Election Campaign
Just because the Geumgang Festival had come to an end did not mean the student council’s work was finished.
There were still the accounts to settle.
And so, after spending the weekend, Do Si-eun and the student council officers had to get to work as soon as Monday arrived.
“President, here’s the statement compiling this year’s sales. After totaling everything, sales increased by 9% compared to last year. Net profit rose by about the same amount, too.”
“All right, thank you. We can use part of the profit we earned for student welfare, and add whatever’s left to next year’s student council budget.”
“Si-eun, I uploaded the footage from the Geumgang Festival to cloud storage. It should be more than enough material for next year’s admissions promotional video. And these are the results of the survey we gave to festival visitors.”
The head of accounting and the head of public relations reported in.
Do Si-eun skimmed through the submitted materials to check if anything seemed off.
As she did, she chatted with the two of them.
“But it’s a little disappointing…. It’s money we worked hard to earn, but we have to leave it for next year’s student council. Next year, you’ll be graduating, President, and I don’t think I’ll be in the student council either….”
“I feel similarly. The video we shot this time is for next year’s student council, too.”
The head of accounting sighed as she grumbled, and the head of public relations chimed in as if she agreed.
Do Si-eun gave a bitter smile at their words.
“Supporting next year’s student council so they can do well is part of our role too. Just as we inherited a lot from the previous student council, we should pass things on as well. If only for the people who’ll remain in the student council next year. Still, it’s not as if I don’t understand how you feel.”
It felt as though she had only recently taken office as student council president, and yet her term was already nearing its end.
Time truly passed quickly.
Now that the Geumgang Festival was over, it was time to prepare for next year’s student council president election.
Feeling, in an unspoken way, that her graduation was not far off, Do Si-eun was struck by a faint loneliness.
It was then that a knock sounded at the door.
She infused her voice with mana and projected it so the person outside could hear.
“Yes, come in.”
A moment later, the door opened.
The person who stepped into the student council room was Do Gyeon-u’s childhood friend, Yeon Haneul.
“Hello, Si-eun unni, and hello to all the other seniors too.”
“Haneul, you’re here. Welcome. But what are those in your hands?”
“Oh, these are… well, I felt awkward coming empty-handed. Everyone, please have one while you work.”
“You didn’t have to buy these…. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Yeon Haneul was holding carriers in both hands, filled with as many coffees as there were officers working in the student council room.
The officers who had grown close to her during the Geumgang Festival welcomed the coffee she handed out.
Do Si-eun declined in words, but greeted her with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile, the head of accounting and the head of public relations tactfully withdrew to their seats.
“And this. I used it well.”
“Ah…. How was it?”
“Like you said, unni, the view was great. Gyeon-u and the others liked it too.”
“Then I’m glad.”
Yeon Haneul slipped the key she had taken from her pocket onto the desk.
It was the key to the rooftop of the Hall of Honor, which Do Si-eun had secretly lent her as thanks for helping with the Geumgang Festival work, so that she could watch the closing ceremony fireworks at leisure.
Of course, the officers working in the student council room had more or less noticed.
However, since Yeon Haneul had handed out coffee, they decided to keep their mouths shut.
“Then I’ll get going. Class is about to start soon.”
“All right, take care.”
Having finished her business, Yeon Haneul turned to leave the student council room.
Do Si-eun lightly waved her hand to see her off.
Then, suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and she spoke up.
“Oh, right. Haneul.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“Are you perhaps interested in becoming a student council officer?”
“Huh?”
Yeon Haneul tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
Her rabbit ears leaned to the side like question marks.
* * *
As Yeon Haneul left the student council room and walked down the corridor, she recalled the conversation she had just had with Do Si-eun.
—As I said before, thanks to you, Haneul, the burden during the Geumgang Festival was much lighter. So personally, I think you have an aptitude for administrative work. If you joined the student council, I think you’d be a great help. Would you be interested?
