I’m Not That Villain

54 – Shopping (1)

After quickly finishing the work with Scarlett, I went out alone in the remaining afternoon.

“…Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you?”

“Could you please not look at me like a child left by the water?”

“Master. I…”

“It’s fine. You’re busy with modeling, right? I may not be strong… but I’m not so weak that I’d get beaten up everywhere I go.”

“Should I, should I at least accompany you…?”

“Hey, Renata, shouldn’t you be focusing on your main job? Aren’t you doing intermediary trade anymore?”

“Oops!”

I left the neighborhood alone. If possible, let’s go somewhere a bit farther, not towards Jung-gu. But not too far either…

Hongdae.

Shall I go to Hongdae Entrance Station?

I got on the subway. I hadn’t used it much since I left the deliveries to Renata. Experiencing the crowded people after a long time…

Ah.

I want to get a driver’s license.

Well, honestly, you can drive a car here without a license. But shouldn’t you be more careful at times like this? Moreover, I’m not active enough to drive around here and there.

I quietly looked out the window. There were many people, but it was quiet, and everyone was staring at their screens, so there was no one like me enjoying the scenery.

…How should I put it?

Now that it’s come to this, being alone is nice. Very much so.

I got off at a crowded station. Passing by the now all-private universities, I immersed myself in the crowd.

Among the noisy people, foreigners were not uncommon. Some passed by in groups, and some raised their voices and chatted about something.

Is it because it’s near Hongdae? There seemed to be a lot of young people not wearing masks here. It’s a good time. A good time indeed.

I wondered what proper university life would be like. But soon I reminded myself of my purpose and moved on.

There were many clothing stores. Very many. But among them, finding clothes that I could wear was quite a challenge.

After changing into suitable clothes, I glanced at the mirror. At the same time, someone was glancing at me.

A gaze I couldn’t quite understand. Surely they didn’t recognize me as a black mirror, did they?

I checked my deeply pressed hat and mask once again. I left the store and moved to another place.

Fortunately, some clothing stores had the fashion I wanted. Preparing for the upcoming summer, I packed various things, and soon my shopping bags were full.

And then…

Calorie replenishment.

Since becoming a superpower holder, my food intake has increased. Even when I didn’t use my powers, my appetite itself increased.

I think I understand why superpower holders eat well. Moreover! My pockets are full of money right now!

I withdrew only cash and filled my wallet with two million won. What does this mean…

It means I can finally eat out, and eat what I want without worrying about others.

Hmm. Good. Very good. Now, let’s stop shopping and head to the restaurant I reserved in advance…

“…….?”

I suddenly bumped into a crowd. For some reason, there were a lot of people gathered.

It was as if they had deliberately blocked the road, leaving no room to squeeze through. Inside the murmuring crowd, exclamations of admiration kept bursting out.

“Is it a celebrity?”

“I don’t think so… Wow…”

“Go talk to them.”

“No way. How can I talk to them when I’m sure to get rejected?”

Even those who had slipped out of the crowd glanced back and then blended back into the crowd.

What on earth is there?

I was curious, but I was hungrier. I hurriedly squeezed through the crowd to get to the waiting restaurant.

“Excuse me.”

When I finally broke through the crowd, I could see a woman who seemed to be at the center of attention…

But I was hungrier, so I just passed by.

Well, others are others.

Whether the person is famous or not, filling my stomach comes first.

“Hello. I have a reservation for 6 o’clock…”

I opened the door and entered the restaurant, but there was no greeting from the staff.

Instead, everyone in uniform was clinging to the window.

“Wow…”

“I think they’re coming in here?”

“I’ll take the order.”

“No, there’s no seat anyway? And where do you think you’re going… Do you want to die?”

“Hyung! Seriously! I can’t yield this!”

“…Excuse me?”

I called again.

But no one responded to my words.

After calling two or three more times, one of them finally turned their eyes to me.

“Ah. Yes. Sir. So…”

“A reservation for six o’clock.”

“I-I’m sorry! I’ll guide you inside!”

After much ado, I finally managed to sit down…

Funny thing is.

Everyone around me is a couple.

“…….”

Well, I knew it was a popular restaurant, but I didn’t know it was a couple’s hotspot.

