Chapter 6 – Rule 4: The Leader monitors potential villains (2).

 

‘To keep an eye on Lee Se-Ah, I need to create a point of contact first.’

 

I needed to create an environment where we could naturally meet and become friends.

 

Trying to secretly monitor someone as perceptive as Lee Se-Ah would be a foolish choice.

 

‘To make contact… is volunteer work my only option?’

 

Since we were in different grades and different clubs, the only way to make contact was through Lee Se-Ah’s main activity, which was volunteering.

 

Conveniently, Lee Se-Ah volunteered three times a week at the free meal center, ‘One Meal of Love.’ This wasn’t an official activity of the Volunteer Club. She had been doing this even before she entered Ahsung High School.

 

However, there was a risk involved.

 

‘Then again, Lee Se-Ah might find me suspicious.’

 

On the surface, I was the person who preemptively understood Anomia’s plan and resolved the subway kidnapping incident.

 

So, it didn’t make sense that I wouldn’t know Lee Se-Ah was Anomia’s target.

 

If I suddenly started volunteering to get involved with Lee Se-Ah?

 

She would inevitably become suspicious.

 

‘Isn’t there a more natural way?’

 

I needed to think.

 

A way to naturally make contact with Lee Se-Ah.

 

A way to monitor her.

 

I was deep in thought as I arrived at the shoe locker.

 

“Huh?”

 

There was a note inside the shoe locker. Another confession letter?

 

I read it.

 

[Senior, feel free to monitor me. I won’t run away, haha – Lee Se-Ah]

 

“……”

 

Without hesitation, I applied to volunteer at ‘One Meal of Love’ using my smartphone.

 

What was I even worrying about, against someone who would become a master of the underworld? A feeling of futility washed over me.

 

……

 

“Thinking about helping the needy again today makes my heart flutter…, heh heh….”

 

“Hee hee….”

 

“Ha ha…. Poor folks, let us bestow some ‘good deeds’ upon them…!”

 

After school.

 

Lee Se-Ah’s steps were light as she headed to ‘One Meal of Love’ with her fellow Volunteer Club members.

 

We shared the same destination. However, knowing that an awkward atmosphere would be inevitable, I kept a distance from them.

 

“Welcome, Se-Ah!”

 

“Oh, hello!”

 

The group was welcomed by the volunteers upon arriving at ‘One Meal of Love.’

 

The volunteers there were all about my age. Judging by their lack of school uniforms, they were likely dropouts, expelled students, or students on leave.

 

After observing the situation from outside, I entered. Lee Se-Ah and her group were donning red aprons over their black uniforms.

 

“Huh? Are you new here?”

 

“I’m Ahn Woo-jin.”

 

When the volunteer awkwardly asked, I took off my hat and greeted politely.

 

I had taken off the Disciplinary Committee Leader armband and put it in my pocket.

 

“?”

 

Lee Se-Ah glanced at me and started whispering with her group.

 

It was a natural reaction.

 

A student at Ahsung High School who didn’t know me was either a dumb spy or a recluse completely disconnected from the world. At least, Lee Se-Ah and her group didn’t seem to fall into those categories.

 

The volunteer who welcomed me had a bright smile on their face.

 

“Yes, Woo-jin. Welcome! We will open at 6 o’clock. Until then, we’ll be preparing the meals.

 

Would you mind taking charge of the rice?”

 

“Sure, no problem.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Afterward, the volunteer briefly explained what I needed to do. Since it wasn’t complicated, there was no need to rack my brain.

 

I took off my school jacket and put on a red apron, then headed towards the warming machine. I could still feel Lee Se-Ah’s gaze. When I looked at her, our eyes met.

 

Lee Se-Ah beamed brightly. She seemed genuinely pleased to see me.

 

‘What was I being so cautious about…?’

 

I had no idea when she realized I was monitoring her.

 

I suddenly felt foolish for trying to secretly monitor such a person.

 

Lee Se-Ah and her group bowed to me. It was a sign of respect towards the Disciplinary Committee Leader. I just nodded and started moving the cart.

 

Large rice containers were stacked vertically and kept warm. I moved the hot containers from the warming machine to the cart and placed them in a convenient location for replacement during the free meal service.

 

Just before 6 o’clock,

 

I stood in front of the rice containers with a rice paddle.

 

Next to me, handling the soup, was Lee Se-Ah. She kept stirring the miso soup in the soup pot with a ladle.

 

We were ready to welcome those lining up outside.

 

“Did you check your horoscope today?”

 

“?”

 

A sudden question popped out of Lee Se-Ah’s mouth. Her voice was fluttery like a butterfly’s wing.

 

Her squinting eyes were directed at me.

 

“Horoscope?”

 

“I’m a Sagittarius. What about you, Disciplinary Committee Leader?”

 

“I’m a Sagittarius too.”

 

“Oh, we have something in common?”

 

Lee Se-Ah giggled.

 

A horoscope, huh? Now I was curious.

 

“What does today’s horoscope say?”

