Chapter 13 (Continued)

 

Even Mayeon High’s Vice-Leader, Shin Ga-yeon, flinched at her leader’s comment and subtly poked his thigh. She too seemed troubled.

 

However, Jae-ho wiped the bit of sauce from his mouth with a tissue, maintaining his determined attitude.

 

“We are only attending this exchange meeting under the directive of our student council president. I hope there are no misunderstandings.”

 

This is just great….

 

“…Leader Lee Jae-ho.”

 

Seeing the Vice-Leader of Mayeon High giving signals to maintain decorum, I considered keeping polite. But it was no use.

 

This bespectacled guy was crossing the line, and if I stayed silent, my reputation as the Disciplinary Committee Leader would be tarnished.

 

I leaned back in my chair and spoke.

 

“Why don’t we drop the formalities? It seems uncomfortable for you to keep using polite speech.”

 

“Are you sure about that?”

 

“Go ahead. We’re the same age anyway, aren’t we?”

 

“I’m a year older than you, kid.”

 

The moment he switched to informal speech, the tension eased slightly.

 

Although the atmosphere worsened and my morning prayer seemed in vain, this was preferable.

 

“Leader, mind your manners…”

 

Shin Ga-yeon, the Vice-Leader, whispered reproachfully to her leader.

 

“It still baffles me.”

 

Yet, Jae-ho didn’t stop. He folded his arms and continued.

 

“Why Ahsung High’s Disciplinary Committee chose a fourth-rank human over Oh Baek-seo for the leader position… Tsk.”

 

Jae-ho clicked his tongue.

 

‘Is this a provocation?’

 

Whether he thought so or not, Jae-ho knew that statement was a sore spot for me.

 

It was clear he was provoking me, hoping I would lose my temper.

 

If I showed anger here, the situation would surely escalate. Yes, Jae-ho was testing me arrogantly.

 

So, just as I was about to steer the conversation away,

 

“Stop with the pointless talk….”
“Care to repeat that?”

 

“……?”

 

While I was trying to avoid the provocation and change the topic, a sharp voice came from beside me.

 

A soft yet cold tone.

 

It was Oh Baek-seo, seated next to me, who spoke.

 

Baek-seo was smiling only with her mouth, her eyes fiercely glaring at the Mayeon High leader.

 

Jae-ho and Ga-yeon showed signs of surprise.

 

Especially Jae-ho, who seemed not to expect Baek-seo to get angry instead of me.

 

“Woo-jin became the leader because he deserved it.”

 

While we remained silent, Baek-seo spoke clearly in a smooth yet firm voice.

 

“Why we should bother getting close to people who can’t even recognize that, is beyond us too.”

 

Baek-seo smiled sweetly.
Despite her polite phrasing, it was evident she was furious.

 

“…I see. I apologize for the earlier rudeness.”

 

Jae-ho closed his eyes and adjusted his glasses.

 

It became evident that his intent was to provoke me as the leader. He desired a power struggle between the leaders.

 

If he had a grudge against Ahsung High’s Disciplinary Committee as a whole, he would have shown anger when Baek-seo made his sharp remark.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Clicking my tongue lightly, I seized the opportunity Baek-seo had created.

 

“The recreation activities will begin shortly.”

 

I looked towards the stage.

 

“We’ve prepared activities filled with ‘competitive elements’ to foster our ‘friendship,’ so I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.”

 

I emphasized “friendship” and “competitive elements” on purpose.

 

Recreation.

 

It’s typically just an event to foster some enjoyment in an awkward group setting.

 

Given the bad relationship between Ahsung High and Mayeon High, planning such an event seemed rather clueless.

 

However,

 

What if the so-called “recreation” was actually a “competition” to determine who is superior?

 

The significance changes entirely.

 

“Splendid. You’ve prepared a lot. We’ll gladly enjoy it, Ahsung High.”

 

Jae-ho smirked.

 

Thankfully, he understood my hidden message immediately.

 

In fact, I had anticipated Jae-ho’s aggressive attitude from the start.

 

While preparing for the exchange meeting, I had gathered information on Mayeon High’s current Disciplinary Committee Leader, Lee Jae-ho.

 

Lee Jae-ho had a tendency to assert dominance over Ahsung High’s Disciplinary Committee.

 

Much like the saying “A nation that forgets its history has no future,” he believed that standing superior to Ahsung High, known for frequent disputes, was the way to benefit Mayeon High.

 

I respected his intentions.

 

His logic was to gain an upper hand for his school through the principle of power.

 

Thus, we had prepared a “competition” under the guise of “recreation.”

 

To respect his intent and determine which Disciplinary Committee was superior.

 

‘This is a crucial matter that concerns my dignity as the leader and the honor of our committee.’

 

What’s the point of being nice to those who want to trample over us?

 

We’d only end up being taken for fools.

 

Therefore, we had to win this contest.

 

Doing so would not only boost my prestige as the leader but also put the Mayeon High bunch in their place.

 

Shortly after, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed, leaving only the stage illuminated.

 

The music in the banquet hall quieted, and soon an Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee member took the stage with a microphone.

 

“Welcome everyone to the Disciplinary Committee Exchange Meeting!”

 

All eyes in the Disciplinary Committees were focused on the stage.

 

A large camera was directed at the stage.

 

The camera feed was being transmitted to the banquet hall where other Disciplinary Committee members were gathered.

 

Naturally, not all committee members were in this banquet hall. Otherwise, the hall would be packed.

 

Thus, some members were split into other halls to enjoy the exchange meeting.

 

“We have prepared some recreation activities for a joyous day like today.”

 

The host received formal cheers from both Disciplinary Committees as they introduced the activities and the prizes.

 

* * *

 

“Wow…. They’ve even prepared recreation activities! I wonder if this will help Mayeon High and Ahsung High’s Disciplinary Committees get along better?”

 

“Of course it will. Just look at the leaders laughing and talking. They seem to get along well already. They might become close friends soon….”

 

“Oh my. That’s wonderful! My brother is such a kind person; he only befriends kind people, right? If Jae-ho likes him, he must be really kind…! This is great….”

 

The Mayeon High student council president chatted excitedly with the Ahsung High student council president while observing the banquet hall atmosphere through the window.
Her eyes sparkled brightly.

 

‘She’s more innocent than she looks.’

 

The Ahsung High student council president thought while sipping his drink.

 

Initially, he had been wary of Mayeon High’s proposal for an exchange meeting. The reason he eventually accepted the proposal was purely for the sake of achievements.

 

He had thought just meeting the formalities would be enough.

 

However, after several attempts to gauge the Mayeon High student council president, he realized her intentions were pure and decided to set aside his suspicions.

 

‘Might as well get along.’

 

If the two Disciplinary Committees became friendly, it would reduce troublesome issues during his term as the student council president.

 

Getting people to become friends is always a good thing.

 

The Ahsung High student council president thought so.

 

While he was letting his guard down,
Just as the recreation was reaching its final stage, the anticipated trouble finally occurred.