I’m Not That Villain - Chapter 59



58 – Spa Land (3)

A nameless man.

For someone whose impression was so brutal, his voice was surprisingly soft.

“…Was it that obvious?”

“You’ve been staring blankly at the vending machine for ten minutes. It’d be stranger if it *wasn’t* obvious. Don’t you have cash?”

“Yeah. You’re right. I didn’t know this was the kind of place where you needed to carry so much cash…”

“Looks like Seoul itself is new to you too.”

“…No comment.”

Huh. He’s way more normal than I thought.

Ah. Good. That’s what I’m talking about. Conversations between guys are always a blast.

Lately, there’s only been women around me, so… well.

There’s this thing, you know? That kind of camaraderie you only feel with other guys.

I’ve been missing that.

There’s a certain comfort that comes from just being around other men.

“What do you need?”

“I didn’t charge my phone, so the battery died. But if I go out of here, it costs money to re-enter, so I can’t leave…”

“Ah. The paid charging station?”

“Yeah.”

I took out my wallet and paid for him.

The man gave an embarrassed smile.

“Thank you. If you could give me your account number, I’ll transfer the money as soon as my phone turns on.”

“It’s nothing. It was just a little.”

“I can’t stand being in debt.”

“We’re alike then. Let’s just put a pin in it. If we happen to meet again, pay me back then.”

“…You’re a good person. Could I at least get your name…”

A name.

A name, huh.

Of course, I can’t tell him that.

“I’ll keep that for next time too.”

I cleanly parted ways with him. Seeing him bow his head so many times.

A surge of satisfaction poked its head out from a corner of my chest.

Hmm. Good. Indeed, good deeds feel good. Isn’t this what money is for?

But now that I think about it, was it always this crowded here?

When I returned to my spot, there wasn’t even a place to sit anymore. And on top of that, the normally chill meeting plaza felt like some weekend amusement park with all the chaos.

My group and I barely managed to meet, fighting our way through the throng. Renata, having pushed her way through the crowd, was panting for breath.

“Woah, is it…always this crowded here?”

“I wasn’t told it would be this bad… is there some kind of event going on today?”

Among the people milling around, there were some who, despite wearing the usual spa clothes, radiated a certain charisma.

It’s like. They looked like bodyguards, you know? Or maybe like, people who pack a punch? It felt like those types were hidden throughout the crowd, which might be why it felt even more congested.

“Looks like someone famous showed up. Let’s just head up.”

The upper levels were crowded too, but not suffocatingly so.

Guess that last spot was just especially packed. I stretched my arms way up, then turned to look at the others.

I mean, everyone else’s faces were nothing new…

But Seol Yewon.

This was the first time I’d seen her without her mask.

I stared at her. Wow. No. How do I even explain this?

That blank, spacey look of hers drew stares from the crowd. And I mean, it wasn’t because she was ugly or weird-looking or anything.

Damn.

Why’d she hide a face like *that*?

That awkwardness of hers concealed… well, an unbelievable level of beauty.

Is it even possible for someone to be that pretty?

Those eyelashes are long. And why is her nose so perfectly shaped? Ugh. Just trying to describe it feels like a struggle.

I had my suspicions, but she really is a beauty. But why go around all slumped over with a face like that…?

…Ah.

Her home life, right. Almost stepped on a landmine there.

We started moving as a group. With Renata, fully in “let’s have fun” mode, leading the charge, we scurried around the inside.

We did get some stares, but maybe because it was so crowded, those stares would eventually give up and subtly fade away.

Ah. I admit it. I mean, when someone’s *too* pretty, people don’t even think about asking for their number. They just don’t think they’re on the same level.

Renata and Lily were glued together, and I also noticed Renata trying to take care of Seol Yewon.

Lily and Renata, well, they’ve always gotten along okay. Cranky Lily was the kind to bicker but still look out for others, and Renata was so straightforward and earnest that she never rubbed anyone the wrong way.

But yeah, Seol Yewon seemed to have a serious case of stranger anxiety. Even as we wandered around the spa land, using the facilities, she naturally trailed a step behind the group.

And, of course, it was my job to look after her.

I brought her, so it’s my responsibility, right?

“Yewon-ah. Over there.”

“…Yes?”

“No, not me. Look over there. The menu. The menu.”

“……..”

Seol Yewon glanced at me. Her lips, like they were deciding whether to speak or not, slightly parted.

“Ah, Mr….that, like…just one more time…”

“Huh?”

“The, the name…you said…”

Seriously. Was it really that hard?

“Yewon-ah. Look at the menu, not me. Okay? You gotta pick something you want to eat, you wouldn’t want to eat *me*.”

“…I might…like…”

“Huh?”

“Ah, no! No! Nothing!”

