"You don’t mean to tell me the club only has us two members—and you haven’t even considered a faculty advisor, club development plans, or a name?"

"My god!"

Lin Zhong pressed a hand to his forehead, genuine regret flickering in his eyes. Leaning against the shadowed edge of the rooftop, he watched Charlotte sitting innocently on the ground.

"Well..."

Charlotte fidgeted awkwardly. Though founding the club had been his idea, he’d only daydreamed about its future adventures.

Standard procedures?

Sorry—he’d never given them a thought. He studied Lin Zhong’s face. The hood was down now; wearing it constantly was uncomfortable. Besides, who’d bother coming up to this deserted rooftop?

Charlotte still couldn’t reconcile the drastic contrast in Lin Zhong. Normally silent, he rarely spoke more than ten words at a time. Yet here he was, chatting effortlessly—utterly unrecognizable.

"Hah~ Think it over properly. Su Han will get mad if I’m gone too long."

Lin Zhong scratched his head. He’d only told Su Han he was going to the restroom. Taking too long might have... severe consequences.

"Wait, Lin Zhong!"

Charlotte wrapped his arms around Lin Zhong’s waist from behind.

"Let go. This is your responsibility."

Lin Zhong turned to see Charlotte’s tear-filled eyes. Delicate features tightened with anxiety, crystal tears glistening in those clear emerald irises.

"Wow~"

An ill-timed voice shattered the moment.

A beautiful blonde girl stood there, phone in hand. *Click.* A radiant smile spread across her face—a smile Lin Zhong knew well. The same chilling grin Su Han wore when furious. But this wasn’t Su Han. It was...

Who was she again?

Lin Zhong didn’t hide his face. He strained to recall her. She felt familiar. He *should* know her.

"President!"

Charlotte gasped. He recognized this flawless young lady instantly—the Student Council President.

Aester.

Charlotte yanked his hands back, a flush creeping across his porcelain cheeks.

"Carry on~"

Aester gestured grandly, ushering them to continue.

"Huh!?"

"Don’t worry—I won’t show your fiancée."

Aester beamed at Lin Zhong. Su Han’s name was legendary in this school. And Lin Zhong’s relationship with her? Crystal clear.

"What do you mean?"

"Just this."

Aester waggled her phone. The screen displayed a photo: Lin Zhong and Charlotte, full-face this time—unlike the side-profile shots on wanted posters. Charlotte clung to Lin Zhong’s back, looking utterly pitiful. Lin Zhong appeared every inch the cheating boyfriend.

"The mysterious Lin Zhong’s true face... and two boys in a shadowy rooftop rendezvous. Hehe~"

Aester covered her mouth, giggling. She could already imagine the chaos this photo would unleash.

"What do you want?"

Lin Zhong cut straight to the point. If she’d truly intended to leak it, she wouldn’t be chatting here.

"You’re starting a club, right? Come to the Student Council room at lunch. If I wait too long..."

Aester shook her phone lightly. The damning photo glared back, painfully vivid.

"Why wouldn’t I just kill you? Then I’d get it anyway."

Lin Zhong smirked, raising his hand. Icy mist swirled around his fingers.

"Because you won’t. I’m Student Council President. You know exactly what happens if I die."

Aester’s smile never wavered.

"Lunchtime. I’ll be there."

The ice mist dissipated from Lin Zhong’s hand. The chill vanished, replaced by the morning sun’s warmth.

"Then, bye-bye~"

Aester’s voice faded with the slam of the rooftop door.

"I’m sorry. Truly sorry."

Charlotte slowly stepped back, repeating his apology. He’d ruined everything again.

"No. This time, you solved our club problem."

........

At lunch, Lin Zhong pushed open the Student Council room door. Charlotte trailed behind him.

The spacious office surprised him—every seat was occupied despite the hour. Nine people sat eating cafeteria meals or homemade bento boxes. Only one dusty chair sat empty in the corner.

"What are *you* doing here?!"

A handsome bespectacled boy on the left dropped his fork, glaring at Lin Zhong with open disgust. The others stared too, but with confusion, not hatred.

Lin Zhong ignored him. His gaze swept the room, landing on the vacant seat.

Aester followed his look and smiled.

"That empty seat? It’s yours. Forgotten you’re still a Council member?"

The Council always had ten seats. This term had only nine members—because the tenth was Lin Zhong. The ghost member who never showed up.

"The club."

Lin Zhong cut through the small talk. That was his goal. Well... and the photo.

"If I recall correctly, clubs need three members minimum—and a faculty advisor."

Aester set down her fork, dabbing her lips elegantly with a napkin. Advisors were mandatory: guarantors for student activities, sometimes even assisting with Dungeon Instances.

"Correct."

"Here’s the deal: duel him. Win, and I’ll join your club as the third member *and* your advisor."