Chapter 35

‘Fine!’

Clyde seemed unable to accept it and urgently called out to his grandfather.

“President!”

But it was futile. The quest was already completed.

I bowed politely.

“I will not tarnish the reputation of the Student Council.”

“Hehe! I look forward to what’s to come.”

As we laughed together like a harmonious grandfather-grandson pair, Clyde looked at me as if I were the most foolish thing in the world.

His eyes seemed to ask, ‘Do you really think he genuinely likes you just because the president praised and smiled at you now?’

Of course, I knew he didn’t.

In fact, the president thought Tereza was even more foolish than Clyde.

Ding!

[Seat ‘Tereza, Born from the Heart’ has donated 1,000 coins.]

[What does she think she’s doing, looking at our child like that?]

Over the past week, there had been a subtle change in the broadcast.

It was the appearance of a nickname for me.

“Then don’t fight and get along well.”

The president left the Student Council room after giving us advice that seemed more fitting for children.

As soon as his grandfather disappeared, Clyde sneered at me.

“Your foolishness always surprises me. I wonder if you’re human.”

Who modeled you? Who made you so rude?

I smiled and deflected it with a good-natured laugh.

“Yeah, right. If I were any more foolish, I wouldn’t have been able to break your magic.”

“...What?”

“...Huh?”

Ding!

[Seat ‘SodaPass’ has donated 1,000 coins.]

[LOL]

I belatedly realized my mistake and pursed my lips.

‘Am I crazy? No matter how angry I am, there are other people to argue with!’

Clyde frowned and seemed to be mulling over my words.

Clearly, it was a sarcastic remark, but Tereza wouldn’t do that, so he was confused.

“What did you mean just now? Don’t tell me you think you’re something special just because you managed to break my magic once?”

“...No, I don’t.”

I knew when to submit to power.

Life is precious and I still had many things I wanted to do.

I was filled with a deep attachment to life.

‘Let’s retreat before my inner troublemaker acts up again.’

“I have a lecture to attend. I hope we get along well in the future. Bye!”

With that, I quickly left the Student Council room and headed to the lecture hall.

My steps were light at first but became increasingly urgent as Clyde followed me with his hands in his pockets.

Students passing by glanced at us curiously.

Normally, I should be the one trailing behind, but the roles were reversed, making us look strange.

Even members of the Clyde Fan Club were seen approaching like a cloud in the distance.

‘I’m going to be caught.’

I glanced back like a prey being chased by a predator and turned a corner at a run.

Thud!

This is why you should always watch where you’re going on a busy path.

I collided with something and fell backward.

“Ouch!”

Thump!

Fortunately, Damian caught me from the front and Clyde supported my back before I hit the ground.

I ended up sandwiched between the two male leads.

It was a very awkward situation.

Ding!

[Seat ‘RomancePass’ has donated 1,000 coins.]

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!]

...To some, it was a scene that would make dopamine explode.

[Seats are paying close attention to the development with multiple male leads appearing simultaneously.]

Not just ‘RomancePass,’ but other seats also found the current situation very exciting.

Before I could apologize, Damian laughed.

“This is the third time we’ve bumped into each other.”

“I’m sorry... I guess I’m a bit careless.”

One of my nicknames was actually ‘racehorse’ because of my narrow field of vision.

Damian didn’t seem to mind.

“No, it’s fine as long as you’re not hurt.”

I habitually checked the affection level.

[Affection Level: ♥♡♡♡♡]

The red color that made my heart feel secure brightened the status window like a rising stock.

‘Indeed, someone with a red heart has a different character. They’re like an angel.’

As I was marveling, a cold voice came from above.

“Can you stand up straight now?”

I was almost leaning back into Clyde’s arms.

At his comment, I finally straightened my upper body and awkwardly expressed my gratitude.

“Thanks for catching me.”

Clyde raised an eyebrow as if I had said something ridiculous.

“I didn’t catch you; I blocked you. To prevent you from rolling on the ground and blocking my path. So, you should apologize, not thank me.”

He even dusted off his hands as if they were contaminated.

“...Oh, sorry.”

Then Clyde suddenly snatched the application form from my hand.

“Even if you joined the Student Council by the president’s order, you still need to submit an application form, right?”

I clenched my fist tighter behind my skirt, out of Clyde’s sight.

‘You’re so smart, aren’t you?’

At that moment, Damian, who had been silent, tilted his head.

“Tereza, you joined the Student Council?”

“Yeah. They give a lot of extra points for joining. It’s an important time for fourth-year students.”

Damian momentarily wore an inscrutable expression before breaking into a bright smile.

“Great. I’ll get to see you more often.”

Well, I don’t think it’s a good thing to participate in dangerous club activities together.

“Yeah, right.”

While we were talking, Clyde passed by without a word.

However, the lecture hall he entered was the same one I needed to go to.

‘Ah. I see why he followed me. We have the same major...’

It was a gloomy realization.

“Hey, Tereza!”

By then, the Clyde Fan Club was already close.

I had dawdled too long. It was time to run to the lecture hall.

I waved to Damian at double speed and hurriedly said goodbye.

“See you next time!”

Just as I opened the lecture hall door and slipped inside,

“Student Council...”

I involuntarily turned my head at Damian’s low voice before the door closed.

Through the narrow gap of the closing door, I could see his cold profile.

“――――”

Creak. Thump.

The door closed.

I tilted my head, feeling uneasy.

“Interesting.”

What did he mean by that?