episode_0004

I wasn’t particularly shy.

I could converse fluently with someone I just met, and I could be warm even if it got awkward.

However, when faced with someone peculiar or exuding a special aura, I tended to stiffen up like a rabbit in front of a lion.

How should I put it? There was something overwhelming about them?

In that sense, the president was quite unique, a peerless figure with a special aura in various ways.

The first meeting signifies the relationship’s balance.

I discreetly observed the president. She was lost in thought, chin resting on her hand.

Judging by appearances alone, she seemed to be contemplating worldly issues or the school’s future, but…

“That can’t be it.”

This was the same president who had been spouting all kinds of innuendos just moments ago. Normal matters didn’t seem to be on her mind.

So, what was she thinking now?

“How could Bumbu understand a genius-calamity…”

Internally performing a white flag dance vigorously, I glanced at Park Ayeong, who would interpret the current situation and the president’s psyche.

Her face was very red, seemingly unable to escape the realm of innuendos.

Nevertheless, compared to when she first explained, she had improved significantly. Now, I felt it wouldn’t be rude to ask.

I tilted my head to the right. As Park Ayeong’s ear drew closer, I leaned in slightly and whispered,

“Hey.”

“Eek!”

Park Ayeong let out a small scream and shivered.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I’m whispering.”

“Why?”

“I have a question.”

She laughed as if incredulous.

“How secretive is this question?”

“I’m curious about what our president is thinking.”

“Jinwoo, aren’t you no longer part of their council? Correct yourself to ‘our president.’ Then I’ll answer your question.”

Ah, positions were non-refundable…

Disheartened, I revised my words.

“What is our president… thinking right now?”

“Haha, much better to hear.”

Park Ayeong chuckled and turned to address the president.

“President, what are you thinking right now?”

I urgently tapped her shoulder.

“Why ask the president…”

“Then who else should I ask about the president’s thoughts? At least I don’t know, the president is quite… well, multidimensional.”

“Wow… securing another victory today.”

It was so logical that I had to accept it.

As I foolishly marveled, the president, chin in hand, spoke.

“I wasn’t really thinking about anything, just adjusting my underwear that was riding up.”

“There, Jinwoo heard it. Our president surprisingly doesn’t think much. Most important matters are usually discussed through Nana or Hwagye.”

“To have someone in front of you and not think anything. Isn’t that a bit harsh? Today’s Vice President is Park Ayeong.”

“That nickname is even worse!”

Seems like this is the usual banter in the student council…

I couldn’t find the courage to interrupt.

Using innuendos as background music, I drifted into a state of peace.

Around that time, Park Ayeong, defeated in debate, groaned, and the president chuckled, rising from her seat.

“I’ve been rude despite having a guest. I’ll bring some tea in a moment.”

The president opened a nearby drawer and brought a tea set.

It had an elegant design reminiscent of Renaissance nobility.

“We only have black tea, is that alright?”

“As long as it’s not inedible, I’ll enjoy any tea.”

“Good to hear.”

The president smiled contentedly as she poured water into the teacup. The subtle aroma spread, bringing mental calm.

Just before the teacup was filled to the brim, her hand paused with a soft thud—a gesture of respect.

The chairman, apart from his manner of speech, could easily be mistaken for a nobleman.

“Please have some.”

“Yes. Excuse me then.”

Quietly, he lifted the teacup and took a sip. The bittersweet taste smoothly circulated in his mouth.

Unlike other teas, it certainly felt expensive, but having been accustomed to instant flavors, it didn’t taste as good as expected.

Did his expression give away his thoughts?

Both the chairman and Park Ayoung laughed simultaneously.

“People often mistakenly assume black tea is sweet because of its name. However, black tea without additives tends to be bitter like regular tea.”

“So, people usually add sugar or honey. You and the chairman are no exception.”

Park Ayoung added sugar to my teacup.

“Now try it again.”

Nodding and taking a sip, the first taste was slightly sweet, followed by a bitter aftertaste, which was delicious.

“Delicious.”

Park Ayoung’s expression brightened.

“Well then! How delicious is black tea with sugar? Next time when the chairman offers you black tea, don’t hesitate to add sugar, okay?”

“Hmm… I find salt more fragrant than sugar.”

“That’s just your preference.”

“You react sensitively.”

“Well, you’ve never really tasted black tea from me before, so… you teased me about not having a beard.”

They were arguing back and forth.

However, this commotion wasn’t all bad.

With a smirk, the attention of the two loud individuals turned towards me.

