Why Did I Have to Enroll

"I heard about the sub-channel your junior is running. Honestly, it's sailing smoothly beyond expectations."

"Hasn't it only been four days since the channel was created?"

"The fact that you're seeing results in just four days makes it impressive."

At Ketra's words, Ban Yu-won discreetly checked the mirror.

The sub-channel, 'Ban Yu-won's Boot Camp' (the channel name was decided by Ban Yu-won's arbitrary judgment and received no objections) had already surpassed 10 million subscribers.

While it might seem slow compared to reaching 5 million on the day it launched, it was still growing at an amazing rate, and more importantly, it was positive that not just the introduction video but all videos on the channel were steadily gaining views.

......Though I suspect most people are just getting baited by Irena Mira's face.

"But this channel was started hoping for influence at school rather than on UniTube. We'll have to wait and see. Especially since it's meaningless if the seniors don't actually grow."

"With your abilities, that should be more than possible...... After seeing the growth of that sub-channel, the student council has something they'd like to request."

"I haven't heard anything about this."

"Because the president only brought it up with me today."

"I see."

What's this? Ban Yu-won narrowed his eyes.

He felt like Ketra had just briefly glanced at Mira while saying those words.

Though Mira, seemingly unaware of this, just nodded her head.

"So what is it? Surely you're not going to make the shameless request of creating a second sub-channel for the student council......"

"......"

"No way, really?"

Should I just overthrow the student council? If he ran to Yoo Mina and tattled, she would gladly destroy the student council for him.

Ban Yu-won declared to Ketra, who was awkwardly avoiding his gaze:

"No filming without Tike. Since this guy can't use clone techniques, we're stopping at one sub-channel."

―Whirr

Tike made an aperture-closing sound as if agreeing with Ban Yu-won's words.

Well, technically, if they borrowed Eve's concept of resonance, it might be possible somehow.

Or rather, it would be a simple matter of Ban Yu-won creating a new camera as an artifact.

But Ban Yu-won was acutely aware of how extraordinary—and how dangerous—a camera that could move in mana-rich environments like dungeons and towers was, so he had no intention of recklessly creating another being like Tike.

Ahem, Ketra cleared his throat once and spoke while facing him.

"Your mind seems made up. The president will be pleased."

"The president?"

"Yes. Actually, getting a third channel would be best, but the president anticipated you'd flatly refuse that."

No, who wouldn't anticipate that?

Unless you're completely lacking in conscience, shouldn't you expect that kind of response?!

Ban Yu-won mentally deducted 5 points from his evaluation of Ketra.

"Anyway, if you refuse, they asked me to tell you they'd like to meet with you at least once."

"You mean directly with the president...... what do you think?"

Instead of answering Ketra right away, he turned to ask Mira, who replied without much thought.

"They're not the type to be unreasonable. Go meet them."

"Really......?"

He'd heard the student council president was a third-year, and Mira's words made it feel real.

Just then, as Ban Yu-won was lost in thought while watching Luciel struggle in Mira's grip (while Mira was sexually harassing Luciel, saying things like "You're so soft and nice to touch.").

"......"

Again.

He felt Ketra's gaze.

By this point, Ban Yu-won was beginning to wonder what Ketra was thinking.

'I thought he might still suspect me of making advances on Mira...... but this doesn't feel like just that kind of pure doubt and concern.'

He narrowed his eyes as he faced Ketra.

Whether Ketra noticed his meaningful gaze or not, he continued speaking naturally.

"It doesn't have to be right away. Within this week, if you suggest a suitable time, we'll adjust to match."

"Well, yes. I figured I'd need to have at least one conversation with the president since we're collaborating with the student council."

"Good, then that matter is settled......"

Ahem, Ketra cleared his throat and stepped closer to Ban Yu-won, speaking in a slightly lowered voice.

"Junior Ban Yu-won, could we talk privately for a moment? It won't take long."

"Ah, sure...... okay."

This might be for the best. Ban Yu-won checked his watch and moved away from the group with him.

Mira tried to follow as if it were natural, but he declined since her presence might prevent him from hearing Ketra's true thoughts.

In the end, she had to be content with just warning Ketra while wearing a sullen expression.

"Like I said before, if you lay a hand on Yu-won......"

"I already told you I have no such intentions. Don't worry, Mira."

With a somewhat bitter tone, Ketra reassured Mira before leading Ban Yu-won to stand side by side against a wall in a quiet corner of the Star Department corridor.

Only after Ban Yu-won had secured the area with various language magic spells did he open his mouth, seeming relieved.

"As you probably expect...... it's about Mira."

"I suppose so. As I told you before, I haven't done anything particular to Mira. I just broke the curse like I did for you, senior."

"That...... yes, I believe you now. Thank you again for what you did then. Both for helping me, and Mira too."

While he had been internally preparing for another knife to his throat like last time, it seemed Ketra wasn't quite that stubborn.

Ketra must have read his strange expression, as he gave a bitter smile and said,

"I'm not completely stupid, you know. Unless you're capable of controlling people's minds, there's no way I could misunderstand after seeing how naturally Mira acts around you."

