I was Thrown into an Unfamiliar Manga

We’d decided to visit the President’s private villa on an island with the student council members on August 16th.

Since today was August 9th, that gave me exactly a week of leeway.
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. What do you take me for?”
[Then that’s a relief. Seems it was an unnecessary worry.]

I silently offered my thanks to the Vice President.
If he hadn’t called today, I probably would’ve completely forgotten until the trip was right around the corner.
Maybe I should rethink packing so many plans into summer break.

“How are the President and Minami doing?”
[Both of them are the same as always. If anything, they’re more energetic than usual. It’s probably because they’re really looking forward to the trip.]
Hearing that from the usually stern Vice President kind of made me feel responsible.

I’d thought of it as just a casual trip, but for the President, who was graduating next year, it probably felt a bit more special.
“I’ll make sure I’m thoroughly prepared.”
To that, the Vice President replied from the other end of the line.

[No, you don’t prepare anything. We’ll take care of all the preparations on our end. You just focus on enjoying a midsummer vacation with the President.]
“I mean, still, I should at least bring something…”
They were covering the lodging, meals, and transportation, and now they were telling me not to bring anything? That felt wrong.

[Considering the financial power of the Saionji family, covering expenses for one person like you is nothing. Like I said—just bring yourself.]
“…Understood.”
He said it so firmly I couldn’t argue any further. I quietly accepted the President’s generosity.

[Then I’ll see you on the day. Stay well until then.]
“Ah, yes. You too, Vice Pre—”
Click!
The call ended before I could finish speaking.

For a second, I thought he was actually being a bit nicer than usual, but… no. The Vice President was still the Vice President.
His deep affection for the President came through loud and clear, even over the phone.
***

The next week passed quickly.
Since I didn’t have any particular plans, I spent my time leisurely going back and forth between home and the gym.
Even though I turned her down at the last festival, Minato still messaged me with her usual friendly tone, and while it felt a little awkward, I tried to respond in a way that wouldn’t hurt her feelings.

Compared to how she used to talk only about muscles, her messages now felt more like actual flirting. Maybe she remembered what I’d told her during the festival.
As for the D-Group members I’d regrettably parted ways with, we got together over the weekend and went to karaoke.
After singing our hearts out, we grabbed a meal at a family restaurant and hit the arcade before heading home.
Regardless of romcom clichés, we just hung out like normal high school students.

Considering there used to be only my parents’ numbers in my phone, this felt like serious progress.
Now I had not only the D-Group members like the class rep and Satoru, but also juniors like Minato and Mei Ling, who had gone back to China.
I even spoke with Mei Ling once by international call.

She said things like, “I told my master about you and he seemed interested~” and, “I’ll be participating in international competitions, so it might be a while before I can travel back to Japan,” and we updated each other on our lives.
It might seem overly sentimental, considering she’d only been gone for two weeks, but losing someone always makes the absence feel larger.
After all, she did spend five whole days freeloading at our place.

And just like that, a week passed in the blink of an eye, and August 16th arrived.
Summer break was already halfway over.
***

The day of the trip.
BANG!!
“Ohohohoho! Hello, Mother! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

The person who burst into our shop so early in the morning it was like they were about to break the door down… was none other than the President and her entourage.
It felt like I hadn’t seen her in ages.
Even though it had only been about three weeks since the first day of summer break.

I’d already been warned a week ago that the President would come to pick me up herself, so I’d mentally prepared—but she still made quite the flashy entrance.
“Oh my, it’s been a while, President.”
My mother, who happened to be restocking liquor bottles in the fridge, greeted her warmly. The President coyly hid her mouth behind her fan and glanced toward Minami.

Minami nodded and stepped forward with the bag she held in her right hand.
Mrs. Im I-ja blinked and asked, “What’s this?”
Minami slightly bowed her head and replied, “It’s a gift set of the President’s favorite brand of green tea. We hope you’ll like it.”

“Oh my, you didn’t have to! You could’ve come empty-handed.”
Despite saying that, my mother didn’t reject the gift.
She usually enjoys having tea during the quieter hours at the shop.

I vaguely remember mentioning that once before—seems the President hadn’t forgotten.
“Since you’re here, why don’t you at least have a cup of tea before heading out? I can prepare it right away.”
But the President shook her head.

“My deepest apologies, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible. We’re on a rather tight schedule.”
“Oh, in that case, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
As my mother’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, the President quickly added:

“Instead, once we’re back from the trip, I’ll return and gladly attend your next tea party. So please don’t be too disappointed.”
“President…”
As the two women with the same name shared a moment of mutual sentiment, the Vice President, looking at his watch with a nervous face, spoke.

“President, we’re out of time. If we want to stay on schedule, we need to depart immediately.”
“Ah, you’re right.”
The President mumbled, “Where’s my head today?” and turned to look at me.

“Secretary Kim Yu-seong, I trust you’re ready?”
“Ah, yes. I packed everything last night.”
They said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I figured I should at least pack a change of clothes, so I’d filled a small bag.

“Then let’s depart right away. Even if we leave now, we’ll barely make the flight.”
“Wait—flight?”
I was walking out the shop behind the President when I froze in shock.

Weren’t we just taking a car?
The President tilted her head and said, “Didn’t I mention it? Our family’s villa is in Okinawa.”
“That’s the first I’m hearing of it.”

“Well, you’ve heard it now, so it’s fine. This special student council training retreat will take place at our family’s villa, located on a private island in Okinawa.”
And just like that, the plot of a Japanese manga showed up out of nowhere.
A private island owned by her family—just how much money do they have?

Anyway, since they said there wasn’t much time before the flight, I ended up hurriedly hopping into the limousine the President arrived in.
The limousine roared down the road and delivered us to Tokyo Haneda Airport.
We checked in and boarded a flight to Okinawa.

Thanks to the President, I got to ride first class for the first time in my life.
Though I had to wonder—wasn’t this the kind of situation where a private jet usually shows up? Did someone like the President really need to use a regular airline?
When I asked, the President replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Have you been watching too much manga, Kim Yu-seong? No matter how rich someone is, they don’t fly private jets for domestic travel.”
The way she said it like it was basic common sense left me speechless.
Why is she only normal about things like this?

***
It took about three hours to get from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Okinawa Airport.
That’s pretty long for a domestic flight, but it felt different from going to Jeju Island.

Part of it was riding first class for the first time in my life.
When I mentioned I hadn’t had breakfast, the President personally ordered an in-flight meal for me.
“The food here isn’t bad. I eat it myself when I’m too busy to get a proper meal.”

Thanks to her, I had steak for breakfast.
The portion was small, so it barely touched my hunger, but I held back for lunch.
After the three-hour flight, we arrived at Okinawa Airport, and immediately boarded a waiting sedan to head toward the port.

There, a luxurious yacht was already docked—our transport to the island, apparently.
After unloading our luggage and stepping out of the car, an imposing elderly man by the yacht removed his captain’s hat and bowed toward the President.
“It’s an honor to escort you for this trip, Young Lady.”

“It’s been a while, Captain.”
The President waved casually, clearly familiar with him, and was the first to board the yacht.
“If you’re prone to seasickness, let me know in advance. I’ve prepared some meds.”

The Vice President offered both a stick-on type and a drinkable one.
After a moment of thought, I chose the drinkable one.
“Then we’ll be departing now. Please board the vessel.”

With that, the elderly man headed to the cockpit.
Once the Vice President, Minami, and I were aboard, the captain turned the wheel with practiced ease.
Bwoooooooong!

The electric motor’s deep hum filled my ears.
And so, aboard a pristine white luxury yacht, we headed for a remote island across the sea.