The Student Council President's Countermeasure
With students trickling in for school and a police substation nearby, we had finally reached what could be called a safe zone. I reassured Sua, who was looking around with an exaggerated gesture, shielding her eyes with a hand over her brow.
"We're fine from here on out."
"Mission accomplished, then?" She held out her palm toward me. When I ignored it, she voiced her demand aloud. "High five!" I had ignored her on purpose, but—smack!—I ended up giving her one anyway.
"I only did it because of the mood this time, but I'd prefer if we didn't do this in the future."
"Do what?"
"Well... it might sound a bit strange, but... physical contact."
"Are you serious? It's just a high five. We're close enough for that."
"Maybe if I didn't know your boyfriend."
"Just because I have a boyfriend means I can't even touch palms with a friend?"
The acceptable boundaries for physical contact with the opposite sex while in a relationship varied from person to person, but Taehyun seemed like the type who would hate even a simple high five. Whenever the three of us were together and Sua touched me, even lightly, I often got the impression that he was desperately trying to hide how much it bothered him.
"But Ha-woon, some of the girls who touch you have boyfriends too."
"I guess their boyfriends don't mind."
"Taehyun doesn't mind either."
"I've known him longer than you have, you know."
"He absolutely doesn't mind. If he can't even handle this much, he doesn't deserve to be my boyfriend."
I recalled what Taehyun had said yesterday—about how the one who loves more is the one who loses. Come to think of it, that guy was a winner in his own way.
"Hmm... maybe he's become a bit more generous now." The only version of him I knew was the virgin, single-since-birth Jeon Taehyun. Now that the level of their physical intimacy had completely changed, he might indeed think a simple high five was nothing.
"Pfft, talk about a quick 180."
"What do you mean, a 180?"
"Didn't you just say he's probably more generous because you're worried I'll decide he doesn't deserve to be my boyfriend?" It wasn't that, but since explaining the real reason would be too awkward, I just went along with it.
"Yeah, yeah. What a beautiful friendship." Sua nodded, closing her eyes and resting her chin on her hand, before suddenly pointing somewhere. "Whoa, look over there!" It was a familiar hot dog stand.
"We used to eat there all the time." Just as she said, it was a place we frequented before she started dating Taehyun. Despite using zero-calorie, specially cultured meat sausages, the texture and flavor were spot on, making it incredibly popular among the girls.
"Ah, yeah. You had to wait forever to get one. Is the line still that long these days?"
"Yeah, I saw it on my way past the other day, and it was still insane. I miss it..." Did she want one?
"Have you never eaten there with Taehyun?"
"I've asked him to buy some for me."
"So he's your delivery boy..." I could easily picture him standing there awkwardly, the sole male surrounded by a crowd of schoolgirls. I already knew he acted like a total pushover, but imagining the scene in my head made it feel all too real. It made me feel ashamed for having been so bitter about him losing his virginity before me. At least his devoted, pure love was being rewarded.
"Have you thought about what I said yesterday?" Yesterday, Sua had kept pushing the idea of me "taming" Juran.
"That only works for people who actually know how to do it. I don't know the first thing about playing hard to get."
"That's why I'm offering to coach you!" She thumped her chest confidently. But I remained skeptical. Though I couldn't bring myself to tell Sua, I had no desire to play romantic push-and-pull games with a girl whose first time wouldn't be with me.
"The opponent is a lion. One wrong move and my life is on the line." Besides, it was undeniably dangerous.
"Well, do you have any other ideas?"
"First, I need to meet with the President."
"Seohye?"
"Yeah. She told me yesterday to find her whenever I needed help." I didn't plan on being a burden for long. "I just need to buy some time."
"Hmm... then while you're buying time, you can take my crash course on playing hard to get—"
"Can Taehyun join us for that class?"
"That... would be a bit awkward, wouldn't it?" Just as I thought. These were her personal relationship tactics, after all.
"I can just teach you when Taehyun isn't around!"
"I have no intention of stealing your time together."
"...Ugh, you're no fun." She really was just enjoying herself.
Before we knew it, we had reached the school gates. It was noisier than usual. Looking toward the commotion, I saw a crowd of girls gathered around the Student Council President.
"You look amazing today as well, President!"
"What brings you to the gates this morning?"
"I'm so happy I got to see you first thing in the morning, President!" It was practically a fan club. Seohye herself, however, looked rather troubled.
"Ah...!" Our eyes met.
"Excuse me for a moment... I have some business with Ha-woon..." She gently parted the crowd of girls and walked toward me.
"Oh my gosh, was the President waiting for Ha-woon sunbae right here at the gate?"
"They look... really good together."
"No way. The President deserves someone much more masculine."
"Oh, please. You clearly don't get it. She's wearing a school uniform right now, but she looks incredibly dashing whenever she wears men's clothing."
"Kyaaa! I just pictured it! Now that you mention it, they really would look great together! ♡" They were so loud.
"I've been waiting for you, Ha-woon."
"Perfect timing. I was actually planning on heading to the Student Council Room to see you."
"I'm so glad. I don't even know what to do with myself, knowing you trusted me enough to come." She was twisting her body slightly, looking genuinely flustered.
"Kyaaa! The President must really like Ha-woon sunbae!"
"I've never seen the President act so shy before! ♡"
"Just pounce on him already, President!" Seohye snapped.
"P-Pounce... P-P-Pounce?! Such vulgar language is entirely inappropriate for a student! It is banned, absolutely banned! That is a disciplinary offense!"
"Pfft. My, my... starting from yesterday... our Ha-woon is just drowning in popularity..." Sua giggled beside me, casting a teasing glance my way.
The President I knew was definitely not this kind of character. My lingering doubts began to solidify into absolute certainty. Perhaps my wish really was coming true. She was always perfectly composed, a cold, iron wall who rejected any approaching male so harshly they'd leave in tears. The President was undoubtedly a virgin.
Stopping her fidgeting, she stood up straight and made a polite gesture. "Well then, shall we head to the Student Council Room?"
"I want to go too!" Sua raised her hand high.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. We have sensitive matters to discuss."
"Oh, come on~ Are you sure you don't just want to be alone with him?"
"T-That... That is not it!"
"Hehehe, really? Reeeally?" Sua could be downright malicious at times like this. Knowing all too well the embarrassment of being teased, I stepped in to cut her off.
"This is a serious discussion about my safety. Go play with your boyfriend."
"Hmph..." Leaving a pouting Sua behind, I walked side-by-side with the President. Her face was flushed red. Did she really have feelings for me? If so, then unfortunately...
Too small... I averted my eyes from her chest. The President was an incredible woman, far too good for someone like me. If Sua hadn't told me yesterday that girls were starting to see me as a man, I would have gladly accepted her feelings. But if the choice was mine, I wanted to date a girl with big breasts. A chest smaller than my younger sister's... it was a real shame.
At least nothing was set in stone yet. The girls at the gate, Sua, and I might all just be misunderstanding the situation. Praying that things wouldn't get awkward between us, I followed the President into the Student Council Room.
"What kind of tea would you like?"
"Homeroom is starting soon... I'd rather skip the tea and get straight to the point." Disappointment flashed across her face, but I forced myself to ignore it. It was probably best not to drag this conversation out.
"In that case, could you first tell me what happened?" I explained how I had run into Gyuhwan's gang, how I had gotten away safely thanks to Juran, and how Gyuhwan might be harboring a grudge out of jealousy.
"So, you are concerned about potential retaliation from Hong Gyuhwan." The President cut straight to the heart of the matter. While Juran herself was fierce and difficult to deal with, Gyuhwan was indeed the most troublesome variable.
"I can propose two possible solutions."
The first was a strict restraining order issued under the authority of the Student Council. Once enacted, the entire student body would be notified that Gyuhwan was prohibited from approaching me, and the disciplinary actions for any violation would be determined and announced in advance.
"Given his poor track record, a forced transfer would be easily justifiable. In fact, expulsion is also entirely within our power, but cornering him to that extent might lead to unpredictable retaliation against you after he leaves the school, so I have ruled that out for now."
The second option was placing Hong Gyuhwan under special surveillance using police resources.
"This measure involves having the school's liaison officer keep a close watch on Hong Gyuhwan. This action will not be made public, meaning no one other than the Student Council, the police, and you will be aware of it."
I had no desire to become the center of attention. Naturally, my choice was the latter.
"I think the increased surveillance is best. I won't trouble you with this for too long. I'll try to find a peaceful way to resolve things on my end as well."
I expressed my gratitude one last time and was about to stand up when the President asked another question. "Do you have any objections regarding Kwon Juran staying close to you?"
"It's uncomfortable because of Hong Gyuhwan, but Juran herself hasn't really done anything wrong to me..."
"She may seem harmless now, but that woman is dangerous." I couldn't agree more.
"But even so, it's not like we can issue a restraining order or put her under special surveillance..."
"There is another way to handle her." My interest was piqued. As I sat quietly, showing my willingness to listen, the President swallowed hard and suddenly blurted out:
"Please go out with me!" Her eyes were squeezed shut, her face flushed a brilliant crimson.