Editor : Amethyst00



Late at night after the student council work ended.

Vice Student Council President's Office.

Elena sat on the sofa, arms crossed and legs elegantly crossed.

A moment later, the door opened and Carl came in carrying a portable whiteboard.

"Ahem!"

Carl cleared his throat lightly with a pointer in hand.

"Let me start by explaining the current situation."

Click!

Carl pinned a photo of Leo at the top of the whiteboard.

"First, our target: Leo."

"I'm tired, so skip the obvious stuff and get to the point."

Carl responded as Elena yawned lazily.

"Please bear with me as a brief review."

"Hm?"

Elena's eyes narrowed.

Carl continued, watching her closely.

"Leo is different from typical male students."

"Yeah, because he's a grown man."

"That's not what I meant."

Carl let out a small sigh.

"I mean, he's someone who can't be swayed by your charms, Elena-sunbae."

"So what?"

"You're used to winning people over too easily, aren't you?"

Blessed with stunning looks.

With charisma and seductive charm.

Elena could charm not only men but also women.

Unless one had strong mental resistance or magical protection, just looking at her could be enough to fall under her spell.

"In other words, you're not used to actually winning someone over."

Her gaze alone could make someone fall in love.

Being adored was the norm.

Which also meant she lacked experience in actively pursuing love.

"So compared to your other rivals, you're at a slight… no, a major disadvantage."

"Why?"

"Can I be honest?"

"Go ahead."

"From Leo's perspective, you might be less appealing than Eliana."

Carl shut his eyes tightly and ducked behind the board.

He expected retaliation from Elena.

How dare someone compare her unfavorably to Eliana?

Though he blurted it out, it was a comment worthy of punishment.

But nothing came.

Carl cautiously peeked out from behind the board.

Elena was smiling with her chin rested on her hand.

"And your basis for thinking that is?"

"Well… honestly, Elena-sunbae, do you realize you act like a clingy little girl around Leo?"

Elena thought for a moment, then glanced at Carl.

"Now that you mention it, maybe I do. Sharp observation."

"Even Eliana tries to act more mature and reserved around Leo."

"Hmm?"

"Well, from Leo's point of view, whether someone acts mature or childish might not matter much."

Carl scratched his temple with the pointer.

"Next?"

"Yes. Let's talk about the rivals now."

Carl began pinning photos to the board.

From left to right: Elena, Lyl, Chen Xia, Chloe, Eliana, Celia, Chelsea.

Elena, studying the lineup, asked, "What about Nella Caven?"

Nella was considered the most beautiful in the third year and had a long-standing connection with Leo since their first year, having been class rep and vice rep together.

Her omission puzzled Elena.

To her question, Carl shrugged.

"Nella and Leo are 100% just friends."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I'd stake my honor as a hero on it."

'Your honor as a hero sounds pretty cheap,' Elena thought to herself.

Still, he sounded confident enough to have a reason.

"Well, to be honest, there are plenty more girls aiming for Leo besides the ones on this board… I've only picked the closest candidates."

"So? Who has the highest chance of being chosen by Leo right now?"

"No one."

"What?"

"That's the problem."

Carl frowned.

"It's unpredictable."

Leo wasn't easily swayed, but he could end up choosing anyone without warning.

"If we're unlucky, he might go with the first person who asks him."

"……That sounds just like him."

Elena frowned.

"Well, it's hard to predict, but if anyone were to ask Leo to be their partner and have him accept right away, there are two candidates. Also, two people Leo might himself ask first."

"Who?"

"Lyl-sunbae and Celia."

"Lyl? Why her?"

"Lyl-sunbae got the MVP wish last semester, remember? She could just use it to ask Leo to be her partner. Simple."

"Oh right. What about Celia?"

"She's the girl closest to Leo. Being his cousin is a huge advantage. Leo's comfortable around her. It wouldn't be strange for him to ask her himself. So—"

Carl tapped Lyl and Celia's photos with his pointer.

"Our first strategic objective is to eliminate these two from the partner competition."

"Is that possible?"

"Celia might be easier. I don't think she's actively trying to be Leo's partner."

"The problem is Lyl."

Elena fell into thought.

"Carl."

"Yes?"

"Can you make a sleeping potion that lasts a week?"