Seol Yewon hastily buried herself in the menu. This spa land, it seemed like, was built with its enormous size in mind, because there were several restaurants inside available for use.

And we were currently trying to grab a quick lunch at one of them. Renata swallowed hard as she looked at the menu.

“Uh, um…this, like…we’re paying with company funds, right? Like a corporate card…?”

From noble mtl dot com

“…I don’t think I gave you guys such a measly salary.”

“No, I’m kidding. Ehehehe. Um… then I’ll just… with this one cup of ramen…”

“Since I’m the one who suggested coming here, I’ll pay. It’s not a burden or anything.”

“And get an egg, and tuna kimbap… ah! Can we also order this ‘Special Lunch Set’ here?!”

Scratch what I said about her being without sharp edges.

She’s subtly annoying.

I stared intently at Renata. She fidgeted, giving an awkward smile.

“We-Well, actually, because of all the stuff I ordered and had paid for, a huge chunk got pulled from my card…”

“…Order whatever you want.”

“I’ll eat well! Lee Seo…President!”

Kyah!

Still though, there’s something nice about being called that.

I’ve always wanted to hear someone call me president. I’m glad I pre-ordered. I was a bit worried she’d fluster and say my real name, but she follows those rules perfectly.

Lilly slid her finger over one item on the menu.

“I’m fine with just french fries.”

“No.”

“…Why?”

“Why would you come all this way and only eat what you normally do? Pick something else.”

“I have the right to choose what *I* want to eat.”

“Yeah, no. Confiscated. I’m paying so I’m choosing. French fries are just the basics, we’re ordering more of this and that on top. How dare you!”

“…Annoying thoughtfulness.”

Seol Yewon glanced at me, checking my mood. I could see her hesitating, like she couldn’t decide what she wanted to eat.

I edged my shoulder closer, to look at the menu she was so intently studying.

“Hiccup…?!”

“What do you want to eat?”

“…You’re, too…too…clo…”

“Huh?”

“Ah, no…never mind…never mind…it’s nothing…um…I just, well, I don’t know…”

“Order everything from here to here.”

“Y-yes…?”

“You’ve been staring at this page in particular for a while now.”

“B-but it’s so much…”

“Don’t worry about it. Whatever’s left will be eaten by some employee who’s too busy splurging to buy his own food.”

“P-please don’t say it like that…it makes me feel like a real pauper…”

“Isn’t that what you are?”

“Heeeing…it is but still…”

We ordered just like that. The food came pouring out, endless, arranged all along two tables…

And then we started to eat, one thing after another.

There were so many items on the menu. Perfect for trying a little of everything. We each had our own plates, so it was nice and clean.

I naturally poured some of the ketchup we had additionally ordered onto a small plate and placed it in front of Lily. Lily dipped a french fry in it and popped it in her mouth.

“Lily-ssi.”

“Okay,”

Lily wriggled and piled various things onto her side plate. After a few tastes, her eyes widened slightly.

Just as I thought. Still, it seemed like there was at least one dish she liked. I took her busy movements as a sign and heaped her side plate with what seemed to be her favorite.

Renata tilted her head slightly.

“It’s kinda like a father and daughter thing.”

“That’s rude.”

“That’s rude.”

“…The reactions are the same too, so it really does feel that way…doesn’t it? Yewon-ssi?”

“Yes, yes? U-uh…um…that, that could…maybe?”

The meal itself, though. It ended quite satisfyingly. And then we…

Immediately scattered.

“I think I’ll go check out the jjimjilbang. Want to come?”

“I’ll go a bit later. I’ll join you later.”

“Okay!”

As if experiencing Korean culture at a leisurely pace for the first time, Renata disappeared, beaming.

I gave Lily’s back a gentle push as she stared intently at Renata’s retreating figure.

“Isn’t Lily curious too?”

“…But your safety…”

“It’s fine. What could possibly happen here. It’s a vacation, why be so tense? Just give me that watch.”

After receiving Scarlett, she also followed after Renata. Now, all that was left was… Seol Yewon.

I casually asked her too.

“You wanna come along?”

“Ah, uh… well… th-that’s…”

Seol Yewon hesitated. I immediately caught the subtle reluctance in her voice and smirked.

It was obvious she didn’t want to tag along. Whatever. She pretty much only knew me here, didn’t she?

She’s always been a shy kid, so maybe this would be a good chance for just the two of us to hang out alone.

“Or, you wanna go with me?”

“…Ah, what are you gonna do, mister…”

“Just gonna look around here and there a bit more.”

If you’re out to have fun, then you gotta do just that, right?

A passerby bumped my shoulder and passed, I pulled Seol Yewon closer just in time to keep her from getting hit. I felt her flinch in my embrace as I whispered.

“Let’s go together. How about it?”

“……..”

Seol Yewon hurriedly nodded.