I possessed a character in an academy dating sim

Chapter 21. The Insider Goes to the Student Council

Moon Surin: [Junior. Hello?]

The sender was Moon Surin. Why is she suddenly contacting me?

Still, it doesn't feel bad. This is the perfect time to unleash my long-dormant dating instincts.

Me: [Hello. What's with the formal tone, noona? LOL]

Moon Surin: [Haha. Since it's our first time texting, I wanted to be polite!]

Me: [Is something up?]

Moon Surin: [Can't I just contact you? Pout]

Was it wrong to ask her purpose right away? My dating instincts are so dead I can't even tell what's wrong.

But damn, why is she so cute?

I quickly sent another reply.

Me: [No, no! I'm glad you reached out despite being busy.]

Moon Surin: [Actually, I do have a reason. You know club promotions start this week, right? Would you be interested in joining the Student Council?]

Student Council?

Out of nowhere?

She's rushing things again. In the game, club activities were just a forced mechanism to entangle the protagonist with the heroines.

There wasn't even a Student Council route. What do I do?

Me: [Thanks for the offer. There's still time this week, so I'll think about it and let you know.]

Since I'm not sure, should I have rejected it more strongly? I was originally a shut-in, so I still lack conversational skills.

Suddenly being told to live as an insider is too much for me.

Moon Surin: [Alright. Let's talk again tomorrow. Make sure you think about it!]

Me: [Okay, noona. Have a good night.]

Moon Surin: [You too~ (A cat turning off the light emoji)]

Ahh, whatever.

The club I had in mind was Lucy's social club.

The heroines in that club are Lumi and Lucy. With two heroines, the number of incidents is bound to skyrocket, making it a must-join club.

Elise is in the reading club. Nam Daeun is in the relaxation club. Moon Surin is in the Student Council.

At Victoria Academy, joining at least one club is mandatory. That's why even Nam Daeun joins the relaxation club, though she doesn't actually participate.

Elise's reading club doesn't have any major events in the original story. So I only planned to join Lucy's social club. I never expected the Student Council to come calling.

"No matter how I think about it, it doesn't seem like the right choice."

The Student Council must be filled with elites from prestigious families or guilds. There's no way I'd fit in there.

Time is another issue. The Student Council requires sacrificing personal time, but I need every moment for heroine capture and the main storyline. Even with my personal training and studies, I barely have enough time.

Come to think of it, isn't the Student Council elected? That's weird. The original game never mentioned elections. Maybe they just didn't include it because it wasn't important?

I considered it out of courtesy, but I should probably decline.

"Wait, isn't the Disciplinary Committee part of the Student Council?"

The Disciplinary Committee is indeed under the Student Council. Maybe I should try that instead?

Victoria Academy's Disciplinary Committee is different from other schools.

Instead of dealing with minor dress code violations, they handle internal school incidents independently.

Since students here have real power, incidents naturally happen frequently.

If they relied on external authorities every time, it would damage the academy's prestige. That's why the Disciplinary Committee exists.

"The more I think about it, the better it sounds."

As a committee member, I can roam the school freely, uncover hidden opportunities, and find fortuitous encounters.

Unlike the Student Council, the Disciplinary Committee doesn't have daily duties, so it wouldn't interfere with my social club or personal time too much.

Besides, all the major incidents that the committee handles are ones I'd get involved in anyway.

"Alright, decision made."

Now that that's settled, time to sleep.

*

"First-year, Class A, Lee Hoyeon."

"Understood. We'll blacklist him from all clubs in Victoria Academy."

"Make sure it's handled properly. He dared to disrespect our Magic Research Club and slander our professor."

"Don't worry. Every club will be repulsed by his name."

In the Magic Research Club's room, the club president and the Victoria Academy Club Chairman were making shady deals.

Surprisingly, the Magic Research Club had considerable influence. It had a large membership, and its president, Kim Hyundo, came from a renowned magic family.

Furthermore, the Club Chairman had promised to join Kim Hyundo's family guild after graduation, so he provided a lot of backing.