Ban Yu-won finally relaxed and responded.

"Then what did you want to talk about? Are we going fishing for girls in Ronica?"

Of course, he hadn't expected such words to come out.

He had just meant to say that if you're okay with it, I have no reason to be wary of you.

Meeting Ban Yu-won's straightforward gaze, Ketra hesitated for a moment before finally letting his shoulders droop.

"Actually, I wanted to hear in detail about why you and Mira ended up like that, but."

"That's private."

For reference, even Ban Yu-won doesn't know why things ended up this way.

His biggest lesson from this incident: absolutely no ambiguous terms in future contracts.

While he certainly doesn't dislike Mira, Ban Yu-won, who hasn't completely shed his Earthling sensibilities, even broke into a cold sweat earlier when both of them rushed at him simultaneously.

He's accepting her because he knows her mind is somewhat askew, knows that what she wants from him isn't simple love.

He had already made up his mind. The determination to see it through to the end.

"......I guess I was more dependent on Mira than I thought."

"......"

Hmm, I had a feeling he'd say something like that.

The youth alert started ringing in Ban Yu-won's head.

A youth alert is what sounds when those insufferable types approach you while you're busy trying to level up and train, demanding "Forget about all that stuff for now and listen to my bittersweet troubles!"

Most of these troubles are surprisingly meaningless, listening to them raises your blood pressure, and occasionally they even pester you for help, which is why it's wise to run away without looking back the moment the youth alert sounds.

But right now, there's no escape!

"After hearing that Mira hates me...... it made me think about a lot of things. Especially about why she acted so extremely. Actually, I thought of several reasons, but I realized there's no point in dwelling on them now that everything's already happened."

"Hmm...... so?"

"I want to reflect on what caused this and try to do better going forward. Honestly, this is hard. I need her."

"In what way?"

Ban Yu-won asked directly.

Perhaps not expecting such a question from him, Ketra's eyes widened slightly.

"Well...... it's hard to explain exactly. The closest way to put it would be like family...... but after being apart these past few days, I'm starting to think it might be something more than that, a little."

My, how quickly you've realized, Ban Yu-won scoffed internally.

To Ban Yu-won, who remembered him bragging about hooking up with girls for one-night stands, all he could think was: what's this guy on about now?

Seeing that expression, Ketra's face showed slight disappointment.

"Right, I can tell from your face. I guess I won't be able to get your cooperation after all."

"Cooperation? You were going to ask for my help? To reconcile with Mira? Isn't your head a bit too peaceful, senior?"

More than disrespecting Ban Yu-won, this was disregarding Mira's feelings.

Ban Yu-won genuinely wondered what could be going through the head of this senior who had initially seemed so friendly.

"Try to understand how desperate I am. ......Anyway, we're done here. Sorry for wasting your time."

Ketra turned to leave.

Ban Yu-won threw out one short question.

"So what exactly do you want to do going forward?"

"Make up with Mira. If possible, I want to restore our previous relationship first."

"How do you think Mira herself feels about that?"

"Well, she might dislike it right now, but she and I have known each other deeply for two years. Ending all relations like this can't be good."

"......I see. So you've decided that on your own."

No need for further questions.

Ketra's true character was finally becoming clear.

The various impressions he had of him were finally coming together into one conclusion.

"I hope you won't try to stop me. Even if Mira is serious, honestly, I'm not happy about how suddenly close you two have become. Relationships that deepen too quickly are bound to fall apart."

"But you're fine with one-night stands?"

"That's just mutual enjoyment. You know this is different, right? For a more mature and deeper relationship between a man and woman, I think you need more time, to know each other and approach slowly."

"Indeed...... slowly, like two years?"

"I think we've said everything we need to. I'll be going."

Ketra fled the scene.

Watching his retreating figure, Ban Yu-won realized he had completely misjudged him.

What ideal strong person? This is just......

'Living in his own world.'

People who are truly confident in themselves don't waste time being jealous or belittling others with superior abilities; they focus on self-improvement.

Ban Yu-won had highly regarded Ketra because he seemed to embody this quality, but that wasn't it.

He simply hadn't seen other people from the start.

So there was no question of jealousy.

He only acknowledges and becomes hostile when someone blocks his path and becomes an annoyance.

That was the position Ban Yu-won had just reached.

There had been warning signs.

Being overly friendly with strangers is actually difficult without the mindset of 'there's no way this person would dislike me.'

Whether it was the request for student council support or this sub-channel matter, he had only made one-sided demands without ever asking about or showing interest in Ban Yu-won's circumstances.

He had simply assumed that whatever his situation, Ban Yu-won would naturally accept and help with his requests.

Ban Yu-won finally realized that this attitude had been consistent from their very first meeting until now.

'In everything he does, his own position and feelings are most important. That's why he never noticed Mira's feelings until now, and now that he's lost her, he wants her back without even considering her feelings. Of course, he wouldn't have considered my feelings in the middle either.'

He doesn't consider how others might think about his actions.

Or he interprets things in whatever way is convenient for him.

Everyone has such tendencies to some degree, but Ketra's case was particularly severe.

