If The Villain Catches Me Alive

‘Mommy’s bad.’

 

‘Ehh~? That’s too much!’

 

‘Malnourished? Are we broke? Why aren’t you eating?’

 

He remembered the look on his mother’s face, it was a complicated one.

 

Sitting helplessly on the bed, she gestured toward Theodore. Like she was asking him to come closer. Even with his mouth hanging open, Theodore obediently followed her command.

 

‘Actually, Mom loves to eat.’

 

She whispered it in his ear as if she were telling him a huge secret. Then, he might have said, “Don’t lie to me,” or something back to her. Plainly.

 

Then, she replied, ‘It’s true!~’ in her trademark mischievous voice.

 

‘Mommy, did you used to be very, very fat?’

 

‘……I think so.’

 

‘Right? But Mommy wanted to look good for Daddy more than anything, so she lost weight like crazy!’

 

‘Daddy would’ve been happy with just mommy…’

 

‘Oh, it’s not what you think! I want to look good for him because I like him.’

 

Arya Renan sat the little boy on her lap and wrapped her arms around him.

 

‘Is Theodore worried? I’m happy! I’ll try to eat as regularly as possible, too!’

 

She died without tasting many of the delicious things she loved so much. His thoughts trailed off there. Theodore turned to Dante, who stood bewildered in front of him.

 

“You’re… not eating dinner?”

 

“Uh… I will. Eat first, Theodore.”

 

……I will.

 

The thought occurred to him. That is the most pathetically ridiculous thought of all.

 

To see a reflection of his mother in him…

 

It’s impossible to think that without going insane. Even as he smiled, Theodore’s eyes searched for similarities to those he was missing: a unique kindness, a willingness to help others as if it were second nature, and yet neglect to take care of himself…

 

At the same time, a vague sense of fear gripped him.

 

A single assumption: that, just as she had died, he might be headed for a similar end… It was a silly assumption.

 

Wanting to deny the thought, Theodore suddenly began to list the differences between Dante and his mother.

 

‘They’re different in gender, they’re much different in age, they’re from different backgrounds, they’re different…. in the way they treat me…’

 

But that wasn’t enough. It was at that point that words came out of his mouth unconsciously.

 

“……eat with me now.”

 

Theodore turned on his heel, seemingly more annoyed at himself than at the person who had uttered those words. His face was livid.

 

Rattle-. A loud crash came from behind him, which made him turn quickly to see a figure slumped over his desk, looking even more out of sorts than he did. Then he said,

 

“Uh! Yeah! Let’s go!”

 

“…….”

 

He jumped out of his seat at the same time.

 

Theodore was both pleased and uneasy at the same time. What if he was rejected, he thought, and he didn’t even know if he wanted him to reject the idea. 

 

The more he watched, the more he saw similarities, Theodore continued following Dante as he trotted toward the dining hall.

 

‘Will you……’

 

Will you also disappear from me in the same way?

 

***

 

I’ve gotten used to the things I never thought I’d get used to.

 

But the magic is… I couldn’t understand what it was like because I lived in Korea, but it wasn’t difficult to work in the R&D Department because it was similar to human resource management in my previous company. Although, it was hard to ask for help from higher-ups sometimes.

 

‘It would be fine if it was just me…’

 

I had not one, but two kids under me, and I wanted to show them that I was an adult, but unfortunately, I wasn’t that good at research, let alone magic.

 

I didn’t bother to search through Dante’s memories. He must have been a slacker like me. I do remember studying things for long periods, but they were of the incomprehensible kind.

 

‘……Give it to me.’

 

Thus, most of the magic research was done by Theodore. I think he secretly realized that I wasn’t very good at it. In fact, I often found myself leaning over his shoulder to learn from him.

 

‘It’s a little embarrassing, but… So what?’

 

It’s more embarrassing to hide what you don’t know than what you do know… That’s what my high school teacher said.

 

Anyway, when Theodore went to turn in his work, which he had almost solved… Being human, my conscience was pricked. I felt like a bad boss who took credit from his junior… Hmm…

 

‘Isn’t Theodore gonna go independent?’