Huh? Puzzled, I turned around to see both Park Ayoung and the chairman looking more puzzled than me.

“What… Is there something on my face?”

Both of them shook their heads simultaneously.

“Usually, if someone said that much, everyone would panic or run away. Laughing here is a first for Jinwoo.”

“As the vice-chairman said. You’re the first one to laugh here. Even if you say you took my first, I’ll forgive you.”

“I’ll politely decline that offer.”

“Well… It’s a privilege to give something to a male student for the first time.”

Is that so…

Anyway, this marked the beginning of lively conversations blooming inside the student council room.

Like the warmth of early spring, I seized that energy and brought up a topic.

“When will we announce our club name?”

“We’re waiting for the accounts to come in, so it might be a bit delayed…”

Thump-thump-

Soft footsteps drew nearer.

“They say even tigers come when I call. Once the accounts are in and settled, we’ll officially start announcing the club name.”

With the chairman’s words, the door to the student council room opened.

Raising her head hesitantly, she couldn’t even fill half of the gaze with her eyes.

She was roughly the height of an upper elementary school student. Thanks to the keychains hanging from her bag and the pressed baseball cap, she didn’t look like an elementary student.

She approached us, her black short hair peeking through her hat.

Silent. No, her body had so little weight that there was no sound.

And she arrived at her designated spot across from me, sitting naturally.

That’s when our eyes met for the first time.

Her jet-black pupils contained a vast sense of self. Her fierce cat-like face seemed cute yet wild, as if she would act on her own accord.

As if examining her, she also scrutinized my face and body.

Then, her small lips parted.

“Are you the one coming today…?”

“Probably…?”

“Really!? Wow~ I thought it was a lie when the vice-chairman said you were coming. How can someone whose name sounds like ‘coin’ end up here like a lost dog looking for its owner?”

…”

I was momentarily speechless.

Stunned, I blinked rapidly for a moment. Park Ayoung, seated next to me, gave me a stern look.

“Subin… Didn’t I tell you yesterday that joking about someone’s name is very disrespectful? Did you really want to break promises and be rude on our first meeting?”

“Oh~ The vice-chairman found it amusing when she first heard it. She even said I look subtly like a puppy~.”

“That, that’s because it’s a chat room where faces aren’t visible… Perhaps hiding one’s true feelings…?”

“You hid it and typed ‘ㅋㅋ’ thirty times? You really can’t even be honest as the vice president~ It would be so nice to be confident like our president~”

Upon hearing the conversation, a sense of betrayal crept in.

“Park Ayoung called me a bastard….”

“Oh! This might be a bit surprising, right? I always side with the Dogecoin seniors.”

“No! I didn’t mean it in that way. Goodness. I meant… why the cute and sturdy vibe…. There was absolutely no ill intention!”

“Wow~ Saying the Dogecoin seniors are cute~? That’s totally breaking news. I’ll report it to the school newspaper~.”

A female student named Subin. So when the accounting mentioned by the president came up, the student council buzzed like a marketplace.

Is this real MZ or something?

I can’t keep up with the conversation that has become too chaotic.

I distanced myself from the conversation and sipped on the remaining half of my black tea.

It feels stronger, perhaps because it cooled down a bit.

Watching me, the president chuckled.

“You’ve slightly drifted away from the main topic.”

“Yes. Is this how it usually is?”

“It’s somewhat similar. Today is actually on the milder side.”

“I felt a distance from what I imagined the student council to be. I thought they would handle important tasks calmly and quietly.”

In reality, rumors within the school mostly leaned towards this direction.

“We handle important tasks carefully…, but even then, we’re still rowdy. It’s our student council’s identity, so you’ll have to adapt too.”

“I’ve already adapted. I’ve roughly figured out what kind of people the members are.”

“Oh, I see. Then, what kind of people am I and the accounting person?”

“You, President, use refined actions but have a vulgar way of speaking, and the accounting person feels like a cat, self-centered and doing things their own way.”

“You’ve seen through us accurately. So, what about the vice president?”

“Bold and pretending not to care, but secretly helping out in subtle ways?”

The president burst into laughter.

“Haha! You hit the nail on the head. Indeed, someone who soothes the vice president’s lonely gaps.”

“It’s not like that between us. And wasn’t what you said earlier a bit too primitive in terms of sexual harassment? What if Ayoung decides to sue later on…”

“I guess I’ll have to hire a lawyer then.”

“You really won’t stop saying you won’t do it even if you die.”

