Chapter 9: Villain Luna (4)

"Come again tomorrow."

I spoke to Song Soo-yeon as she finished her meal.

She seemed a bit more subdued since eating.

Perhaps the meal had helped her calm her mind.

In fact, it would be strange if she didn't show any stress after being harassed.

".....Even if you keep this up, I won't like you, you know?"

Song Soo-yeon said to me.

I honestly couldn't tell what kind of 'liking' she was referring to.

If it's romantic, it's irrelevant.

I have no such feelings for her.

...But if she means not even liking me as a person... that's a bit disappointing.

Wouldn't it be natural to feel some gratitude?

Can't she just treat me like a friend?

I am still lonely, after all.

...Of course, for Solace's sake, I'll work on rehabilitating Song Soo-yeon.

If she turns into a villain, it would be a huge burden for Solace.

A beat later, I respond to her.

".....It doesn't matter."

"....Seriously. Making a face like you're upset and then saying that..."

"No, really. It doesn't matter. Do as you wish. Just come again tomorrow for a meal."

After all, there's no one else but her who can help.

And no one else comes to my restaurant anyway.

"...You really live like a pushover, mister."

She never says thank you until the end.

"...Loser."

I blurt out something to her without realizing it.

Song Soo-yeon's reaction was explosive.

"What, what did you say?!"

"Oh, nothing."

I step back as she reacts with such liveliness.

Song Soo-yeon's face turned red, but she didn't pursue my words further.

It seemed like she also realized that it's pointless to provoke each other further.

She soon packed her things, ready to leave.

There were still many things about her that intrigued me, but our relationship wasn't close enough for deeper conversations.

Without a word, she turned and walked towards the restaurant's entrance.

I began cleaning the bowl of black bean noodles she had completely emptied.

Today, like before, I received no thanks from her, in fact, I only got scolded.

But if Solace saw this, she would probably clap her hands and be happy.

With that thought, I moved with a lighter heart.

"...?"

But then I noticed Song Soo-yeon standing still at the restaurant door, not moving.

The door was open, but why wasn't she leaving?

"....What are you doing?"

No response to my question.

She hesitated, as if about to leave, then paused.

I continued to watch her, curious about what she was up to.

"...It was edible."

After expressing those words, she hurriedly vanished.

Now it was my turn to stand still, unable to move, surprised by the sound I heard.

Could her saying such a thing be considered an expression of gratitude?

I couldn't guess why her attitude changed, but it didnt feel bad.

In fact, it felt good.

Maybe the impact of her compliment was amplified after all the harsh words she had thrown at me.

Recalling her intentions, a big smile spread across my face.

The smile lingered, refusing to fade.

Indeed, it seemed my choices in this life were correct.

Just a simple expression of gratitude could bring such happiness.

---

---

The next day, I ascended to the rooftop of a building with my cellphone in hand.

My nose and mouth were masked, and my eyes shielded by sunglasses.

This was a disguise I never used even when living as 'Dice'.

It was a highly secretive operation, and I didnt want anyone to see my face.

"....Hey, so you finally gave in yesterday?"

I stealthily peered down in the direction of the voices.

Below were Song Soo-yeon and a few bullies.

From the rooftop of the four-story school building, spotting the scene of bullying wasnt difficult.

I zoomed in with my camera on the scene.

I was here to keep the promise I made to Song Soo-yeon yesterday.

Hadnt I promised to solve her problem?

And to prevent her from descending into villainy, it was necessary to end this bullying first.

Sure, the simplest method would be to use my powers to sweep away those bullies, but thats not right.

Personal retribution is a crime, and I didnt want to revert to being a villain.

Even if it felt uneasy, it was better to gather evidence and deliver it to the heroes.

.....Technically, it should be the police's job, but heroes are more reliable.

Except for the talkative ones.

....Except for Solace.

Solace is a true hero.

"....I didnt give in."

Song Soo-yeon replied monotonously.

