I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 83: Student Council (Final)

May—the tail end of spring.

But with weather that hardly felt like spring, people vented their frustrations.

“Maybe it’s time to consider May as part of summer.”

Spring and autumn had become fleeting seasons, like mirages that appeared briefly before disappearing. Instead, summer claimed those periods, tormenting us with its heat.

Perhaps one day, there would only be two seasons left.

The school’s festival was an event held every two years. Since there hadn’t been one last year, it was time for one this year.

Judging by the bustling students in the hallways, it was clear this would be a large-scale affair.

“Not that I’ve ever really enjoyed a festival…”

Neither in my past life nor this one. This would be my first proper festival experience.

The festival was scheduled to last three days. That begged the question—what about classes?

“What about classes? The teachers already raced through the curriculum.”

In preparation for the festival, the teachers had sped up their lessons to ensure it wouldn’t disrupt exams.

The students, meanwhile, were overwhelmed. Balancing festival preparations with accelerated lessons was no small feat.

“Good thing I’m exempt from all that.”

Between the student council’s request and helping with Hong Yehwa’s classes, I was plenty occupied.

For the record, the masterpiece submission went smoothly.

Thankfully, the two of them managed to finish it just in time. That night, the three of us even went out for dinner—not that we told anyone about it.

“Apparently, Ms. Lee A-reum chose the title for the piece, but I didn’t catch what it was.”

That day had been so hectic that I barely remembered hearing it.

As for the painting to be displayed at the art exhibition, I’d managed to finish it just two days before the deadline. Cutting it close, but I got it done.

I sent the painting to the student council and felt relieved, as if a weight had been lifted.

“The festival’s next week… right?”

Lying across my desk with my eyes closed, I suddenly remembered something I’d been too busy to think about lately.

I needed to visit the old school building. After completing Gumiho, I figured it might function properly this time.

But first, since the thought had come up, maybe I should check on Gumiho itself.

The chairman had taken responsibility for its management. I didn’t really mind and had just let it go.

“Ugh, but going all the way to the chairman’s office is such a hassle.”

Still, the painting was there, so I had no choice. I dragged myself to my feet.

The green forest greeted me, though it looked completely different from the last time I’d visited.

Back then, it had been an empty, endless expanse of trees.

Now…

Whinny!

It was like I’d stepped into a wildlife sanctuary. As soon as I entered, a white horse appeared in front of me.

“Hey, long time no see.”

The horse approached and nudged its face against me.

After giving it a few pats, I asked about the whereabouts of the gumiho.

“Can you take me to Miho?”

Snort.

The horse turned its head as if to say, “Follow me,” and I trailed after it.

The dense forest didn’t seem much different, but…

“Of course you’re here.”

The once-empty clearing had been expanded and transformed into a small amusement park.

The place was teeming with various animals, though one particular spirit creature stood out.

“Master, you’re here?”

“Have you been well? Looks like you’ve gained some weight.”

“Ridiculous! The only thing I’ve eaten is the chocolate Soo-rin brought me!”

No use arguing. Still, isn’t the gumiho a canid spirit? Is it safe for them to eat chocolate?

“Stop eating unhealthy stuff like that. Try some fruits or vegetables instead.”

In my words, the gumiho looked utterly flabbergasted.

“Have you ever seen a fox eat vegetables? That’s nonsense.”

“Come on, you’re not an ordinary fox.”

“Also, the sugar in fruit is way worse for you.”

“Who told you that?”

“I dunno.”

This creature—my very first creation—never backed down in an argument.

I let out a sigh, gave a resigned smile, and picked up the gumiho, placing it on my head.

“Yaaawn…”

“Do you have narcolepsy? You were just fine a second ago.”

“What’s narcolepsy?”

“Never mind. Anyway, how’s the new environment? Are you getting by okay?”

“It’s the best…”

Watching it yawn again, I briefly entertained the thought of tossing it, but quickly dismissed it.

This little thing had been waiting for me all this time. How could I even think that?

After some lighthearted conversation with the gumiho, I left its sanctuary.

Gumiho was stored alone in the chairman’s office, in a place few visited.

“Though the chairman and her granddaughter seem to stop by often.”

Exceptions had to be made for them. They treated Gumiho like a beloved pet, even feeding it chocolate—something dogs shouldn’t eat.

My steps toward the old school building felt light.

This time, I was visiting alone. Ms. Lee A-reum wasn’t accompanying me.

“2-2… here it is.”

Class 1 had a plum tree motif. 

Class 3 had fish.