When he reaches a conclusion, it becomes everyone's conclusion.

In that way, he's exactly like Mira.

'Is this a fairy race trait? No wonder they're a rare species. Must have been really hard to preserve the species.'

Ban Yu-won turned away with a sneer.

He's not a bad person.

Just someone who becomes very tiresome and annoying if you get tangled up with them the wrong way.

If they had just stayed at the level of using each other appropriately, there wouldn't have been any major problems, but it's too late for that now.

Honestly, if it were anyone else, he might have just watched thinking 'She tried to mentally destroy him but he's asking to reconcile instead of seeking revenge, what's the problem?' but Mira isn't just anyone, and Ban Yu-won's loyalty lies with his own.

Mira would probably handle it herself, but he should still take preemptive action to avoid any unnecessary trouble for her and himself.

Usually, there are two good methods for dealing with self-centered people who act inconsiderately and cause trouble for others.

The first method is to rely on state power, but coincidentally, Union was the community furthest removed from the judicial system.

So he had no choice but to go with the second method.

That is, to contact someone who can control that person.

......In other words, their superior.

*

Magnificent crimson membrane wings sprouted from her back.

Thick, twisted red horns extended above both temples.

Long crimson hair that faintly contained flames, grown so long it touched the ground.

Snake-like eyes with black sclera like Dokgo Yeon's, but unlike her cross-shaped pupils, these had floating red pupils.

"So......"

―Though otherworldly, but as Ketra said, incredibly beautiful, the Union Academy Student Council President spoke while looking at Ban Yu-won and Mira.

"You two came hand in hand to report a problematic stalker, you say."

Her voice was bright and bouncy, feeling somewhat unbalanced with her appearance.

Ban Yu-won suppressed his urge to shout that this wasn't the time to be talking about stalkers and responded to her.

"That's right. ......You are the President, correct?"

"Yep yep. Surprised? Everyone is at first. They ask why someone who looks like they should be leading a million-monster army to invade dimensions is at Union."

Yes, that's exactly what he wanted to ask.

After all, she looked exactly like a demon straight out of a painting!

"I'm not a scaleless variant Draconian, but a pure-blooded Evil One. More specifically, I'm a variant among Evil Ones - unlike other Evil Ones who control monsters, I'm actually hated by all monsters― Ah, should I show you?"

While proudly saying she couldn't control monsters but could summon them― she started drawing summoning circles in the air, but Ban Yu-won hastily stopped her.

"That's fine. If you were dangerous, you wouldn't be the Academy's student council president, and there are plenty of people worse than monsters here at the academy, so I'm not going to nitpick whether someone's human or monster."

"Kyahahahaha! That's right, exactly right. I thought Mira had terrible taste in men, but I guess I was wrong?"

"Heh, I'm a woman who learns well from her mistakes."

The student council president teased Mira mischievously, but Mira laughed it off calmly.

She was very surprised by that response.

"You've changed, Mira. Is it because of love, or because of the constellation?"

"We can talk about that when it's just us two. Right now, listen to what this person has to say."

"Wow......"

The student council president gaped in surprise.

As she fell silent, Ban Yu-won continued speaking.

"To be direct, as I mentioned earlier, I'd like to prevent Senior Ketra from causing trouble before it happens. I'd like you to do something about it, President."

"To be honest, I don't particularly like that person either. He does work well when you praise him appropriately, but still...... taking preventive measures when nothing's happened yet......"

"Shati."

"Urk."

The student council president's name must be Shati.

Or perhaps it's a nickname.

The student council president fell silent at Mira's call.

"Honestly, I don't care what happens to Senior Ketra anymore, but I absolutely hate having interference in the time I spend with this person. You need to control him."

"If you're going to put it that way......"

The student council president made a big show of making up her mind with an "Alright."

"First, Mira, you're on external assignment for a while. Stop your student council work and just focus on your current project while sticking close to your boyfriend."

"But, that's......"

"And I'll have the vice president take over all your work. While I'm at it, I'll give him a clear warning too. Tell him to think about the council's honor."

Just as he was thinking that while the warning was one thing, dumping all of Mira's work on someone else seemed harsh―

"In exchange."

The student council president twisted her lips into a smile.

"I have a small favor to ask. We need a proper excuse for dumping work on someone else and sending Mira on assignment, right?"

"I won't create a sub-channel for you."

"I never even dreamed of that. I just want you two to upload student council-related videos to the main channel, even if it's just once a week."

Mira's eyes sparkled the moment she heard those words.

It was surprisingly fitting work for her as the PR director.

"It's an excellent excuse for the assignment."

"You can date while working too."

Handling multiple tasks at once.

It was the approach that Mira used to demonstrate.

Since it wasn't too burdensome, Ban Yu-won also nodded readily.

"Deal."

"Deal! Don't worry about the vice president anymore, if he tries to approach Mira, I'll blast him away!"

The negotiation was complete.

Ban Yu-won's principle was to deal with potentially troublesome people when you had the chance.

And so, Ban Yu-won succeeded in removing Senior Ketra, who had kindly warned him that he would become annoying in the future, from his sight.