July 1996.

In the season when Korea sizzled under the scorching summer sun, I arrived at school wearing a suit that looked stifling just to behold.

– Splash.

“Phew, now I feel human again.”

The moment I got to school, I went straight to the swimming pool, floating on my back and letting out a deep sigh.

I haven’t been anywhere without air conditioning lately, so I’ve completely lost my sense of how hot the weather is. It’s a problem, seriously.

Lucky Yoo Seon-jun. Off on another trip to Europe to manage BBB.

“Are you feeling alright, young miss?”

That was Go Yeon-woo, a secretary who joined the student council last year or so, speaking to me with a gentle, friendly expression.

“Oh, Yeon-woo. Bring me some lemonade, will you?”

– Clack.

“Here it is.”

Ooh, fast and efficient. I like that.

I thought he wasn’t used to me since he transferred here in high school, but maybe Ji-yeon trained him well. Then again, kids who joined my faction in high school do tend to have trouble fitting in unless they work harder.

I’ve been cultivating my people for quite a while now... and naturally, even within them, there are distinct factions.

Those who could be called ‘sacred bone’ have served me since I was in elementary school. Then there’s the ‘true bone’ tier—kids who entered Daehwa Middle and High, the schools I built, and received elite training.

Go Yeon-woo, on the other hand, has only known me for about a year, so he’s still treated like sixth-rank nobility. Personally, I consider middle and high school as one continuous stage, but... the kids below have their own way of thinking.

Anyone not from Daehwa Middle tends to get slightly excluded.

– Sluurp.

I placed the cup between my breasts and sipped the drink through a straw.

“Mmm, that’s tasty. Did you prepare this because you knew I was coming?”

I had no idea when he prepared this lemonade, complete with ice and lemon slices.

“It’s hot out, so I figured you’d come to the pool first. I prepared it just in case. If you hadn’t shown up... I would’ve just drunk it myself. The pantry has a generous budget, after all.”

He nodded calmly as he answered.

‘Hmmm...’

Something’s off. Everyone in the student council is supposed to be top-tier talent, and yet this kid is doing errands?

“Hey, are the others not letting you join in?”

“Pardon? Ah, not at all. Under President Seo Ji-yeon’s leadership, Daehwa High School is united as one. Especially as part of the student council, we must know how to support you, young miss.”

“...”

What on earth is Ji-yeon doing behind my back these days? Wasn’t she busy working in Silicon Valley?

– Ahem.

I cleared my throat and asked Go Yeon-woo,

“The kids are getting ready, right? Security’s airtight?”

“Yes. The preparations are centered around last year’s graduates and those getting ready for college. Ah, and some are asking if they can study for the civil service exam—what should I tell them?”

Civil service exams, huh...

After a brief thought, I gave my permission.

“It’s fine. Passing the exams does trigger background checks up to extended family, but... the timing’s good, so it should be okay. Tell them not to worry—support will be generous. If it looks like they won’t make it, just tell them to come back to the company.”

Passing those exams is incredibly tough, and honestly not essential to me—but still, if they succeed, it's a nice bonus. If possible, I'd prefer a bar exam passer over a law school graduate, and someone from the top civil service exam over someone from the 7th-grade level.

“Only allow the ones with proven loyalty. And tell them I’ll reward them handsomely if they pass.”

“Yes, I’ll relay the message.”

***

– Splash.

After swimming for about an hour, I returned to the student council room and saw the student council members lined up neatly in the adjacent auditorium, waiting for me.

“...Did I take too long?”

Drying my hair had taken way more time than expected, so I ended up being late.

‘Still, I won’t cut it.’

Drying my long wet hair every time is annoying... but it’s not like I’m the one doing it myself. Hair, unlike the body, is something you can delegate.

Peeking into the auditorium, I saw kids who’d graduated from Daehwa High long ago, and even a few who hadn’t yet entered high school.

But among them, the most noticeable were the employees from Daehwa Securities who had snuck in disguised as parents.

There were simply too many of them for it to be a normal turnout.

“Oh, looks like everyone’s been waiting. Ahaha, don’t stare at me like that—it’s embarrassing.”

I’d wiped down with a towel, but the swimsuit was still damp and slightly see-through. Somewhat intentional, of course.

“...Young miss, perhaps you should get dressed. I don’t think it’s appropriate for the auditorium.”

“Mm, you think so?”

Even I know how to follow the dress code for occasions like this. The only reason I wore a suit to school today was for this—no way I’m letting all that sweat go to waste by being capricious now.

– Rustle.

Leaving the secretary hurriedly covering his eyes behind me, I changed.

