Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Subversion
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Sunday afternoon, after the gift bags had been completely emptied.
The children's cheers of "The mayor is the best!" and "Nero is so cute!" still echoed in my ears.
My anti-Lee Garam brainwashing education had been a resounding success. These kids would grow up to become upright citizens who would impeach me someday.
But how long would it take for them to grow up?
Ten years? Twenty?
...Wait, would I still be mayor by then?
Anyway, just as I was about to turn and leave.
"Mayor."
A low voice pierced through the air and struck me.
It was Director Jeon Bokhui.
I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around.
The gentle smile she'd worn while surrounded by the children was gone without a trace.
Her eyes, seen through thick horn-rimmed glasses, pierced straight through me.
"What on earth did you say to the children?"
It was a question. No, more like an interrogation.
Ah, busted. So she noticed after all.
The scheme of a vile, ugly corrupt mayor trying to brainwash innocent children for political gain.
Yeah. She must think I'd corrupted the kids.
That I'd injected their pure, blank-canvas souls with dark, sinister ideology called "anti-Lee Garam-ism."
She surely saw me as an evil brainwashing teacher.
"What do you mean, Director?"
I curled one corner of my mouth upward, making the most sleazy, arrogant expression I could muster.
"Exactly what you heard. I simply taught the children the truth. The truth of this unjust world."
"The truth... you say?"
This was my chance.
A chance to etch into her mind just how dangerous and twisted an antisocial figure I was.
Orphanage director. A role that cradles society's weakest members.
She was probably an utterly normal, upstanding citizen.
"The truth that this man named Lee Garam is utterly incompetent, lazy, and unfit to be mayor."
"......"
"But that's just the beginning. True core isn't my personal incompetence. The problem lies deeper. What do you think a 'mayor' is?"
I continued without waiting for a reply. The Nietzsche within me was awakening.
"A mayor is a symbol. A convenient proxy for the system, a lightning rod for the citizens' discontent. People expect the mayor to do something, but no way. A mayor can do nothing. No, shouldn't do anything."
Seria would have cut me off in one second with, "Sounds like nonsense again. Time to work." But fortunately, Seria wasn't here now.
"My duty isn't governance. My duty is to prove the 'unnecessity of governance.' By sitting in the mayor's seat and furiously doing nothing, I'm personally demonstrating that this city can only truly be free without a mayor—no, it must be without one! This is subversion through active non-action!"
I was impressed even as I said it myself.
Am I a genius? To package my petty bourgeois desire to just slack off and run away into such lofty, philosophical rebellion.
"I am indeed a corrupt mayor. My laziness isn't mere sloth. It's a sophisticated political act, the most active resistance, true whistleblowing in the real sense!"
Whew.
The long, long speech ended.
I panted as I gauged her reaction.
This should be enough.
This Jeon Bokhui would completely wary of me, despise me, and sprinkle salt to keep me away from the orphanage forever.
She'd probably call the Board of Education and city council right away demanding my discipline.
A long, long silence.
Time seemed to stop. The children's laughter and the wind felt distant.
A space existing only for her and me.
Finally, she slowly opened her mouth.
"An intriguing perspective."
...Huh?
"D-Did you... hear what I just said?"
"Of course. Not a word missed. Dismantling the system through the system's self-negation. A thoroughly subversive idea that upends conventions."
Wait, her reaction's off?
Shouldn't she be cursing me out?
Like "you lunatic," "get out of here in front of our kids," or at least "see a psychiatrist."
Seems like a serious error in my brain's language processing center.
"I-I must have misheard, but just to confirm...?"
"I said it's a very intriguing ideology."
Why is she agreeing with my bullshit philosophy?
Isn't she supposed to be a model citizen and educator of children?
She shouldn't sympathize with antisocial ideas like this!
"Most politicians insist on their own necessity somehow. But you're the opposite. Denying the system itself from its pinnacle, inducing collapse by self-destruction... Like a candle burning itself to light the darkness, or a doctor drinking poison to create the antidote."
I'm just an aspiring NEET who wants to do nothing.
What is this woman saying? Why is she interpreting my nonsense so coolly?
It was just me making laziness sound profound!
Then she took another step toward me and abruptly extended her hand.
"If you don't mind, could you give me your number?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'd like to have a deeper conversation about your philosophy of active non-action."
A faint smile played on her lips. Different from her earlier gentle one—it carried a hint of madness somewhere.
