"Is the food at the academy this delicious? I feel like I ate until my stomach burst!"
As we walked out of the cafeteria after finishing our meal, Seo-a stroked her stomach contentedly and smiled.
"Why are you eating so desperately? You'll be eating here every day from now on, right?"
Jin-woo grinned at the sight and teased Seo-a, who glared at him sharply in response.
"You, who said you need to eat dessert to break even, only ate cake!"
"What can I do? It was the best!"
The two of them suddenly started bickering.
It seemed fortunate that they had become close so quickly after following me around and experiencing various things today.
"President, I've uploaded the ledger of the 'Fund Investment Club' to the school community. It's already causing a huge stir, with people talking about filing lawsuits and even threats to kill them."
Yeong-jae chuckled as he reported on the tasks I had asked him to do before the duel.
"When I asked the students from other classes during lunch, it seems that all the freshmen who had planned to join today have canceled their applications. You can imagine the atmosphere, right?"
"Of course."
I could roughly guess without him saying it.
If this continues, the 'Fund Investment Club' will not only have to pay a huge compensation but will also be branded as a club that embezzled investors' money. The club members, unable to bear the scrutiny, will start to drop out one by one, and the club president will undoubtedly bear all the responsibility.
In other words, the 'Fund Investment Club' will be effectively finished.
"Did you really think it was possible to dismantle the Gold Club in just one day? Where did you get the corrupt ledger?"
It was a natural question to ask.
The 'ledger' containing their corruption played the biggest role in this situation.
"Through connections."
"Connections?"
"Yes, it wasn't a difficult task."
Ultimately, dirty money has to be laundered, and it inevitably ends up in the back alleys.
In the process, it had to pass through our Callione.
"By the way, Glasses, why did you suddenly start calling me President?"
"......Yeong-jae. Anyway, were you really that curious?"
He nodded, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Because I knew it would definitely work out."
"Hmm?"
"After hearing your plan, I was certain the club would be formed. Since that would make you the president, I started calling you that in advance."
"......I see."
In other words, he had complete faith in me. I couldn't help but smile at Yeong-jae's attitude.
"Well, 'President' doesn't sound too bad."
As I turned and walked towards another place, Yeong-jae's voice came from behind.
"President, the classroom is that way, right?"
"I have a place to stop by."
"Stop by? Ah."
Yeong-jae nodded, realizing that the direction I was heading was towards the club building.
"You're quite busy, President."
"I need to get used to it."
Leaving the three of them behind, I headed to the 'International Trade Club' on the 4th floor, where Iharu was located. The staff bowed to me as I arrived without any hindrance.
"Is the president inside?"
I asked the bowing staff, and one of them replied.
"The president is having lunch inside. Since she told us to guide you in immediately if Han Yujin came, you can go in now."
It seemed they had expected me to come during lunchtime.
Following the staff's guidance, I entered the president's office and saw Iharu sitting at her desk, eating a sandwich and signing documents diligently.
"You seem quite busy."
As I approached Iharu and closed the door, she swallowed her sandwich carefully and spoke.
"Yes, I received information that many clubs that had contracts with the 'Fund Investment Club' have withdrawn before lunch. I apologize for not greeting you properly. I'll finish as quickly as possible."
"Take your time."
"Thank you for your consideration."
She bowed briefly to me and then resumed chewing her sandwich and reviewing the documents.
Her eyes, which carefully examined the contents of the documents without a moment's hesitation, and her white cheeks, which were puffed up and moved continuously, were mesmerizing. After a while, she swallowed the last of her sandwich and stood up.
"Phew. I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"Hmm? It was faster than I expected."
"Thanks to your consideration."
Iharu sat opposite me politely, expressing her gratitude.
As I crossed my legs and remained silent, Iharu unfolded the paper in her hand and began to speak.
"The documents submitted against the 'Fund Investment Club' are currently under review by the Student Council. It seems other clubs are also targeting the weakened 'Fund Investment Club,' but since we have already applied for the club battle, they won't be able to take it over."
"That means their downfall is practically certain."
"Exactly. According to the plan, the club battle will be announced today, and simultaneously, the 'Fund Investment Club' will acknowledge their defeat and be absorbed by us."
