The second chapter of "I Am Running Mate" unfolds 26 days prior to the eagerly anticipated student council elections. Se-hoon, accompanied by Jeong-hui, now stands as the vice presidential partner to Sang-hyeon. Joon-Gyu, the election supervisor, summons them to an office meeting. With his complete team comprising two running mates, Sang-hyeon is solidified as Candidate Number One. Conversely, Won-dae, who has only Yu-Gyeong by his side, is given a week by Joon-Gyu to recruit a male representative for his campaign.
Since Se-hoon's decision to switch sides, he has shunned all communication with Dae-won, ignoring his repeated calls. Consequently, when they cross paths at the election office, Se-hoon is gripped by a sudden panic attack. Following school, Sang-hyeon and his close friend Mi-na whisk Se-hoon away for some much-needed fun and relaxation. As they dine out, Se-hoon eventually succumbs to Won-dae's persistent calls, fabricating a tale of lifelong camaraderie with Sang-hyeon to justify his decision to join his campaign.
Later, Sang-hyeon presents Se-hoon with his cherished smartwatch as a gift, which deeply touches Se-hoon, fostering in him a sense of appreciation and confirming his belief in Sang-hyeon's goodness.
The next school day dawns with Yu-gyeong confronting Se-hoon about his actions—recommending her to Won-dae only to abandon them later. Steadfast in his silence, Se-hoon refuses to explain himself to her, insisting he has remained loyal.
In another corner of the school, Se-hoon affirms his commitment to the choir, clarifying that his involvement in the elections is separate from his passion for music. After Se-hoon exits the conversation, Yu-gyeong observes Ji-hun's burgeoning popularity among the student body, prompting her to approach him with a proposal: to consider running for the school council.
As the school day drew to a close, Sang-hyeon thoughtfully proposed to Se-hoon that they engage in a heart-to-heart chat to dispel any lingering misunderstandings. Se-hoon, however, overheard a snippet of conversation between Won-dae and Yu-hyeon, realizing with some relief that they weren't upset about his change of heart. In fact, Yu-hyeon saw his departure as a positive move, and they had already lined up other prospects to consider. Armed with this newfound insight, Se-hoon decided against initiating a conversation with Won-dae.
Later, at Sang-hyeon's family restaurant, Se-hoon and Jeong-hui convened to brainstorm campaign strategies. Sang-hyeon was genuinely impressed by their ideas but harbored concerns that Se-hoon's pledges might overlap with what he had discussed with Won-dae earlier. To alleviate his worries, Se-hoon confidently assured him that his plans were unique and presented screenshots of their exchanges as tangible proof.
With just twenty-four days left until the election, a sudden conflict erupted between Gyeong-tae and Se-hoon. A derogatory sketch of Yu-gyeong, which Gyeong-tae had created during one of their choir sessions, was discovered tucked away in the music files. Unbeknownst to him, Se-hoon had inadvertently left the picture behind, and Gyeong-tae's name was scribbled on the reverse side. Fortunately, Gyeong-tae escaped severe disciplinary action, receiving only a stern warning instead, and offered his apologies to Yu-gyeong.
Gyeong-tae confronted Se-hoon, accusing him of snitching and betraying Won-dae's trust. As a result, Se-hoon earned himself a new, unflattering nickname among his peers: "the rat," while Gyeong-tae was tagged as "the pervert."
As the election for the choir captain commenced, Won-dae put forth Se-hoon as the ideal candidate for the upcoming term. His rationale stemmed from Se-hoon's consistent early arrivals to the choir room, where he diligently tidied up. Won-dae emphasized that unlike in the student council, personal rivalries during school elections should not bear grudges, fostering an environment of unity. When no one else volunteered to oppose Se-hoon, the teacher graciously invited him to address the assembly.
As Se-hoon ascended the podium, Won-dae magnanimously declared that he had forgiven him, a gesture that endeared Won-dae to the students for advocating on behalf of his competitor. Se-hoon's speech commenced with a confession of embarrassment, stating that being considered for the captaincy solely based on his early-bird tidying habits seemed unworthy. He perceived it as an injustice to fellow choir members who shouldered more substantial responsibilities, such as those who organized musical scores, distributed snacks, managed group communications, edited videos, and even played the piano with consummate skill.
Se-hoon expressed his disappointment with Won-dae's endorsement, highlighting his own musical inadequacies and self-proclaimed tone-deafness as unsuitable traits for a choir captain. He then nominated Yu Ui-jun, praising his loyalty, exceptional vocal talent, and unwavering passion for music.
Prior to his speech, Se-hoon had received a message from Ji-hun, announcing his decision to support Won-dae as his deputy. At the episode's close, Se-hoon submitted a heartfelt withdrawal application from the choir captaincy. In his letter, he reflected on the joy derived from the applause for his diligent efforts but expressed a desire to step aside before his efforts became the sole focus of admiration. Se-hoon chose to exit gracefully, while his applause was still resounding, ensuring his legacy was not defined solely by his labors.
