I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 81: Student Council (1)

“Time sure flies.”

It felt like just yesterday I entered this school, but I was already in my second year.

I let out a yawn and opened the classroom door. Familiar faces and some new ones greeted me.

It seemed like some students from the first-year classes had moved up due to changes in their grades.

This meant they had worked hard and spent time getting into this class.

The opening ceremony was already over, and the classroom was filled with an awkward atmosphere.

In the first year, everyone had been fairly friendly with each other.

Except for the kids who usually hung out in cliques, the room was mostly quiet.

‘Why do I feel like crying? I don’t even have any friends.’

While it would have been nice to see some familiar faces, I didn’t have anyone I could call a close friend. I only recognized names and faces.

We would just exchange greetings if we passed each other in the hallway or other places.

I didn’t have any notable friends in the art department.

Well, except for Hong Yehwa.

“Yehwa! Long time no see!”

But before I could approach her, that friend of hers—whose name I couldn’t even remember now—and their group whisked her away.

“Sniff.”

With no familiar faces around, I figured I’d end up in the corner of the classroom again this year.

Feeling lonely, I started doodling and scribbling in the notebook I had brought.

“Is Ha-eun here?”

Someone who seemed to be a school staff member opened the classroom door and called my name.

‘What’s this about? I haven’t caused any trouble.’

Since they were calling me, I figured I should go.

I stood up and stepped out of the classroom, immediately feeling the weight of everyone’s stares on me.

‘What is it? Did I really do something?’

It felt uncomfortable having students who normally didn’t pay any attention to me suddenly focus on me.

Feeling a slight chill, I stepped out into the hallway.

“Wow… Did you see Lee Ha-eun just now?”

“She always said she wasn’t athletic, but look at those proportions…”

“I want to get close to her, but she’s always surrounded by girls. Ugh.”

Lee Ha-eun remained unaware of the growing murmurs.

“Uh, did I do something wrong?”

The man, who looked tired and seemed to be a school staff member, sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.

“Oh, no, it’s not that. The student council called for you. I’m their advisor.”

“Ah, I see. But why me…?”

“They said it’s about the festival. I don’t know the details. The student council will explain everything to you.”

Hmm. Why would the student council call for me? The festival was still two months away.

What could they possibly need me for?

“Wouldn’t an advisor usually know more about this kind of thing?”

When I voiced my curiosity, the advisor shrugged.

“The student council here operates autonomously. I’m more like a figurehead. My name’s just on the roster.”

“Ah, like a ghost member.”

“Pretty much. I just take care of random tasks they ask me to handle.”

In other words, he was practically their servant. I didn’t dare say that out loud.

His exhausted expression held me back. Still, the idea of students ordering around staff felt absurd to me.

This wouldn’t happen in a normal school—at least, that’s what I thought.

But this wasn’t a normal school. It was a haven for meritocracy. That applied not just to students but to staff as well.

The student council comprised some of the most talented individuals in the school. They weren’t just brilliant but also wealthy and influential.

They were the kind of people who always made the best choices, no matter the situation.

Each department selected one representative for the student council, setting them apart from the other students.

‘But at the end of the day, they’re still just students.’

If I remembered correctly, Hong Yehwa, Lee Doyoon, and Baek Yuseol were part of the council. But as second-years, they didn’t hold much decision-making power.

The ones who called me were likely the third-years.

These were people who had shed the label of amateur. From the perspective of their peers, they probably had no motivation left.

‘Not that it matters to me.’

For me, school was just a place to eat lunch or gain a little social experience.

Lost in thought, I realized we had arrived at the student council building.

It was slightly smaller than the main building, where the chairman’s office was located, but it was still overwhelmingly large for students.

Especially considering it was meant for just 15 people.

‘An entire building just for the student council… S Group really is something.’

The student council was mostly run by third-years, with the younger students supporting them.

However, in the absence of third-years, the younger members could act as substitutes.

‘It feels like something straight out of a comic.’

Even now, seeing such a building in real life felt surreal. I hadn’t been here at all during my first year.

Why would I, when I wasn’t part of the student council? It was just a waste of energy.

Following the advisor, I entered the building. Unfortunately, the meeting room was on the third floor.

Thankfully, there was an elevator, sparing me the ordeal of climbing stairs.

When we finally reached the student council room, the advisor excused himself, saying he had other work to attend to, and quickly left.

‘Wow, look at him running… He must’ve been through a lot.’

How bad must things have been for a teacher to fear students this much? It was a little pitiful.

Feeling a mix of emotions, I opened the door.

And what I saw—

‘This is definitely Korea, right?’

The main building, the student council building—it didn’t matter.

Why were they so obsessed with over-the-top decor? This place… I didn’t even want to comment.

Letting out a deep sigh, I stepped inside.

