The Loner and the Student Council President
A massive red message blared across the center of the screen: [YOU DIED].
"Haa... this boss pattern is such bullshit."
I set the gamepad down on my desk and leaned way back into my chair.
I'd been holed up in my room all weekend with my spoils from Gukjeon yesterday—the Elden Souls Limited Edition. I'd already died to the early boss more than twenty times.
I pressed my temples and let out a sigh.
After two straight days stuck inside, the stuffiness was getting to me. I opened the window, and the peaceful neighborhood view of a sunny weekend afternoon unfolded before me.
I watched housewives out for walks, and groups of high school girls chattering loudly as they headed to cram school or the PC bang. It really hit home just how bizarre this world I lived in was.
A world where women were physically superior to men and held all the power in society—a true gender-reversed setup.
Off in the distance, I spotted a housewife lugging a heavy water jug, with a man mincing along beside her under a parasol.
"Hmm... living as a guy in this world is insanely easy, huh."
I muttered to myself while sipping my lukewarm energy drink.
Yeah. In this world, life as a man was straight-up easy mode.
Dress up cute, play coy with the girls, stroke their egos a bit, and you could live your whole life without ever lifting a finger. Marrying into a capable woman's family and living off her money like a flower in a greenhouse—that was the ultimate goal and common sense for men here.
So, how was I supposed to survive after getting dropped into this world?
I thought back to the protagonists from those gender-reversal webnovels I'd read sometimes.
They usually made full use of this advantageous setup. Streaming their gaming skills online, hooking up with hot girls to satisfy their urges, climbing to fame in entertainment as actors or idols—leveraging their good looks and rare gender to build harems and live free.
Should I do that too?
I pondered for about a second, then shook my head firmly.
"Nah, that sounds way too exhausting. Beyond exhausting—it's just not realistic."
The women in this world were basically like the men from my original one. Stronger than me on average, hornier, and in control of society.
Spreading myself thin with a bunch of them or playing with their emotions? If I let my instincts take over and messed around with my lower half, my peaceful daily life would shatter.
One wrong move, and I'd end up with a thriller-level bad end.
In the end, my life goal was crystal clear.
Thoroughly my own way. The perfect voluntary loner route.
Never relying on anyone, earning enough to support myself with my own efforts, and spending the rest of my time holed up playing the games I love.
Sure, if I found someone I really liked, I'd put in the effort—but otherwise, just grinding part-time jobs and enjoying my freedom.
No matter how the world changed, I needed to hold the reins of my own life to feel secure.
"That's the most me way to live, and the happiest."
Pretty satisfied with my self-made conclusion, I smoothly closed the window and turned away.
I had no plans to film some grand isekai survival saga or become a pampered houseplant under someone's care.
Just scraping by on my own dime, ripping open limited-edition games on weekends and clutching the pad all night—this simple routine.
No variables would ever disrupt this perfect balance.
That was my flawless survival guide for living as a peaceful loner in this insane world.
"Alright. Rested up enough—time to dive back in."
Feeling lighter, I sat back down at my desk, gripped the gamepad, and sorted through my boss loot as dawn broke.
Right now, I was extremely pissed off.
I'd finally beaten the early boss, snagged a decent weapon, and vowed to push through to mid-game.
But here I was, at the local PC bang.
Forcing myself to work on my sacred day off... I always made sure to rest on weekends, but nooo, here I was slaving away. What a pathetic, pitiful life...
Ding~!
Just then, a request for ramen came in from computer 26. Looked like a total gaming addict who'd charged up for 20 hours straight—a real shut-in type.
"I make a mean instant ramen, though."
I put water on the stove, added the solids and powder. Once it boiled, in went the noodles—cooked to 70%, then fished out. Crack an egg into the broth, boil it hard, pour over the noodles, and done!
"Here's your ramen, sir."
"Ah... uh, yes! Thank you!"
Delivery complete, I headed back to the counter, pulled out my phone, and fired up a mobile game.
This was why I couldn't quit gaming. I'd spin the gacha one more time during these little downtimes.
"...Kiyo."
Ah! Why only 2-stars again?!
I take care of the students! I punish the bad guys!
So give me a 3-star already, you punks! Give me my money back, Ensons!
"Um, excuse me!"
Wait, when did she get here? She was so quiet I hadn't noticed.
I looked up. Black oversized hoodie pulled low over her head, long black hair—she'd look scary as hell on a night street. But her timid, fidgety demeanor screamed classic gloomy loner girl.
"Yes, ma'am? Looking for something?"
"Um... I ordered ramen, but... it hasn't come out yet..."
Her voice was barely a whisper. She couldn't meet my eyes, just stared at the floor while her fingers twisted nervously.
I let out a short sigh and smacked my forehead.
I'd gotten too sucked into the gacha...!
"Sorry about that. I'll make it right now."
"Okay... thank you."
Checking the orders, yeah—it had come in right when I was delivering the other one. Then I got lost in gacha and ignored it...
Charge time: 84 hours...? Damn, this one's a hardcore shut-in too...
"Gotta throw in some service to make up for it... sigh..."
Same method as before, but with two eggs on top. As I delivered it, her hoodie slipped off with her headset.
Pale skin like she avoided the sun, sharp nose, red-tinged eyes behind glasses—her style must've hidden it all. Didn't look like someone who'd charge 80 hours at a PC bang.
Of course, the ideal part-timer for customers is a silent NPC type, so I just handed over the ramen quietly and left.
Is it this gender-reversed world? So many pretty people around.
"Hey, Han Do-hyun. H-how was your weekend?"
The moment I set my bag down at my desk in the back of the classroom, Kang Ha-ri twisted around from the front seat and asked.
For some reason, her ears were a bit red—didn't suit her athletic build.
"Eh. Just gamed at home."
"Oh... yeah?"
"Died like 200 times just clearing the early game."
Scraaaape—
"Okay, everyone knows about the student council president election speeches today, right? Just take attendance, then line up by number and head straight to the auditorium."
The class buzzed at the teacher's words. No class? The girls were thrilled, filling the room with noise.
Me? Way better to nap in the auditorium corner than sit through lessons. I stood quietly.
The auditorium, packed mostly with first-years.
Come to think of it, I don't even know the candidates.
I'd noticed the front gate getting noisy on the way to school a few times—must've been campaign stuff.
Guess I'd just pick whoever. Then suddenly, the speeches started.
"Next up, number 3! Candidate Baek Eun-seo from second year!"
The entire student body erupted in cheers. Especially the girls' fervent support, and the boys' envious gazes, all pouring onto the stage.
The girl who stepped up was straight out of the hallway gossip: the ultimate alpha girl.
Crisp uniform, long straight hair swept back confidently. She grabbed the mic, flashed a relaxed smile, and waved to everyone with overflowing charisma.
"Hello, fellow students! Seong-eun High's solid future—number 3, Baek Eun-seo!"
Clear voice, bold eyes. Even Kang Ha-ri next to me nodded with arms crossed.
"Whoa, she's cool, huh? Right, Do-hyun?"
But I couldn't answer.
Staring blankly at Baek Eun-seo on stage, I nearly burst out laughing.
That girl.
The curve of her eyes hidden behind that confident smile. The long black hair. The faint red tint in her gaze.
It matched perfectly—face, build, features—with that gloomy customer from the PC bang yesterday, trembling because her ramen order hadn't gone through.
...That creepy shut-in from yesterday is a student council president candidate?
I narrowed my eyes in disbelief at this absurd reality.
Right then, Baek Eun-seo's gaze, casually sweeping the crowd from the podium, locked onto me precisely amid the students.
And her shoulders twitched sharply as she gripped the mic.