Chapter 7 – Rule 5: The Leader Cares for the Vice-Leader
Baek-seo spoke firmly.
“I think it’s a matter of respect. If there’s such a lack of respect between seniors and juniors, it could beco problematic. Especially in the Disciplinary Committee, where hierarchy is crucial. It’s kind of problematic.”
‘Baek-seo…!’
What a clear answer!
Her straightforwardness never disappoints.
“Huh…?”
Ye-song looked surprised, not expecting such a response from the usually kind Baek-seo. An unexpected silence followed.
Eventually, Ye-song spoke reluctantly.
“Is that… so?”
As previously ntioned, Baek-seo is Ye-song’s idol.
Even if it was , she hesitated to call Baek-seo a kkondae.
Baek-seo looked at .
“What about you, Leader?”
“I agree with the Vice-Leader.”
“There you have it.”
Baek-seo and I exchanged words naturally, as if we had anticipated this flow.
Ye-song let out a frustrated groan, pondering for a while before speaking again.
“Then, let’s put that answer on hold and move on to the next question! Do you often say things like ‘Back in my day’ and tell juniors that things are easier now?”
“I haven’t said it often, but I did emphasize that the current system is better than last year’s, considering the stricter discipline I implented.”
“Then…! If you saw a junior arriving later than you for club activities, would you find it botherso!?”
“Unless I arrived early due to a busy schedule? Even so, I’d think juniors should arrive earlier than .”
“Do you think juniors should attend gatherings as much as possible…?”
“Wouldn’t that be better? As new mbers, they should make an effort to build camaraderie.”
Ye-song paused, seemingly struggling with her next question, as if the answers she received weren’t what she expected.
As Ye-song bombarded with questions, Baek-seo answered each one with a serene smile, never hesitating. Each ti she did, she would turn to and ask, “What about you, Leader?” and I would have no choice but to respond, “ too.”
Ye-song was taken aback, unable to pull her pranks because Baek-seo preemptively gave the answers she expected from .
‘This is….’
In hindsight, wasn’t this a situation that could have damaged my image?
It felt like the Vice-Leader had taken the burden for , almost as if she was protecting my image.
“Hm….”
Baek-seo awkwardly smiled, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger.
Her eyes darted to the side.
It seed like she was intentionally acting awkward, but given her kind and pure nature, that couldn’t be the case.
Then, Baek-seo looked back at Ye-song and , cautiously asking.
“Am I a bit of a kkondae?”
“No, no, Baek-seo! You could never be a kkondae!”
Ye-song reacted hastily, shaking her head vehently.
If Baek-seo, who was considered a goddess and an angel at Ahsung High School, was a kkondae, then the term “kkondae” would need to be redefined to an “saint.”
Ye-song then turned back to with a forced smile, nodding.
“Um, I guess the question was wrong! If the world considers Baek-seo a kkondae, then the world must be wrong!”
That value judgnt was certainly valid.
It wasn’t our Vice-Leader who was wrong; it was the world.
Ye-song, looking dejected, returned to the sofa.
She seed like a child who had found a toy she wanted but couldn’t play with it.
Then, she lowered her head.
“I was arrogant… I’m sorry for trying to determine if you’re a kkondae with my narrow-minded thinking….”
“Um? There’s no need to apologize. I don’t understand why you’re saying sorry.”
Baek-seo looked puzzled but then smiled benevolently and patted Ye-song’s head.
Taking advantage of the mont, I asked.
“So, what about your skirt?”
“I’ll lengthen it….”
Ye-song conceded and retreated.
That was satisfactory.
“By the way, how many questions did you plan to ask?”
Baek-seo kindly asked Ye-song.
“About 12? Never mind, I’ll just drop them all… I’ve lost the mood. I’d rather enjoy more of Baek-seo’s attention….”
Hmm.
However, this…
‘It ended too easily.’
The crucial questioning didn’t happen.
‘But….’
Ye-song probably asked these questions playfully, but they unexpectedly presented with a serious issue.
It wasn’t just about maintaining my dignity and authority as the Disciplinary Committee Leader.
That was just the bare minimum responsibility of a leader.
How should I lead the Disciplinary Committee in the future?
How should I balance honesty and pretense at every mont?
I had to find the appropriate middle ground….
“Leader, are you deep in thought?”
“Leader, thinking dirty thoughts?”
My contemplation about my attitude as the Disciplinary Committee Leader was abruptly interrupted by the puppy and the angel.
……
“Three days ago, around 12:49 PM, there was a hostage situation at the second cafeteria.”
The setting sun shone through the window, softly illuminating the room. I liked the atmosphere, so I left the lights off.
Sitting at my desk, I listened to the Vice-Leader of the Disciplinary Committee, Oh Baek-seo, as she briefed on the incident. She stood in front of , looking at the docunts as she continued speaking.
While attentively listening, I occasionally glanced at the hand holding the clipboard. Though her burn had healed and the bandages were off, I still felt concerned.
“The perpetrator held a victim and caused a commotion against the cafeteria staff. They even used magic.”
