Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Class President Election Results
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Student A from Class 2-2 took the ballot and thought.
'It's surprisingly tough.'
Who to vote for?
Park Su-hwan or Kang Da-hye.
If one of them was overwhelmingly better, it wouldn't be an issue, but they were evenly matched, making it hard to decide.
The homeroom teacher, who taught politics, was so serious about the vote that she even used the teacher's desk to set up a makeshift polling booth and ballot box.
Students went up one by one from attendance number 1, signed the roster she'd prepared, squatted at the polling booth to vote, and that was it. She was going to check their student IDs to confirm identities, but Kang Da-hye talked her out of it, saying there wasn't time.
A's turn was right next.
So, who to pick?
Honestly, if it was just about ability, Kang Da-hye was the one.
Pretty, smart, good personality.
Saying they were evenly matched didn't mean Park Su-hwan and Kang Da-hye's abilities were just so-so.
'Kang Da-hye would be fine.'
During that note test last time, when A hadn't brought an eraser and panicked, hadn't Kang Da-hye lent one? She said she didn't need it herself since she didn't make mistakes.
Ah, but.
'Something feels off.'
Couldn't quite put it into words, but still, something felt off.
Not that there was anything wrong with Kang Da-hye.
Hmm.
'It'd be great if Jae-kyeom was class president.'
If Seo Jae-kyeom was class president and Kang Da-hye vice president, that'd be perfect, right? He's smart and meticulous, so she'd make a great right-hand supporter.
But somehow, saying that out loud felt like it'd get her flak.
"Next person, stand up now and get in line."
Unable to decide, A stood up from her seat.
The homeroom teacher compared A's face to the photo in the roster and handed out the ballot.
A squatted at the shabby polling booth.
"...Ah. Whatever."
After agonizing, she stamped the ballot.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📊 Vote Tally Results Kang Da-hye: ||||II (22) Park Su-hwan: |I (6) Invalid: II (2) "Da-hye, congrats!"
Ye-su-a, sitting in the front seat, turned around and pounded on my desk.
"Ah, I said I don't want it!"
Even so, Park Su-hwan, who'd gotten 6 votes, turned beet red and took it out on Do Ha-jun. Do Ha-jun was flustered, mumbling, "But you asked me to nominate you..."
Park Su-hwan's popularity wasn't usually that low.
He must've lost a lot of support lately by mocking Do-yeon and the girls for hanging out, sneering about how girls switch sides fast.
6 votes meant even some of the guys who used to cheer his name didn't vote for him.
I was dazed.
'Me... class president?'
Of course I wanted it. Honestly, I wanted it bad. But this actually happened?
I figured I'd lose since everyone was chanting Park Su-hwan's name (and in my past life, he did win).
Was promising to share notes that big a deal?
"Why'd you vote for me?"
"'Cause you're worth voting for!"
Ye-su-a smacked the back of my hand at my subconscious slip.
"Kids don't say it out loud, but they're watching. Plenty thought you were amazing from the moment you stood up to Song Yeo-reum in the cafeteria."
"It wasn't that big a deal..."
"It was. After you stepped up first, even the kids in Class 6 said school felt easier."
Class 6 was Song Yeo-reum's class.
"Even without that, you've got leader vibes. Honestly, in our class, if not you, Da-hye, who else?"
"...Park Su-hwan?"
"Ugh, no way."
She whispered that he was too much of a troublemaker, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"And honestly, I prefer a girl as class president. Way easier to talk about stuff."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Plus, our country's president is a woman now."
"Uh?"
Ah, hold on. That's...
I waved her off and quickly changed the subject.
XThe only similarity between that lady and me is the last letter of our namesX
'Me... really class president?'
Dazed at first, then my lips slowly curved up.
'Can I be happy about this?'
I can, right?
"Congrats, Kang Da-hye!"
"Congrats, Da-hye!"
"...Hee hee."
Hey, yay~
First time ever trying class president!
The vice president was Seo Jae-kyeom.
Unopposed.
From the moment he stepped up for vice president, no one else was nominated or ran against him.
Seo Jae-kyeom was the sole candidate, got all yes votes, and won.
There was exactly one no vote, and I'm sure it was Jeong Eun-seong.
