Unexpectedly Becoming the Student Council President

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Oh Baek-seo began tying her hair back with the hair tie she always wore around her wrist. It was a pretty tie with a small butterfly decoration.

Baek-seo's hair was shoulder-length, so the ponytail was short.

'What are we even doing here…?'

This was a private training room within the school.

The fact that boys and girls could be in the same room was due to the presence of CCTV. Whether it was romantic antics or school violence, any behavior against the school rules would be detected by AI, and a student on duty would be sent immediately to intervene.

Not that there was any chance of Baek-seo and me doing anything like that.

"Shall we start?"

Baek-seo said as she finished tying her hair.

After that, we sat side by side at the desk in the training room and began studying.

"..."

The training room was designed for practicing combat techniques, so there were various training tools around.

Why did we come here to study…?

"Are you wondering why we're studying here instead of a study room?"

Baek-seo asked as if it was the most obvious thing. It wasn't surprising that she could read my thoughts by now.

There was a partition between our desks. To be precise, we had used a rolling board as a makeshift partition to avoid distracting each other.

"So, why are we here? I can understand not wanting to be in the study room where everyone can see, but why come to the training room to study?"

The office wasn't suitable for long study sessions because it didn't have proper desks.

Baek-seo peeked out from behind the partition and looked at me.

"Empty classrooms are off-limits at night, and there aren't many other places to study. I thought of your house, but…"

"I hadn't thought of that, but it wouldn't be a bad idea."

Baek-seo would be welcome to come to my house anytime.

We could unfold a table and study there.

Those scenes are common in school romance dramas, where friends study at each other's houses. It's a classic trope.

"…I'm against that idea."

But Baek-seo turned back to her book and answered firmly.

Why?

This time, I peeked out from behind the partition and looked at Baek-seo.

"Why?"

"Today isn't a good day. I might get… distracted."

Baek-seo subtly touched one of her ears—the one I had whispered into earlier today. She didn't elaborate further.

"?"

What does she mean?

'She's usually so articulate, why is she being vague now…?'

This was the first time I had seen Baek-seo act like this since she joined the Disciplinary Committee. I picked up on it sharply.

Was there another reason?

Nothing special came to mind.

'…Ah.'

'Today' and 'might get distracted'—two clues.

I prided myself on being perceptive, and I quickly realized why Baek-seo was being vague.

'Could it be that time of the month…?'

The 'magic time' women experience every month.

It made sense. She probably didn't want to use my house's bathroom during that time. Even someone as saintly as Baek-seo could feel irritable during that period.

It's well-known that women can get particularly temperamental during that time.

'That must be it.'

Women typically avoid mentioning it. That's basic etiquette.

I understood that much.

In any case, it was a topic best left unsaid. I respected Baek-seo even more for maintaining her usual gentle demeanor despite 'that time.'

"Yeah…. I guess it can't be helped."

"Can't be helped?"

"?"

Baek-seo looked at me again, tilting her head in confusion.

What now?

"No, it's nothing."

Baek-seo turned back to her book, seemingly satisfied with my response.

Was she embarrassed that I had guessed it was 'that time'?

It had to be. Even a perfect girl like Baek-seo is still human.

'I should be considerate.'

Time passed as my pen scratched on the paper, summarizing my study notes.

But.

'Why don't I hear anything from her side?'

There was no sound of a pen from Baek-seo's side.

Maybe her study method didn't involve writing.

All I could see was the partition. I leaned back slightly to get a faint glimpse of Baek-seo.

She was sitting upright, studying in a model posture.

I wondered how Baek-seo studied.

Today's purpose was to uncover the study method of the top student.

I glanced over at Baek-seo.

"...!"

Our eyes met immediately.

Baek-seo was looking at me, seemingly knowing this would happen.

The unexpected encounter made my heart pound. Was she watching to see if I was concentrating on my studies?

"Why are you looking at me?"

Feeling embarrassed, I glared at Baek-seo.

I pretended that I had known she was watching me from the beginning.

I couldn't be accused of anything since I wasn't caught off guard while studying.

"Hmm. I just couldn't look away."

Baek-seo responded with a soft laugh.

"Why?"

"Who knows?"

Was she waiting for a chance to tease me? Or did she find my studying amusing or impressive?

It was pointless to speculate. Her noncommittal answer suggested she didn't want to explain. Given her tone, it was probably the former.

I felt a bit deflated.

Maybe I should just ask directly.

"…Baek-seo."

"Yes, Leader?"

"I usually understand basic concepts by reading multiple times, then summarize key points in my notes. If there's too much to summarize, I focus on the confusing parts to save time."