"……Please don't blatantly request something that violates school rules, even if you are the vice president."

Carl sighed deeply.

Elena spoke nonchalantly.

"That was the most peaceful plan I had in mind."

"What on earth are you planning…"

Carl pressed his temples and sighed again.

"I've already got a countermeasure for Lyl-sunbae."

"Oh?"

Elena sounded impressed.

"You?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Elena smiled, clearly intrigued.

"By assigning a shadow."

"A shadow?"

"Yes. I'm going to ask Eliza to keep Lyl away from Leo."

"Think that'll work?"

"I'll beg if I have to."

Elena rested her chin on her hand and looked at Carl seriously.

"Your plan sounds plausible. But I'm not convinced."

"As I said earlier, you need to trust me completely."

"Why?"

"Because you don't have any experience with romance, Elena-sunbae."

"……"

Elena twitched.

"For the record, I've had a girlfriend. Eliza Hergin."

"……"

"Yes, that Eliza Hergin. Can you believe I dated her?"

"That's… oddly convincing. I'm suddenly reassured."

Elena glanced at the board and nodded.

"Alright, proceed."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Carl answered energetically, encouraged by Elena's slight softening expression.

The two exited the vice president's office.

Once the lights went out, silence filled the room.

Swish—

A black shadow wriggled on the floor, revealing a figure.

In the darkness, Chen Xia's black eyes gleamed.

"So that's it. Carl's on Elena-sunbae's side."

As a student council member supporting Leo, Chen Xia had grown suspicious of Carl and Eliza's behavior and secretly stayed behind to eavesdrop.

Recalling their conversation, Chen Xia thought,

'First, I need to check Lyl-sunbae.'

Even more urgent than Elena and Carl's scheming, Lyl had to be contained.

'As for Celia…'

She thought of another key figure and smirked meaningfully.

The silent war had already begun.

bl

The next morning.

Dance party announcements were posted throughout the dorm notice boards.

"A week from now?"

"There's going to be a Best Couple Contest too."

"Sounds fun!"

Excitement buzzed among the students as they read the big announcement.

"Nella, who are you going to ask?"

"Hm. Secret."

Nella answered with a smile.

A few boys nearby flinched.

"Duran, who are you asking?"

At Howl's question, Duran scoffed.

"Not interested."

Still, several girls shot him eager looks.

Luke nodded as he read the notice.

"Ah, so you need a partner. I'll just ask someone."

"Oh? You sound confident. Got someone in mind?"

Fellow second-year Austin asked, and Luke answered,

"Yeah. Aina."

"You called?"

"Perfect timing, Aina! Want to go to the dance party with me?"

"Sure."

"The first couple is born!"

Students nearby made a fuss as Luke and Aina looked flustered.

Watching from afar, Martina gave an awkward smile.

"Those two look like a blank slate. Kind of nerve-wracking."

"……"

"Miss Celia?"

"Huh? Oh. Yeah."

Celia, who had been staring intently at the notice, quickly nodded.

Martina tilted her head in confusion.

"You're going with Young Master Leo, right?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah. I guess?"

Celia nodded with a slightly panicked look.

Martina remained puzzled.

"Really? I thought you'd be going with someone else."

Chen Xia suddenly appeared between the two.

Celia felt a strange unease.

"Someone like Abad, maybe?"

Celia's face froze at Chen Xia's whisper.

Martina looked puzzled.

"Xia, let's talk."

"Sure."

Celia grabbed Chen Xia's wrist and dragged her to her room, locking the door behind them.

Eyes wide, Celia gripped Chen Xia's shoulders.

"What do you know?!"

"Let's just say I happened to witness your bittersweet secret meeting with Abad."

"It wasn't a secret meeting!"

"The way you hesitated to hold his hand… You were so cute."

"Where the heck were you hiding?!"

"I'm a shadow, remember? I just happened to see it."

As Chen Xia smiled sweetly, Celia clutched her head.

Then, after taking a deep breath, she asked, "What do you want?"

Celia knew Chen Xia wouldn't blackmail her. But she was sure she had a motive.

Chen Xia explained what happened at dawn.

"So? You want me to help you?"

"Yes."

Celia groaned.

"Fine. I'll help you. I'll help you become Leo's partner."

Chen Xia beamed at her answer.