Why?
Because the moment Seo Jae-kyeom's yes votes passed the majority and victory was clear, Jeong Eun-seong crossed his arms and flicked his eyes up to the ceiling.
And for some reason, Seo Jae-kyeom seemed to know the no vote was from Jeong Eun-seong too.
Why?
"Jae-kyeom, come here and stand next to Da-hye. Photo time."
As he strutted to the front of the blackboard amid cheers, Seo Jae-kyeom glanced at Jeong Eun-seong and smirked...
"Congrats."
I brushed chalk dust off my hands from helping tally and said it to Seo Jae-kyeom. Only then did he look away from Jeong Eun-seong, meet my eyes, and grin.
"Class president?"
"Yeah, vice president."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Same."
"Handshake."
"Sure."
I roughly grabbed and shook his huge hand, big enough to cover my face. I figured that'd end the talk, but Seo Jae-kyeom kept going.
With cute crinkled eyes, he suggested.
"Let's take a photo."
"Photo...?"
"Yeah."
"Not really feeling it..."
"Why? Class president and vice—best looking in the whole school."
"That's not the issue."
"Come on. Hearts with our hands, half each."
"Are you nuts?"
I refused in horror, but.
"That's perfect!"
The homeroom teacher clapped like a seal and agreed.
"Use this too! I bought it at Daiso after work yesterday!"
White bunny and black cat headbands from the shopping bag that held the ballot box, price tags still on.
Seo Jae-kyeom took the headbands from the teacher and asked.
"Bunny?"
"...Cat."
At least that looks better. Smaller ears.
Resigned, I held out my hand to Seo Jae-kyeom. Ignoring it, he put the headband on my head himself.
With the bunny headband on too, he leaned toward me.
"Fix my ears straight."
"......"
"Hurry."
"Fine..."
Why's he so clingy today?
"Okay, photo!"
The teacher pulled out her phone, promising fancy filter edits. Seo Jae-kyeom stood next to me, our arms touching.
"Hearts with hands, hearts!"
Sigh.
"Da-hye, smile!"
"^____^"
^___^Super stiff smile^___^
"Aww, so cute! Perfect shot!"
"Then we're do—"
"No! Now arms linked confidently! Back to back!"
The teacher got hyped, and so did the kids. Soon they all whipped out phones to snap pics of me and Seo Jae-kyeom.
"Seo Jae-kyeom, look this way~"
"Kang Da-hye, heart~"
"Now tiger pose~ Rawr, please, rawr~ One, two, three, rawr!"
"Rawr..."
"Your best pose~"
"Kiss~"
"?!"
Somehow felt like I was being toyed with...
Later, checking the class chat flood of photos, Seo Jae-kyeom looked like an idol, and I looked like a politician...
The conservative kind old folks like...
"This one's good."
Seo Jae-kyeom took the teacher's phone and showed me one. It was me with an awkward smile and his side profile watching me.
"This came out nice too?"
Looking at it together, our foreheads nearly touched, and he smelled nice.
Sprayed cologne again.
"Kang Da-hye, profile pic?"
"No."
"Wah."
You really don't get why? Look at my face in the pic.
"Only 15 minutes left! Okay, seat shuffle time!"
The startled teacher clapped sharply.
"Come quick and draw lots again! Hurry hurry!"
"Seo Jae-kyeom, don't you dare make that your profile pic."
I look like a bum.
"Tch."
Leaving pouty Seo Jae-kyeom behind, I went.
Wonder who I'll pair with.
"Hope I get Seo Jae-kyeom."
"I want Jeong Eun-seong."
"Back row for me."
"Middle of the four-person desk."
"Front row."
"Da-hye, if I get front row, switch with me?"
"Sure."
Promising Ye-su-a, I unfolded my freshly drawn slip.
17.
Row 1, last desk.
'I like front row better.'
Regretfully packing my stuff and moving, then.
"...Your seat here?"
"Yeah, right here."
"...So you're my partner?"
"Yep."
"......"
The guy smirked smugly, acting cool and chill, and poked the cat ear on the headband I was still wearing.
"Looking forward to it, Kang Da-hye?"
"......"
Ugh......