As expected, there were five people in the room. Each of them was a prominent figure in their respective departments.

‘So first-years stay on the first floor, second-years on the second, and so on?’

I wondered if I might see some of my friends here, but apparently not.

“Where’s your knock? Did you leave it at home?”

A delinquent-looking guy lounging on the sofa glared at me.

“Oh, right.”

I’d forgotten to knock. I turned to leave and knock properly, but—

“It’s fine. Just come in.”

The girl who hadn’t even looked up from her papers—whether they were documents or something else—spoke calmly.

Still, I’d entered without knocking, so I figured I should apologize.

“Uh, sorry for entering without knocking—”

“Skip it. Just hear us out and leave.”

“…?”

The delinquent waved me off and turned away. He was clearly someone difficult to talk to.

‘What’s his problem? I didn’t do anything to offend him.’

At most, I forgot to knock. Or maybe I was late?

In any case, I didn’t want to deal with someone so unapproachable.

Five minutes passed, then ten.

“…So, uh, if there’s nothing for me to do, can I leave?”

What was the point of calling me here if they weren’t going to say anything? I was busy too—busy doodling, that is.

At my question, the girl who had been slumped over her desk suddenly lifted her head.

“Oh, right. I’m sorry.”

The dark circles under her eyes reminded me of the advisor I’d seen earlier.

“Sigh… There’s just so much work. I apologize.”

As she rubbed her eyes and let out a deep sigh, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her.

‘Yikes. Definitely need to stay far away from the student council.’

The stack of ominous-looking documents on her desk was clearly far too much for a student to handle.

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

I just shook my head. What more could I expect from someone who already seemed so exhausted?

“Thank you for understanding. Let me check if there’s an empty seat… Oh, there isn’t. Please wait a moment.”

The student council president got up and approached the delinquent-looking guy lounging on the sofa.

And then—

Wham!

‘Oh… That looked painful.’

She mercilessly stomped on the most sensitive part of his anatomy. I could almost feel the pain myself as I watched.

The other council members, who had been quietly observing until now, flinched at the sight.

The third-year student council consisted of three women and two men.

‘The creative writing department… That must be rough.’

I wondered what kind of dramatic fantasy might be forming in the mind of the boy from the creative writing department. Who knew what kind of story might spring from what just happened?

“If you’re going to act like a jerk to a guest, get out. Unless you want to die.”

“Kghhh… It’s broken…”

At the president’s words, the delinquent trembled and straightened up immediately. He looked pitiful, clutching his groin protectively.

Even though I didn’t like him, I could sympathize with the pain as a fellow man.

The delinquent slouched out of the room in a hurry. He was probably heading to the infirmary.

“Sorry about that. He’s from the physical education department and has been sulking ever since he lost to a younger student recently.”

President Kim gave an awkward laugh and gestured to the now-vacant sofa.

Her comment jogged my memory of some recent news.

Ha Soyeol had come to school during the break to work out and joined one of the athletic club’s events. She must have thoroughly beaten him there.

“It’s fine.”

In place of the delinquent, the luxurious sofa now welcomed me.

‘They’re really swimming in money… Not even surprised anymore.’

Kim sat to my left, while three other council members, who had been quiet so far, sat across from me.

At some point, a glass of iced tea appeared in front of me. Kim smiled and introduced the others.

“I’m sure you know who I am. Let’s start with introductions. The one in the middle is—”

“I’m Jo Haru, from the music department.”

“And the one on her left is Ha Soo-cheong from the performing arts department. Lastly, Park Jin-woong from creative writing. The one who just left was Cha Ji-wook from the physical education department.”

“I see.”

I already knew their names, of course. In this school, you naturally learned certain bits of information, like names and faces.

“But is this second-year really going to be of any help?”

After the introductions, Jo Haru immediately pointed at me.

Seriously? Pointing at someone you just met?

I already knew Jo Haru had a strong personality, but seeing it in person gave me mixed feelings.

Still, her words needed some correction.

“Well, I did win a competition, but…”

“Huh? What competition?”

“Uh…”

I blinked, caught off guard by her genuinely curious expression.

Well, it wasn’t impossible for her not to know my name if she wasn’t interested in art.

Still, the way she looked so puzzled at my response left me momentarily speechless.

She didn’t seem like a bad person—just genuinely unaware.

“It was an international competition. It’s quite well-known in the art world.”

I explained briefly, and Kim nodded in agreement.

As a member of the art department herself, she was clearly aware of who I was.

“Wow! So you’re a genius too?”

Jo Haru leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

Feeling uncomfortable under her intense gaze, I turned to Kim and asked, “So, why exactly did you call me here?”

“Oh, it’s nothing major. I just wanted to ask you for a favor.”

Her smiling face somehow sent a chill down my spine.

It’s nothing major… right, President?