Chapter 66: I Was a Presidential Candidate, but When I Woke Up, I Turned Into a Super-Cute Bishoujo☆? (Huh? Lies!) Running for election like this is impossible! (Or was it not?!)

Nearly every terrestrial and cable channel was airing news about the election approval ratings.

Channels not in their news slots displayed breaking news banners instead.

[Breaking News: Presidential Election Approval Ratings Announced… Kang Jiwoo Takes a Narrow Lead in First Place, Followed by Cho Seoyoung  in Second.]

The news of Kang Jiwoo’s reversal had shaken the political sphere.

Around seven polling organizations recognized for their credibility had been surveyed, and Kang Jiwoo’s approval ratings surpassed Cho Seoyoung’s in one of them.

1st Place: Kang Jiwoo – 32.7%

2nd Place: Cho Seoyoung – 30.9%

3rd Place: Yoo Hangcheol – 16.0%

“According to JBC’s survey, candidate Kang Jiwoo has taken the lead. Of course, it’s within the margin of error. What’s everyone’s take on this?”

The anchor turned to Professor Nam Palsu.

Professor Nam, a conservative panelist and staunch supporter of Yoo Hangcheol , only let out a cough.

“Ahem…”

At that moment, Gansina jumped in.

“I think it’s fair to say this is an outlier. Other polls consistently show Cho Seoyoung with a narrow lead.”

That was indeed true.

In some polls, the gap was as large as 5%.

“Even so, Kang Jiwoo’s growth is remarkable. Our party is keeping a close eye on her, and it all comes down to how the two camps and candidates present themselves moving forward. This is where the real finals begin.”

Even here, Gansina managed to take a jab at the Republican Party.

The 16%-approval Hangcheol Yoo was no longer a concern.

Professor Nam, having collected his thoughts, launched a counterattack.

“Cho Seyoung’s slight dip in approval ratings may indicate internal divisions within the Democratic Party. If they can’t resolve this, their numbers will continue to decline.”

Gansina showed no particular reaction.

There was no need to be provoked by this.

At this rate, Jiwoo Kang seemed like the side to bet on.

The time for fence-sitting was over.

The New Wind Democratic Party was splitting apart.

Progressive unification seemed unlikely.

Or even if it succeeded…

“It looks like Jiwoo Kang will win, doesn’t it?”

Jiwoo Kang’s approval ratings seemed poised to keep rising.

Possibly even exceeding 40%.

Gansina’s instincts said as much.

“…Next, we will bring you international reactions. We conducted a phone interview with renowned scholar Professor Joanne Mead. Let’s listen in.”

It’s common for the frontrunner to avoid debates, while the second-place candidate seeks them out.

 It’s almost a rule in politics. 

However, candidate Kang Jiwoo participated in debates with far weaker opponents and still managed to increase her approval ratings. 

This signifies a breaking of conventional political norms.

Even the world’s top scholars were paying attention to South Korea.

The “pink phenomenon” was an unprecedented social event, drawing the attention of sociologists.

We’re living in an era where the crisis of democracy is a central issue. 

In this context, candidate Kang Jiwoo’s actions present a new path for democracy. 

Whether or not she has the capability to perform in office, this election will go down in human history.

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

This wasn’t forced patriotism or media hype.

It was the genuine reaction of the academic world.

Even beyond academia, South Korea’s presidential election was a hot topic.

Particularly, Japan’s response was fervent.

Title: Being Born Japanese Is a Curse!!!

If I were born Korean, I could vote for the loli president!

Why did a loli politician appear in Korea and not here?

Aren’t we supposed to be the strongest when it comes to bishoujo?!

“Japanese politicians, reflect on yourselves!”

“wwww You should start preparing for naturalization now~”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t even thought about it yet?”

“Well, Japan’s run by old men anyway, so there’s no future here wwww”

Title: I’m Preparing for Naturalization Too!

I’ve started practicing eating Buldak Bokkeumyun!

It’s a bit spicy!

Actually, it’s really spicy…!

But I keep eating it!

You need to endure the fiery taste to earn the right to live in a country with a loli president!

“www Why is it Buldak Bokkeumyun though?”

“Shouldn’t you focus on learning Korean first? wwwww”

“Ahh- Did you not eat it with ‘kimchi’ ? You’re disqualified…!!”