The cafeteria club managed the school’s als.
They were responsible for planning balanced diets suitable for the students’ age and developnt, cooking, and serving.
I clicked my tongue while looking at the perpetrator’s details in the report.
“Hostile acts against the cafeteria club are equivalent to challenging the school. There’s no room for leniency. According to the school rules, they should be punished as severely as possible.”
“Understood, I’ll reflect that. But 600 students have submitted a petition for the perpetrator’s exoneration. Should we ignore that?”
“What?”
“A petition…? 600 students in just three days?”
Baek-seo nodded.
Attacking the cafeteria club was an act that hindered public interest. It was an inexcusable cri.
I couldn’t understand why as many as 600 students supported the perpetrator.
…Wait.
“Why did the perpetrator do it?”
“They didn’t like mint chocolate being on the nu. The incident was triggered because mint chocolate was served that day.”
I inhaled sharply.
“Also, they couldn’t tolerate the fact that mint chocolate appeared on the nu three tis this month.”
“Three tis…?”
“The new nutritionist in the cafeteria insisted on including mint chocolate.”
This was unbelievable.
“In any case, it’s a serious cri, so we should punish them with the maximum severity…”
“Vice-Leader.”
I narrowed my eyes, placing my arms on the desk and looking at Baek-seo intently. For so reason, Baek-seo smiled brightly when our eyes t.
“Yes, Leader?”
“As the Disciplinary Committee Leader, I command you to reduce the severity of the punishnt as much as possible.”
“Huh?”
“It was a cri committed for the public good. There are plenty of grounds for mitigation.”
The person was a hero who sacrificed themselves for the future of the school.
Even so, they broke the rules, and they had to be punished accordingly.
‘Argh.’
It frustrated that this was all I could do.
I’m sorry, hero, that I can only offer you this much.
“Hmm, understood.”
Baek-seo shrugged her shoulders.
‘What?’
She accepted it just like that?
Baek-seo made a gesture indicating she had finished her report, organizing the docunts on her clipboard and hugging them close.
“You’re not asking for a reason?”
“I serve you closely, don’t I? If it’s your command, I’ll follow it without question. I’ll handle the mitigation accordingly.”
“……”
Baek-seo was speaking with an air of natural authority.
I leaned back in my chair.
“Hm…”
“Leader, what’s the matter?”
I knew.
‘In the ga, she wasn’t this compliant.’
Although Baek-seo’s role in the ga was minor, it was clear she wasn’t soone who followed the Disciplinary Committee Leader so obediently.
With all the recent attention I’d been paying to Baek-seo, various thoughts had been crossing my mind.
This made realize even more.
“No, it’s just that I’m grateful.”
That Baek-seo was very important to .
Baek-seo seed surprised by my answer, then she smiled kindly.
“Really?”
Suddenly, Baek-seo leaned towards , a playful glint in her eyes.
“If you’re grateful for my loyalty, why not praise ?”
“Huh?”
Sotis, Baek-seo would co at like this, catching off guard and tugging hard at my words.
“Occasionally, I need so praise to recharge my motivation.”
She smiled mischievously, her eyes full of anticipation.
‘This is a bit burdenso…’
She turned my “I’m grateful” into an excuse for praise.
It seed like it would be difficult to just let this pass.
The words that imdiately ca to mind were ‘capable and beautiful.’ Baek-seo was a woman I liked enough to consider as the top candidate for the vacant position of my bride.
However, saying ‘beautiful’ to soone who wasn’t particularly close could make them uncomfortable and risk awkwardness between us.
“Hmm, then….”
From a colleague’s perspective….
I decided to give so neutral praise.
“You’re capable, strong, and diligent. Among the people I’ve seen, you’re close to perfect. That’s why I want to keep you by my side.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. You’re always reliable and dependable.”
“Hmm. Would you pat my head too?”
“Huh? No…? This hand was ant to scratch my head.”
Baek-seo, with her usual gentle smile, straightened up.
Her lips twitched intermittently. The way she clutched the clipboard tightly suggested she was tense.
“Good thing. If you had done that, I wouldn’t have been able to stand it.”
“?”
Unable to stand it?
Oh.
‘Was it that cringy…?’
I belatedly realized.
I had just made so really cringy statents.
As I replayed my words, I felt my hands and feet curling.
The reason Baek-seo’s hands trembled slightly as she clutched the clipboard must have been because she was trying hard to suppress her cringes.
Swiftly, Baek-seo turned and moved towards the table, tidying up her belongings.
Her movents seed quicker than usual.
“Leader, I’m done for the day, so I’ll be heading out.”
“Oh, okay… See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Baek-seo smiled at once more before leaving the room.
Her walking speed was faster than usual.
“…Ugh.”
I put my hand on my forehead.
I’m not oblivious.
The reason Baek-seo didn’t continue her playful banter and instead quickly left.
She was trying to suppress her cringes and not show it.
‘I should have just said sothing like ‘you’re competent’ and stopped there….’
I ant to give a simple answer but ended up being too honest.
Today, it might have tarnished the image Baek-seo had of .
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