Chapter 22. The Insider Goes to the Student Council (2)
"..."
As I looked at the Student Council application form Moon Surin was holding out, various thoughts ran through my mind.
Starting with "Why is this noona here?" to "How much trouble is this going to cause?"
"... President. Why did you come all the way here?"
There were too many students around, so I used the title "President." Since Moon Surin called me "Junior," she should understand.
"You said you'd think about it yesterday. You've thought it over, right?"
This morning, Kim Younghan said each Student Council member only had one recommendation slot. She used hers to come recruit me.
And the Student Council President came in person.
"There's no way I can refuse this."
"Next time, please don't come personally. Do you want to hear more rumors?"
"Sorry. I normally wouldn't, but I wanted to see your face. Hehe."
Sigh... Moon Surin isn't usually like this.
In the game, she was careful and meticulous.
That was probably due to the stalkers and relentless paparazzi.
But in this timeline, she met me before any of that happened.
In the original game, Lee Hoyeon and Moon Surin met after the incidents had already taken place.
No matter how much she liked Lee Hoyeon, she had to approach him cautiously. Worrying about photos, rumors, and speculation came first.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Moon Surin]
- [ Affection: 38 ]
- [ Lust: 17 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 40 ]
When we first met, her affection was at 20. Even without much interaction, it nearly doubled.
This sudden increase was a bit overwhelming. Who knows what kind of backlash it could bring?
"Sigh... Alright. Of course, I'll join."
"Great. See you at the Student Council after class."
"Yes. See you later."
Moon Surin smiled brightly and left the classroom.
After she left, the students stared at me in silence.
I could hear the murmuring among the female students.
"Ah, I'm going to attract so much attention."
I could already feel the headaches coming from the online gossip.
Pretending nothing happened, I turned back to my research paper.
*
After finishing my morning and afternoon classes, I had somewhere to go before heading to the Student Council.
The Student Council wasn't going anywhere, but Lucy might escape to the dormitory.
Since I needed to join Lucy's social club, I approached her.
"Lucy. You're making a club, right?"
"Huh? Who told you? I only mentioned it to Lumi… Did she tell you?"
"Ah, no. I just overheard you and Lumi talking."
"Hmm. So? Are you interested?"
"Yeah. More friends is always better, right?"
That was a lie. Aside from Lumi and Lucy, I had no interest in talking to the others.
"But aren't you joining the Student Council? Will you have time for our club?"
"Think of it the other way around. If the club has a Student Council member, won't things be easier?"
"Ohhh!"
Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You're in! With you, me, and Lumi, we've got the minimum three members. Now we just need a faculty advisor. I'll find one."
"Okay. See you later."
Lucy, in high spirits, grabbed her bag and dashed off.
"Time to head to the Student Council."
In over 15 years of schooling, I never imagined joining the Student Council.
"I'm really experiencing all sorts of things in 'Sekai.'"
Victoria Academy had a separate building for club activities.
The building was 17 stories tall, with the Student Council stationed on the top floor.
Banners advertising various clubs lined the walls.
"Magic Research Club, Tea Ceremony Club, Insect Collecting Club…? What even is that?"
There were plenty of clubs that had nothing to do with Victoria Academy.
I took the elevator up to the 17th floor.
Ding—
When the doors opened, I saw the Student Council room, a restroom, and a lounge.
Without much thought, I pushed open the Student Council room door. I figured I could just grab someone and say I was here to see the President.
The Student Council room was set up like a corporate office.
Each desk had a holographic computer, and three members were furiously typing away, eyes glued to their screens.
Judging by their bloodshot eyes, they had probably been working like that for days.
"... Did I come to the wrong place?"
I turned back to check, but it was indeed the Student Council room.
Wait a minute, isn't this the same thing?
"What brings you here?"
As I stood dumbfounded at the entrance, a female Student Council member approached me.
"I'm here to see the President. I was recommended to join."
"Oh~ You must be Lee Hoyeon. You really do have a good presence."
"Huh? Ah, thank you."
"President~ Lee Hoyeon is here."
"Just a moment!"
A commotion erupted from behind the door labeled "Student Council President's Office."
About two minutes later, Moon Surin emerged, neatly dressed in her cadet uniform.
"Sorry. Did you wait long? Come in."
I followed her into the President's office.
The office was impeccably clean and well-organized.
Moon Surin personally brewed coffee and handed it to me.
"Here, have this."
"Thank you."
Sip.
I didn't know what kind of coffee it was, but at least it wasn't the instant mix Professor Im Sol always made.
"One more person needs to arrive, so wait a bit."
One more person? That's odd.
I could understand Moon Surin liking me enough to invite me to the Student Council, but why bring in someone else?
Wait, does this mean she doesn't like me?
Was I overthinking, assuming I was special?
That thought made my face heat up.
"Hoyeon, are you okay? Do you feel sick?"
"No… I just had an embarrassing thought."
"Oh my, is it because you're in my personal space?"
Seeing Moon Surin's teasing smile somehow put me at ease.
That kind of expression only comes from someone with affection. She definitely likes me.
I guess I'll wait and see who this other person is.
"Come to think of it, I've heard you've been getting close with Professor Im Sol lately."
"Huh? How did you know that?"
"It's pretty famous. You're the first cadet to ever enter Professor Im Sol's personal lab."
"Ah..."
The incident with the Magic Research Club at the Mage Hall must have already spread. Rumors travel unnecessarily fast.
"Still, be careful. Professor Im Sol is beautiful and capable. She has a lot of admirers, and some people might start resenting you."
"Then isn't talking with you right now just as dangerous, President?"
"Huh? Oh my, are you teasing me already? Hehe."
