Student Council President Election #2
Student Council President Election #2
"Me! I—Leona Kainus—am running!"
—Flash!
The moment Instructor Lee So-ra said she would accept candidates, Leona got excited and practically screamed her answer, hand shooting up.
Her energy was off the charts. Her eyes were literally sparkling. Was being president that thrilling? Felt very Leona.
"Leona, is it? Figured you'd run. Any other candidates? No one?"
Instructor Lee So-ra smiled faintly, looking around before her expression turned puzzled.
"Really, no one?"
Because Leona was the only candidate.
"Yes. Let's just say the vote's been unified. Support has consolidated around Leona."
I explained it.
"Already unified? For a group that hasn't been together long, you sure know how to rally."
"Ah, about that."
Leona, who'd moved beside the Instructor, spoke up.
"Kim Geun-cheol actually had a fair amount of support, but he said he wasn't interested. So Kim Geun-cheol announced he'd back me. That unified the vote."
"Oh ho. I see."
The Instructor nodded, satisfied.
"All right, Leona. As a candidate, give us a few words before you sit down."
"Yes, Instructor."
Standing at the podium, Leona looked over us. She paused, smiling as if making eye contact with every voter, then—
"Heh heh heh! Thank you, everyone!"
She beamed and expressed her thanks.
"If I become president, I will tackle all the duties of the office—meaning all the annoying stuff! Is that not what a student council president does? Leading by example, even for the most tiresome tasks! I will be a Leona who takes the lead and resolves anything!"
"Ohhh! Everyone, applause!"
—Waaaaaah!
—Ohhhhh!
—Clap clap clap clap clap!
Her refreshing speech had everyone cheering and clapping.
"Heh. Well, that is pretty much what the president's job is. Good ambition, Leona. I hope you win."
"Heh heh heh, Instructor. Truth is, support from the Mage Class is already consolidated too. At this rate, it's a guaranteed win."
"Oh ho, already? You are popular."
"Thanks to Kim Geun-cheol."
Well, that's embarrassing.
"Still, don't get complacent. Instructor Maikes's class... some of the Noncombat Class students want to run."
"Is that so?"
I'd caught glimpses of their faces at the festival and watched a few performances, but the Noncombat Class students were basically strangers.
Guess I'll get to know them after the election.
"Take your seats. We need to start class."
"Yes!"
"Today is a Combined Class. You'll learn positioning and how to fight together with your allies. Squads are the same as last time. And you can chat about the election while you're at it."
That's the idea!
* * *
I talked with the Instructor as we moved.
"By the way, Kim Geun-cheol, seems you've got quite the pull. Rallying this much support already."
"Heh heh heh, but honestly, the person who jumps in first has the advantage. Guess I've got some pull too, though."
"The Andomin Incident, right?"
"Right."
That's what got everyone backing me. The first step in unifying the whole grade. And Leona becoming president finishes it.
"I'll be the vice president."
"Vice president. That suits you. Ah, but I've heard whispers that the person who defeated the student council president has to become the next one. Didn't you land the final hit?"
Say what?
"I mean, technically, but I didn't do it alone... Who's been saying that?"
"Word from the upperclassmen. Not that it means much."
"Those crazy seniors."
The president's term is roughly from the start of first-year second semester to the start of second-year second semester. And the upperclassmen made that kind of person president.
Anyway.
We arrived at the class location.
"Hey, everyone! Listen up a sec! Leona's running for president! I want lots of support!"
"Sure!"
"I mean, no one from our class was running anyway."
The Mage Class kids nodded.
Good.
I greeted everyone, put a hand on Ahn Do-min's shoulder and told him to take care today, then approached the Oyulhama Duo.
"Let's work hard in class today too."
"...Uh, y-yeah."
"..."
"Yo, Ma O-hun. What's up?"
Ha-yul was her usual self, but Ma O-hun seemed unable to focus.
"The armor. I keep thinking about it."
"Stop clowning around and focus on class, man. Wings suit you more than armor."
"Heh."
"Ha-yul's got the defense covered."
"I... I can't keep doing it forever... Geun-cheol."
—Slink.
Ha-yul came up beside me and said that.
"Ma O-hun... I think he needs to make his own way to defend too."
"Whoa! Ha-yul, you're thinking about your teammates now?! That's major progress!"
The girl who couldn't socialize at all can now speak up for her team. All thanks to me leading as squad leader.
So proud.
"M-Maybe... I guess."
