Danya is in danger.
[Cat Disposal Plan]
Before finding her, who has turned into a cat, I must neutralize this announcement above all else.
However, like with any organization, overturning an already issued “announcement” is no easy feat.
“If we provide evidence that Danya has turned into a cat and request them to revoke the announcement…”
Lina’s suggestion was cut off by Silvia.
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“The Academy administration operates strictly by procedure. Even if a few students are injured or worse, they won’t care as long as the announcement follows proper procedures.”
“That’s absurd…”
“The only avenue for students to voice their opinions is through the student council, at best.”
To that end, we sought out the Lichten Academy Student Council.
They are a notoriously challenging group to deal with. Given the Academy’s emphasis on student autonomy, the council wields significant power.
But the biggest issue lies with the student council’s vice president.
Taking the reins in place of the student council president, who remains in the shadows, is Iris Lipenstein.
She is endlessly cynical and strictly administrative. In the game, she was nearly impossible to win over.
‘Still…’
I have to find a way to overturn this announcement. It must be retracted.
I don’t know exactly what “disposal” means in the announcement, but I can’t accept any scenario where Danya could end up “disposed of.”
My mind raced.
How do I deal with the student council?
How do I win over Vice President Iris?
A leader who is cold, logical, and idealistic.
Someone who never strikes first but will never back down once provoked.
A character who absolutely hates taking orders from others.
Under normal circumstances, provoking her would be out of the question.
Which is why I provoked her.
“Revoke this announcement. Immediately.”
There was no time to approach her methodically.
◆
Iris blinked in disbelief.
‘What did I just hear?’
It was the first time anyone had ever issued her such a forceful command.
As the vice president of the Lichten Academy Student Council and the eldest daughter of the Lipenstein family, which has historically produced Lichten’s leaders, Iris Lipenstein rarely encountered anyone who dared to speak to her this way.
No, scratch that—she never encountered it.
Not even within the Academy.
Even the self-important professors, who thrived on their egos, treated Iris with a certain level of respect.
The reason was clear: these professors were smart enough to understand the consequences of crossing the Lipenstein family.
Nothing good ever came of that.
This didn’t mean the Lipenstein family was unusually authoritarian or powerful.
They were not rulers of Lichten, officially or otherwise.
Lichten’s leaders were chosen by election. It was just that the elections always pointed to a Lipenstein.
Because of this, the Lipensteins were expected to be “ideal leaders.”
They gathered opinions, made rational judgments, and responded kindly to kindness.
Their respect for others made them widely respected in return.
That was why Iris stared blankly at the young man who had just issued her a command.
Ian Blackangers.
At the beginning of the semester, Ian was undoubtedly the most troublesome new student.
His name came up so often in disciplinary discussions that the student council, led by Iris herself, seriously considered expelling him.
The proposal to expel him?
Iris’s own initiative.
Her impression of Ian had been that poor.
But at some point, Ian began to change.
Now, he was one of the Academy’s most outstanding students.
The Dessert Research Club he founded had become a major financial lifeline for the student council, saving it from a budget crisis.
Every time she saw Ian, Iris found herself deep in thought.
Perhaps even… admiration.
“Revoke this announcement. Immediately.”
Ian’s voice carried a weight that made Iris involuntarily blink and look up at him.
“… Vice President?”
As the vice president, she was the chair of this working-level meeting.
It was her responsibility to remove Ian from the room or put him in his place.
But her mouth refused to move.
Was she being swayed by Ian?
No, it was something deeper than that.
The issue lay within Iris’s heart.
It was also the reason why she admired Ian.
Lipenstein.
As someone groomed to be the ideal leader of Lichten, Iris had been taught to reflect on everyone’s opinions, engage in discussions, and conduct debates.
But Ian Blackangers? He bulldozed through everything, relying solely on his instincts and will.
And now, he had barged in with the student council’s announcement in hand, demanding its immediate withdrawal.
It was absurd.
“Vice President…”
The flustered council members looked to Iris, their eyes filled with hope that she would resolve the chaos Ian had stirred.
The leadership qualities Iris had been trained in as a Lipenstein kicked in reflexively as she responded to Ian.
“It’s impossible. This decision was made by the faculty council and executed with the approval of the student council president. It cannot be reversed.”
Her answer was cold, formal, and devoid of any consideration for Ian’s predicament.
Most people would have backed down at this point, conceding with something like.
– If that’s the rule, then it can’t be helped.
But Ian was different.
Instead of retreating, he pressed harder.
“There’s a way. You’re just too lazy to think about it right now, Iris.”
His words were undeniably rude.
It wasn’t Iris who bristled but one of her close aides.
“Ian, how dare you speak like that!”