"Ah, w-well, you can reach me through the city hall secretary's office..."
"No, I need your personal number. For a private conversation, not official."
Jeon Bokhui held out her smartphone.
I awkwardly punched in my number.
"How about this Friday evening?"
She continued without waiting for my reply.
"There's a new book cafe in Guwol-dong. Quiet and good for talking. This kind of discussion suits a more serene, serious atmosphere."
One-sided. Utterly one-sided development.
"Friday at 7 PM. Let's meet at Cafe Libertà in Guwol-dong."
Jeon Bokhui. Jeonbok. Subversion.
Strange puzzle pieces tried to fit together in my head.
But I shook my head, forcing it away.
Don't think. Thinking means losing.
"Then I'll be waiting."
With that, she lightly bowed and vanished into the building.
I stood there blankly for a while.
I'd thrashed around to get impeached, and ended up with a date invite.
What the hell is this?
Inside the returning official car.
The passing scenery outside the window didn't register.
I carefully picked up Nero, who was grumbling beside me.
"Ha... this popularity of mine. Why does just existing as me shake women's hearts so?"
Nyaong.
"I just wanted to slack off ordinarily! Why do I steal women's hearts against my will? This cursed charm! This venomous charisma! I'm truly a sinful man, right Nero? You think so too?"
Nyang nyang nyang.
"Are you mocking me right now?"
Myaa-
Nero looked at me pitifully and meowed shortly.
Then buried her face in my lap again, as if I wasn't worth dealing with anymore.
Friday afternoon.
The time when a week's labor races toward its end.
The sun tilts, workers' souls yearn for liberation—the holy hour.
Neo Incheon's skyline visible outside the window was a painting in itself, but my gaze wandered to metaphysical realms beyond.
Such as the gravity called popularity.
'Why does my existence exert such powerful attraction?'
Am I a black hole? Destined as a fatal homme fatale sucking in every woman's heart without remainder.
Ha, too much popularity is a problem too.
At the center of my profound anguish was a woman named Jeon Bokhui.
Sprout House director. Thick horn-rimmed glasses and long skirt. Intellectual and gentle vibe.
Objectively, she's on the cute side.
The type that somehow stirs protective instincts.
But coldly speaking, not my type.
My taste is more... what?
Cold yet sharp, eyes that seem to pierce everything, casual poison-tongued barbs that occasionally reveal unexpected kindness—a woman with that refined allure.
For example...
"Wait, what am I thinking right now?"
I snapped to my senses.
Is my brain corrupted? Driven mad by overwork?
No. Absolutely not. I'm normal. Just a temporary brain glitch.
"What are you thinking to make such an unpleasant face?"
Seria's voice came from behind.
"No! It's a pleasant face! The profound expression of a philosopher lost in intellectual contemplation!"
"Do philosophers drool?"
Gasp. For real?
I hurriedly wiped my mouth. Fortunately, no drool.
Seria's lip corner twitched upward. She'd tricked me.
"So, with that profound expression, are you ready for overtime?"
"Overtime?"
Seria pointed to the pile of documents on my desk.
"Urgent approvals to process today. Gravity Zero terror recovery budget, victim shop support payments, Special Task Force additional aid request, and..."
"Wait! Stop!"
I jumped up in horror.
No. Friday night overtime must be avoided.
It's an insult to human dignity.
Geneva Convention violation. Human rights abuse. Labor exploitation!
My brain spun wildly.
Lee Garam! Come up with a perfect alibi to escape!
"I have an appointment today! A very important business meeting!"
"No such schedule was reported to me."
Seria's eyes narrowed. Her suspicion radar activated fiercely.
"W-With the Sprout House director! Deep discussion on expanding childcare support and facility improvements! It's a crucial matter for the children's future!"
I didn't give her more time and bolted for the mayor's office door.
"I'll submit the report! Later! Tomorrow! Day after! Sometime!"
Bang!
I slammed the door and sprinted down the hallway.
I felt Seria's cold gaze on my back, but no time to look.
Survived. Somehow made it through today too.
Cafe Libertà, the meeting spot.
What a grandiose name. Liberty.
Liberty my ass. Charging 7,000 won for coffee.
I pushed open the glass door, greeted by faint coffee aroma and languid jazz.
She sat in the corner by the window.
Jeon Bokhui.
Looking different today?
Body-hugging black knit and slacks revealing ankles slightly.