—Um… I’m grateful you’d say that, unni, but I’m also class representative, and I have club activities and Shield activities too…. I think it would be hard to make time for student council work on top of that. I’m sorry.
—I know you’re busy. And in principle, a student council officer can’t concurrently serve as a class representative. Of course, a class representative can be changed at any time…. But with half the semester already over, it would be inefficient. I don’t really want to recommend that.
—Then why….
—But if it’s for next year’s student council, I thought you’d be able to adjust your schedule in advance, so it might be fine.
—Huh? Next year?
—You know there’ll soon be an election to choose next year’s student council president, right? Unless something unexpected happens, the student council president will probably be either Eun Suhyeok of the Seolchang Eun Clan or Seong Dasom of the Gwangmyeong Seong Clan, both of whom are second-years.
—….
—If you’re okay with it, Haneul, I’m thinking of recommending you to whichever of the two becomes student council president.
With Do Si-eun arranging it for her, she could likely expect not just a low-ranking officer position, but an important post.
Yeon Haneul felt grateful to her for evaluating her so highly.
But if it were club activities, that would be one thing; she did not think the conditions would allow her to manage Shield activities at the same time, so she was about to politely refuse.
Just then, Do Si-eun sent the student council officers who had been there out with a look, and cut her off.
—This is also for your sake.
—…For my sake?
—I don’t know if I’m getting too far ahead of myself, or if I’m putting unnecessary pressure on you….
—I’m fine, unni. Tell me.
—If you, Haneul, have even the slightest thought of going beyond becoming lovers with Gyeon-u and becoming a member of the Divine Sword Do Clan….
—….
—Then even if it isn’t as a student council officer, it would be best for you to raise your own value and authority. That way, the clan head will be more likely to acknowledge you.
—…What do you mean by that?
—Judging by your reaction, it seems Gyeon-u kept quiet and didn’t tell you… It happened during summer vacation.
Do Si-eun brought up the matter with the utmost care so as not to hurt Yeon Haneul’s feelings.
It was the story of the Divine Sword Do Clan’s traditional view of marriage—that the first spouse had to be someone with a solid background—and the situation Do Gyeon-u had found himself in because of it.
It was shocking to Yeon Haneul.
‘I didn’t know….’
It was not that she had never thought the Divine Sword Do Clan might disapprove of her because she was a demi-human.
Still, she had been somewhat optimistic, thinking she might be fine because she had the background of being the Seven-Colored Witch’s disciple….
But hearing of the clan head’s beliefs from Do Si-eun’s mouth felt as though she had been struck in the head with an iron hammer.
On top of that, she had never imagined that several families had been proposing romantic meetings with Do Gyeon-u.
Since he had never told her until now, there had been no way for her to know.
‘The reason Gyeon-u didn’t tell me was probably because he was being considerate so I wouldn’t worry….’
Surely Do Gyeon-u would not waver because of another woman besides her.
Yeon Haneul was not entirely free of anxiety, but she decided to trust him and not needlessly press him about it.
Continuing to pretend she did not know was the best course.
To begin with, it was not something she should interfere in, and she needed to avoid excessive meddling.
The problem was the head of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
‘He opposes me….’
She could not help feeling gloomy at the thought that her relationship with Do Gyeon-u could not be acknowledged.
At the same time, her thoughts turned to how she could solve the problem.
It was only natural that Do Si-eun’s advice came to mind.
—That’s why I’m recommending the student council. A career as a student council officer at Geumgang Academy is fairly well recognized even in society. It also lets you build close ties with alumni.
—….
—If you rise to at least a department-head-level position over your second and third years, the clan head will see you differently. Of course, you’ll have to continue proving yourself even after graduating from the academy. But that’s the only way to persuade him. So if you want that, Haneul, I’ll make sure I can help you at any time.
Yeon Haneul could not help being moved.
However, if she became a student council officer, she would have to give up her Shield activities.