In other words, the situation is practically over.
"Good work."
"Your praise is too much. I merely added a spoon to the table you set."
Iharu bowed deeply, still maintaining her humble attitude.
Then, an awkward silence fell.
"So...... What do you think about the proposal I made?"
I cautiously brought up the reason I came to see Iharu, which I had hesitated to mention earlier.
Iharu, who had been reviewing documents, turned her eyes towards me.
"Are you referring to the confession you made earlier?"
"......You're still carrying on with that joke?"
"I've been told to make more jokes to the other club members recently."
Even so, this joke was deadly to me.
It was really fortunate that I had the [Hitman] trait.
"Sometimes, it might be good for you to make jokes too. Studies show that an emotionless leader finds it hard to gain the trust of their teammates."
There are studies on that......?
"Where do they conduct such studies?"
"The Seoul Hero Academy Psychology Club."
"......Then, it might be worth considering."
If it's a study by that club of lunatics, it must be true.
It seemed like a good idea to consider it.
"So, why are you avoiding my question and changing the subject?"
Iharu's body froze at my question.
Her pupils began to tremble, and the paper in her hand started to crinkle.
"That, that......"
"Hmm?"
Her voice was very soft, so I didn't hear it clearly.
Realizing I hadn't heard, she bowed deeply again.
Then, her voice, slightly louder than before, reached my ears.
"Isn't it embarrassing...... to answer a proposal to become your person......"
"What?"
I was taken aback by Iharu's unexpected reaction, and my body shuddered.
Then, her body began to tremble. When she raised her head, her eyes were narrowed, and she was covering her mouth with her hand, as if trying to suppress a smile.
"This is also a joke."
"......If you keep this up, I might really get scared."
"Fortunately, this joke seemed to work a little."
I found it strange how often she was smiling now.
Did she show such a variety of expressions in the game? I remember her always having a blank face when serving customers......
"Master?"
Seeing this, who would think it's the same Iharu?
I couldn't help but smile. Iharu suddenly turned her head.
"Hmm? Why?"
"......Master can make jokes too, it seems."
"Jokes?"
"......Yes."
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
Did I make a mistake? As I wondered how to react,
"I will answer your question now, Master."
She returned to the main topic.
Iharu, who had changed her expression to a more professional one, stood up and knelt before me.
"Iharu of the Inomiya Group. I have pledged my loyalty to Callione in the past, and I do so now."
However, she continued.
"Now, I want to pledge my loyalty to Han Yujin, the eldest son and sole successor of Callione. Please, accept it."
A formal declaration of allegiance.
No words were necessary for her loyalty. I just needed to quietly extend my hand.
Feeling my hand approach, Iharu quietly kissed the 'Successor's Ring' given to her by her father.
"Iharu, your enemies will become my enemies. Those who wish to harm you will be erased by my hand."
The price of joining me wasn't that high.
"You just need to build a new friendship with me. How does that sound? Isn't it a great deal compared to the price?"
After finishing all the talk, Iharu slowly raised her head and looked at my face.
"Indeed, the joke was a bit much."
"Then, I'm glad."
"Following Master's words, I and the 'International Trade Club' will stand with you."
As she stood up, Iharu naturally grabbed my hand and pulled herself up.
Then, she turned her head to check the current time.
"There seems to be some time left. Would you like some tea?"
"Tea......"
There was still quite a bit of time before the class started.
Just as I was about to relax and have a casual chat with Iharu, an image of an envelope appeared in the corner of my vision and started blinking.
"Master?"
"Just a moment."
Thinking about opening the envelope in my vision, the content of the message appeared before my eyes.
[Coach Ji Soo-hyun: Club review is over. Come to the faculty office immediately.]
How long had it been since I said I was going to the Student Council for the review to be over so quickly?
I had doubts, but Ji Soo-hyun wasn't the type to joke about such matters.
"I'm sorry, but let's have tea another time. Something urgent has come up."
"Urgent......?"
For a moment, I thought I saw her eyes tremble.
"If so, we'll have to postpone it. The 'International Trade Club' will always welcome Master's visit."
She bowed deeply as I stood up. I quickly headed to the main academy building where the faculty office was located.
"What did the Student Council do to get the review results so quickly?"