Chapter 13 – Rule 8. The Leader Maintains Dignity Even at Exchange Meetings (2)

 

Mayeon High School.

 

One of the major schools in Academy City with self-governing authority.

 

More than any other school, it shares the highest ratio of bordering district with Ahsung High School.

 

As a result, disputes often arose over the punishment of criminals who crossed between the two school districts.

 

Over time, the conflicts deepened, and the two schools frequently glared and growled at each other.

 

Thus, it was famously known as the school with the worst relationship with Ahsung High School.

 

Since I became the Disciplinary Committee Leader, there have been no conflicts with Mayeon High.

 

Of course, I was always prepared for one to occur in the future.

 

Today might be that day.

 

‘I hope the exchange meeting ends without incident….’

 

Although not religious, I had prayed to God this morning.

 

Be it God, Buddha, or ,Golden Sheep I hoped they would hear my prayer.

 

There were scheduled to be two Disciplinary Committee exchange meetings this year.

 

The first semester at Ahsung High School and the second semester at Mayeon High School.

 

So this time, the exchange meeting was held at Ahsung High School.

 

Our Ahsung High greeted the Mayeon High students, dressed in their maroon uniforms.

 

“Welcome, students of Mayeon High School.”

 

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Ahsung High School.”

 

The student council presidents of both schools led the way, exchanging cordial greetings.

 

‘So she is the student council president.’

 

The girl smiling brightly like a fully bloomed flower was the student council president of Mayeon High.

 

Her smile seemed to create a field of flowers, like something out of a romance comic.

 

Because of that, the atmosphere of the Disciplinary Committee standing behind her looked dramatically contrasting.

 

Gloomy, one might say.

 

Our Disciplinary Committee was no different.

 

Because we were wary of each other.

 

The Disciplinary Committees also greeted each other.

 

“Welcome, Mayeon High’s Disciplinary Committee Leader. I am the Disciplinary Committee Leader, Ahn Woo-jin, and this is Vice-Leader Oh Baek-seo.”

 

“Ha ha. Nice to meet you, Leader Ahn Woo-jin. I am Leader Lee Jae-ho, and this is Vice-Leader Shin Ga-yeon.”

 

We shook hands out of courtesy.

 

“Ha ha.”

 

“Ho ho.”

 

Oh boy, what a firm grip.

 

Let’s not start a power struggle here….

 

Lee Jae-ho, the bespectacled male Disciplinary Committee Leader, was openly displaying his wariness towards me.

 

I immediately recognized him as a tiger cub hiding its claws.

 

Ready to scratch my face at any moment.

 

I had no choice but to reveal my own wariness.

 

“Oh my, it’s nice to see you both smiling. I’m relieved….”

 

“It’s fortunate to see that we’re already getting along.”

 

The student council presidents of Mayeon High and Ahsung High babbled nonsense as they watched us.

 

I already felt troubled at the thought of seeing this guy twice.

 

“Everyone, please come this way! We’ve prepared plenty of delicious food!”

 

Ha Ye-song cheerfully led the Mayeon High students.

 

At least Ye-song was bright.

 

We went to the banquet hall and enjoyed the food and drinks set up buffet style. It was arranged with the support of the student council.

 

The somewhat unpleasant atmosphere was significantly mitigated by the cheerful music filling the banquet hall.

 

The student council presidents and key members of the student council were to dine in a separate space.

 

Meanwhile, I had no choice but to dine with the Mayeon High Disciplinary Committee Leader and Vice-Leader, along with Oh Baek-seo. It couldn’t be helped; it would look odd if we weren’t together.

 

In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, while we were only moving our utensils, Mayeon High’s Disciplinary Committee Leader Lee Jae-ho raised his glass and spoke.

 

“I’m not pleased.”

 

Jae-ho muttered, almost to himself.

 

His gaze was fixed on the banner on the stage.

 

The banner read “Ahsung High School & Mayeon High School Exchange Meeting” in large letters.

 

“Having Ahsung High before Mayeon High is unacceptable.”

 

Jae-ho clicked his tongue.

 

‘Did he just say that out loud?’

 

I was utterly dumbfounded.

 

“This is Ahsung High. Next time, you can put Mayeon High first.”

 

“So you heard me. I was planning to do so anyway.”

 

Jae-ho’s petty mumbling broke the silence after several minutes, opening up conversation. I appreciated that.

 

“By the way, I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Leader Ahn Woo-jin.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. From resolving the Anomia train abduction incident single-handedly on your first day of activity to recently overwhelming the Sword Master of Sindorim in a duel…. You’ve already made quite a name for yourself. You’ll soon be a famous figure, won’t you?”

 

“It just happened that way. The duel with the Sword Master was particularly troublesome, though.”

 

Jae-ho adjusted his glasses once.

 

“Still, it’s fortunate. Leader Ahn Woo-jin, you haven’t troubled us with jurisdiction issues ‘yet’. It seems you have some sense.”

 

“……”

 

A subtle attempt at dominance.

 

It was incredibly uncomfortable.

 

“Leader Lee Jae-ho.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“We do not intend to cause conflicts with Mayeon High’s Disciplinary Committee.”

 

“We feel the same. However, please understand one thing. We have no intention of forming a friendly relationship with Ahsung High.”

 

Is this guy for real…?