“It’s just a rare pleasure.”

For a moment of muttering, the president seemed much older than me.

Like an elder feeling disillusioned with the world. It’s about painting the world and surroundings with a gray hue.

It seemed inappropriate for her age, and without realizing it, words slipped out of my mouth.

“If you’re the president, you probably have more days ahead than days you’ve lived. Maybe you can find something more fun than sexual harassment.”

“Maybe. Perhaps you could become my source of enjoyment.”

“Well, they say don’t bite off more than you can chew. But please don’t deliberately sexually harass me for your amusement. I will genuinely sue.”

“Haha! If the lower ranks are big, the upper ranks should be generous. Keep the lawsuit tucked deep inside.”

“I’ll consider it.”

Pouring tea into the cup, the president spoke.

“Rather than that, shall we introduce ourselves at least? It might take a while for those two to finish fighting.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Well, I’m Hahyojin, the 27th Student Council President of Garam High School. I’m in the third grade, so if there’s work to be done or if you feel lonely, come to Class 3 for help.”

“I’m Do Jinwoo. A second-year student in Class 1, and I won’t be coming to you for help.”

“Why are you deciding that?”

“Of course, it’s my decision. Who else would decide?”

“A man’s lower half isn’t controlled by reason alone…. Since you deny it today, I’ll let it slide.”

Hyojin shrugged and reached out his hand.

“For that reason, shall we shake hands?”

“I don’t see the connection between shaking hands and that… but I’ll make an exception and shake your hand.”

I tightly grasped Han Hyojin’s hand. Apart from her brown skin, it was as soft and tender as a baby.

“Your Honor… is that what I should call you?”

“Hmm… that’s a vague answer. Rather than that, please refrain from fetishizing my hand. It’s a bit awkward for me to indulge in such fetishes.”

“But I’m not like that.”

“Tsk. I’ll keep an eye on you.”

We shook hands up and down a few times.

And at that sight, the two people who were fighting stopped and looked at us.

“Chairman, what are you doing?”

“What’s up, Jinwoo?”

“Introductions.”

“…Not standing up, but introductions.”

In response to the following words, Park Ayoung nodded her head.

“Wasn’t it time for introductions?”

“Yes, quickly, Ayoung, introduce yourself too.”

“Why bother.”

Park Ayoung stood up from her seat.

“I’m Park Ayoung. I am the vice president of the student council at Garam High School. I’m in 2nd grade, class 1. Nice to meet you.”

“I’ll do my best too. Vice President Park Ayoung.”

Next was the turn of the treasurer.

“Hehe, my name is Lee Subin. I’m in charge of the accounts~ I’m not committing crimes and doing accounting, it’s a different kind of accounting. I’m in 1st grade, class 5~.”

“Jinwoo, I’ll rely on you.”

“Yes~ Senior Doji.”

“Sure, use whatever nickname you like.”

“Wow~ You’re cool. Our vice president was terrified as soon as we gave her a nickname.”

“Perhaps Ayoung today…”

“That’s right! That thing! Anyway, these days kids!”

Even if it’s not just kids these days, they dislike it.

And in the first place, you fall into the category of kids these days too.

I held back a lot of arguments. I’ll explain kindly when we get closer.

As I made this commitment in my mind, Park Ayoung, who glanced at the clock for a moment, asked,

“But Jinwoo, do you have work today?”

I checked the time.

5:10. I deliberately delayed my part-time job, but if I don’t leave soon, I’ll be late.

“Oh, I have to go now.”

I stood up from my seat.

“Due to personal reasons, I’ll leave first.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow~ Doji, Doji puppy senior.”

Just as I was about to leave, with my head shaking at the increasing nicknames –

Park Ayoung stopped me.

“Jinwoo! I couldn’t mention it earlier because of the situation, but can you come to school around 7 a.m. tomorrow? We have to check the uniforms for the new semester.”

“Got it, I’ll come to school early in the morning.”

“Yes! And I’ll invite you to the group chat…. Can you give me your phone number?”

She shyly handed me her phone. Cherry blossoms fluttered in the background. Birds chirped in my ears, and the scent of spring wafted through my nose.

Ah… I felt like I had stepped into a page of a real youth drama.

“Oh, really?”

After tilting my head in confusion, I punched in my phone number on her phone.

“Here, I’ll go now. See you tomorrow, Ayoung.”

“See you tomorrow, Jinwoo!”

Leaving behind Park Ayoung’s enthusiastic farewell, I left the student council room.

It was spring.