I’m Not That Villain

53 – A Short Vacation (2)

Black Mamba.

Information about those with abilities, you see, is mostly not disclosed. They tend to keep to themselves…

In the world of those with abilities, power is the law. And as such, they react sensitively to personal privacy.

But Black Mamba was different.

I stared blankly at the video Scarlett brought.

A red-haired woman in an expensive-looking car. The video was shaking violently, and there were constant squeals.

It seems…she has a lot of young fans.

[Sister! Sister!]

[Please wave your hand just once!]

[Kyaa! What do I do!]

It felt like watching an idol fan club.

And Black Mamba’s response to that was to frown deeply.

[Get lost?]

[Kyaaa!!]

[Bad woman!!]

“…….?”

I pointed vaguely at the blurry Black Mamba, barely visible from the distance I was filming from.

“Why is she so popular?”

“Black Mamba is a well-known ability user even outside of Jung-gu, Seoul. She’s famous for not harming civilians.”

“…Hmm?”

“She likes violence, but it’s limited to other ability users or organizations that provoke her. To the general public, she just runs a few clubs, gambling dens, and simple businesses… Many people just see her as a successful influencer.”

Scarlett zoomed in on the screen.

The outline became clear. Of course, since she was in the car, only her upper body was visible…

For a moment, I was speechless at her beauty.

“…Wow.”

Red hair. Her overall clothing style, how should I put it…

Punk style? That’s the vibe. I’ve been learning about fashion lately, you see.

She looks incredibly fierce. But even considering that, her beauty stands out.

She’s so pretty that I’m at a loss for words. A cat-like face with sharp eyes. She looks like she would bite if caught…

But even that seems like something her prey would desire, like a predator.

“…There was a hypothesis that ability users get a buff to their appearance… but it was debunked a while ago…”

“Debunked?”

“Looking at her, it might be true. I mean, she could outshine any idol on TV.”

Now, Scarlett, the AI managing the entire facility, stared at me through the large camera.

“…Master, is that your type of woman?”

“Hmm…? Type… It’s hard to say… But objectively, isn’t she pretty?”

Lily, who was lying diagonally on the sofa, glanced at the screen.

She threw a glance and then turned her head back.

“She’s pretty.”

“Right?”

“But I’m not bad either.”

“…….?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No. I mean… the direction of beauty is different? If that side is pretty, then Lily is cute…”

“I am cute and pretty. Objectively speaking.”

Renata, who had finished all her work and was now lounging around like it was her own bedroom, laughed while eating a snack.

“That’s right. Lily is pretty too.”

“Thank you.”

Their relationship, how should I put it, feels just like that.

But still, if I had to compare…

Wouldn’t it be fair to compare her to someone like Renata, who has that innocent look?

Well, let’s move on for now.

“I understand that she’s well-known… but she can’t manage the organization? Why? If she’s that likable, wouldn’t talented people naturally follow her?”

“Black Mamba’s distrust of humans is a famous story. She doesn’t trust anyone except herself. That’s why she handles most of the work alone. But there’s a limit to her abilities, so the organization seems to be creaking.”

I stroked my chin at Scarlett’s speculation.

Distrust of humans, huh.

Well, it’s a common story in Seoul, isn’t it? It’s a place where deceiving others is the norm.

If there’s a reason… well, I understand, but…

Honestly, it’s too much to handle the work of an organization managing a district alone.

“Well… if we’ve gathered enough information, let’s leave it at that.”

“Do you need anything else?”

“I was just trying to get an estimate, so this is enough. We can’t help Hundred Eye directly right now anyway.”

If she has distrust of humans, it would be even more difficult to offer help.

If we, who are practically strangers, suddenly offer to help rebuild the organization, it would naturally arouse suspicion.

“It’s not like they’ve completely fallen yet, right? Hundred Eye itself hasn’t collapsed.”

“That’s true. A large organization wouldn’t collapse so easily. The enforcement agencies and large problem-solving offices are weak. Even though Hundred Eye is the weakest among the large organizations, it’s still a large organization.”

Lily agreed with me.

“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about yet. Besides, Mr. Lee Seo-jun… you seem to be on edge these days.”

“Me? On edge?”

“When was the last time you did something properly other than work? You’ve been steadily increasing the underground facilities, and now you’ve even made a small training room inside, so you don’t go outside. You even replaced running with a treadmill.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“If we only consider the safety of the person we’re protecting, the current situation is good for me, but…”

Lily turned over slightly on the sofa.

So that the face is not visible.

“As a friend, I also recommend taking care of your mental health.”

“…Does that mean you’re worried about me as a brother?”

