The Versatile Master Artist

”I hope everyone has a pleasant semester at school.”

Mona’s opening speech lasted about ten minutes before it came to an end.

”Apart from the aforementioned campus activities, the principal also asked me to convey some notices to everyone, mainly aimed at our Grade 13 students.”

She folded her speech paper and set it aside, then took out a brief note from a folder on the podium.

At Fitz International School, Grade 1 is a foreign language preparatory class for five-year-olds, while Grade 13 is the highest grade group about to enter university.

In the next six months, they will spend their final semester in high school.

”As usual, there will be no fixed schedule for the last semester. If anyone lacks credits, they can retake courses from the lower grades. This year’s university recruitment fair will be held at the end of the semester, so please, please prepare your portfolios in advance. This is your best chance to apply to your ideal universities.”

Mona glanced at the senior students in the front row.

Even those students known for their lackadaisical attitude appeared unusually serious at this moment.

The high tuition fees of an international school, apart from the teaching environment, the most appealing aspect is the ease of applying to partner universities, isn’t it?

A good university means brighter career prospects.

However, just a few seconds later.

Mona’s pretty brows furrowed slightly again.

She noticed her childhood friend slumping in his seat, staring at his tablet, seemingly indifferent to university applications.

”Clueless, irresponsible,”

Mona worried in her heart.

With a hint of annoyance, she flicked her ponytail and stomped the ground heavily with her leather shoes.

”That concludes my speech. Thank you, everyone.”

”Mona, please wait a moment.”

She shook her head, about to step down from the stage, when she saw someone raise their hand from the front row.

”Jerry, do you have a question?”

Mona recognized the tall boy with slightly naturally curly hair who stood up suddenly as Jerry.

Although the name might remind some of the classic cartoon character from Tom and Jerry, this boy was far from small and could be described as tall and masculine.

As the chairwoman of the school’s female student council, Mona had access to most of the students’ background information.

She vaguely remembered Jerry was of mixed race, his dad a senior employee of a major German company, and his mother a beautiful woman from Yangon.

His family was well-off; every day after school, a servant would drive a BMW 7 Series to pick him up.

Additionally, being a member of the school basketball team made him quite popular with the girls on campus.

Instead of speaking, he magically pulled out flowers from a bag under his seat.

At the same time,

As if rehearsed, several classmates from the music arts class took out small instruments like harmonicas from their pockets and began to play.

From the melody, it seemed to be the theme song ”Fool for You” from the movie ”Little Women.”

Was this a confession?

Whoosh...

The auditorium instantly became lively.

”How romantic!”

A girl gasped softly.

In European-style high schools, romance is part of campus life.

Public confessions are often seen in schools.

But such elaborate displays with flowers and a band, confessing publicly at a school opening ceremony, are the stuff of South Korean campus idol dramas.

It’s indeed very romantic.

Especially when the confession is directed at the usually aloof female student council president.

”This is an opening ceremony, not a private affair. Young romantic and brave gentleman, you’ll be detained after school.” The principal in the front row stood up, signaling everyone to quiet down.

Yet after announcing the punishment, he seemed not to intend to stop the confession.

He clapped with a smile and said,

”But for now, I wish you good luck.”

Seeing the principal not stopping the confession but rather applauding, the atmosphere in the auditorium grew even more fervent.

”Say yes!”

”Say yes!”

”Say yes!”

Whistles and cheers erupted, with many students shouting in excitement.

This pretty girl from India was one of the most popular girls in school, maintaining an unbeaten record in romantic pursuits since starting school.

In gaming terms, nobody had yet topped this ’level,’ which undoubtedly made her more of an alluring figure.

Everyone eagerly awaited which warrior would be the first to succeed.

Mona on the podium raised an eyebrow, surveying the whistling boys with her eyes.

Such public coaxing puts considerable psychological pressure on the recipient of a confession.

Any shy girl would feel embarrassed to express rejection, regardless of her true feelings.

But Miss Sande Nu wasn’t the shy type.

The presence of the female student council president was enough to gradually quieten the screams and cheers from the crowd.

”Miss Sande Nu, I like you...”

”Sorry, this semester is crucial for university applications, a turning point for art students like us concerning our future careers. I’m not in the mood for romance.”

With a calm and practiced tone, Mona rejected the boy’s affection, as if dealing with a noisily quacking duck.

A popular and charismatic figure like her had faced confessions from boys no fewer than eight or ten times and had long mastered how to handle them calmly.