She stared intently at her smartphone, an irrepressible smile on her lips, her whole body radiating eager anticipation.
See?
Definitely fallen for me. Can't wait for our date, fidgeting restlessly.
I equipped a confident smile and approached.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Director."
"Ah, Mayor!"
She startled and stood. Her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Sorry I'm late. Emergency at city hall."
Of course, the emergency was 'escaping overtime.'
We sat side by side and ordered dessert and coffee.
Sweet tiramisu and bitter Americano. Perfect combo.
Light conversation flowed.
"How are the orphanage kids?"
"Yes, thanks to you, Mayor, they're doing well."
"Nero's Catstagram followers hit 5 million."
"Wow, really? Amazing!"
Innocuous chit-chat like that. Small talk. Warm-up before the main topic.
Then she set down her fork and looked at me seriously.
"Mayor. About what you said last time."
Here it comes.
"I'd like to hear more details about that ideology."
I sipped my Americano and set it down.
Intellectual guys are popular, huh. Completely captivated by my far-fetched, profound anti-establishment philosophy.
"Director, what do you think freedom is?"
I opened profoundly.
Today's concept: Rodin's Thinker.
"People often think freedom is 'the state of being able to do anything.' But that's a mistake. True freedom starts with 'the right to do nothing.'"
Sophistry that drew admiration.
Packaging hatred of work so philosophically.
Of course, my true values are just leisurely freeloading life.
"Society, nation, system. Everything around us demands we 'do' something. Study, work, succeed. But why? I exist. Therefore, I should be free. Only by refusing to be a system cog and returning to a complete individual does true liberation arrive."
I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.
Just combining cool words popping into my head.
But.
"Indeed...!"
Jeon Bokhui's reaction was unusual.
"I wasn't wrong!"
She cupped her cheeks, blushing.
"In that destructive self-negation, you're seeking possibilities for new order. True creation can only happen by destroying old frames... A form of creative destruction."
No, did she understand?
What I just said? I don't even get what I meant.
I asked in confusion.
"D-Does my words make sense to you?"
"Of course! Every word of yours ignited a massive flame in my heart! I never dreamed I'd meet someone with the same thoughts, especially at the top of this city!"
'The same thoughts'?
'Us'?
Before my bewilderment, she stood.
"Come, Mayor. Let's go to a nice place."
She grabbed my hand and pulled.
Warm, soft hand.
Meaningful smile.
"No, Director. I'm not that kind of casual guy..."
But she ignored me and walked on.
She led me to a dark, quiet alley behind the cafe.
A space that might feel decadent.
Fewer people, streetlights dimming.
Huh? This isn't good?
'Nice place.' Between man and woman, 'nice place' usually means one thing.
She descended stairs to a basement of an old commercial building without hesitation.
Basement?
Why basement?
A secret spot underground?
'Aggressive. Is this the trend? So direct!'
Of course, I have no such intentions. I'm a noble man.
Can't toy with a woman's pure heart. Must firmly refuse.
I rehearsed refusal lines in my mind dozens of times.
'Director, I appreciate your feelings, but I'm not ready emotionally...'
At the bottom, a rusty iron door. She opened it familiarly.
And the sight before my eyes.
It was a vast cavern.
Sweltering heat and murmurs of countless people engulfed us.
Dozens packed tightly, staring at a makeshift podium.
A man on stage gripped the mic, ranting fervidly.
"Comrades! We mustn't be fooled anymore! All power ruling this society is illusion! The mayor! The association! Corporations! All just massive prisons oppressing our freedom!"
"Brothers! No more bondage to outdated order! All power corrupts! All systems are shackles to oppress us!"
"Down with all power!"
"Subvert all order!"
People swung fists skyward, roaring cheers.
"Our goal isn't regime change! It's destruction of the system itself! Down with all power, subvert all systems! In the name of Librepol Resistance!"
Librepol Resistance.
A faint memory surfaced. The revolutionary group skimmed in the original work.
'Extreme resisters denying all systems.'
Neo Incheon's partisans hiding underground?
'Call in tanks... no, Captain Kang Jiyeong and sweep them all!'
Then Jeon Bokhui beside me whispered with a bright smile.
"How is it? I knew you'd like it, Mayor."
Her eyes, clearly brown earlier.
Had distinctly turned purple.
"Your words last time were truly moving. Especially the part about 'overturning everything.' It really struck home."