As much as I had fleetingly wished she would suffer a bit more for the spiteful things she said yesterday, that thought vanished as soon as I saw the extent of the bullying.

"Damn, you slut."

The bullying was more severe than I expected, even too much.

Thump!

Just as Song Soo-yeon said yesterday, my intervention might worsen things, as they didn't hesitate to resort to physical violence.

I wanted to intervene, but gathering evidence was more important.

It was better to let her endure one more time and then resolve it fully.

I hoped she could withstand just this one last time.

I'm doing this for her.

I don't know how long this bullying has been going on, but I'm determined to put an end to it.

I kept frowning, snapping photos with my smartphone.

However, the situation was escalating, becoming dangerously intense.

Eventually, I picked up a small stone from the rooftop and threw it down.

Thump!

The stone of a suitable size hit the ground, successfully distracting the bullies.

".....What's that?"

The harassment aimed at Song Soo-yeon was momentarily interrupted.

I hoped this break would be enough for them to leave.

Just then, the rooftop door opened.

"Oops."

Turning around, I saw someone who looked like a teacher staring at me, eyes wide in surprise.

"Who are you!"

"Ah, geez..."

I had no choice but to run away.

It wasn't particularly hard, but a sense of unease lingered, as if I had done something villainous.

But this was all for Song Soo-yeon. I hoped that someday she would understand my true intentions.

---

---

Late in the evening.

Song Soo-yeon pulled her mask up.

She didn't want anyone to see her split lip, a result of the bullying.

While pride played a part in not wanting to appear weak, she also wanted to avoid the disgusting looks from men who saw her injured.

Her steps, almost unconsciously, led her to his restaurant.

She had hesitated about going... but couldn't find a reason not to.

As she had realized the day before, she had no pride left to maintain in front of him, having already shown him her worst sides.

She also let go of the feeling that she owed him something.

She decided to take advantage of his naive kindness.

'.....He's the one who likes me.'

She repeated in her mind, erasing any feelings of guilt.

Just use him until she becomes an adult.

Just a few more months of comfort.

She had almost saved up enough for a deposit, and with graduation on the horizon, she planned to find a place to stay, work part-time, or find a job to support herself.

She moved forward.

Passing through desolate, dark alleys, she spotted the glowing sign of his restaurant in a secluded corner.

As the weather was turning chillier, she wrapped her coat tighter around her.

Arriving at the restaurant, she took a deep breath or two before opening the door.

The man inside saw her and smiled.

"You're here? Come in."

"....."

Song Soo-yeon was surprised at how much warmth she felt from that simple greeting.

It was disconcerting.

It felt like she'd been caught off guard, her vulnerability exposed.

Feeling warmth from something so trivial was humiliating.

Song Soo-yeon shook her head and took a seat, pulling her mask up a bit higher to cover her face.

She didn't even respond to him.

...But do normal families experience this kind of feeling every day?

It was hard to describe, as it was the first time someone welcomed her like so.

Song Soo-yeon, denying the warmth she had just felt, commanded him.

".....Give me black bean noodles."

However, the nameless good-hearted man didn't seem angry; he approached with a smile.

"Ah, just a moment. I had a promise to keep, didnt I?"

".....A promise?"

Song Soo-yeon tilted her head in confusion.

Meanwhile, the man pulled out a bundle of postcard-sized papers from his coat.

"Here."

"....What is this?"

By now, his unexpected actions didn't make her as tense as before.

It seemed she had come to see him as harmless.

Song Soo-yeon didnt accept the paper he offered.

It felt awkward, as if he was trying to touch her hand.

The man, slightly embarrassed, awkwardly smiled and placed the bundle on the table.

"I was sweating bullets taking these photos, seriously. I can be quite capable when necessary."

He spoke with a mixture of satisfaction and pride.

Song Soo-yeon then realized what they were.

They were developed photos.

And in those photos, she was captured being bullied.

".....Ah...."

Song Soo-yeon's expression stiffened with embarrassment.

