Volume 7 Chapter 50 If We're Doing This Together, There's No Need To Hold Back
The student council room of Maximilian Academy's Alexandria Branch was located in an unexpectedly quiet place.
It sat on the top floor of a modest structure known as the Club Building. Tucked near the athletic field, this building served as a hub not only for sports clubs but also for various academic circles—such as the research societies Annabelle and Cory belonged to.
The reason the student council room resided in the Club Building dated back to its origin. What had started as a simple committee to represent each club—handling matters like budget distribution, field reservations, and scheduling negotiations with the academy—had gradually evolved. Over time, it became a body that also gathered the voices of students outside of clubs, eventually transforming into the official student council.
Since then, tradition dictated that the student council take residence on the Club Building's uppermost floor.
Yet, despite that legacy, Randy and Julius were nowhere near that room. Instead, the two of them sat side by side at desks in a vacant classroom on the first floor of the main school building.
"Hm... no one showed up again today," Randy muttered.
"That's true," Julius replied with a sigh, glancing at Randy as he tilted back in his chair.
"That's bad manners," Julius added, disapproving of the fidgeting.
"I know, but... it's already been three days, you know?" Randy said, lowering the chair back onto all fours with a frown. "Three days since then."
He was right. It had already been three full afternoons since Randy posted the recruitment notice for a new accountant and secretary. And every day, the two of them had waited here, hoping for applicants.
"My assignments have actually come along nicely though," Randy muttered, flipping through a small stack of papers in his hand.
At the very least, the time hadn't been entirely wasted. In moments when he grew restless waiting, Randy turned to his required coursework to keep focused and stave off frustration.
Since no one came, the classroom became a place of quiet study after school.
"It's not the worst way to spend time," Julius said, exhaling as he rested his chin in his hand. "We have to do them anyway."
A small mountain of completed assignments sat before him. Like Randy, Julius had used the downtime for homework—but unlike Randy, he had already finished all of it with calm efficiency.
Watching Randy still scribbling, he leaned over and pointed at a line. "You've got a mistake there."
"Damn it. I should've just dragged them in on the first day..." Randy muttered.
He thought back to that chaotic day—not that the classroom had been chaotic itself, but there had been a clear buzz of curiosity around it. A number of students lingered outside the door, hesitant to come in. On that first day, both Randy and Julius assumed someone would eventually gather the courage to knock. After that, the rest would follow like a flood.
That had been their hope.
But the second day passed with fewer students walking by, and by the third day—today—not a single soul had approached the room.
"Strange... didn't I win seventy percent of the vote?" Randy grumbled, rocking his chair again in frustration.
Julius let out a soft breath. "Maybe..."
"Hmm?" Randy narrowed his eyes at Julius's hesitant tone.
The sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing the classroom in amber hues. Julius's voice was quiet as he repeated, "Maybe."
"Maybe it's because of me," he said, his tone almost self-mocking.
The orange light traced the edge of his smile, a fragile expression that lacked confidence.
"Maybe people are hesitating because they know I'm the vice president."
Randy frowned at Julius, who scratched his cheek and looked away.
"You think they're avoiding it because I'm too stupid, but you're too smart?" Randy asked, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "Like, 'Randolph the Fool might be easy to work with, but Julius is too brilliant—I don't know if I'd be useful at all.' Something like that?"
Julius immediately shook his head. "No, that's not it," he said, though the denial lacked force. He couldn't find the words to refute it properly.
After all, he was once a prince of the empire—even if he had severed ties with the imperial family. But for many students, especially those who had suffered under the empire's influence, that old connection might still stir unease.
As Julius struggled to explain, Randy's frown deepened. "That's nonsense," he said bluntly.
"You're just spouting boring excuses... Don't try to act like it's not bothering you."
Julius flinched slightly at Randy's firm tone. "I wasn't trying to hide it..."
No—he hadn't actually thought about it much before now. But having it pointed out so directly left him shaken.
Perhaps deep down, Julius had feared it himself.
Maybe it really was arrogance—to assume that approaching Randy and forming this friendship had been entirely his own decision. A former prince reaching out, trying to befriend someone... Maybe he had thought of himself as the one offering something. That idea alone made him feel ashamed.
Looking down, Randy let out a long sigh.
"You know," he said quietly, "I told you before—don't cover things up. Just say what you mean."
Julius gave a sheepish smile. "I am trying to say it."
"No, you're not," Randy said with a smirk. "I know you. You're more spiteful and sarcastic than that."
Julius clicked his tongue. "Say whatever you want."
But as he gazed at Randy's easy grin, the words caught in his throat.
Randy crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "Come on. I've already shown you how I really feel. If you keep acting like this, it's not going to be fun anymore."
Despite his grumbling tone, Julius could feel the change. Randy no longer treated him with suspicion. Over time, the group had relaxed around Julius, and that wariness had slowly faded.
Before he even realized it, Julius had become part of their circle.
I was happy when you asked me to be vice president, he thought quietly.
The nostalgic look on Randy's face made it feel like they had shared years together, even though it had only been four days since the election.
We bowed our heads so earnestly back then, Julius thought. And I thought—let's take off these masks. Let's speak freely, as foolish seventeen-year-olds.
Julius sighed again as Randy smiled, carefree and sharp in his own strange way.
You're a fool, he thought. Even more foolish than I am—but sharp when it counts.
Randy let out a light laugh, clearly pleased with something unspoken.