Ha-yul ducked her head, embarrassed, wrapping her arms around her stomach.
"Heh heh heh, just keep doing that."
Chatting with the squad, class started.
"Everyone. Come over here and get your materials."
"Come get your materials!"
Instructor Lee So-ra and Instructor Kawar handed them out. Each squad got materials tailored to their composition.
"Thank you."
I took them and read.
"Hm. So it's different for each squad."
According to the materials, our squad type was Balanced.
A balanced formation with a capable vanguard like me, one supporter, and one ranged DPS. A hexagon with no skewed stats, but in theory, the hexagon was on the small side.
Good balance, nothing outstanding.
Simply put, a well-rounded comp. Can handle anything decently, but mastering one thing is tough.
For example, a comp with three melee DPS has no ranged pressure but monstrous breakthrough power. Our balanced comp can't expect that kind of breakthrough.
Anyway, the assessment is we're best off playing it safe and steady.
"So this is...?"
"Let me read."
I showed the two the materials so they could learn them.
"Listen as you read. Positioning is simple. Ha-yul's in the very back. Ma O-hun's in the center. I'm at the front. With this setup, Ha-yul just has to guard the rear thoroughly and protect the ranged. I just hold the line so the vanguard doesn't crumble, or run recon when we're out of combat."
Both nodded.
"Ma O-hun. In combat, don't think about flying around. Just scan and focus only on taking out enemy ranged monsters or special monsters. I'll handle the main line."
"Got it."
"Ha-yul, you watch the rear and block anything I let slip."
"Okay..."
Ha-yul's skill creates a dome or spherical barrier. Even if I let a few slip, she can block them. Ma O-hun can finish them in that gap.
"Everyone read the materials? We instructors wrote them after analyzing your squad's traits. Memorize them. Then enter the VR Room. Fight like you normally do."
"Understood."
We entered the VR Room and started training immediately.
—Bzzzt.
The machine activated the moment we put on the helmets.
"Okay, initiate positioning!"
"...Okay."
"Let's do it."
We positioned exactly as we'd just learned.
Then a message came from the Instructor.
"Monitoring in real time. Good positioning. Continue as you are."
"Yes!"
And so.
—Papapapat!
—Shing!
We ran VR training while listening to the Instructor's real-time feedback. As ordered, I sliced monsters in the vanguard, acting like a shield for the team, and Ma O-hun efficiently cut down the enemy ranged monsters.
"B-Behind! Enemies behind!"
And Ha-yul was gaining confidence and doing her part too. Ma O-hun immediately turned around and eliminated the rear enemies.
I just trusted my squad, defended the front line without looking back.
And with that, a perfect clear.
After training, we returned to the Instructors.
"Not bad. Performed your assigned roles by the book. Keep doing that."
"Thank you!"
While Instructor Lee So-ra praised and gave feedback, Instructor Kawar gave advice to Ha-yul and Ma O-hun too.
"Ha-yul, your posture seems way better lately! You've changed so much since second semester! Probably because your squad leader's guiding you so well!"
"S-Something like that, I think..."
"And you can actually speak properly to some degree now. Yep, anyway, good job in training. Focusing purely on defense while scanning your surroundings. That was perfect."
"..."
"And Ma O-hun! Your teamwork has really developed wonderfully! You had none of that originally!"
"...Yes."
Well, he's right.
Ma O-hun's become a real person.
"As expected of Kim Geun-cheol! Leading your squad so well! Applause, applause!"
"Heh heh heh, I do think it turned out this way because I did a good job. Well, it was a good chance for me to develop some leadership too."
"Kuh! Knows his own competence! Truly reliable!"
After getting a bunch of praise, we got a break. Should I get a drink from the machine? I headed to the vending machine with my squad.
"Whoa. Everyone did great. This is what a proper person and a proper team looks like. Let's keep doing this from now on."
Bet it'll work in real combat too.
—Glug glug.
Ma O-hun wordlessly drank cola while Ha-yul called my name.
"Um... h-hey, Geun-cheol...?"
"Hm? What?"
Hesitant.
She's improved, but there's a lot left to fix.
"D-Did you... at the festival..."
"What about the festival?"
Want to hear me sing more?
"W-Were you really gonna... do a public confession...?"
"No, dude, why would I do something that terrifying!"
I almost screamed! A public confession—that's a total nightmare! Guess that scared her!
"It wasn't, so relax! I'd never do something that evil! I was just gonna say thanks!"
True.