Nice. I think that conversation just scored me some points.
If I keep racking up points like this, I might clear this route soon. But things in life are never that easy. I need to stay alert.
"President, your guest is here."
The voice of the officer who had guided me earlier interrupted our conversation. If only they had arrived a little later. What a shame.
"Alright, let them in."
Clack.
The door opened, and a girl with flowing blonde hair and porcelain-white skin entered.
I couldn't help but be surprised.
Elise, the first-year top student, had just walked in.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Elise]
- [ Affection: 16 ]
- [ Lust: 20 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 50 ]
'What is she doing here?'
Elise has no connection to the Student Council. No matter what route you take, she never comes near it.
Ignoring my internal confusion, Elise greeted Moon Surin.
"Hello, Student Council President. I'm Elise from First-Year Class A."
Then, she casually sat down next to me.
Well, to be fair, that was the only empty seat.
"Welcome, Elise. Would you like some coffee?"
"No, thank you, President. But is Cadet Lee Hoyeon joining the PR Department as well?"
"Yes, that's right. The two of you will be handling the PR Department."
"...I understand."
Wait a second. Hold on, President. You're moving too fast.
PR Department? What is that? I wanted to join the Disciplinary Committee...
"Um, President? What exactly is the PR Department?"
"You didn't even know before sitting down?"
Elise looked at me with genuine confusion, rather than contempt. Hey, this isn't my fault.
"Oh my, I'm sorry. I forgot to mention it."
So all that deliberation about recommendation letters and the Disciplinary Committee was pointless...
Fine. I can deal with this. It's not the first time I've faced injustice.
"The PR Department is a newly established branch for promoting Victoria Academy. On a small scale, it handles Student Council publicity, and on a larger scale, it represents the academy to the outside world."
"You're saying I have to do that? I've never done anything like that before."
"Hmm... Don't worry. There's no way you won't be able to do it, Hoyeon."
"...?"
What does she mean by that?
Not to brag, but I've never done any kind of influencer activity in my life. I was always a shut-in gamer. I'm seriously not cut out for this.
"Sigh. Are you really that dense?"
"Hehe, I suppose it might not be obvious to you. Relax, Elise."
I must have looked utterly clueless because Elise started berating me.
"Among the first-year boys, it's you. Among the first-year girls, it's me. We were chosen as Victoria Academy's PR representatives. Do you still not get it?"
Among the girls, Elise.
Among the boys, Lee Hoyeon.
Our job is PR, ranging from promoting Victoria Academy internally to representing it externally...
Oh. Now I get it.
They chose us purely for our looks.
So that's why she said I had no choice but to do it. Well, if you're good-looking enough, you can just pose, and it'll still work as a promotional shot.
For Victoria Academy's PR, it's not about speaking well or having skills. It's about showing off good-looking students doing impressive things.
Lumi and Lucy are also pretty, but Elise has a more balanced appeal, which is probably why she was chosen.
"Alright, I understand."
How am I supposed to relate to this? I've never been considered "handsome" before!
Unlike you all, I didn't grow up hearing how pretty I was every day!
"I know it might be embarrassing, but just standing there and taking photos will have more impact than a professional model. So don't worry."
"Understood, President."
"Got it."
I felt embarrassed saying it, but Elise, who was used to this kind of attention, didn't seem bothered at all.
"Well, anyway, I called you here today to introduce you to the Student Council members. Go ahead and greet them."
After that, we mingled with the Student Council members.
"Wow, the PR Department recruits are absolute visuals."
"Nice to meet you!"
"It's a shame the Vice President is away handling guild business."
Honestly, most of the Student Council members weren't that important.
The girls were average-looking, and I had no interest in the guys.
But one person needed to be watched: Vice President Shin Dongmin.
He is the antagonist in Moon Surin's route. He harbors unrequited feelings for the Student Council President.
He hasn't shown hostility yet, so it's fine for now... but I'll need to be cautious.
The stalker incident in Moon Surin's route hasn't happened yet, so I don't need to worry for now. There's still time before that unfolds.
And for some reason, the Head of the Student Club Association looked at me, gasped, and then ran off claiming he had urgent business.
It reminded me of what happened with the Fishing Club, but I had never met this guy before, so it's probably nothing.
Then, we were shown to our new PR Department room.
"We set up an office for the PR Department..."
Inside, there were two desks, stylish lighting that didn't match a Student Council office, holographic computers, a private restroom, and even a bed.
Honestly, it was nicer than the studio apartment I lived in before transmigrating.
"You won't have to do any paperwork. The other Student Council members handle that. Just focus on external duties."
"Understood."
So we really are just here as poster models. Is that even allowed?
Wouldn't this kind of blatant selection based on looks cause issues?
Whatever. Not my problem.
"You don't have to come here daily. I'll just call you when needed. I have work to do, so make yourselves comfortable. Feel free to chat."
Before leaving, Moon Surin winked at me behind Elise's back.
After she left, awkward silence filled the room between me and Elise.
Elise was fiddling with something at her desk, while I just stood there.
'What do I do now?'
Elise didn't seem inclined to speak first. Should I take the initiative?
----------------------
『A side quest has been transmitted.』
[The Start of Socializing Begins with Conversation]
Elise is a very particular character.
Engage in a conversation that suits her tastes for at least 30 minutes!
- Reward: Small increase in Elise's affection. Random stat +1
----------------------
As I was contemplating, a quest appeared.
Now I have no choice but to talk to her.
I'm a bit nervous, but with my social skills, I should be able to hold a conversation. It'll be fine.
No matter how exceptional she may be, Elise is still a heroine.
The moment she was given that title, she was destined to be beneath the protagonist.