“But he’s right, isn’t he? Are you seriously saying there’s a rule that says you just have to blindly follow orders from above?”
“But the faculty decided this! What do you expect us to do?”
“Aren’t you the student council? Isn’t that your whole point?”
“Yes! We are the student council! A representative body of the students! Ian, you can’t belittle us like—”
“Representative? You’re just puppets of the administration, following their orders like loyal dogs.”
“…!!!”
Having cornered her aide completely, Ian turned his gaze back to Iris.
“Iris.”
“…Yes.”
“There must be ways to challenge this authority. They’re probably just tedious and complicated. You’re acting like lazy bureaucrats.”
“Lazy bureaucrats…”
Under normal circumstances, Iris would have rebuked him, anger flaring.
But she couldn’t.
Because Ian’s words were accurate.
They were also utterly disrespectful.
What should she do in a situation like this?
Her thoughts spun wildly, her mind a whirlwind of confusion.
And Ian gave her no time to collect herself.
“More importantly, Iris, I know this isn’t what you wanted.”
“…?”
“I’ve seen you, and I know you like cats.”
It was true—she did like cats.
She struggled to form a response.
“…But that doesn’t affect my decisions. In leading discussions, it’s important to guide everyone’s opinions, not just my own.”
“Then what about your opinion?”
“What?”
“How is your opinion reflected?”
Iris fell silent.
She knew.
Of course, she knew.
But the announcement came from the school.
It was approved by the president.
The majority agreed to it.
She couldn’t overturn something like that based solely on her preferences or opinions.
She couldn’t let her affection for cats—a mere emotion—dictate her leadership.
“No matter what the school’s announcement says, there has to be a way, Iris.”
Ian said, his tone softening.
His gentler voice slipped into Iris’s ears, wrapping around her thoughts.
A way.
A way to nullify the announcement.
Unconsciously, Iris began reviewing the school rules and administrative orders in her mind.
At that moment—
“Vice President! Get a hold of yourself! You’re not acting like yourself today!”
Her aide’s outburst snapped Iris back to reality.
“No. Ian Blackangers, this meeting is closed to outsiders. Leave immediately.”
Iris pointed toward the door, her usual composure firmly restored.
◆
The calm, collected expression now returned to Iris’s face.
‘…Did I fail?’
Clicking my tongue softly, I bit the inside of my cheek.
So appealing to emotions doesn’t work?
Just a moment ago, she seemed almost convinced.
Usually, people like Iris, who seem cold on the outside, are warm and soft on the inside.
I had tried to wedge into that softer part to sway her, but it looked like I came up short this time.
‘Well, she isn’t supposed to be an easy character to deal with in the first place.’
Still, it feels like I got her halfway there.
And honestly, that’s enough.
Enough to move to Plan B.
I scanned the members seated in the room.
Roughly a third of them looked like the type to favor animals and nature.
Perfect. Time for Plan B.
Beside Iris, one of her subordinates was grumbling.
“Get out, Ian! Now!”
I ignored them and walked further into the meeting room.
The tables were arranged in a ‘U’ shape.
— Swoosh!
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the center.
“Wh-what are you doing?! Get out right now—!”
The subordinate’s voice was drowned out entirely by my own as I raised it to full volume.
“All animal lives are precious! Cat lives are precious too!”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Taking advantage of the quiet, I raised my voice again.
“Even the smallest lives matter! And cat lives matter just the same!”
Realizing what I was doing, Silvia rushed up to stand beside me, adding her voice.
“All animal lives are precious. Cat lives are precious too!”
She winked at me as if to say, Nice one. Smart as always.
We continued in unison.
“Come on, everyone!”
“”All animal lives are precious. Cat lives are precious too!””
Elena, who had been hesitating by the door, finally shuffled forward and mumbled nervously.
“…This feels like some kind of propaganda rally.”
“Join in, Elena.”
“But I—I’m technically part of the student council…”
Elena’s appearance caused a ripple through the room.
Some members started whispering to each other, visibly swayed by her hesitation.
Then, after a brief pause, Elena raised her voice.
—All animal lives are precious. Cat lives are precious too!
Her declaration seemed to spark something.
More people in the room began to pick up the rhythm I had intentionally introduced.
Some started murmuring the chant under their breath.
The atmosphere shifted, tilting in our favor.
The growing momentum was impossible to ignore.
Just as the energy reached its peak, Iris, who had been silently observing, raised her hand.
“…Everyone, stop for a moment.”
Her voice was calm, steady, and immediately silenced the room.
All eyes turned to her as she spoke.
“I will put the cat disposal plan on hold for 24 hours.”
“Wh-what?!”
Her subordinates were visibly shocked.
Iris, however, was unwavering as she delivered her declaration.
“I’m invoking my authority as Vice President.”