“I never said you were my brother.”

“But I’m older.”

“Old man.”

“I’m not old enough to be called an old man…”

I chuckled. I poked Lily’s back as she turned away.

“Thanks for worrying about me, but if you’re going to worry, can you do it while looking at my face?”

“Go away.”

“You’re embarrassed.”

Come to think of it.

I haven’t left this workshop at all lately.

Mental health… mental health…

She was right. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with safety, almost to the point of PTSD.

Let’s take a breather. As long as I don’t play around here, I won’t run into any law enforcement, right?

“Shall we go a bit far this weekend…”

“Ca-camping?! If it’s with Mr. Lee Seo-jun, I can take responsibility and go…!”

“Going too far into the suburbs is a bit much. If we’re going camping, we should do it properly, right? Let’s go camping next time.”

Renata melted.

“Th-that’s true… Let’s go together on a three-day break… Do we get separate holidays…?”

“Well, there’s nothing I can’t give you. I’ll arrange it.”

“Pa-paid holidays too…?”

“That’s a bit much. We’re on a stipend system, aren’t we? Renata, you’re getting more and more shameless…”

“Hehe.”

What could cool my head? I glanced at Lily.

“Will you come with me?”

“If the person I’m protecting wants it. But wouldn’t it be bothersome if I stick around during a holiday meant to relieve stress?”

“I don’t mind if it’s you, Lily.”

“…Then I don’t mind coming along.”

Before I knew it, I was inside the cat’s body, rubbing against my leg, and I lifted Scarlett up.

“Of course, Scarlett is coming with us.”

“Yes! Master! But, I have a request.”

“Hmm? What request?”

“The humanoid body you mentioned before… Can I design it myself?”

“I don’t mind, but… do we have the technology for that right now…? Isn’t there a lot we need?”

“You’re right, Master. Given the complex processes involved, it’s beyond our current facilities. But I can still draft the design and build the model. Is that okay…?”

“Of course, it’s okay. I’ll grant any request from our Scarlett. Do it! Do it to your heart’s content! Turn the world upside down!”

“Maaasteeeer…”

Renata, who had been watching cautiously, tugged at my clothes.

“Um, um, then can I also…”

“Yes. Sure. Let’s go.”

“……! So, are we going to the workshop?!”

“…Well, technically, we’re partners in the workshop, but not officially affiliated, right?”

“Don’t, don’t push me away! Waaah!!”

“Rather than a workshop, let’s just spend the holiday together. If possible…”

“If possible?”

Lily slowly got up. Renata’s eyes sparkled.

Looking at the two of them, I blurted out the place that came to mind.

“…A workshop tour?”

“…….”

“…….”

“Just kidding.”

“It didn’t sound like a joke.”

“It, it was really a joke, right…?”

Although there was a bit of selfishness mixed in, it was indeed a joke.

The place I actually had in mind was somewhere else.

“How about going to a spa land?”

“…….?”

“What?”

Spa Land.

As the name suggests, it is an indoor amusement park equipped with all kinds of water-related facilities.

I, you see, really like bathing. I also like soaking my body in water.

But I couldn’t remember the last time I did that. Taking a shower does clean the body, but…

It’s completely different from soaking in a bathtub.

“I really want to soak my body in water properly. Besides, Spa Land seems like a good place to spend a short holiday, doesn’t it? You can laze around inside all day… and use various facilities as well. What do you think?”

Renata and Lily glanced at each other. Renata twirled her fingers together.

“Um… I’ve never been to Spa Land… Is it okay…?”

“It’s my first time too.”

“Well… both of you are newbies…”

I proudly straightened my shoulders.

“All three of us are newbies then. We’ll manage somehow, won’t we?”

“Th-then let’s go…!”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

With permission granted, I made a waterproof wristwatch for Scarlett to wear.

It looked like a wristwatch, but in reality, it was a storage space for Scarlett with only simple functions.

Thanks to my experience making a cat prosthetic, I could easily make a small wristwatch-shaped storage space.

“Y-you’re going to the bathroom with the master…!”

“Stay with Renata.”

“What?!”

No matter what, it’s a bit much for a female body to enter where men are washing.

And at the same time, to get into the holiday spirit properly, I decided to go shopping for clothes.

Clothes to wear and go out in that day. I wanted to pick out my clothes myself to check my fashion sense that I had honed over time.

“Shall we go together?”

“No. I’ll go alone.”

It’s just a few hours of shopping alone, what could happen?

And you see, now I’m also a possessor of abilities…

Even if a problem arises, I can handle it to some extent by myself! Absolutely!