Of course, the school wasn’t just holding an alumni event.
With nearly half the organization composed of school alumni, various events were essential for maintaining the structure.
And given that this organization was essentially my private network...
[Welcome Home, Miss Yoo Ha-yeon]
Yeah, of course we had stuff like this too.
“Woooooo!”
“Yoo Ha-yeon! Yoo Ha-yeon! Yoo Ha-yeon!”
“She’s so pretty!”
— Pop!
Fireworks exploded with the cheers. Even the ones who had averted their eyes earlier when I did that slightly embarrassing thing were now shouting and clapping to welcome me.
Well, most of them looked like they were fine with it. Especially those who had been with me since middle school.
— Step.
I stood on stage and slowly scanned the room, performing the motion. Unlike the half-dress-like apron I’d worn while handing out snacks earlier, I was now dressed in a tailored suit—one that hugged my body yet remained professional.
Glossy high-end shoes, a neat tie—the whole ensemble screamed executive. Maybe that contrast made it easier for them to adapt to my shift in persona.
“Miss, I’ll begin the preparations.”
Seo Ji-yeon, also in a suit, spoke in a low, calm voice. Moments ago we’d been bickering playfully, but once out of her school uniform, she transformed into a subordinate filled with zealous devotion.
“Haha, Ji-yeon. Isn’t this welcome party a bit over the top? I was just enjoying a hobby until a moment ago, and now this—it’s kinda embarrassing.”
I joked with a soft smile, but Seo Ji-yeon responded with a serious expression and bowed her head.
“...I apologize. That was my oversight. Should I change the program now?”
“No, no—it was just a joke. Yeah, I see you’re in full work mode now.”
“Yes.”
Seems like everyone was pretty good at distinguishing work from play.
‘That’s actually reassuring. Expected nothing less from me.’
And it’s absolutely not because I’m a pervert—I only employed such extreme measures because an organization that’ll be with me for life has to know the difference between personal and professional conduct.
Just look at Ji-yeon—she gets almost scary when she goes into Student Council President mode. Like someone trained to be ruthless.
Of course, Seo Ji-yeon is a special case.
Given that I work nonstop all day and she’s always right beside me, her schedule inevitably keeps her in work mode all the time. So if I don’t treat her more casually when we’re working, I’ll lose a friend.
Naturally, the trade-off is that when she is in full work mode, she becomes rigid enough to cut glass—but she’s still the same Ji-yeon underneath.
Tap tap.
— Woom.
The mic let out a feedback hum. It quickly died down, but I gave a silent condolence to the student managing audio and began to speak.
“...Ah, ah. Can you hear me clearly?”
“YES!!”
Nice. Good energy.
Last time I gave a speech, the reaction was hot—but this was another level. People who’d known, intellectually, how incredible I was, but hadn’t felt it—well, after the media glorified me day after day, they were finally starting to understand.
Ah, so this is what it means to be chosen.
“Mmh, nice. Seeing so many familiar faces gathered here feels kind of moving. From those I’ve known since I wasn’t even ten, to people I’ve only grown close to over the past year—it’s genuinely touching to get such a warm welcome. I guess that old phrase ‘returning home in glory’ wasn’t invented for nothing. Ahaha.”
Returning in glory.
It came from the story of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, who, after conquering Guanzhong, said he didn’t want to return home in golden armor... only to go home anyway.
Of ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) course, unlike Xiang Yu, I’m not an idiot. Even after massive success during the IMF crisis, I stayed on in the financial heart of the world—Wall Street.
Still... now that I was feeling this kind of reaction firsthand, I could see where he was coming from.
— Click!
I lowered the mic. A perfectly calculated amount of feedback rang through the auditorium—just enough, not too little.
“All right! That’s enough of me pretending to be all polite. I’m switching to casual speech now. You all get it, right? After what I pulled earlier, it’s a little hard to act all prim and proper now.”
Laughter burst out, mostly among the boys. Yup, I figured.
“I’m sure a lot of you are remembering last June as you see me standing here again. So much has happened in just a year. I trust you’ve all taken my advice seriously. Even those who didn’t believe me back then... well, I’m sure you believe me now. I mean, surely no one here still doubts me, right?”
“...”
Yep. Looked like the last round of purging did the trick—everyone here now seemed fully refined into loyal zealots. Last June, people were still half-believing, half-doubting—but now the discipline was clear.
Of course, some of them still seemed a bit too lustful toward me, but... I can let that slide.