Her disgraceful state was captured and preserved.

Could there be more embarrassing photos in the world?

"Take these and don't go to the police, go to the Hero Association. If you make a big deal there, it will be resolved. If it's awkward, I'll go with you.

I'll help you."

Looking at the photos of herself being helplessly beaten, a surge of anger welled up in Song Soo-yeon.

It was anger at herself.

It was the first time she saw her own vulnerability through someone else's eyes.

But again, her anger was misdirected.

She stood up and pushed the man.

"Oof!"

The man she pushed fell to the ground.

Crash!

"Are you crazy, mister?"

"....What?"

The man, sprawled among the overturned tables, had a confused, flustered look.

His eyes, unsure of what to do, alternated between her and the photos.

Suddenly, that rare auditory hallucination echoed again.

'Why... why are you doing this. I'm doing this for you...'

But Song Soo-yeon shook her head, dismissing the pitiful voice.

She decided to label those sounds as hallucinations, suiting her taste.

"I told you to stop your perverted actions."

"....Per, perverted actions?"

"Coming to my school and secretly taking these photos."

He blinked his large eyes, then hung his head.

Seeing his miserable state, Song Soo-yeon found even more strength to confront him.

"You've been staring at my legs, trying to eat what I spat out, showing inexplicable kindness, and now you've resorted to stalking and secretly taking photos of me?"

She was misinterpreting his intentions, cutting him down.

She knew the truth.

He was just clumsy, lacking finesse.

His way of showing affection was simply awkward.

Compared to other men, his expressions of interest were incredibly subtle.

He never prioritized lust over decency, never made lewd comments, nor tried to force physical contact.

But somehow, it always ended up like this with him.

Perhaps his naivety played a role, as well as her embarrassment at showing him her worst side.

"....."

He said nothing.

Song Soo-yeon knew.

These photos could be a huge help to her.

But seeing herself so pitiful in the photos, her emotions took over.

And help from heroes...

For her, who intensely disliked heroes, it was unthinkable.

"...Stop doing unnecessary things, okay? Got it...?"

She vented her emotions at him to feel relieved.

The man looked down at the ground, silent, then slowly stood up.

"...."

Suddenly, Song Soo-yeon swallowed her fear.

His demeanor had changed in an instant.

She was thankful for her mask.

Otherwise, she would have shown him her frightened expression.

His previously awkward and stiff body language softened, emitting a different aura.

"....That's really too much."

His voice deepened, as if he had transformed into someone else.

The naive atmosphere disappeared, replaced by the presence of a mature man.

"....Ah.....this isn't right..."

His face was still not visible.

Song Soo-yeon found herself backing away.

Just as she started to feel the urge to flee, something caught her eye.

Something fell from his bowed head.

".....?"

Tears...?

".....Ah."

The heavy atmosphere shifted again.

Without needing confirmation, more tears continued to fall.

"....Are you crying, mister?"

Seeing a grown man cry was new to Song Soo-yeon, leaving her stunned.

The tension instantly dissolved.

".....You said the food was bad, do you know how much I practiced...? When you were being bullied, I even paid money to get these photos. I've been treated like a criminal to solve your problem, and now you're treating me like this, what does that make me?"

Seeing him cry openly and share his honest feelings left Song Soo-yeon with no choice but to be bewildered.

It was amusing, yet she could feel his sincerity.

His inner thoughts reached her in that moment.

'....I'm really lonely...'

Song Soo-yeon took a deep breath.

She started to feel sorry for him.

Without realizing it, she began to console him.

"...No... Just stop crying for now. What do we do if an adult cries?"

".....Is it really that hard to just say thank you? Did I actually do something wrong to you? Why do you always see my every action as perverted?"

He pointed at the photos on the desk as he spoke.

"I understand that being photographed like this can be upsetting... but isn't it an opportunity to end the bullying? Wasn't it hard for you?"

"...No... I get it... just stop the tears first..."

Song Soo-yeon felt a strange kinship with him in his pitiful state.

