I’m Not That Villain

26 – Starting a Side Job (1)

Love?

Damn love?

Seo Ji-soo was so taken aback that she gasped. She wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in her mouth.

Her body, drained of strength, leaned back against the sofa. She ran her hand over her face, but the words she heard didn’t just disappear.

“…You… you love me…?”

“Yes. You’re the only one I like.”

“You son of a…”

She knew he could spout nonsense.

But this? This was on another level.

Seo Ji-soo let out a hollow laugh. Unable to hold back, she asked again.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Love me?”

“That’s right.”

His eyes were so serious that Seo Ji-soo had to gulp down a glass of cold water.

If she didn’t, she felt like she might explode. You b*stard.

“Do you remember the break room I built at the workshop? The one we use as a storage room now.”

“……”

“The room I gave you because there was no place for you to stay while I was working. Do you remember?”

“Ji-soo.”

“Hey, you fucking b*stard. Have you forgotten why that became a storage room? You got caught fucking one of the employees you recommended there. Don’t you remember?”

Lee Min-ho shakes his head nonchalantly.

“It was a mistake.”

“A mis-STAKE?”

“That girl was all over me; I couldn’t help it. I tried to push her away, but she threatened to kill herself…”

“And what about getting caught kissing that other new employee?”

“…That’s not important right now. What does the past matter?”

The past? Oh, it doesn’t matter. Of course not.

But it’s a problem because *my* story is involved in it, you son of a b*tch.

“If you’re going to bring up love, then don’t get caught doing that kind of thing with me…doing everything with another woman in front of me, and now what? Love?”

“…It was just a one-night stand.”

“After fucking around like that, they’ll readily nod their heads when you say that later? Yeah?”

“…I didn’t know you were so conservative. It was just a fuck buddy thing. Really. I’ve cut off all contact now.”

“Whether you cut contact or not is none of my business…but I find it disgusting that you’re spouting about loving me or not. You asshole. I’m your client, to begin with. Is it appropriate to talk about love to someone related to your work?”

Lee Min-ho said firmly.

Bullshit.

“A person’s feelings can’t be so easily divided into a simple dichotomy, can they?”

“I CAN! Asshole! You’re the only one who can’t! You crazy b*stard!”

Ah. This isn’t going to work.

I really can’t stand it anymore.

Seo Ji-soo lowered her voice. Isn’t raising your voice at a man like this pathetic?

Don’t get excited. Even that’s a waste. Let’s just figure out how to get rid of him.

Seo Ji-soo fiddled with her phone.

“Hey, Min-ho. Huh? Remember when we first met?”

“…….”

“What did I tell you then? I said I wanted to focus only on work, right?”

“…So I didn’t really bother you, did I?”

“You bothered me a lot. I just didn’t say it. Min-ho. Please, Min-ho…I don’t know exactly what feelings you have for me, but I don’t intend to date you. I definitely don’t want to have a relationship. It was like that in the past, it is now, and it will be even more so in the future. Okay?”

“I think feelings can change anytime.”

“That’s your way of thinking…please…please Lee Min-ho. You have a brain, right? Don’t think with your lower body and look at me straight. You just want to fuck me once, right? But since you can’t, you’re having delusions.”

Lee Min-ho’s expression hardened. He frowned deeply, then looked down at her.

“…Don’t you think I’m good enough to go anywhere?”

“If it’s all about appearances, wouldn’t everyone in the world like you?”

“Fine. You might be right. But couldn’t we have a different kind of relationship? If we sleep together once, you might change your mind.”

*Spit it out.*

Seo Ji-su buried herself deeper into the sofa. She was too tired even to think.

She gave a final warning.

“You contact the company. Before I do.”

“Ji-su.”

“It would be better if you yourself said you want to change jobs, wouldn’t it? It’s better than hearing it from me. Whatever reason you give, I’ll overlook it. It’s the last bit of loyalty you’ve shown me.”

“Calm down, Ji-su. Let’s talk this out…”

“Just say it. Will you do it? Or… will I?”

Time passed. In the silence, Lee Min-ho slowly approached Seo Ji-su.

His large hand gently grasped hers.

“Ji-su. We… haven’t always been bad, right? Right?”

“…….”

“Remember? When I protected you. I was the same then as I am now. I’ll admit I made a mistake in judgment. But… I won’t do it again. I won’t bother you with work matters from now on.”

“…….”

Her hand was forcibly held.

Her hand was forcibly placed on his cheek.

“Let’s… just forget everything and start over? I’ll do better. Really. I’ll show you a much improved version of myself… just trust me this once. Please.”

A sincere apology…

*Bullshit.*

What a load of crap.

Seo Ji-su roughly pulled her hand away. With her legs crossed, she whispered to him.

