Path of the Extra Chapter 381: Leo Karumi [15]

In the classroom, numerous tables were pushed together to form a rough circle. Pupils occupied seats behind them.

Oddly, the room wasn't filled with nearly high-school-aged kids being noisy and fidgety; instead, all were murmuring—casting peculiar, antagonistic, intrigued, or appreciative looks toward a specific student positioned near the 'circle's' edge.

Leo was that student. He rested one elbow on the desk, his cheek supported by his fist, gaze locked on the door as though eager to dash out.

'Why the heck is he here?'

'I don't know. Probably because, like everyone else, he got invited today by the student council.'

'Yeah, but it's not like he's the type to ever listen, right?'

'I don't understand why everyone's making such a fuss about him... It's not like he's really all that—'

'You're a first-year, right?'

'Yeah. He totally is. Didn't you hear the great evil stories about the 'evil prince'?'

'Evil stories about the evil prince? You guys actually call him the 'evil prince'?' The first-year's voice was thick with skepticism.

'Are all seniors this lame?'

'Hahaha—sorry, sorry. We don't actually call him that. We just say it sometimes as a joke.'

'Yeah. The thing is, since first year all the way to now, he's never cooperated with any kind of event, so it's kinda weird to see him here all of a sudden.'

'I... guess that makes sense.'

Leo blinked slowly and let out a sigh.

'You know I can hear all of you, right?'

Suddenly, the room fell completely quiet.

One student gave an uneasy chuckle.

'W-well... yeah. But you always act like you can't hear us...'

'Well, I'm not acting today. So shut up.'

The student's mouth quirked as Leo fixed him with a stare.

'F-fine...'

Right then, the door swung open, and two figures entered.

'I get why they make a fuss about her, though,' someone whispered.

'She really is pretty.'

That same first-year murmured it, drawing a few swift nods.

It was Lea and Nathan.

They quickly claimed their spots, but as soon as Nathan settled, he hugged his arms close and shivered violently like he'd stepped into ice.

'Did someone turn on the AC in here? It's so fucking cold!'

'...We don't have ACs in this school. You know that,' Lea replied, sounding already worn out.

'And watch your language.'

'Exactly my point!' Nathan fired back. 'I've brought it up so many times—buy ACs for every classroom—but it always gets rejected! How is this a prestigious school if it can't even afford basic human necessities?'

'You know it's winter, right?' Lea stated bluntly.

'So? Prez, you don't have any empathy for future generations? You've failed as our student council president...'

Nathan was set to rant more, but his jaw clamped shut in the middle of his gripe as another tremble hit him. Gradually, he swiveled his head.

Leo was eyeing him.

Nathan flashed an instant, innocent grin and chose to stay quiet.

A handful of students grinned awkwardly. Others seemed uneasy.

'Now that that's over,' Lea declared, 'let's start immediately.'

She carried a bundle of papers. Grabbing one, she handed it to Nathan, who relayed it; the sheets circulated as others slid them around the circle.

'Every one of you is here because you signed up to join the festival committee,' Lea explained. 'You're officially part of it now, so congratulations on being chosen.'

'Yeah! I knew I'd get in!'

'This means I finally don't have to be obligated to help our class or the teachers!'

'Right? We can just say we're too busy and go chill somewhere!'

Lea cleared her throat a few times. When it didn't quite work, she raised her eyes.

'Not to crush your excitement,' she said, 'but if you're caught slacking off instead of fulfilling your obligations—which includes helping your classmates and teachers—you'll be reported and punished. I don't know what the penalty will be, but I'm guessing detention, an essay, or extra tests.'

Many expressions dropped.

Some gawked at Lea as if she'd betrayed them.

'These armbands are so everyone can recognize you as festival committee members,' Lea went on. 'Keep in mind: if any of you aren't wearing them during school hours this week, it'll also be treated as slacking off.'

'H-hey, President... aren't you being a bit too strict?'

'Yeah... I mean, it's just a school festi— never mind.'

The girl talking halted abruptly when Lea narrowed her eyes.