He was awkward, but he was lowering himself even further.

An adult crying.

He became more approachable to her.

"Even when I try to help genuinely, you don't trust me..."

She stepped closer to him, slightly leaning forward to get a better look at his face.

The man, apparently embarrassed by his tears, turned his head slightly and began to make excuses.

"....Ah... really. As you get older....jeez..."

Song Soo-yeon barely held back a laugh about to erupt.

Despite everything, he didn't look old enough to make such a comment.

His excuses were as foolish as he was.

After wiping his tears with his sleeve, he rearranged the tables he had bumped into, looking dejected.

Then he silently walked into the kitchen.

Song Soo-yeon knew he must be upset.

Guilt made her follow him.

"Mister, are you upset, I mean... angry?"

"....."

He didnt even respond.

The mans silence really made her uncomfortable.

She thought she might have gone too far.

And according to his earlier thoughts, he felt lonely...

Song Soo-yeon looked around the restaurant.

She had never seen him with anyone else.

Even at their first meeting, he was eating alone in a soup restaurant.

Could he also be a loner like her?

Considering his awkward demeanor, it seemed plausible.

Recalling what she had done to such a person made her feel even more troubled.

She said in a tone of self-justification.

".....But really, it feels bad... thinking someone took your photo without knowing..."

"Maybe I should have just let you continue to be bullied. That would have been better for you."

"...Uh."

Song Soo-yeon frowned, gauging his reaction.

He kept turning his head, trying to hide his reddened nose.

Seeing his harmless expression, she resolved to apologize.

"...Okay. I'm... sorry."

"What?"

He asked as if he hadn't heard.

She bit her lip and said again.

"...I said I'm sorry."

"What?"

He asked again, and she realized he was doing it on purpose.

"....."

As she remained silent, he finally spoke.

".....It's okay. You don't need to apologize. I'll make the black bean noodles, so don't worry."

".....It's not about that."

He perked up, sensing her sincerity.

Suddenly, she felt compelled to ask something.

".....Just wondering, but... do you have any friends?"

He turned his head to face her squarely and answered firmly.

"No."

"....."

His answer was refreshingly clear.

And it was even more touching.

The question wasn't based on his friendless appearance.

She just wanted to confirm whether the inner voice saying he was lonely was her hallucination or not.

...But now, there was solid evidence.

Maybe, just maybe, she really did have some kind of psychic ability.

She stroked her hair, feeling a bittersweet aftertaste.

She had mocked him as naive and loser-like, but it was surprising.

Even someone as kind as him could be a loner.

That provided some comfort to her.

Anyone could be a loner, she reminded herself.

She felt deflated.

What was she doing to someone who shared her pain?

How was she any different from the bullies tormenting her?

Unintentionally, she explained to him.

".....About the photo..."

"Yes?"

"....I was upset because I looked stupid in the photo."

"..."

".....I wasn't angry at you. I'm sorry."

He blinked, his expression softening.

Seeing his face, she regained her inner peace.

The bitter aftertaste gradually faded.

Just these few words, and he readily forgave her.

Of course, he might be doing it because he liked her.

"...And also..."

"...."

"....Don't get any weird hopes because I'm saying this. I still won't like you. But...."

"...."

".....Thank... you. For everything."

He had complained earlier about how hard it was to hear a thank you.

That stayed on her mind, prompting Song Soo-yeon to express her gratitude.

Listening to her words, the man, still with reddened eyes, looked at her and then turned his head away.

"....Ha. Really....ha."

At the same time, he couldn't hide the smile that began to form on his face.

It seemed as if he couldn't control his rising lips.

"I never... thought anyone would like me..."

Soon, he was smiling broadly, showing his teeth.

Song Soo-yeon, chuckling quietly as she watched him from behind, felt a sentiment she never thought she would.

She shouldn't feel this way...

He was crying sadly one moment and then genuinely smiling the next over a single word of gratitude.

He seemed somewhat cute.