Leadership

It was the kind of heat that made tempers short and shirts stick to backs. Unless, of course, you were inside the air-conditioned sanctuary known as the Faculty Council Room. In this frosty cocoon, deadlines melted, responsibilities blurred, and the illusion of power lulled them all into complacency.

Here, sprawled across soft couches and glossy benches, five student council members enjoyed their undeserved break. Some lounged with their arms tucked behind their heads. Others played with their phones, sipping iced drinks like they had no responsibilities in the world.

"Aaah~ this couch is heaven."

"Honestly, I might just camp here. What's the point of going home if we only get a one-hour break between classes?"

"Fast Wi-Fi, no noise, cold room... this place is a cheat code."

At the head of the table, Dellon's stylus froze mid-signature. He raised his head, eyes sharp as a scalpel. "Should I start calling names, or would you rather be kicked out quietly?"

"Hehe... sorry, Boss."

He didn't smile. He never smiled when he worked.

While the others enjoyed their fake freedom, Dellon was signing digital permits, coordinating an upcoming Red Cross training event, and—most annoyingly—waiting for someone.

His fingers drummed impatiently on the desk.

"Ai, where the hell are you?"

As he was about to grumble, the elegant wooden door in the front suddenly knocked softly and was immediately opened by someone who intended to come in.

"You're always on the phone, be patient! I was just about to come here!" Aidera said irritably as she entered the room with Clara right behind her.

This girl's arrival made the five people who were relaxing suddenly sit upright and straighten their uniforms to look neat.

"Where have you guys been?" Dellon asked.

"Just returning a wallet to its original owner."

"A wallet?"

"Milady found a student's wallet at the cafe where she works, so we returned it," Clara interrupted.

Whatever their intention was, Dellon couldn't figure out why Aidera would do such a random thing. It was something that she rarely did, even though he had known her since childhood and understood her true nature well.

"Are you bored or something?"

"Well... sort of," Aidera replied casually.

"Alright, come here. Here's some work to do so you won't be bored."

With details, Dellon explained everything that needed to be done, occasionally giving directions on the steps to take in handling the event documents. They often exchanged arguments and gave each other advice. The conversation between them for about 15 minutes was all about serious matters.

"Can you finish it in two days? We need to coordinate with the red cross to make sure there is no misleading information." Dellon asked.

"Sure, I can do it."

"Don't forget to put a stamp on the department head's permit!"

"Okay-okay~"

Dellon quickly swiped the document across his screen, and it was instantly sent to her.

After getting it, Aidera rushed to leave the room. "Okay, I'm leaving."

"Huh? What's with the hurry?"

"I'm going to my apartment, since I don't have any presentation today." She replied.

Honestly, Aidera is not the type of person who takes things lightly. She could be too much of a perfectionist sometimes in all aspects. But that's also why she easily gets tired.

"Bye-bye~" She greeted the five people who were lounging earlier.

Of course, the guys smiled and replied awkwardly.

"Clara!" Dellon called out firmly.

"Huh? Y'Yes?"

She intended to follow Aidera, but was prevented before taking a step.

"Where's the monthly budget report that you were supposed to discuss with the General Finance Division?"

"Um, but it's still the middle of the month. Don't I usually submit this report next month?" Clara replied awkwardly.

"I know, but I want to see this mid-month budgeting first. Just checking. Whether it's just my feeling or we are getting more wasteful in our spending lately," Dellon said.

"Um... uh..."

The girl hadn't even made the report yet because the data she collected is usually calculated at the end of the month. At this mid-month point, she never touched the document and only monitored light spending activities in the organization.

"Ronald!"

One of the five people who were slacking off earlier quickly stood up and faced the president's desk.

"Have you made a list of the aspirations of the new graduate students for the future development of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences?" Dellon asked.

"Uhh... about that... um~"

Hearing the answers from the two people, the president seemed to pat his forehead. It was clear that the documents he had requested had not been drawn up.

* * *

From the campus parking area, it's clear that there are still people passing by even though it's already afternoon. In fact, the condition can be considered quite crowded.

"Milady!!"

Clara ran with all her might from behind to catch up. Her breath was already panting, but her determination to get to the parking lot was much greater than her fatigue.

"Oh, did you get scolded? Hahahaha"

"Hahh~ hahh... sorry for keeping you waiting, I'll call the driver..."

"Nope. I'll drive " Aidera casually pressed her smartphone to unlock the silver metallic SUV parked in front of them.

"Huh? But..."

"We're in a hurry, right? Just get in!"

"Uhh is... Is it okay if I sit here?"

"Just relax, We're friends, right?" Aidera replied.

"Hehehe, okay. If you say so."

Just beyond the edge of the parking lot, half-shrouded by a pillar, stood a lone figure. A young man with crimson eyes, watching her in silence. Unmoving. Expressionless.

It was him. The same guy whose wallet she had returned just hours ago.

Their eyes met only for a heartbeat—before he stepped out of view, vanishing like a shadow swallowed by sunlight.

Aidera blinked. Once. Twice. Her fingers brushed her eyelids, unsure whether it had been real… or just a lingering ghost from her overworked thoughts.

Clara became confused instead, "What's wrong?"

"I think I just saw... nevermind."

* * *

We returned to the Student Faculty Council room, the atmosphere still quiet as the chairman was busy on his own and other members were still chatting in the reading area.

"Yo, leader!" Ronald said casually as he showed that the requested file had been sent.

"Oh, you work pretty fast. Impressive!"

"By the way, can we talk? How long have you known Aidera?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?"

Ronald pulled a chair and sat down, his intention was just to chat with the chairman.

"Well, you two have been close since the beginning when you first entered. To the point where others keep their distance because they thought you were already dating."

"Is it necessary to have a dating status?"

"Huh?"

Dellon leaned back casually in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. He had heard that kind of question so many times that he was tired of answering it.

"I'd be lying if I said I never wanted to be more than friends. But after thinking it through, I realized… it's not necessary."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

"Even without being lovers, we're already close because we've been childhood friends. I also know that many people wanted her. But sorry, women like her are different. She'll definitely choose someone with considerable qualifications."

Hearing the answer, Ronald just nodded.

Then, Dellon continued. "But I don't need to worry about it. After all, I also understand the ideal type of man for a girl like her."

"So the chairman is also pursuing her, like other students? Even now, there are many new students who are no less attractive. Don't you feel like you're competing?"

"Competing? Heh- nonsense..."

Dellon walked backward and slowly opened the large window curtain behind him. The position of the Faculty Student Council room on the 4th floor allowed him to see the people below. Observing all of them, his sly smile unconsciously widened.

He looked down on all of them—insignificant, unworthy. Should he be afraid of losing the competition for the 'Queen'?

How funny...

"Why should I worry about losing to these lowly people? Leadership isn't about charm. It's about control—and no one controls this place better than I do."

* * * *