Thanks to this, the Magic Research Club held power second only to the Student Council.

"Are you sure he has no backing?"

"Don't worry. He's an orphan with no guild connections. He briefly made headlines for appearing in a photo with the Student Council President, but it turned out to be nothing. There's no need to hesitate."

"Got it."

"Guys like him need to be crushed before they get any ideas about their place."

"Agreed. Everything will go as you say, sir."

"Lee Hoyeon. I don't know how you deceived Professor Im Sol, but I will take her back…!"

Mwahaha! Hahahaha!

The two men's boisterous(?) laughter filled the club room.

*

Beep-beep— Beep-beep—

Tuesdays are strong and fresh mornings!

I've gotten used to waking up in the dormitory.

Though getting up to an alarm is still torture.

After gathering myself, I washed up and looked into the bathroom mirror.

"Damn, I really am good-looking."

No joke. It doesn't make sense. A sharp nose, naturally radiant skin and lips, and striking yet masculine eyes.

The kind of face that makes my friends proud to walk beside me but too attractive to introduce to girls.

After putting on my cadet uniform and pinning the first-year brooch to my chest, I left the dormitory.

Today feels refreshing. Maybe something good will happen?

"Hoyeon! Wanna walk together?"

A male voice called from behind. There's only one guy I'm close with.

Blond delinquent Kim Younghan. The term 'delinquent' might sound bad, but he just looks the part—he's actually a solid guy.

Even while I'm busy wooing heroines, I maintain a good friendship with him.

This guy never betrays.

In the game, whenever the protagonist was in danger, he was the first to warn him. If there was news, he somehow got wind of it and shared it.

Even in the later stages, when the protagonist's enemies threatened Kim Younghan's life for information, he never caved.

In short, he's a good guy. A reliable friend.

Not emergency rations, but definitely a meat shield.

"Yeah, let's go."

We walked in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Eventually, Kim Younghan spoke first.

"Did you decide which club to join?"

"Me? I have two in mind."

"Oh? I'm considering the tea club and the fishing club. What about you?"

Tea and fishing? That doesn't suit his blond delinquent look at all. Might as well dye his hair black.

"I'm thinking of the Student Council and Lucy's social club."

"Student Council? Did you get a recommendation?"

"Recommendation? What's that?"

"You don't know? To join, you need a recommendation from a current member."

What kind of nonsense is this? Is Victoria Academy a communist state in 'Sekai'? That wasn't in the setting.

"Isn't the Student Council elected?"

"The student council changes every two years, and since this one started last year, there's still a year left. So, if you want to join mid-term, you need a recommendation from one of the council members."

What kind of ridiculous system is that? Isn't this just blatant nepotism?

"Oh, I see. I didn't know."

"Yeah, but they don't give out recommendations without reason. It's not an official rule, but they're usually used to fill vacant positions."

At least they try to maintain some justification.

Why does this suddenly feel more complicated?

There's been no mention of any vacancies in the student council.

That means Moon Surin is trying to recruit me without any real reason. A freshman joining the student council as a parachute recruit?

That sounds like a great way to attract unnecessary attention.

"How about joining the fishing club with me? Let's aim for the big catch."

Ignoring Kim Younghan, who was pretending to reel in an imaginary fishing rod, I walked toward the first-year classroom building.

"Victoria Academy's elite magicians' club! Recruiting new members for the Magic Research Club!"

"Urgently looking for new members for the Swordsmanship Club! First come, first serve! Training starts immediately!"

"Join the Fishing Club! Become one with nature and experience the thrill!"

The club promotions were definitely more aggressive. Dozens of cadets were handing out pamphlets on the street.

"Isn't that the fishing club you were looking for? Go check it out."

"Oh? Should I? Come with me."

"No, I'm not interested."

Kim Younghan ran off to grab a pamphlet and started talking with a fishing club cadet.

"Sigh."

I had no intention of joining, but I couldn't just leave him, so I stood nearby.

"So, you do have two open spots for new members, right?"

"Yes, yes! There's plenty of room! Actually, we haven't had many recruits since last year. Our goal is to bring in over ten new members this year."