Class 2, in the middle, featured a fox drawing.

Before entering, a question crossed my mind.

Why had Woo Hwa chosen to leave graffiti here?

Had he known I would attend this school?

For now, the answer eluded me. I couldn’t even begin to guess what my mentor had been thinking.

With an unsettled feeling, I stepped into the classroom. It looked like an ordinary room, nothing special.

But to my eyes, a small doodle caught my attention.

“This really is strange.”

Why had he chosen to scatter his drawings across different classrooms instead of concentrating them in one place?

Setting the thought aside, I focused on the fox drawing.

Soon, that familiar sensation came over me, and my vision went dark.

Ssshhh.

What exactly is that man trying to tell me…?

Returning after seeing the memory, I felt deeply annoyed.

Just like when I saw the fish doodle, the memory was meaningless. The only difference was that this time, it was the moment I first met my mentor.

That late night encounter was also when I first met Miho.

Still, it was a useless, insignificant memory.

“Ugh. Let’s just go back.”

There was no point in staying here. It would only give me a headache.

With a lingering sense of unease, I returned to my class.

“Whew… I’m really glad I was exempt from all this.”

The students looked busier than ever, their faces glistening with sweat.

If I were in their shoes, I would’ve collapsed from exhaustion by now.

Quietly, I decided to just head to my seat and catch a quick nap, but—

Tap, tap.

A finger lightly tapped my shoulder. Turning my head, I was greeted by none other than the esteemed student council president herself.

“Hello, junior.”

“I already handed over the painting, so… why are you here?”

“Haha, could we have a quiet chat somewhere for a moment?”

A third-year, and the president no less, had come all the way here. That alone was shocking, but the fact that she came looking for me?

Naturally, the hallway grew noisy.

For a moment, I made eye contact with Hong Yehwa back in the classroom. Her expression darkened ominously.

“Yeah… saying no is probably the right move here.”

“Um, I don’t really have time right now. Maybe next time?”

“Of course! I have your contact info, so I’ll send you a message later.”

The president smiled brightly and left, leaving me feeling unsettled.

The unease only grew as I returned to my seat.

Yehwa’s darkened gaze was locked on me.

“I swear, I didn’t do anything,” I blurted out.

I wasn’t even sure why I needed to defend myself, but it felt necessary.

“I didn’t say anything,” she replied.

Could she at least stop glaring at me like that?

Hanging out with Ha Soyeol seemed to be rubbing off on her lately.

“What’s going on between you and the student council president? I thought you were done with her requests.”

Well, at least she was asking questions. That was a good sign.

Scratching my head, I avoided her gaze.

“I don’t know why she came to find me.”

“Hmm…”

Her persistent stare wasn’t going to squeeze any answers out of me—I really didn’t know.

As far as I knew, the only reason the student council wanted me was for the painting. Maybe it was about the broadcast?

But I’d already gotten approval for that from Chairman Lee Ji-chul himself.

So what else could they want?

“…Alright. I’ll trust you. But there better not be a next time.”

“Like I said, I don’t—… Okay, fine.”

My eyes caught a glimpse of something in her pocket: a leash.

Why in the world was she carrying that around?

“Seriously, what has Soyeol been teaching you…”

“I didn’t teach her anything.”

The sudden voice from behind made me freeze. Slowly, I turned my head.

There stood Ha Soyeol with her usual indifferent expression, and next to her, Choi Yeseo stifling a giggle.

Why are they here? Oh, right—there’s no class right now.

Because of the festival preparations, most of the day had been left open.

“Haha… Welcome,” I greeted awkwardly, though Soyeol raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t say anything bad about her, did I?”

I was innocent. I hadn’t said anything negative or talked behind her back.

“Yeol, Ha-eun’s having secret meetings with the student council president.”

“…?”

At Yehwa’s sudden comment, silence fell.

“Um, you might want to avoid making such misleading statements.”

“Is it not true?”

I looked around nervously, but denying it now wouldn’t help my case.

Then, Yehwa and Soyeol exchanged a knowing glance before clapping their hands in unison.

“Operation success.”

“That was fun. Should we try it again next time?”

…Hell hath no fury like a man mocked by his friends.

For a moment, I felt my face twist with irritation. But I held it in with the patience of a saint.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack…”

“But you did meet with the president, didn’t you?”

Yehwa smirked, resting her chin on her hand.

“I already told you—I don’t know why she came looking for me.”

But what I didn’t notice at the time, while Yehwa and Yeseo were teasing me, was the unsettling gleam in Ha Soyeol’s eyes.