“So! Today’s topic—what is it? That’s right, we’re talking about your career paths! Ahaha, you’re all heading to the army soon, right?”
—“Ugh.”
—“Nooooo!”
Groans erupted from the crowd.
Given the gender bias of the era, where educational pressure disproportionately affected boys, our elite school’s student body was naturally male-heavy... meaning most of them were about to be dragged off to the military.
Sure, I’ve got a lot of power, but even I can’t exempt all of them from active duty. And honestly—though it’s a bit sensitive—I do need to plant a few people inside the military.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll drop by for visits sometimes. Once you’re done with service—or alternative service, if that’s your route—you’ll all start seriously worrying about your futures...”
With that, I began reading from my prepared notes, laying out tailored career plans for them.
Since I’d memorized the personal details of every single student at this school, it wasn’t particularly difficult.
If anything, I was a little disappointed this wasn’t a one-on-one session.
***
That evening, I brought Cha Ba-da and Seo Ji-yeon—both of whom had received one-on-one consultations—back to my residence.
“Okay, Ji-yeon. Fill Ba-da in on the basics. Things she needs to know, what not to do, basic organizational etiquette... You’ve got this, right?”
“What do you take me for? Of course I’ve got this! Do you know how many recruits I’ve successfully brought in?”
Back in everyday mode, Ji-yeon grumbled proudly.
Whew. It felt good to be home.
Ji-yeon’s like Lü Bu when she switches into Student Council President mode. Not that she’s powerful or fierce physically—but once her switch flips, she doesn’t even care about her own father. She’s like Lady Fengxian.
...Thankfully, she doesn’t see me as a father figure.
“By the way, today’s speech felt a bit short.”
“I figured the kids would get bored if I dragged it out. And it’s not like we won’t be seeing each other often going forward. Besides, this was my welcome party—too much lecturing would’ve been a drag.”
“It wasn’t boring. Your lectures are priceless—literally. If anyone was bored, I’d love to show them what real boredom feels like... Have you seen anyone slacking off on the CCTV?”
Sometimes I really can’t tell if Ji-yeon means this stuff or is just teasing.
“Why would I watch the CCTV? I’m not that free, you know.”
“So... you don’t watch it? I don’t buy it.”
“Well... if you’re going to say it like that, then no, not really. I mean, it’d be a waste not to check after going through the trouble of installing them.”
“...Didn’t you always say to ignore sunk costs?”
“I’m different. I get in a bad mood. I have emphasized that many times, haven’t I? And besides, there’s no one opposing me—just people who love me intensely.”
I crossed my arms under my chest and shrugged. Ji-yeon pouted and shook her head.
“Ah, okay. I get it. You like that stuff. Watching, controlling, micromanaging the kids. Sure.”
“Yup.”
“...And you say you’re not a big sister. Hah. Seriously, give them some privacy, please. I like you, Miss, but even I think that’s a bit much.”
I did get their permission, though.
But Ji-yeon’s pretty clueless when it comes to guys—she’s weak on stuff like this.
“I never installed cameras in the bathrooms, okay? I do respect privacy. It’s a security measure.”
“Wait—hold on, hold on. Then, that means...?”
“Guess they wanted to be seen.”
“....”
Silence.
“Mmh, don’t give me that scary look.”
“...Who are they? I’ll go kill them right now. How dare they do that to you—after we let them off the leash a bit?!”
“C’mon, no need to go that far.”
I laughed it off, but Ji-yeon left Ba-da behind and headed straight for the security room.
...Should I stop her?
Some of them were a little creepy, but still—they’re all people who genuinely like me.
‘She’ll take that into account... right?’
Yeah, yeah. Ji-yeon wouldn’t actually kill or seriously torment anyone. She’s never overstepped without my permission.
She’ll just give them a mild punishment.
Like being assigned to frontline military duty or something.
***
Returning in glory.
Wearing silk robes to return home...
Well, I’ve got the silk robes part covered. The kind of wealth I hold now—no one could buy it, not even by selling off the foundation of this country.
But if we’re talking about “home”...
I’m not sure.
Where is my home, exactly? Korea? Or Wall Street?
Well... even as I ask that, I think I already know the answer.
[Daehwa Group]
The place I arrived at after sending Ji-yeon away, accompanied only by a single chauffeur.
I looked up at the engraved signboard with a faint sigh.
Say what you will...
At the end of the day, I’m still the youngest daughter of a chaebol family.