Title: By the Way, Is TS Syndrome a Virus?

If it is, can it spread to Japanese politicians?

“No, I want to catch it myself.”

“wwwww Wow, this guy’s a genius!”

“What a wise man wwwwww”

Amid these reactions, there were also people genuinely intrigued by the election itself.

Title: Just Thinking About It, the Opposing Candidates Must Be Speechless www

≪I Was a Presidential Candidate, But I Woke Up as an Adorably Cute Bishoujo☆?! (Eh? No Way!) In This State, Running for Election is Impossible! (Or Is It?!)≫

Isn’t this basically a novel becoming reality?

How could you possibly win against this?

“If I were the opposing candidate, I’d be seriously annoyed. LOL.”

“But the skill in naming is no joke…”

“A loser.”

“A loser? What does that even mean? Are they saying everyone who reads light novels is a loser? But if even one person exists who reads light novels and isn’t a loser, then that statement is false. And I can prove it. I, for one, read light novels but am not a loser… Hehhh…”

“This guy is definitely a loser.”

LOL.

The rival candidates seemed downright pitiful.

It was true that the competitors were left with a lot to ponder.

Cho Seoyoung’s approval rating had dropped.

The progressive base had hit a sudden roadblock.

The reason?

A division with the senior faction within the party.

“No matter how much I removed them from key positions, who would have thought they’d collectively turn against me like this?”

There had been personnel reforms in Cho Seoyoung’s election camp, resulting in the party splitting into two factions.

But the backlash was fiercer than Cho Seoyoung  had anticipated.

“Are they trying to completely isolate me…?”

Cho Seoyoung  stood at a large convention center where a meeting was being held.

[New Wind Democratic Party Youth Forum]

The event had been planned by the senior faction.

Inside the center were senior lawmakers, young party members, and reporters.

But as Cho Seoyoung  took the stage,

“……”

The response was lukewarm.

The applause was faint, almost non-existent.

Her aides tried to rally some enthusiasm, but it was no use.

“Calling in reporters just to humiliate me, is that it?”

At first, she thought it was an olive branch.

Was that too naive a thought?

She hadn’t ruled out this possibility, but she trusted Lee Jungin.

A senior lawmaker, Lee Jungin seemed like the only person who could mediate between the senior faction and Cho Seoyoung .

She was at the event because Lee Jungin had facilitated her attendance.

Cho Seoyoung  glanced at Lee Jungin seated in the audience.

He looked flustered and was glancing around nervously.

It seemed he had been duped by the senior faction as well.

“Thank you all for gathering here today…? Uh, ah, the microphone isn’t working…”

Even the microphone wasn’t working.

Small mishaps kept piling up.

Time passed relentlessly, and Cho Seoyoung ’s heart grew darker.

Her feelings began to show on her face, and the cameras captured it.

“I have a packed schedule, so I’ll have to leave early. My apologies.”

In the end, Cho Seoyoung  left the center.

She could feel the venomous glares of the senior faction piercing the back of her head.

A flustered Lee Jungin hurried after her.

“Representative Cho, I had no idea it would turn out like this. I didn’t think the senior faction would stoop to such childish tactics…”

“It’s fine. Let’s arrange another good opportunity. Please keep trying to persuade the seniors.”

“Of course. I’ll do my best.”

Cho Seoyoung  walked away.

Lee Jungin could only look at her retreating figure with a bitter expression.

At that moment, his smartphone buzzed.

“……!”

Lee Jungin checked the caller ID and glanced around nervously before moving.

Leaning heavily on his cane, his steps were rushed.

He arrived at an underground parking lot.

Climbing into his car, he answered the call.

“This is Lee Jungin.”

A rough male voice boomed from the speaker.

Lee Jungin replied with a deferential tone.

“Of course. Everything is going well. The news will soon break that the Democratic Party is officially divided… Haha. All of this is for the greater good, isn’t it?”

The mood was light.

Everything was going according to plan, so it was a natural reaction.

The rearview mirror reflected Lee Jungin’s face.

There was a distinct sense of euphoria in his expression.

“Yes. We’re creating an unprecedented event in political history with our own hands. Please keep up your efforts as well. For the sake of this nation…”

The call ended.

The caller’s name flashed on the smartphone screen.

[Representative Yoo Hangcheol ]

Yoo Hangcheol  ended the call, but there was no time to rest.