 

“How’s Theodore doing?”

 

At the same time as I thought that, Tower Master Colton Ford flipped through some of the papers I had submitted and asked with a satisfied smile. I blinked in surprise, as if he’d read my thoughts, and nodded.

 

“Good. He and Jeffrey are getting along well.”

 

“And how’s your preparation going?”

 

“……?”

 

What… preparations?

 

I looked at the tower master with eyes full of questions, and he sent me a questioning look in return. His gaze was filled with questions as if to ask me if I had forgotten.

 

“They’re both almost adults now, aren’t they?”

 

“……Ah.”

 

I forgot. I was too busy trying to survive, too busy trying to keep up with the things that were right in front of me. I was busy trying to repair my relationship with Theodore… I lost track of time.

 

I was reminded of Ford’s remark that the start of the novel was only a month away.

 

Mr. Ford sighed slightly and added,

 

“Make sure you have the necessary paperwork for their coming-of-age ceremony ready.”

 

“……Yes.”

 

For a mage, becoming an adult meant the same thing as receiving formal recognition as a mage.

 

Those born with magic aged very slowly, unlike other normal people, and this was due to the effects of the ceremony. To slow down the passage of their youth, to preserve their most powerful years for endless magical development.

 

With a bow, I exited the Tower Master’s office. As I made my way down to the second floor, where my study was located, words I never thought I’d have anything to do with- like adulthood and coming of age ceremony around in my head.

 

‘That’s… something the master has to prepare… I didn’t know. If the tower master hadn’t told me… I might not have been able to prepare it at all.’

 

With that thought, I opened the door to my study. Jeffrey and Theodore were at their desks, discussing some material. They didn’t seem to notice I had entered.

 

I flopped down on the couch in the center of the room and watched them from a distance. Suddenly… I noticed that Theodore had grown a bit in size. It’s been almost a year since I got here, so it’s understandable.

 

The once scrawny child had grown into a lean, but sturdy, man with an air of indescribable strength. The passage of time was palpable. Jeffrey, who seemed to be just a noble youth at first, now looked quite a bit like a tower mage.

 

‘Time… has passed…’

 

The story, then, is about to begin.

 

With that thought in mind, I fidgeted with my hands on the armrests of the couch. I’ve gotten so used to this body that I can’t even protest that it’s mine.

 

It was a peaceful day, a peaceful day where research is always difficult but progress is being made, and the children are looking out for each other despite their bickering, but I felt a little uneasy. …I’ve felt this way before. I remember a time when I felt this way. Ah, that’s right….

 

It was so much like the anxiety Dante felt in my dream, before.

 

***

 

“…….he’s sleeping.”

 

“…… sleeping.”

 

Theodore and Jeffrey whispered in very low voices as they watched Dante sleeping on the couch. It was the first time Theodore had seen him sleep since he had entered the tower.

 

‘…… I’ve never seen him sleep so defenseless…’

 

He’s never seen Dante sleep before… If he’s so sleepy, why can’t he sleep a little more comfortably… Is it that hard?

 

No matter how much Theodore thinks about it, Dante’s not a very efficient person. ……He’s also not someone likable.

 

Theodore and Jeffrey met each other’s eyes, their gazes softening. For the first time in a long time, they could actually see eye to eye. They knew they shouldn’t wake him up, just go about their business, sharpen their pencils, and have an occasional conversation, but…

 

“……Let’s go.” 

 

“……Yeah.”

 

They decided to leave.

 

It was a little early, but it was a good time to leave work. Theodore clutched a few papers in his arms and silently followed Jeffrey out of the room, glancing behind him as he went. Dante was fast asleep, unmoving.

 

‘Good night, sweet dreams, Theodore.’

 

“……Good night.”

 

The words were spoken impulsively, but he meant them. But, then,

 

“……Ah. Goodnight. Theodore.”

 

The following day, he showed up at their workout location in a daze.