“I knew you’d say that.”

“…What?”

“That’s why I called them. A long time ago.”

*CLANG.*

The door opened. Employees from the mercenary company Blue Steel entered the room.

Lee Min-ho’s face hardened. He immediately looked at Seo Ji-soo, but she spoke sharply and clearly.

“Change him right now. Assigning such a bodyguard… I must have been an idiot to trust your company.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am.”

“Wait a minute… Seo Ji-soo! I’m not done talking yet! It’s not too late to cancel! Hurry! Are you trying to ruin our relationship?!”

Ruin?

Seo Ji-soo scoffed. She raised her middle finger as she watched him being dragged away.

“I gave you many chances. You ruined them all. Now get lost, you idiot.”

“Seo Ji-soo!!!”

The noisy workshop fell silent as he was completely dragged away. Seo Ji-soo pressed her throbbing temples.

At least it was resolved somehow. Although she was extremely annoyed, there was something more important.

He is a talent. An irreplaceable talent. And now, such a talent has left in disappointment…

I want to bring him back somehow. But how?

“…….”

First…

First, let’s take a break. Let’s cool my head.

Then…

Let’s change the security company from Blue Steel to another one. That should be the first step.

“…This time…”

Seo Ji-soo sprawled on the sofa.

“First, a female bodyguard, no matter what…”

. . .

Although other people’s workshops are nice,

I still prefer my own workshop.

I leisurely fiddled with my tools. Moreover, with this new attempt, I began to crave other things as well.

The numerous machines I saw in Seo Ji-soo’s workshop.

Ah. They were all good. But, you know, as good as they were…

Wouldn’t it be better if I could make them myselfI thought.

Since I’m already delving into more professional studies than I knew before, there’s no reason not to. I started working as soon as the idea came to mind.

Applying what I learned directly to the field, and if it didn’t work, I would take it apart and fix what was wrong.

The workshop was growing, albeit slowly, maintaining a semblance of credibility. Not with second-hand goods from other companies, but with facilities I made myself.

But still, the most important thing was ‘income.’

None.

No customers.

No one inquires about custom orders.

Of course. Ah, yes. As soon as the first order limited sale disappeared, not even a probing inquiry came.

Whether it’s a machine or whatever, I enjoy making things…

But in the end, if there’s no income, I would starve to death.

“Contact the black market…”

“That decision is not very maid-like.”

“Don’t mimic my way of speaking.”

I was at a crossroads.

And the path I eventually chose was completely different from before.

I swallowed my pride.

Isn’t immediate livelihood more important?

[Capable of repairing specialized equipment.]

“……?”

Lily glanced at me.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun, you said before. There’s nothing more painful than making a mediocre piece.”

“Did I…?”

“Isn’t modifying and repairing someone else’s work also a blow to an artisan’s pride? It’s no different from being a repairman.”

Sharp. But still. I had a rebuttal.

“I don’t intend to make a living just by simply repairing someone else’s specialized equipment.”

“Then?”

“I’m planning to study and broaden my horizons with it. Earn some money while I’m at it. Come to think of it, I haven’t met many people with abilities, have I?”

“…Hmm.”

“I learned a lot from the black market specialized equipment seller, so wouldn’t there be a lot to learn from other people’s works too? Then, based on various references, I can use it when I create the piece I truly want to make.”

Lily stared at me blankly. Then she tilted her head.

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun, you’re always diligent.”

“You have to work hard to at least make a living.”

“But still… not stopping progress? That’s the feeling I get.”

“I’m originally a bit of a progressive person.”

“…Give me back the compliment.”

“I already ate it.”

“……”

Of course. I still didn’t think that alone would make the business thrive.

But that doesn’t mean there was no way at all. I confidently adjusted the price range.

[Condition report starting at a minimum of 100,000 won.]

An enormous price range that shakes the very foundation of exclusive equipment repair.

For exclusive equipment repair, it usually costs at least a million won to ten million won. Therefore, the 100,000 won range is a price that completely shakes the industry.

Of course, there was a basis for setting this price range. After skimming through Seo Ji-soo’s works, I was convinced that it wouldn’t take much effort to manage and maintain them.

I am, you see, quite quick with my hands. I have a lot in my head too. So, I could grasp the structure of most exclusive equipment just by looking at it.

Even if I only did one repair a day, look at it. A daily wage of 100,000 won. That’s 3 million a month. And if I become a bit famous with this, people might start asking me to make exclusive equipment for them as well.

This time, it’s a real proper start! So my plan is perfect!

As if to prove it, a second inquiry came flying in.

[Hey, you scammer.]

…This…

Isn’t this the guy who commented before?

“…Look at this guy?”