As someone who had joined Shield in order to be of help to Do Gyeon-u, she was reluctant.
‘What should I do….’
It was not a concern that could be easily resolved.
* * *
On the academy grounds after the weekend passed, traces of the Geumgang Festival could be found here and there.
Each time, I felt the regret and emptiness of having woken from a dream.
The feeling grew especially strong whenever I saw the empty booths surrounding the Silver Lake.
‘It was exhausting, but it was rewarding and fun…. I want to go back to that time again.’
Perhaps because I knew I could not turn back time, I found myself immersed in sentiment.
It had become a memory.
It seemed that not only I, but other people too, felt that longing from time to time.
However, having been caught in the lingering afterglow of the Geumgang Festival, we quickly had to return to daily life and spend our days busily.
With the second semester already halfway over, it became time for the third-years to make their final decisions about where they would go after graduation.
The competition among guest instructors and outside scouts aiming to recruit them grew even fiercer.
And as for the first- and second-years….
“If we keep advancing like this, we might end up facing Class 8 in the finals. When that happens, we have to repay them for the defeat we suffered last semester. This time, we’re going to take down Yeon Haneul’s class!”
“Defeat Yeon Haneul!”
“Yeon Haneul, who cares! We’ll trample her!”
We had to participate in the second-semester class competition.
Because of that, we had no choice but to stay at the academy until late at night, spending our time preparing for the competition.
In the case of Min Arin, who had a strong competitive streak, she rallied the morale of the class with the slogan “Defeat Yeon Haneul,” and put everyone through training even more intense than last semester.
‘I never thought Arin’s improved stamina would have this kind of effect….’
Thanks to that, it became difficult for me to find time to see Yeon Haneul.
On top of that, Yeon Haneul was also conscious of the gazes of the students in her class, who had become our common target.
Still, well….
We somehow used our heads and managed to meet in secret.
At times, I even felt a strange thrill in the process of meeting her.
Today was the same.
“Ah, Gyeon-u.”
“Sorry, I’m late, right?”
“No, I just got here too. You didn’t run into anyone when you left the dorm, did you?”
“Of course I slipped out without anyone noticing.”
It was nearly past midnight.
Avoiding the gazes of my classmates, I left the dormitory.
Yeon Haneul, who had been waiting at our meeting place, greeted me happily.
“Here. I kept it warm for you.”
“Thanks, I’ll drink it well.”
With autumn upon us, the weather was chilly.
Yeon Haneul cast a heat-retention spell on me and handed me a warm drink.
Moved by her preparedness and consideration, I lifted the corners of my mouth.
We held hands and walked, chatting quietly.
In the midst of that, she carefully spoke up.
“Um, you know….”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“What do you think about me becoming a student council officer?”
“What do you mean?”
“The truth is….”
Yeon Haneul explained that Do Si-eun had recently recommended her for next year’s student council.
I listened silently, while inwardly feeling puzzled.
‘Why didn’t she tell me?’
I had already guessed that Yeon Haneul had something on her mind.
There was no way I, her childhood friend, would not have noticed.
But I had respected what seemed to be her wish not to talk about it and quietly watched over her, only to find that, by my standards, her concern was nothing serious.
I could not understand it.
Then, watching my reaction, she added in a small voice.
“It’s just… I was told that if I became a student council officer, I might have to quit Shield….”
“Ah, so that’s what it was.”
“Yeah….”
As Yeon Haneul said, it was almost impossible to balance student council work, with its heavy workload, and Shield activities.
That was why she had worried that if she withdrew from Shield, she might end up burdening me.
‘It feels like there’s another reason she can’t tell me…. It’s suspicious, but let’s not dig into it unless Haneul says it herself.’
I could understand Yeon Haneul’s concern, at least to that extent.
Then I spoke as if it was nothing important.