Every seat is taken, and I’m the only one alone, so I felt a bit awkward. How should I put it… It felt like being isolated on a deserted island…

Well, once I start eating, it won’t matter. I glanced through the menu. I came here because I wanted to eat pasta for the first time in a while…

Might as well try a few side dishes too. I think I can eat everything I order.

“Excuse me…”

“They’re coming in! They’re coming in!”

“Hey, does my hair look okay? Huh?”

“Your hair always looks like crap, so it doesn’t matter, right?”

“Shut up! Hey! All of you, get lost! I’ll handle the reception!”

Why do these guys keep ignoring me?

I turned my head towards the direction where everyone’s gaze was fixed, suppressing my rising irritation from hunger. Now I see, both men and women were glancing towards the entrance.

Ding.

A cheerful bell sound echoed. And with it, the loud greetings of the staff drowned out the bell sound.

“Welcome!”

I finally saw her face. The woman who was at the center of attention earlier.

Only then did I realize why everyone in the store was glancing at her.

She’s beautiful.

Really.

That face with a faint smile was invincible. Any man would just laugh at the sight of her perfect features.

It felt like looking at a statue. But seeing it walk around like a living doll, how should I put it…

It doesn’t feel real. Yeah. No beauty I’ve seen on screen could compare to her.

It’s the first time I’ve seen someone who suits white hair so well. She seems like someone who could enjoy all the privileges of being born beautiful just with her face alone.

It’s no exaggeration to say that everyone in the store was looking at her. Even the couples who almost occupied the seats next to me were the same.

If it were a ritual, if it were a boyfriend sneaking a glance at a beautiful woman…

Wouldn’t he usually get a scolding from his girlfriend?

But this time is an exception. The couples filling the store, regardless of age or gender, were just glancing at her. Her appearance was so stunning that it made them accept it calmly without even feeling jealous.

How can a person look like they stepped out of a comic book? Whoever dates that person wouldn’t need to eat. They’d always feel full as if they had three meals a day.

But you know what?

I’m really hungry.

I was getting tired of being ignored, and I didn’t come to this restaurant just to look at women.

I pressed the order bell. But the staff were too busy attending to that woman to even hear it at my table.

“Sir, even if you didn’t make a reservation, a table will be available soon, so please wait here for a moment…”

I pressed the bell again. Still no response. Even after several more tries, the entire store was bustling, but it was the same.

In the end, I raised my voice directly at the staff who were all distracted by the beautiful woman.

“Excuse me!”

A staff member who turned to look at me belatedly flinched.

“…Yes, yes?”

“How many times do I have to call you? I want to order.”

“I’m sorry!”

I placed my order with the staff who rushed over belatedly. After that, I stopped paying attention to the woman who seemed to have no connection with me.

[Are you busy?]

Just as I barely finished ordering, a sudden text message arrived.

Seol Yewon. A text from my regular.

[No, not really. Why?]

[If you’re not busy, do you want to see what I cooked today?]

A picture of food, clumsily but earnestly prepared, appeared on the screen.

I couldn’t help but smile.

[Good job.]

She’s always so consistent.

She would show me these little daily photos at least once a day. Even though I rarely sent her a message first.

Should I say it’s admirable that she cares so much for someone? Especially considering her family environment.

Moreover, she never asked anything of me.

…Then maybe this time…

If she’s trustworthy enough, should I ask her to spend this holiday together? It would also be a chance to apologize for the worries I caused before. It seems like it would be fun to hang out this time.

[Ye-Won.]

[Yes?]

[I’m planning to go to Spa Land this weekend, would you like to join? I’ll be going with two other colleagues. Of course, I’ll cover the travel expenses. It’s not that expensive anyway.]

The text arrived a little later.

[Yesyesesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

The woman flinched, as if she hadn’t expected such an answer. She seemed to scrutinize me carefully, then opened her mouth once again.

“…Is it really impossible?”

The faint quiver at the end of her words. Her gaze lowered.

Not a pleading tone, but one that seemed to be tempting me.

I looked into her eyes with sincerity and answered once more.

“Yes.”

What’s impossible is impossible.

Why make a scene?

“Find someone else.”

“……?”