"Really, you're an interesting guy," he said, his tone full of honest admiration. "You might seem like just a clown sometimes, but then you hit me with something clever... And that charisma of yours? It's real."
Julius shook his head, overwhelmed, and let out a laugh of disbelief. "Compared to me, you're way ahead."
"Which is why I'm worried," Randy replied, lifting a hand to his chest with mock solemnity. "You're too foolish. I'll go ahead of you on the path you're trying to walk."
Randy smiled without hesitation and said, "Just tell me to shut up."
Julius responded with a dry laugh, "Finally, I won't feel guilty about making you work so hard." Then, with a mocking grin, Randy added, "Do you even have a tender heart? Or is it just you?"
Feigning surprise, Julius grinned slyly and said, "Just a little."
Randy's smile faded as he muttered, "Isn't it the same as if it never existed from the start...?"
Julius, clearly frustrated, turned his gaze toward the hallway beyond the door and said, "We need to get the treasurer and secretary in quickly."
"But nobody's coming," Randy replied, swaying slightly.
Julius smirked. "Because of my shining presence, you know."
"Are you an idiot? No way. You're just a bonus. Everyone thinks, 'Wow... Senior Randolph's charisma is too strong.'"
Leaning back in his chair, Randy laughed, "Kahahaha," while Julius snorted. "It's too early to talk nonsense."
"Hey, you... I said there's no need to hold back, but just a little──"
"Don't talk rubbish. I told you I don't need you," Julius interrupted sharply.
At that moment, as they faced each other across the desk, a knock sounded on the door. Hearing it for the first time, both Randy and Julius stood up simultaneously.
"Go ahead!" they said together.
Again, almost in unison, "Please!"
They hesitated for a moment, but the door slowly and quietly opened. There stood Elcia, the girl Julius had helped earlier that day.
"...Elcia Laurent. I'm a first-year student and came for an interview, hoping to become a member," she said nervously.
Randy smiled gently and said, "Please, take a seat."
Once seated before Randy and Julius, Elcia glanced between them before relaxing and saying with a relieved expression, "I'm glad... I thought the interview was still going on."
Randy and Julius exchanged glances. It was clear she was the first to be interviewed, but that was Randy's style—intentionally giving some false information to test her true feelings and motivation.
"We wanted to select from as many students as possible," Randy said, implying that many had already come for interviews.
Julius, noticing Randy's exaggerated tone, looked amused and thought, Really, this guy?
"So, everyone did come, huh? I heard rumors that it's pretty hard to get into the classroom."
"Hard to get into the classroom?" Elcia asked in surprise, and Randy tilted his head curiously.
"No, about this place," Elcia admitted, shaking her head with embarrassment.
Julius smiled kindly. "There's no need to worry about that." He added, "Such information is also important. Feel free to speak openly."
Elcia looked down shyly, then met Julius's gaze and said softly, "But..."
Finally, she spoke nervously, "Because Sir Julius is here."
Elcia explained quietly that a rumor was spreading among the students—that everyone avoided knocking on the door because they thought Julius, the vice president, wouldn't be helpful.
Julius shot Randy a smug look. "By the way, about me──"
With Randy's eyes full of expectation, Elcia tilted her head and whispered, "Nothing..."
"Nothing?"
"Yes."
"That the president is dazzling──"
"No."
"That the charisma is overwhelming──"
"Not at all──"
Just as Elcia recalled those memories, Randy slammed his hands on the desk and exclaimed, "Damn!" The classroom door was knocked on again.
Normally, with Elcia present, they would wait. But if they missed this chance, the person outside might leave. After all, the school bell signaling the end of classes would ring in about ten minutes.
Randy and Julius exchanged a quick glance, understanding each other instantly, then nodded simultaneously.
"Alright, you're hired."
"Huh?!" Elcia's eyes widened in surprise.
"This way," Julius said quickly, moving to prepare another seat. Randy gestured for the caller to enter with a polite "Please."
The door slowly opened to reveal Gael, a male student who had been rescued by Wayne and others.
"...Gael Ernest. I'm interested in accounting──"
"Hired!" Randy's voice rang out through the school building at dusk. Both Gael and Elcia looked stunned.
Julius smiled and greeted them, "Nice to meet you." Then, turning to Gael with a mischievous grin, he asked, "By the way, why are you here at the last minute?"
"Um... I heard the rumor that the vice president is Sir Julius, and everyone's getting intimidated..." Gael said, scratching his head shyly.
Julius shot Randy another smug look.
"Hey, don't get the wrong idea. It just happened that only your rumors reached people ears, that's all."
"Don't be jealous. Or rather, I'll do enough work to surpass those rumors."
Julius smiled slyly, both of them wearing mocking expressions.
"You said it. I'll truly make you work like a pack horse."
"Bring it on."
As the two exchanged teasing smiles, Elcia and Gael thought they had stumbled into an unbelievable place, but it was already too late.
With all hesitation lifted, led by Julius, the student council of the Alexandria Branch began to move forward.
On an ordinary day, in an empty classroom near the end of school, the first student council of the Alexandria Branch—one that would be remembered for generations—was born.
Notes:
• Elcia - A serious girl with long brown hair tied in a bun, from the Baron Laurent family. She is a spy for Edgar's faction, motivated by her family's declining status after political shifts.
• Gael - A quiet boy with green curly hair, from the Viscount Ernest family. He is a spy for Dario's faction, acting due to his family's precarious position after the fall of the royal family.
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