“I wondered what it was… You had me worried for no reason. Haneul, just do whatever your heart tells you. If you want to do it, do it, and if you don’t want to, then don’t. There’s no need to go out of your way to worry about me.”
“…Is it really okay?”
“Of course. I don’t want to see you unable to do the things you want because of me. You’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah… That’s true. All right. Then I’ll think it over carefully before I decide.”
Yeon Haneul smiled shyly.
She was pretty.
I giggled along with her.
‘Anyway… the student council president election isn’t far off now.’
According to the game’s progression.
Seong Dasom of the Radiant Seong family and Eun Suhyeok of the Snow Spear Eun family, who would run in next year’s student council president election, sought out Kang Hanbyeol and asked for his support.
At this point in time, he had made a name for himself as the Young Fighting Demon, and he maintained close relationships with students from the Ten Great Families, such as the game’s Do Gyeonu, Min Arin, and Yong Haerang.
In other words, from the two candidates’ perspective…
‘They calculated that if they could just win Hanbyeol over, they could draw out the support of the others along with him.’
The student council president election at Geumgang Academy was, in effect, decided by how much support the candidates received from students with influence in the academy—above all, from those who represented the collective will of the ten major lineages.
Seong Dasom and Eun Suhyeok’s judgment wasn’t wrong.
The two of them had no choice but to take an interest in Kang Hanbyeol.
‘At present, excluding the third-years who’ll graduate next year, the people who effectively represent the collective will of the ten lineages are…’
In the game, in the case of the Divine Sword Do family, after Do Seungu transferred away, I, who ended up taking his place, and Do Jinu, a second-year student, split the collective will between us.
But in this world, my influence was stronger than Do Jinu’s.
And as for the Demonic Path Min family, the Chivalrous Yong family, the Refining Nam family, and the Circulation Cha family, Min Arin, Yong Haerang, Nam Yuri, and Cha Eunsol were effectively reigning as their representatives.
‘On top of that, in the Black Demon O family, after O Junsu, who was a second-year, got expelled, O Junsik, a first-year who’s close to Hanbyeol, became the representative.’
Not long ago, through the Geumgang Festival episode, Lisa and Mikhail reconciled, which also made it possible to draw in the collective will of the students from the Grace Empire.
As a result, it could be said that the direction of the student council president election would be determined by who managed to win Kang Hanbyeol over.
‘So in the game, around this time, Hanbyeol would go around finding the friends who spawned all over the grounds, do little favors for them in exchange for their support, and then choose one of the two candidates…’
After that, Kang Hanbyeol would be challenged by the candidate he chose not to support.
If he won the battle, he would obtain the treasure the opponent had wagered, and the student council president would become the candidate he had originally chosen, as planned.
On the other hand, if he lost the battle, he would reverse his existing stance and support the opponent, and the opponent who won the battle would become student council president.
Whether he won or lost, the game’s story would continue to flow onward.
The problem came after that.
The one who failed to become student council president…
‘Would trigger an episode that could lead to a destruction ending. When we’re second-years.’
Whether it was Seong Dasom or Eun Suhyeok.
No matter whom we made student council president, a grueling episode was scheduled for next year.
Just because the student council president election episode was easy, I couldn’t simply be happy about it.
As someone who knew the future, I could only feel stifled.
Of course, it wasn’t as if I had no countermeasure.
Though I didn’t know whether it would work or not.
‘For now, let’s wait for the episode to occur.’
In the game, the student council president election episode began with Seong Dasom seeking out Kang Hanbyeol.
So I intended to watch Kang Hanbyeol and gauge the right timing, but…
“Welcome, Junior Do Gyeonu. We’ve run into each other from time to time, but this is the first time we’ve properly introduced ourselves, isn’t it? I’m Seong Dasom of the Radiant Seong family. It’s embarrassing to say it with my own mouth, but I’m known by the moniker ‘Fairy.’”
“…”
Why on earth…
Had she come looking for me instead of Kang Hanbyeol?
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss