Graduation

Monday, February 26th.

An exhibition was in full swing on the first floor of Hankuk University's Areum Hall.

At the end of the hallway, inside a semi-open booth enclosed by black Foamex boards, stood Hye-min.

Her graduation project was a compilation of her work: the remodeling of Doma Elementary School where she first met Yun-hyeok, her editing work for Yun-hyeok's YouTube channel, and the Smart Farm development ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠proposal she drafted during her internship at Agronex.

It featured the redesign drafts and 3D rendering videos of Doma Elementary School—which had once looked as bleak and dreary as an abandoned building—along with the tomato jam and ketchup sent to famous YouTubers at the time, and the public opinion generated back then.

It also showcased the Doma Elementary video edited for Lee Yun-hyeok's newly created channel when he was still just a civic activist, documenting the explosive growth of his subscriber count.

Finally, it included the outline of the Smart Farm project pursued alongside him after he became the Mayor of Mir City, as well as "Sumato" (Sugar + Tomato), the brand developed by Agronex.

Her graduation project stood out starkly even among her peers.

It was infused with the feasibility of public design and real-world application experience, boasted clear results in the highly challenging subject of political communication, and even tied in the next-generation convergence field of smart farm interfaces.

Thus, Hye-min had expected that many people would visit her booth.

But she never expected it to be like this.

"Miss Hye-min!"

Reporters were stationed in front of the exhibition hall.

Yun-hyeok had held a press conference on Friday evening, announcing his plans to "found a new party in March." Now, after the weekend, it was Monday.

The reporters were desperate to generate follow-up stories on the massive sensation that was his party-founding announcement.

For instance, a story on the "mad editor" who had been volunteering to edit Lee Yun-hyeok's YouTube videos for a whopping two years.

Wasn't it practically guaranteed that she would join Lee Yun-hyeok's political party?

"Just a quick word, please!"

"Are you going to join Mayor Lee Yun-hyeok's new party?"

"Do you plan to engage in political activities in the future?"

They had already written draft articles over the weekend.

Calling her the primary contributor to Lee Yun-hyeok's victory in the by-election, mentioning how she had personally gone to Hong Gi-beom's campaign site to clear up allegations, and speculating whether her "bravery" made her a perfect fit for Lee Yun-hyeok's party.

"Did you already know about Mayor Lee Yun-hyeok's plans to found a party?"

"Over the weekend, the 'Politician Lee Yun-hyeok' channel gained a whopping 100,000 subscribers. How do you feel about..."

"Is Mayor Lee Yun-hyeok visiting the graduation ceremony today?"

Hye-min was utterly flustered.

She was not a politician, and she was naturally ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a timid person.

However, her sense of responsibility outweighed her fear.

"I, I..."

She glanced at the neighboring booths.

Her peers were staring at her with eyes wide as saucers. Causing a scene here would only cause trouble for her friends.

Hye-min decided she had to wrap this up and get these people out as quickly as possible.

"I've decided to join the party. But I'm not a politician! Please leave now!"

"Whoa!"

But the reporters only grew more excited, thrusting their microphones even closer.

"Did Mayor Lee Yun-hyeok personally ask you to join the party?"

"In that case, Miss Hye-min, will you be in charge of public relations for the new party?"

"If there is a vote for the party leader, will you cast your vote for Mayor Lee Yun-hyeok?"

"..."

Hye-min realized she was in deep trouble. Cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck in her panic.

But right then.

"Everyone!"

Suddenly, someone popped out from the side and stood behind Hye-min.

"Mayor?"

It was Lee Yun-hyeok.

"Mayor, why are you here...?"

The reporters excitedly snapped photos, and Yun-hyeok gently pulled Hye-min behind his back.

"If you have any questions about the new party, I will explain everything myself."

Yun-hyeok addressed the reporters.

"Isn't this a place where university graduates present their portfolios to the world for the first time as they step into society?"

In places like this, it was common for corporate HR teams, startup employees, or industry-academic cooperation partners to visit. They frequently exchanged business cards and requested resumes on the spot.

In other words, the exhibition itself functioned as a recruitment channel.

"Let's not ruin such an important event. Let's step outside."

Yun-hyeok led the reporters out of the hall.

About two hours later.

"Aren't you supposed to be working? It's Monday..."

Hye-min asked Yun-hyeok, who had returned to the booth after completely clearing out the reporters.

"I took the day off."

Yun-hyeok replied, suddenly presenting something from behind his back.

It was a bouquet of flowers.

"Congratulations on your graduation."

"Did you use your annual leave just to come here...?"

"It's not exactly annual leave. Elected officials don't really have a concept of paid time off."

Though he called it a day off for convenience, there was actually no system to request or record leave. He simply announced his absence as the head of the local government, designated the deputy mayor as acting mayor, and took a break.

"Besides, I had to come and congratulate you. Our very first party member is graduating."

"Ah!"

Hye-min bit her lip, overcome by a sudden wave of embarrassment.

"It reminds me of when I first met you, Miss Hye-min."

Yun-hyeok said, slowly scanning Hye-min's booth.

"Remodeling Doma Elementary was really fun. That empty countryside house had a lot of character, too."

"Don't talk about back then..."

Hye-min grew even more embarrassed. Their first meeting had been quite shocking, after all.

"Let's go check out the Innovation Valley together once it's completed."

"Yes..."

Yun-hyeok examined Hye-min's Political Communication Content Editing project.

"Ah, no!"

Hye-min leaped forward, spreading her arms to block Yun-hyeok's view.

"Don't look!"

"Why...?"

"Because it's embarrassing!"

She felt incredibly mortified to have written about how "political discourse has created a gap due to technical jargon and complex data" right in front of the biggest superstar in the political arena.

"But I actually agree with this opinion. Your point about the disconnect between politics and citizens is highly accurate—"

"Aaaah!"

Hye-min shrieked, pushing Yun-hyeok away.

"P-Please leave now! Let's meet outside later!"

Why did such a busy man even come here!

Anyone wishing to run as a candidate for provincial governor must resign from public office 90 days before the election.

Since the election was scheduled for the first Wednesday of June, he had to step down from his position as the head of Mir City by the first Wednesday of March.

"So, this will be the last political affairs meeting you all have with me."

Yun-hyeok said during a meeting with the department directors.

Even in this room filled with middle-aged men and women in their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fifties, there was a faint, bittersweet sense of departure, not unlike the one felt at the Hankuk University graduation ceremony.

"Mayor."

Park Jeong-woo, the Director of the Administrative Support Headquarters, spoke up.

"I'll be rooting for you in the gubernatorial election. I know you'll do great, Mayor."

"It was an honor working with you all this time."

Yun Geon-il, the Director of the Construction and Transportation Bureau, said.

"It feels like just yesterday when you were increasing the train runs at Mir Station."

"..."

"Indeed. I can still clearly picture you drafting the Kim Si-jun ordinance and giving the Welfare Bureau a hard time."

Kim In-yeong, the Director of the Welfare Policy Bureau, added.

"I'll pray that you don't run into any troublemakers like those from Baekrok-san when you work at the provincial office."

Seong Eun-hye, the Director of the Environment and Greenery Bureau, said.

"..."

Even for a political superhuman who had lived three previous lives and tasted all kinds of bitterness, the atmosphere was surprisingly touching.

Just then, Deputy Mayor Kim Min-cheol quietly chimed in.

"Directors."

Rumors regarding his next steps had also been a major topic of discussion within the main office. A few people, including Yun-hyeok, already knew, while others had anticipated it even without hearing anything directly.

"I am also resigning today."

Kim Min-cheol said.

"And after founding the new party with the Mayor, I intend to run as a candidate for the head of Mir City."

Yun-hyeok had no intention of handing Mir City back to the Hanmin Party or the Jayu Party.

This city was Yun-hyeok's political stronghold.

Furthermore, he needed someone who could complete the numerous projects he had set in motion. Kim Min-cheol was the successor to Yun-hyeok's administration and his political heir.

"If it's you, Deputy Mayor, we'd be more than happy. There will barely be any need to readjust our workflows."

The directors said.

"We hope both of you achieve a resounding victory."

"Well then."

Yun-hyeok gave his absolute best on his final day of work.

"Let's conduct a final review of the ongoing projects, budget proposals, and civil complaints in Mir City."

When he came down after the meeting, the working-level staff on the first floor were buzzing.

I didn't expect this.

"Mayor."

The division chiefs, who had gathered in a crowd, handed him bouquets of flowers.

Though he felt it was a bit awkward to receive flowers for a resignation announcement rather than a graduation, he could fully understand their sentiment.

"Throughout my entire career in public service, this past year and a half has been the most productive."

"It was tough, but these were truly rewarding days."

"We'll be cheering for your new party. We can't join because we're public servants, but still."

Even the lower-grade civil servants who had slipped away from their desks for a moment hovered around.

"I still have some 'Mayor's Favor' coupons left, though."

"Use them on the next mayor."

Exchanging light jokes, Yun-hyeok said his goodbyes to each and every person.

City Council members had also gathered in the lobby of the main building.

After Ha Tae-hun and Choi Hyeon-ju were ousted and the council was reorganized around Jeong Hyeong-seok, the City Council's workload had been immense.

This was because they had to churn out ordinances in perfect sync with the projects Yun-hyeok was pushing forward.

Although Jeong Hyeong-seok held the helm, the other council members must have had a hard time rowing along.

"Thank you for improving the treatment of us council members."

Yun-hyeok had supported the local council members by sharing administrative resources and promoting municipal activities through the public relations office.

"Thanks to you, our work became much easier."

"It was an honor to work with you."

Yun-hyeok exchanged farewells with the council members.

Of course, their intentions were likely not as pure as those of the city hall staff. It was safe to assume they were lining up early behind a candidate highly favored to win the gubernatorial election.

They would be running for the Mir City Council again in the upcoming local elections.

However, there was someone who was different.

"I am also resigning today."

Jeong Hyeong-seok, the City Council Chairman, said. There were many resignations in Mir City today.

"And after the party is founded, I will run for the Provincial Assembly."

While a city council member running for the same position does not need to resign, moving up to run for the provincial assembly requires resigning 90 days prior.

"Let's go."

Yun-hyeok moved to the press conference room alongside Kim Min-cheol and Jeong Hyeong-seok.

The three highest-ranking figures in Mir City had resigned simultaneously in a single day.

"And... I quit too. It's not a resignation from office, but I resigned from my job."

Jo Hyeon-seo said over dinner.

"You quit?!"

His father shouted instantly.

"You punk! Do you have any idea how hard it is to become a Grade 7 civil servant, and you just threw it away?! Others are dying to get in! It's an iron rice bowl! Just keeping your seat gets you salary steps, a steady paycheck, and a guaranteed pension. It's a dream job!"

"It's not a dream job!"

Jo Hyeon-seo yelled back.

"Grade 7 is terrible these days! The workload is insane, but the pay is dirt cheap!"

"Even so, you rascal..."

"Why are you being like this!"

Hyeon-seo's mother took his side.

"Let the boy do what he wants. He's still in his twenties."

Hyeon-seo was still twenty-nine in international age.

"Twenty-nine is not a young age, woman!"

"Hyeon-seo isn't the type to act without thinking."

His mother said.

"Hyeon-seo, what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to help the Mayor found the party, win the gubernatorial election, and go work as a secretary at the provincial office."

"Good lord..."

His father was filled with worry over a plan so fraught with uncertainty, but Hyeon-seo's resolve was unwavering.

He had decided to bet his life on Lee Yun-hyeok.

A politician's political staff shares their fate. If the politician loses an election, they all become unemployed together.

There was no longer a safe environment or a Grade 7 position to fall back on.

But that was fine.

Because our Mayor is not a man who fails.