White dress shirt, light black coat and slacks, men’s shoes, and a necktie. Instantly transformed from a sensuous, delicate girl into a confident business leader, I pushed open the auditorium doors.

– Creak.

All eyes turned toward me. A spotlight followed, and I waved as I stepped up to the podium.

“Alright! You’ve all been waiting, right? I’m not that sorry for making you wait so long! Ahaha!”

Yep, those looks like they’re staring at a lunatic.

But I knew what lay behind those stares: awe, admiration, jealousy, and ambition—and I welcomed it all.

***

Standing at the podium, I began brightly, almost playfully.

“Crisis equals opportunity. You’ve heard that one before, right?”

Not a single murmur. Just silence. Their faces were stiff. I wondered how many times they’d been warned.

Understandable. Even if they didn’t know the details, they knew the outcome.

“Now, now, don’t be so tense. This is a time of opportunity for us. As long as you think carefully and act wisely, nothing will go wrong. Got it?”

– Clap.

I added casually,

“Of course! If you fail to seize that opportunity... well, that’s just too bad. You’ll have to accept not getting promoted, I guess? But don’t worry—my promise still stands. I’ll protect everyone up to your eighth cousins.”

During the IMF crisis, how many people suffered?

I don’t care about those outside my circle—but those loyal to me deserve to be rewarded.

They deserve fair compensation for their unwavering loyalty to Yoo Ha-yeon.

“I’m not here to give you a detailed strategy or orders. Not unless you’re an official ‘employee.’ Let’s be honest—if I hold any power over you, it comes from the camaraderie we’ve shared at school and the small monetary favors I’ve granted over time.”

There’s no ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) shadowy secret organization controlling the world from behind the scenes. Only phenomena.

That’s why I don’t seek blind loyalty from thousands. It’s impossible, and not even efficient.

I want hundreds of thousands who hold a modest affection for me, who tacitly support me—even if I openly step into the spotlight and pull Korea’s strings.

And ideally, those people will be rich and powerful.

“So just treat this like a casual speech. Like the ones we get every Friday? Those guest speakers who come talk about how the world works—just think of it like that. The only difference is... don’t leak anything outside, okay? Ahaha. Though honestly, you don’t go around repeating those speeches anyway, right? Uh-huh. We paid a fortune to bring those speakers in—do any of you even remember what they said?”

The crowd let out a light laugh.

Exactly. Who really listens to the principal’s remarks anyway? Even when a Nobel laureate gives a speech, there are kids dozing off.

That’s normal for hot-blooded students.

“Even if you’re young and don’t understand now, just remember this for later. Help your parents if the time comes. And for those about to graduate, keep an eye on your college peers.

You’re all going to great schools, right? Don’t be too shy—support your peers. If someone drops out of Seoul National because they couldn’t afford tuition... that’s just a waste of talent. If they end up seeing the name ‘Yoo Ha-yeon’ as a lifesaver, that’s more than enough.”

Feeling the atmosphere relax, I took out the materials I’d prepared and began to explain.

Roughly speaking, it was a presentation about how South Korea was about to collapse.

.

.

.

– Pop.

After finishing the speech and stepping down, I chugged some water and smiled brightly.

“Phew, how was the speech? Not bad, right?”

“...Yes, it was a good speech.”

“Hmm? You answered a bit slow.”

I smiled as I noticed where one of the student council members was looking.

Water was dripping down my chest. Ahaha, I get it.

“What, are you turned on? Hmm? You don’t need to stand there looking so awkward, you know.”

“...N-No, not at all.”

Tsk tsk. I wonder if he even heard a word of the speech.

“Work hard and get results, and I’ll praise you. Just don’t get too carried away playing around, okay?”

Whatever he was thinking, his face flushed a little.

Honestly, I have no idea what goes on in his head. Mm-mm.

***

There’s a reason I go this far—taking risks and giving repeated warnings.

Because once July passed and August arrived, the Korean economy began slipping beyond red alert—toward a total blackout.

– Rustle.

[Hanbo Group Under Fire for ₩5 Trillion in Illegal Loans—Dangjin Steelworks Had No Molten Iron? Most Funds Suspected to Be Diverted Elsewhere...]

[Political Lobbying Allegations—Wave of Summons for Political and Bureaucratic Figures. Is Another ‘Hanbo Scandal’ Brewing After the Suseo Corruption Case?]

[Prosecution Launches Arrest Investigation into Chairman Jeong of Hanbo Group... Fears of Chain Bankruptcies in Construction Industry]

I smiled faintly as I read the paper.

“Mmm... and here it goes. Butterfly effect really is fun.”

Always thrilling.