"Then could we get two application forms?"

"Wait, one of those isn't for me, is it?"

"Of course, it's for you, Hoyeon. Join us and become one with nature."

"I already said no."

"Uh, excuse me. This is Kim Younghan, and is the other person Lee Hoyeon?"

"Yes, that's me, but I'm not planning to join."

"I'm sorry, but we only have one spot left, so it might be difficult for Lee Hoyeon to join."

"What?"

What kind of nonsense is this? Didn't they just say they were looking to recruit over ten people this year?

"What do you mean? You just said there were two spots available."

Even Kim Younghan looked confused and questioned the promotional cadet.

"I apologize. There was a mistake. If Kim Younghan joins, we'll be full."

"..."

What is this suspicious feeling?

I wasn't planning to join anyway, but changing their story the moment they heard my name. Something's off.

"Alright. If there's no spot, then there's nothing I can do."

"Hoyeon! Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving. You go ahead and join."

Suspicious or not, I can't be bothered. I wasn't going to join anyway.

But the moment they heard my name, the bustling club promoters parted like the Red Sea.

And they blatantly avoided eye contact with me, pretending to be busy talking to others.

"..."

Something is definitely going on.

But I can't just go around asking questions.

I'll just go to class.

Holding onto a sense of unease, I made my way to the academy.

Kim Younghan soon caught up with me, telling me that as soon as I left, the fishing club cadet immediately started recruiting others again.

"It felt off to me too, so I decided not to join."

As expected of my not-so-delinquent-looking, loyal friend.

As I sat in my seat waiting for the homeroom professor, I felt two pairs of eyes on me.

I glanced over and saw one was Lumi. The moment our eyes met, she flinched, widened her eyes, and quickly turned away.

What's with her?

At least I can still join the same club as Lumi, so that's fine.

With so many heroines around, there's too much to keep track of. I'll just manage Lucy and Lumi in the social club.

The other gaze belonged to my extra-rival, Do Jinhyuk. He was practically glaring at me with murderous intent.

Seriously, what's his problem? I haven't done anything wrong, except being the protagonist.

Wait, is that the problem?

I guess some people just hate others for no reason. Since he's an antagonist, maybe he was just born that way. Poor guy.

Creak.

The classroom door opened, and our homeroom professor, Kim Jinhyuk, entered.

As always, he wore a black suit with slicked-back hair.

"Have you all chosen your clubs? Joining at least one is highly recommended, so make sure to sign up."

As usual, he delivered his message calmly.

"Next week, there will be a dungeon training exercise. As you know, Victoria Academy doesn't have attendance or class participation points. If you ace your exams, you're top-ranked, regardless of attendance."

This is why Nam Daeun skips all her classes later on. Since she's first in practical skills, she has no reason to attend.

"However, dungeon training scores include participation. You'll enter in teams, but each member will be graded individually. That said, if you recklessly interfere with teamwork just for points, you'll be penalized. Use your judgment."

Simply put, it's a cooperation exercise. Whether as a hunter or part of the association, teamwork is crucial.

"Today's class will proceed as usual. Any questions?"

"..."

"If not, prepare for the lesson."

With that, Professor Kim Jinhyuk left the room.

As soon as he was gone, the class became lively again.

Guess I should get ready too.

I don't need theoretical lessons, but I shouldn't slack off and make a bad impression on the professors.

I pulled out a research paper from my bag and started reading. No matter how much I read, there was always more.

Creak.

Just then, the classroom door opened again.

It was a little early for the theory professor, but maybe they were arriving early today.

That's what I thought, so I kept reading.

But the room was noisier than usual.

"Why is the Student Council President here?"

"Excuse me, is there a student named Lee Hoyeon here?"

"Yes. He's over there."

"Thanks."

I heard a voice I shouldn't be hearing in this classroom. And they were looking for me.

Step, step.

I lifted my head, and in front of me stood Moon Surin.

Oh, crap. That was my only thought.

"Junior, have you made your decision?"

With a dazzling, irresistible smile, she held out the Student Council application form to me.