He immediately dialed another number.

“Hey, Representative Kim. It’s time to drop the internal criticism… No, the internal bomb.”

Yoo Hangcheol ’s approval rating was at 15%, far from winning.

But he hadn’t given up.

No, he couldn’t give up.

“By any means necessary, I have to stop Kang Jiwoo from winning.”

He couldn’t bear to see Kang Jiwoo become president.

An elementary schooler as president?

The mere thought was horrifying.

That future had to be stopped.

Even if his name was tarnished, he didn’t care.

“Patriotism. That’s all I have.”

Yoo Hang-cheol clenched his fists tightly.

His fingernails dug into his skin, causing a sharp stinging pain.

“I need to go to the restroom~”

“…”

The office was bustling with activity.

It was so hectic that he could sneak out unnoticed by the party members and enter an empty meeting room.

Click.

He tiptoed into the meeting room.

After quietly closing the door, he quickly moved toward the TV.

He turned it on and flipped through the channels.

His fingers stopped when the news channel came on.

– “Candidate Kang Ji-woo’s performance in the recent minor debates was remarkable.”

The reason Jiwoo-ping came here was simple.

He was curious about what kind of praise the news was giving him!

Since it was work hours, his smartphone had been confiscated.

The TV was his only way to catch the news.

– “His debate skills showed no weakness against the other candidates. It was highly impressive…”

Listening to the commentator’s words, a grin spread across his face.

Uncontrollable laughter slipped out, soft and giddy.

“Hehe~ Thank you~”

He bowed deeply toward the TV, as if to express his gratitude.

It was a pure impulse, driven by the need to thank them for the compliment.

If someone caught him doing this, it would be beyond humiliating… but there was no one around.

– “His debating skills have significantly improved. It seems he’s been training diligently.”

“Yes! I practiced really hard..! And Sojin helped me get better…! Sojin is my friend, and she’s super smart!”

In front of the party members, he tried to contain his excitement when receiving praise, attempting to appear mature.

But…

“!?”

The truth was, Jiwoo-ping couldn’t resist the urge to dance when complimented!

Even now, he was performing a bizarre freestyle dance in front of the TV!

“Now, I’m the number one candidate for President Chu!”

Rising to the top of the approval ratings filled him with joy.

Although it wasn’t a complete victory yet, the progress felt deeply meaningful.

Even he could barely believe the numbers on the screen.

“Now, I’m Royal Jiwoo-ping Chu! I can really become President Chu!”

Shimmy, shimmy!

Bounce, bounce!

He was moving his body excitedly when…

Click!

The door suddenly opened.

“Eeek!”

Whirl!

He quickly snapped to attention in a formal standing posture.

The person who entered was Han Seo-young.

“What are you doing?”

“I-I wasn’t dancing…”

“Dancing?”

“…”

Han Seo-young chuckled lightly.

His face turned beet red with embarrassment.

Damn it…

Why did I say I wasn’t dancing?

Now I look like someone who was clearly dancing!

“Candidate, I have something to discuss with you.”

“…”

“Dancing isn’t…”

“N-no dancing.”

“Anyway, I have to head to the provinces today.”

“The provinces?”

“Yes. It’s quite far, so I’ll probably need to stay overnight.”

I had overheard an earlier phone call that sounded serious.

It seemed a problem had arisen at a provincial election camp, and she was going to resolve it.

“So, Candidate, you’ll need to stay somewhere else tonight.”

“What…”

Since the TS incident, this was the first time I’d be separated from Han Seo-young.

My young body seemed instinctively uneasy about it.

“Can’t I come with you…?”

“No. You have work tomorrow, remember? Someone else will take care of you tonight.”

Changing sleeping arrangements wasn’t the issue.

But staying at another party member’s house felt a little uncomfortable…

“Whose house am I going to…?”

“That would be…”

Right on cue, the person appeared.

“Jiwoo! Come with me to my grandpa’s house! Grandma will make lots of delicious food for us!”

A loud and booming voice filled the room.

It was Park Seok-ji.

“What? Even hotdogs?”

“Hahaha! Just name it! My wife is an amazing cook!”

“Then… I want some Sundae soup? And hamburgers too?”

“Of course! We’ll serve a feast fit for a king!”

For some reason, I felt like I’d come back with a few extra pounds…