Chapter 57 – Rule 22. The Leader Stays Composed (5)

 

“I’m telling you, Leader and Baek-seo are definitely dating!”

 

Near the campsite, in a café.

 

It was located along a mountain road, a place that repurposed an old train, decorating its exterior and interior beautifully.

 

There, two Ahsung High School Disciplinary Committee executives sat together.

 

“Hooh.”

 

Treasurer Yoo Doha sipped his iced Americano, reacting nonchalantly.

 

“They might not be officially dating, but they’re definitely in a romantic phase…!”

 

Ha Yesong spoke earnestly.

 

“Don’t you think you’re a little too interested in their love life?”

 

“What are you saying, human? You’re interested too, that’s why you’re part of this plan.”

 

“I just didn’t want to interfere with them.”

 

Doha calmly stared at the CoconutTalk chat window on his smartphone.

 

Secretary Park Minhyuk, Yesong, and Doha had all made excuses to skip the camp at the last minute.

 

Vice-Leader Oh Baek-seo, known as the saint of Ahsung High School, would have likely noticed their true intentions and remained composed, but what about Leader Ahn Woo-jin’s mood?

 

It probably wouldn’t be good, no matter how you look at it.

 

“Worried?”

 

“Skipping the camp on the day itself isn’t a great stance to take.”

 

“Hey, Doha? This is a golden opportunity! It’s an inevitable risk. The two of them will probably be thrilled with this chance.”

 

Yesong was excited.

 

After all, it was the romance of her close colleague Leader Ahn Woo-jin and Vice-Leader Oh Baek-seo. Naturally, she couldn’t help but be intensely curious.

 

“Hmph… Do as you please.”

 

Doha turned away, snickering.

 

He felt resigned.

 

“Oh, here he is.”

 

When the phone on the table vibrated, Yesong answered the call.

 

Yesong and Doha leaned closer to the phone.

 

“Minhyuk-ssi. How’s it going?”

 

─ A variable has emerged.

 

“?”

 

─ The Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee Leader is here…!

 

Why is he here?

 

Yesong and Doha both showed identical expressions of confusion.

 

***

 

“Ahem….”

 

I couldn’t help but make an awkward cough.

 

Since Baek-seo accepted the suggestion to have the retreat just the two of us with a “It can’t be helped.”

 

‘Suddenly, it’s not a retreat but a date….’

 

I wasn’t sure about Baek-seo’s thoughts, but to me, it was definitely a date.

 

“Baek-seo, I’m going to the bathroom for a bit.”

 

“Okay. I’ll look around here.”

 

As soon as I entered the bathroom, I immediately accessed the internet on my smartphone.

 

I posted a question on Speedy Knowledge.

 

Q. What do a man and a woman usually do when they go on a 1-night, 2-day trip together?

 

A. They engage in intercourse.

 

I clicked the dislike button on the answer.

 

Then, after thinking about it, it seemed like a reasonable answer, so I also clicked the like button.

 

A2. Seems like you’re single. They usually visit beautiful places or enjoy various experiences. They generally take a lot of photos, to create memories and to show off on social media.

 

Photos!

 

‘That makes sense.’

 

Couples usually take all kinds of photos when they travel.

 

‘The tutorial on how to take profile pictures for a girlfriend might come in handy.’

 

I had randomly watched a YouTube video titled ‘How to Take Profile Pictures for Your Girlfriend’ out of boredom before.

 

Back then, I imagined Kim Dalbi would be my girlfriend, not Baek-seo.

 

‘That makes me a bit sad.’

 

But no time for such thoughts now.

 

Feeling annoyed at being labeled single, I disliked the second answer as well before leaving the bathroom.

 

“Baek-seo?”

 

Coming out of the bathroom, I looked for Baek-seo.

 

‘It’s quiet. Did she go out?’

 

I stepped out of the log cabin.

 

I immediately noticed Secretary Park Minhyuk hiding in a tree but pretended not to see him.
He was trying to act like a spy movie protagonist, and it would be rude to disturb him. I was just glad he wasn’t actually sick with a summer cold.

 

“Hmm?”

 

I found Baek-seo.

 

She was talking to a familiar man and woman.

 

“Ah, Leader.”

 

“!”

 

When Baek-seo called me, the two looked startled.

 

Glasses guy.

 

The one from the exchange meeting with the Ahsung High School Disciplinary Committee….

 

‘Lee Jae-ho?’

 

It was Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee Leader Lee Jae-ho and Vice-Leader Shin Ga-yeon.

 

“Ahn Woo-jin…?”

 

Jae-ho was surprised.

 

Ga-yeon quickly composed herself and bowed to me.

 

“Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee, why are you here…?”

 

I asked as I approached Baek-seo.

 

Jae-ho and Ga-yeon were in perfect vacation attire. It was clear they had come here to relax.

 

“They said they’re here for a retreat like us, but their other members couldn’t make it due to circumstances.”

 

Baek-seo answered on their behalf.

 

‘For a retreat, the cabin seems small?’

 

The log cabin behind them.

 

It looked just right for two people.

 

“Never expected to run into Ahsung High School in a place like this….”

 

Jae-ho adjusted his glasses with his usual seriousness.

 

“Don’t tell me you’re here to spy on Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee? Did you use informants for this too?”

 

“No way….”

 

Maybe because of the arm-wrestling match we had during the exchange meeting, his suspicion seemed heightened.

 

“Leader, please stop imagining things. It’s obviously a coincidence.”

 

Vice-Leader Shin Ga-yeon rebuked with an annoyed expression.

 

“Vice-Leader, why would I meet this guy by coincidence? What’s so special about coincidences!?”

 

“There’s no way to answer if you blame coincidences….”

 

Ga-yeon sighed softly.

 

“This place has good conditions, great views, unlimited meat, and high ratings as a campsite.”

 

“But…!”

 

“We booked late, so this was the only time we could get. Ahsung High School might have booked late too, given the amount of incidents they’ve been dealing with. It’s quite possible.”

 

“I know that!”

 

Jae-ho flared up.

 

‘Why don’t you just ask us directly?’

 

I didn’t understand why he was making deductions in front of us.
Even if they were correct deductions.

 

“Leader.”

 

While Jae-ho and Ga-yeon were bickering, Baek-seo whispered to me, covering her mouth with her hand.

 

“Let’s pretend we don’t know.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Interesting.

 

From the game, I knew Lee Jae-ho had a sister complex.

 

He adored and admired his sister.

 

But did that emotion have nothing to do with romantic feelings?

 

Or was Shin Ga-yeon attractive enough to surpass even that?

 

Well, the result was right in front of me.

 

‘We’re in the same boat.’

 

Mayeon High School also forbids dating on campus.

 

However, the Disciplinary Committee, which is supposed to enforce the rules, having its Leader and Vice-Leader break the rules….

 

‘I’m not in a position to criticize.’

 

I felt a sense of kinship rather than contempt.

 

Of course, I still strictly followed the rules.

 

“That’s it. I’m heading back first!”

 

Jae-ho stomped off back to the log cabin.

 

“Rest well, Ahsung High School.”

 

“You too.”

 

Ga-yeon greeted us politely before following Jae-ho.

 

***