Chapter 22 (Continued)

 

Turning away from the immediate and painful obstacles and indulging in some escapism was the best way to maximize dopamine release. It was a privilege of life that could only be enjoyed during exam periods.

 

“Hehe.”

 

Yesong had chosen to live ‘happily’ rather than endure the pain of exams. That was one way to enjoy youth, wasn’t it?

 

‘Carefree…’

 

It made me a bit envious. Here I was, tirelessly working to prevent a dystopian future…

 

But there was nothing I could say. Despite appearances, Yesong’s grades were good enough to not tarnish the image of the Disciplinary Committee members.

 

In reality, she was genuinely diligent in her studies, hidden behind that carefree smile. I wished she would put that effort into work as well.

 

“Leader, here.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

I took a sip of the warm coffee Baek-seo had brought.

 

Caffeine, the essential buff during exam periods.

 

I had already had an energy drink, but sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now. I needed to consume more caffeine to push away any lingering desire for sleep, even at the cost of my health.

 

“By the way, Park Minhyuk, aren’t you studying?”

 

Yesong asked Minhyuk.

 

“My priority is work. Reducing the Leader’s workload is much more valuable and important than some exams.”

 

So he’s putting studies on the back burner.

 

“Even without extra studying, I can still outperform you.”

 

“Yesong scoffed. “Acting all high and mighty with that memory advantage of yours?”

 

She snickered.

 

“Did you forget? You suck at math.”

 

“I don’t suck…”

 

“Come on, Minhyuk? Don’t you lag behind in problem-solving and arithmetic despite your memory skills?”

 

“No… I don’t…”

 

“Yes, you do. Shall we compare grades?”

 

Even Minhyuk couldn’t withstand Yesong’s teasing.

 

“Yeah, you’re right… I suck at math…”

 

Minhyuk quickly bowed his head and fell into a state of self-loathing. He was back to his usual depressed state. His mental fortitude was weaker than a thin potato chip. He needed to learn to fight back a little.

 

Yesong, satisfied with her victory, shot me a triumphant look. What for?

 

“Just kidding, Minhyuk! Cheer up, okay?”

 

Yesong giggled as she grabbed Minhyuk’s shoulders and shook him back and forth. Minhyuk swayed helplessly like a reed in the wind.

 

“Leader. Here’s something the student council gave us earlier. Want to try it first?”

 

Just then, Baek-seo naturally picked up a snack and brought it to my mouth. Her gentle voice was quite pleasing.

 

“Sure.”

 

I ate what she offered without hesitation. It was a sweet chocolate pastry. Delicious.

 

“…”

 

Baek-seo’s smiling face looked like that of a kindergarten teacher feeding a child something tasty and feeling content about it.

 

I ate reflexively, but it somehow damaged my pride.

 

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her studying…’

 

Oh Baek-seo. She had always held the top spot in the school rankings.

 

Yet, I had never once seen her study.

 

In my past life, there were types like her too. They didn’t seem to study at all, but when exams came, they always topped the charts.

 

She must be studying diligently in secret, with stacks of reference books and problem sets.

 

She was exceptional in every way, academically and in terms of abilities. It made her even more of a burden for me. Like an ant standing before an elephant. It was overwhelming.

 

“Leader.”

 

“?”

 

As Yesong continued to playfully shake Minhyuk’s shoulders, Baek-seo suddenly leaned in, covering her mouth with her hand, and whispered to me in a soft voice.

 

“Do you want to study together later?”

 

“Hm?”

 

What?

 

‘Together…?’

 

A momentary thrill was followed by clarity.

 

This was… an incredible opportunity.

 

Caught up in my competitiveness, I had forgotten the basic fact that friends often study together. Baek-seo must have suggested it because she considered me a friend she could be comfortable with.

 

The idea of studying with Baek-seo was as tempting as a juicy fruit, one I wanted to bite into immediately.

 

Because.

 

‘I could see how Baek-seo studies…?’

 

There was no way I could pass up this chance.

 

Everyone in this office was my rival. No exceptions.

 

I had to be the only one to observe how the top student, the unparalleled Baek-seo, studied. Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated.

 

Even if it seemed petty, there was no helping it. In the face of exams, there’s no room for pride. This was a form of battle.

 

Before Baek-seo could change her mind, I quickly put my hand over my mouth and whispered back into her ear. The urgency to seize the opportunity made my actions hasty.

 

“Yes, definitely. Let’s study together later.”

 

“…!”

 

As I whispered, Baek-seo flinched. Then, very subtly, her body seemed to tremble.

 

…No way, did her body really tremble? Did I see it wrong?

 

“Yes…”

 

Baek-seo, unlike her usual relaxed manner, pulled away from me a bit hastily.

 

“?”

 

What’s going on?

 

Baek-seo’s face held her usual graceful smile. Nothing seemed different.

 

Was the odd feeling just my imagination?

 

“Zzz…”

 

Suddenly, Yoo Doha began to snore. Everyone’s attention turned toward her.

 

A brief silence followed her snoring.

 

Doha was asleep on the sofa, her skirt slipping to reveal her shorts. She looked like an old man at a sauna.

 

“She’ll probably get perfect scores in math again.”

 

Yesong remarked.

 

Not just in math.

 

Do-ha excelled in her elective subject, accounting. At least in subjects related to numbers, she was unrivaled. Even Baek-seo couldn’t compete.

 

However, because she only studied subjects she was interested in, her grades in other subjects weren’t great. Fortunately, her combat abilities were decent enough to keep her overall grades in the upper-middle range.

 

‘At least she’s better than Baek-seo at something.’

 

I felt a bit deflated.

 

‘I need to study…’

 

My eyes returned to the textbook.

 

…

 

“Weren’t we supposed to study together?”

 

“We are.”

 

“Then why are we here?”

 

Baek-seo and I were alone in the training room.

 

It was a private training space that we had reserved for today.

 

“Because it’s more private here?”

 

Baek-seo smiled meaningfully.

 

I couldn’t understand her true intentions.