The armbands were distributed until the pile emptied. Even with the prior grumbles, most kids were keen to slip them on. They appeared official, so they looked cool.

Leo received his only when Nathan tossed one over the table at him. He snatched it and examined the band.

His was green, yet striped with black lines—unlike the others'.

He scowled and glanced up at Lea and Nathan.

'Why is mine different from theirs?'

A charming smile formed on Lea's face.

...And on Nathan's.

'Because you'll be the captain of the festival committee,' Lea stated. 'You'll communicate with the student council if there are problems, represent the committee in upcoming meetings, and handle issues that come up during and before the festival. That sort of thing.'

'That sort of thing,' Leo repeated.

'So... 'etcetera.'

His mouth twitched at her words while the rest gaped as if punched in the gut.

'Why—why does he get to be captain?!'

'President, this is unfair! When has he ever shown any leadership ability!?'

Leo leaned back a bit.

'...You know I'm smarter and more athletic than all of you, right?'

'That's not the point!' someone barked. 'We're talking about leadership! You've never helped us with anything—you just show off your massive ego, insult us, and look down on us! Who the hell wants to work under someone like you!?'

'Just say you're insecure when you think of me.'

'S-see! This is exactly what I mean!'

'No, no,' a girl interrupted, jabbing a finger at Leo.

'The real question is why the hell you're even here in the first place.'

'Yeah, President—are you blackmailing him? You've got something on him, right?'

'Nah,' another voice chimed.

'It's black magic! She totally used black magic on him.'

'Prez would never do anything like that!' Nathan jumped in abruptly. He appeared distressed, eyes shifting aside with over-the-top sadness.

'T-the thing is... our beautiful president offered her bod—'

'Nathan!' Lea snapped.

She swept her stern look around the room.

'All of you—enough! Stop acting like five-year-olds throwing tantrums!'

Nearly everyone recoiled and averted their eyes.

'Leo is here because I convinced him to help. Not because he's here to mess with you or prove who's superior. He agreed to support us—and the students who are actually putting effort into making this festival a good memory before we move on to whatever our lives bring us next year.'

Her stare intensified.

'And that's what I expected from all of you, too, since you volunteered. Yet it seems like—maybe not all, but many of you—have ulterior motives for being here. I swear to God, if you can't let go of your grudges, your selfishness, or you try to ruin this festival for anyone... I will personally make it my mission, before and even after you graduate, to make your life miserable.'

'...'

'...'

The room grew hushed.

Nathan—with a ashen face and a look struggling to remain composed—silently shifted his chair a bit farther from her.

'Am. I. Understood.'

'...!'

'Y-yes, President..!'

'I understand!'

'We promise we'll fulfill our roles as members of the festival committee!'

'Yeah... I want to make this festival the best it can be.'

'...I guess having him here would help. As long as he's being serious.'

The group calmed—more subdued, more compliant. Noticing this, Lea's expression relaxed, her eyes warming slightly.

It wasn't an overstatement that students at this school regarded the end-of-year festival with grave importance. Held annually, yet folks treated it as a major event—something exciting to anticipate.

The festival spanned a complete week within the school, just prior to Christmas break, and went beyond mere stalls and adornments. A sports festival—once scheduled earlier in the year—had been merged into the same period, amplifying the scale. Fairs, contests, activities allowing students to bring family... it was all massive.

The school funds could support it as well, provided the instructors, headmaster, student council, and festival committee managed it properly. Intended to curb wild expenses, the allocation remained ample to satisfy most pupils.

For the graduating class, it represented their ultimate opportunity to unwind before the studies intensified further. Unsurprisingly, they aimed for enjoyment.

Leo got it. He gave Lea a courteous, ordinary smile.

'Don't worry, Lea,' he assured her.

'I'll turn these incompetent idiots into competent minions in no time.'

Jaws tightened around the circle. Several students seemed on the verge of erupting, fuming until Lea's caution flashed in their minds, forcing them to hold back.

Nathan grinned as if he'd foreseen exactly that.

Lea bowed her head with a resigned look.

'This... is going to be a long week...'