 

“It says to be cautious of the person you meet today. It could turn into a deep connection or a bad relationship.”

 

Swish.

 

I immediately took out my smartphone to check my horoscope.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“Verification. I can’t rest easy until I confirm things like this.”

 

“Wow~, you really live up to being the Disciplinary Committee Leader! I didn’t expect this…!

 

Truly impressive, really.”

 

Lee Se-Ah chuckled, seemingly amused.

 

“It’s true.”

 

The Sagittarius horoscope was exactly as Lee Se-Ah had said.

 

I quickly put my smartphone back in my pocket.

 

“Senior. Do you think we will have a good relationship or a bad one?”

 

Probably a bad one.

 

I’m someone who needs to catch villains, and you’re someone who’s going to become one.

 

“With the number of people I’ve met today, how can I determine that for each person?”

 

“Oh, you’re quite cold. It’s all just for fun, anyway. By the way, have you always been active in volunteer work, Senior?”

 

Se-Ah smoothly shifted the topic to something new.

 

Despite this being our first conversation, there wasn’t a hint of awkwardness. It felt like the flow of conversation was natural from the start.

 

‘Let’s not let my guard down….’

 

It was all part of Se-Ah’s plan.

 

In the game, Lee Se-Ah becomes the head of the Do-hwa Group and a significant villain in the underworld. She’s excellent at business and has a knack for charming people.

 

If I didn’t watch out for her silver tongue, I might find myself entranced by her without realizing it.

 

I needed to be cautious.

 

“I haven’t done much of it. What about you?”

 

“Is there any need to ask?”

 

Her eyes formed a crescent shape, and she wore a subtle, enigmatic smile.

 

“You came here knowing everything already.”

 

“……”

 

…Right.

 

We weren’t naive enough to be having innocent chit-chat pretending we didn’t know anything.

 

Ring!

 

“It’s 6 o’clock! Everyone, please come in one by one!”

 

The bell rang just as the door opened, and the volunteer welcomed the people lined up outside into the meal center.

 

They were all teenagers or young adults.

 

I served the appropriate amount of rice onto the trays they brought. Since there wasn’t much to say, I stayed quiet while doing it, but next to me, Se-Ah kept chatting non-stop.

 

“Enjoy your meal. I tasted the miso soup earlier, and it was fantastic!”

 

“Wow~, your bangs are really nicely cut. Did you do it yourself? Wow, could you help me with mine next time?”

 

“Heh, you look better since you started dating, don’t you?”

 

“Oh, you’re refusing the soup solids? You might regret that.”

 

With her sociable personality and years of volunteer experience, she seemed to get along well with everyone. Even I, standing next to her, felt a sense of familiarity.

 

Honestly, seeing her laughing and chatting with people was quite a pleasant sight.

 

But Lee Se-Ah was essentially a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I couldn’t be fooled by appearances.

 

“Am I bothering you?”

 

“What?”

 

Se-Ah suddenly asked me.

 

“I wasn’t even looking at you.”

 

“But you did? At least six times with side glances? Oh dear…, was it my mistake?”

 

Se-Ah smiled playfully.

 

Indeed, I had glanced at her five or six times.

 

I realized once again.

 

The moment I thought I could secretly monitor this person was a mistake.

 

……

 

“Good job, everyone!”

 

“You all did great~.”

 

The doors of ‘One Meal of Love’ closed, and the cleanup was finished.

 

“Ha ha…. Not much food waste. We’ve reduced waste…!”

 

“Hmm…, it was worth serving generously.”

 

Lee Se-Ah and her group laughed slyly, almost as if they were plotting a crime. Judging by their expressions alone, they seemed like they were about to commit a serious crime.

 

However, their conversation was as wholesome and heartwarming as something out of an elementary school textbook.

 

As I took off my apron and put on my school jacket, I made eye contact with Se-Ah. She smiled sweetly and then spoke to her group.

 

“You guys go ahead. I have an appointment with the Disciplinary Committee Leader.

 

Apparently, there’s something he needs to discuss with me regarding the last incident, or maybe something about the disciplinary committee?”

 

Se-Ah made an excuse to her friends.

 

* * *

 

The ‘One Meal of Love’ members dispersed, leaving Ahn Woo-jin and Lee Se-Ah alone as they walked to the park. The sun had completely set by then.

 

“Drink up. I don’t know if you like it or not.”

 

Woo-jin handed a can of coffee to Se-Ah.

 

Since they weren’t in an adversarial relationship yet, and he didn’t have any ill feelings toward her, he bought her a drink as a senior.

 

“Wow, I love coffee. Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”

 

Se-Ah accepted the warm can of coffee and pressed it against her soft, white cheek, savoring the warmth.

 

“It’s warm~.”

 

They leaned against the fence side by side, sipping their canned coffee.

 

The park’s scenery, illuminated by streetlights, unfolded before their eyes. Being spring, the flowers were in full bloom.

 

A spring breeze caressed their skin, and Woo-jin finally spoke.

 

“When did you find out?”