Something that shocking already happened. No surprise some guys are misunderstanding like this.
"Really...?"
"I said so."
Ha-yul nodded, seeming convinced.
"Anyway, thanks... Geun-cheol. Thanks to you, I think I gained... a little confidence... A-And I can speak a bit better now..."
"That's deeply moving."
Good.
And like that, we focused on the Combined Class.
* * *
"So, shall we meet up tomorrow and brainstorm, like, election promotion? Our odds are high, but showing ourselves doing something might be even better!"
After school.
Leona practically declared it, full of motivation.
"Sounds good. Let's put something together tomorrow. Aren't we all student council officers anyway?"
"Right, right! I'll be president! Kim Geun-cheol will be vice president! And Lee Si-hoo will be secretary! Woo Yu-ri will be discipline!"
Every seat was already decided.
"But Yu-ri as discipline? Can she even do that?"
"You mouthing off again?"
—Whoosh!
I jumped to dodge Yu-ri's low kick and spoke to Si-hoo too.
"Si-hoo. Think you can handle being secretary?"
"What are you implying? I'm confident in my brain, you know."
"Doubtful..."
"Geun-cheol, at this rate you're gonna die!"
Well, guess he has a lot, so maybe he'll manage secretary work fine. We chatted about it briefly. The details we can figure out when we meet tomorrow. Once we decided that much, we left the classroom.
"Hey, hey. Still, it's time to focus more on training now. The festival's over, gotta get our heads back in the game. Today, I'm gonna run you ragged to get that discipline back, so be ready."
Outside, Yu-ri made a threat.
"I'll properly put you back in line."
"I look forward to it. Yu-ri."
I'll show you my skills.
"Heh heh heh, as expected of Woo Yu-ri. You really have the talent of an instructor. Then I'll leave Kim Geun-cheol safely in your hands."
"Yeah, I got him."
"Kim Geun-cheol, do your best."
"See you tomorrow."
We parted ways with Si-hoo and Leona like that.
"Yo, scrub. Let's go."
"Yep."
I followed Yu-ri straight to the training ground.
—Trudge, trudge.
Yu-ri walked ahead with her hands in her pockets. She was quiet today, though. Seeing her like this felt like we were going to shake someone down—not that it was much different.
Since she'd probably wreck my ribs again with intense training for the first time in a while.
Better stay alert.
—Squeak.
Anyway, I entered the training ground with Yu-ri.
"Okay, Yu-ri. Let's work hard again today."
The moment I casually grabbed a training sword.
—Slip.
"Hey."
Yu-ri's voice came from behind—
"—W-What?! Hey! Let go!"
She had me in a near-chokehold, practically hugging me from behind, and spoke right against the back of my head!
"Got something to say, don't you?"
"No, damn! Sis! Please let go!"
"When are you gonna judge my dance? You say I did better, I'll let go. Huh? I did better, right?"
"Tap! Tap! Hey! This is a foul! I'm still deliberating...!"
"Asshole."
—Slip.
"Gahk!"
Only then did Yu-ri let go.
Such a terrifying woman... I turned around, trembling, and there she was, grinning at me.
"'Deliberating,' my ass, you shit. Just—huh? Just give a judgment. It's not hard."
"That's what I'm saying. It's been a while, so trying to replay it in my head has all sorts of complications..."
"So you need to see it again? Watch again? You want me to show you?"
Yu-ri put one hand behind her head, about to strike some pose.
"Gahk! What're you trying to...!"
"What, me? What was this little shit expecting?"
"Nothing, just."
"What. You want me to dance here?"
"Stop doing weird stuff!"
"Cut the crap. Yo. Come here."
—Beckon, beckon.
Taking out her phone, Yu-ri motioned with her hand.
"What now..."
"Tch. This mouthy brat. Yo. You coming or not?"
"Fine... I'm coming."
"Sit."
When I came over, Yu-ri made me sit. Then she crouched beside me and showed me a video on her phone.
This is?
"It's from the festival. Okay, if you watch it again, you can judge, right?"
"No way! You got this?"
"They just gave it to me."
—...
On the screen, Yu-ri was doing a sexy dance. Seeing it again, she really did dance well. More than anything... I couldn't tear my eyes away from the phone.
As I focused on the video, Yu-ri spoke.
"Look, look. Yo. Watch this. Like this. Huh? Look how I do it. Huh? Adding a body wave! Popping the pelvis! How perfect is this, man! Hurry up and vote!"
Coercion!