"Okay."

"That's how I study. How about you?"

I employed the 'ask casually' strategy.

I listened intently for the top student's study method.

"…I just read."

?

"That's all."

"..."

I felt my shoulders slump.

My head naturally turned back to my book.

"Really…"

A sense of disillusionment washed over me.

'So, it's like that…'

There's no royal road to studying. If there were, it would just be an ordinary method done consistently.

As long as you progress well in your studies, it doesn't really matter.

I felt a bit foolish for expecting some special study method.

"Sigh…"

My mind cleared up.

It was like opening a treasure chest with high hopes only to find a note saying, "The treasure is within you."

Yes, it was anticlimactic.

I refocused on my studies without much thought.

Time passed once again.

'Oh.'

What should you do for a girl when it's 'that time' of the month?

No, my concentration wasn't broken.

I was the only one who could look out for Baek-seo. Who else would notice it was 'that time' for her today?

"Baek-seo, I'm going to the restroom."

"Alright."

Pretending to go to the restroom, I went to the convenience store instead, and checked the internet on my smartphone.

'…They crave sweets, huh.'

When it's 'that time,' women's blood sugar and serotonin levels drop significantly, increasing stress and anxiety. As a result, they crave sweets. Thank you, Speed Knowledge!

'She must've already taken any necessary medication.'

She could easily get it at school.

And since it's a sensitive topic, we're not close enough for her to share that detail.

So I didn't want to go to the extent of bringing her medication. That would be too intrusive.

'I'll just get these.'

I bought some snacks and returned to the training room.

Before sitting down, I placed chocolate, banana milk, and a straw on Baek-seo's desk.

"Hmm? What's this?"

Baek-seo looked at the items with a puzzled expression.

"I got them on the way."

I also placed some snacks on my desk, so it wouldn't be awkward if she was the only one eating.

"We need to replenish our sugar. It's exam time."

I gave an alternative reason as I sat down. It was my way of being considerate.

Baek-seo seemed to contemplate my intention for a moment, then smiled.

"Thank you."

Don't mention it. Of course, it's right for me to take care of you.

I just nodded, not wanting to make a big deal out of bringing some snacks.

"These are 'Kindi' chocolates?"

Baek-seo remarked as she looked at the chocolate.

Was it last April?

The chocolate I bought was something she had eaten during an all-night duty, sharing it with me as one of her favorite snacks. It was branded 'Kindi' chocolate.

I remembered her sharing it with me, saying it was her favorite.

"You like those, right?"

I had remembered it, even though it was just once.

I had always assumed that if I became the leader, Baek-seo would be my closest vice leader.

I had judged that based on my game knowledge.

So I had tried to remember as much about her as possible while treating her comfortably.

"Yeah…"

Baek-seo unwrapped the chocolate and took a bite.

I peeked over the partition at her.

She was looking at her book, blushing and smiling quietly. She seemed quite pleased. It must taste good.

I felt a sense of satisfaction.

Time passed once again.

"Oh."

Just as I was about to switch to another subject, I realized I had made a mistake.

'I didn't bring the textbook for the other subject…!'

How could I make such a critical error…!

"Leader?"

Baek-seo called out, seemingly curious about my constant rummaging through my bag.

"I forgot to bring the textbook for the next subject. I left it at home."

I admitted it honestly, even though it wasn't impressive. There was no point in hiding it. It wouldn't affect my image much.

"Don't you have it in your locker?"

"I left it at home."

"Hmm… Then how about this?"

Baek-seo suggested something.

We stood face to face in the middle of the training room.

"If it's Practical Magic and Combat, we can definitely practice together."

If I didn't have the books for other subjects, I could study something else.

Since we were in the training room, she suggested we practice the practical subjects.

Even though I was confident in the practical subjects, I couldn't take the exams without any practice. So, I decided to master the exam subjects with Baek-seo today.

"Your magical control should be fine, Leader…. Shall we do martial arts?"

"Sounds good."

Martial arts.

One of the practical subjects.

Baek-seo took off her school jacket and hung it on a chair.

Her school skirt… seemed fine. It hung above her knees and fluttered, not hindering movement much.

"Here."

Baek-seo handed me a training dagger from the rack. It had a blunt, flexible plastic blade, making it safe.

She spun the dagger around her fingers as if she were twirling a pen.

It looked quite impressive. It made me want to learn it.

"Do you want to take the attacking role first?"

Baek-seo held the blade of the dagger and handed me the handle. I took it.

"I won't hold back."

"Come at me."

I swung the dagger.

To read until the final chapter. p atreon.com/casca02