a recommendation letter from a current Student Council member. That’s how you can get in.”

What kind of bullshit is this? Is our country communist in ‘Sega’? No, it’s not. There was no such setting.

“Isn’t the Student Council elected by vote?”

“The Student Council changes every two years, but the current one started last year, so there’s still a year left. Therefore, to join mid-term, you need a recommendation letter from a Student Council member.”

What kind of idiotic setting is that? It’s like they’re openly telling you to take a parachute, isn’t it?

“Ah, I see. I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, but recommendation letters without a good reason aren’t usually used. It’s not stipulated in the rules, but they’re mostly used to fill vacancies when positions open up.”

Still, they maintain at least a minimal justification.

Why does the situation suddenly seem to have become complicated?

There’s no mention of vacancies in the Student Council.

If that’s the case, Moon Surin seems to want to pick me without a good reason, and being a freshman picked as a parachute by the Student Council President… It’s a situation that unnecessarily attracts aggro and is good for causing trouble, isn’t it?

“How about you join the Fishing Club with me? Let’s aim for a big one.”

Ignoring Kim Yeonghan, who was reeling in an imaginary fishing rod in mid-air, I walked towards the first-year academic building.

“The club for Victoria Academy’s elite mages! We are recruiting new members for the Magic Research Club!”

“Swordmanship Club seeking new members~. First come, first served, one person only! If you come, sword training goes~.”

“This is the Fishing Club! Become one with nature and experience new fun!”

Indeed, club promotions have increased significantly. Dozens of cadets are handing out pamphlets on the street.

“Isn’t that the Fishing Club you were looking for? Go ask them.”

“Oh? Should I? You come too.”

“No, I told you I’m not going….”

Kim Yeonghan ran off to get a Fishing Club pamphlet and started chatting with a Fishing Club cadet.

“Sigh.”

Although I had no intention of joining, I couldn’t just leave it, so I stood beside him.

“So, there are two spots for new members, right?”

“Yes, yes. There are plenty of spots for two people! Actually, we haven’t had many new members since last year… Our goal is to increase membership by over 10 this year.”

“Then, could you give us two application forms?”

“Hopefully, one of the two isn’t me?”

“Of course it’s you, Hoyeon. Let’s become one with nature too.”

“No, I told you I’m not doing it?”

“Uh, excuse me. This person is Kim Yeonghan, and are you perhaps Lee Hoyeon, the new arrival?”

“Yes. That’s me, but I don’t really intend to join….”

“I’m sorry. There’s only one spot left, so it seems difficult for Lee Hoyeon to join.”

“…What?”

What kind of bullshit is this, suddenly? Didn’t they just say they’d recruit 10 new members this year or something like that?

“What are you talking about? You said there were enough spots for two people.”

Kim Yeonghan also questioned the strange statement from the promotional cadet.

“I’m sorry. There was a mistake. If Kim Yeonghan joins, it seems the spots will be full.”

“….”

What is this? This uneasy feeling?

Even though I wouldn’t join anyway, the fact that they changed their tune the moment they heard my name makes it seem like they have some ulterior motive.

“Yes. I understand. Since there are no spots, I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Huh? Hoyeon! Where are you going!”

“I’m leaving first. You join and come later.”

Whatever ulterior motives there might be, it’s annoying.

I wasn’t going to join anyway.

But the moment they heard my name, the cadets busy with club promotion in front of me parted like the Red Sea.

Then, they deliberately avoided eye contact with me, pretending to be busy or talking to others.

“….”

There really seems to be something going on…

Sigh. I can’t go and ask, can I?

Let’s just go to class.

With a sense of unease in my heart, I went to the Academy.

Kim Yeonghan soon followed and told me that as soon as I left, the Fishing Club cadet started soliciting someone else.

“I also feel uneasy about it, so I won’t join either.”

As expected, unlike a typical blonde delinquent, he’s a loyal guy.

Sitting in my chair, waiting for our homeroom teacher, I felt two pairs of eyes on me from the side.

Glancing over, one was Lumi. As soon as our eyes met, she was startled, opened her eyes wide, and quickly turned her head away.

Why is she acting like that?

‘Since I can join the same club as Lumi, it should be fine.’

There are so many heroines, so there are many things to keep track of.

Let’s take care of Lucy and Lumi in the friendship club.

The other was the extra rival, Do Jin-hyuk.

This guy is practically radiating killing intent.

I really don’t understand. What did I do wrong to make him act like this?

Except for being the protagonist, I’ve done nothing wrong.

Maybe that’s the mistake?

Of course, in life, people can dislike others for no particular reason. That guy, being a villain from the start, might have been destined to be that way. Poor guy.

Deureureuk-

The classroom door opened, and homeroom teacher Kim Jin-hyuk entered.

Today too, he was in a black suit with his hair slicked back.

“Is everyone looking into clubs properly? We strongly recommend joining at least one club, so make sure you join.”

He calmly delivered his message for the day.

“Next week, a dungeon practical training session is scheduled. As you all know, at Victoria Academy, there are no attendance points or class participation grades. Even if you skip all your classes, if your exam score is first place, you’re still first place.”

That’s why later, Nam Daeun skips all her classes. Since she’s already first in practical skills, there’s no need to attend.

“However, the dungeon practical training includes the process in the score. You’ll enter in teams, but individual scores will be given to each team member. However, if you force yourself to act in situations where you don’t need to, thereby disrupting teamwork, you will be penalized. Judge accordingly.”

In other words, it’s training to foster cooperation. Since Awakened individuals need cooperation whether they become hunters or join the association,

“Today’s class will proceed normally with no special circumstances. Do you have any questions?”

“….”

“If not, prepare for class.”

Homeroom teacher Kim Jin-hyuk left the classroom after saying that.

As soon as the homeroom teacher left, the classroom became noisy again.

‘I should probably prepare for class too.’

Although I don’t need to attend the theory class, there’s no need to skip it and leave a bad impression on the professors.

I took out a thesis from my bag and started reading.

No matter how much I read, the theses seemed endless.

Deureureuk-!

Then, the classroom door opened again.

It was a bit early for the theory class professor, so perhaps they came a little early today.

Thinking so, I continued reading the thesis.

But considering a professor had entered, the surroundings were noisy.

“Hah, Madam Student Council President? Why are you in the first-year classroom?”

“Um, isn’t there a student named Lee Hoyeon here?”

“Yes, yes. Lee Hoyeon is over there….”

“Thank you. Hehehe.”

A voice that shouldn’t be heard in this classroom was audible. Moreover, she was looking for me.

Jeobeok-jeobeok

When I looked up, Moon Surin was standing in front of me.

Ah, this is bad. The thought flashed through my mind.

“Junior, you’ve made up your mind, right?”

She offered me the Student Council application form with a smile so beautiful that it was impossible to refuse.