Just Because I Have Narrow Eyes Doesn’t Make Me a Villain!

TN: Thank Nepper for the chapter.

Recently, we haven’t been attending the academy.

The reason was simple. It was a reward for what happened at the front lines.

They said we were a bigger help than expected, so they must have told the academy that we needed rest.

Our bodies have healed, but we’re still young children who went through a big incident, so it may be mentally tough.

Maybe it’s because it was such a major incident where the heroes of the front lines almost all died.

Considering the special circumstances of being at a scene dangerous enough to make the news headlines, the academy readily agreed.

That resulted in the current situation. On a morning when other students would have started going to school, I was fixing my appearance while waiting for Siwoo.

“…Amelia, is this really okay?”

-Of course it’s okay. There’s no way it wouldn’t be.

A confident voice rang in my ears through the phone. Amelia seems to really think this will be fine, but…

“I’m not sure…”

-About what?

Can I really do that with Siwoo wearing this? To be honest, I’m not sure.

No matter how I look at it, coming here doesn’t seem to have much to do with seducing Siwoo, does it? When I spoke that thought out loud, Amelia sighed deeply and scolded me.

-Think about it carefully, Arte. The reason you seduced Siwoo is to have se…

“Aaaah! Aaaah!”

-…Sigh. Right, what was the reason you seduced Siwoo to do that?

“The reason is…”

Because I wanted to act like lovers. I just wanted to do things Siwoo would like.

That’s what lovers usually do after all.

-Right. That’s the reason you seduced Siwoo, isn’t it?

“Yeah.”

-Then this is fine too, isn’t it?

“…Is it?”

-Yes. First, you need to take it step by step slowly.

There was nothing wrong with what Amelia said.

Come to think of it, lovers don’t just do that all the time.

When I think about it, today is the first time Siwoo and I are going out somewhere together, just the two of us.

-Guys who haven’t even been on a date are spreading their legs, really…

“I-I didn’t spread my legs!”

-I’m sure you didn’t. Have dinner at home. A home-cooked meal made by your own hands is surprisingly effective, you know?

“That’s true, but…”

There wasn’t a single thing wrong with what Amelia said. The thought of a meal lovingly made by your significant other is the height of romance.

Is it because I’ve never dated before? I had fantasies about such situations.

But there was one big problem.

“There are no ingredients in the fridge…”

-Really? Then I’ll have Hal deliver some cooking ingredients.

“Huh? Is that okay?”

-It’s not that difficult. You know the cost of some food ingredients isn’t expensive for me, right?

“…Thank you.”

-What for? But in exchange, you promised to make me a piece of clothing. Make it pretty, okay?

“Leave it to me.”

There wasn’t much I could do during the suddenly increased free time. After all, since coming to this world, the only thing I did was stalk Siwoo.

Even if I try to play games, it feels too awkward. They’re interesting at first, but I quickly put them down. I’m reluctant to go somewhere to play, too. It’s not like I have many friends, either.

Of course, spending time with Siwoo is fun, but… I started to feel a bit sorry for always relying on him.

That’s why I started making clothes. I thought it was the perfect hobby since I could freely manipulate threads.

It felt a bit awkward at first, but… Maybe because I got used to it quickly, I became able to make clothes so elaborate that even Amelia was amazed.

Perhaps she had her eye on those clothes. In exchange for planning today’s schedule, Amelia demanded clothes I made myself.

While I was talking with Amelia for a while, Siwoo arrived much earlier than the promised time.

“Sorry, am I late?”

“…! N-No! I just got here not long ago too!”

That’s a lie. I left way too early because I was excited to hang out with Siwoo.

In the first place, since I live in the same house as Siwoo, lies won’t work. Even knowing that, I lied out of my own selfishness, hoping he wouldn’t feel burdened.

Siwoo, who obviously knew I had come very early, smiled awkwardly.

“I told you we should have just left together…”

“I didn’t want that!”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be nice to arrive together?”

“Th-that’s…”

I can’t say it.

Sorry, am I late?

No. It’s fine. I just got here.

I absolutely can’t say I came early because I wanted to have this exchange. I don’t know if Siwoo would understand, and if he does, I feel like he’ll look at me strangely.

Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing that it was less special than I imagined… I shouldn’t have come first.

I should have come with Siwoo. Wouldn’t it have been better to go in while chatting together?

I shouldn’t have insisted on coming first…

While feeling a bit let down that the situation wasn’t as romantic as in manga or novels, I failed to notice Siwoo gazing at me lovingly.

“Who were you talking to? Dorothy? Amelia?”

“Ah, it was Amelia. Amelia, I’ll be going… Huh?”

I was definitely having the call with Amelia until a moment ago, but it had already ended, and I was greeted by a black screen.

When did she hang up? That was fast.

“Let’s talk about Amelia later. Today is our first date.”

“What’s with that? Don’t tell me you’re jealous right now?”

Siwoo mentioning our first date made me embarrassed, so I joked a little to hide my embarrassment. However, his response was quite different from what I expected.

“I am.”

“…What?”

What did I just hear? J-Jealous…?

Siwoo is jealous of Amelia? Why?

“You’re mine, aren’t you? It’s our first outing as lovers, so focus on me today.”

“Wh-Wh-Wh-What do you…!”

My face turned bright red in an instant. What did Siwoo just say?

What did I just hear?

Happiness, embarrassment, shock, and more.

Countless emotions began to pound loudly in my heart. Siwoo, who had been intently watching my face like that, soon chuckled.

“Why are you so flustered?”

“O-Of course I’m flustered! J-Jealous, what do you…!”

“What? Arte, you get really jealous too. Am I not allowed to?”

His voice was higher than usual, the corners of his mouth twitching. I finally realized it then.

Siwoo, this guy. He was teasing me…!

“Y-You…! Don’t joke around!”

“Ow, that hurts.”

“You know it doesn’t hurt at all!”

My face flushed red again at the realization that I had been completely fooled by Siwoo, who was laughing and teasing me.

Where on earth did he learn this from? To somehow gloss over the fact that I fell for it hook, line, and sinker, I hurriedly tried to change the subject.

“Ahem…! Let’s go in already! Time is passing!”

“Why? It’s fine to take our time at the aquarium, right? Looking at the schedule, the show is still a while away…”

“…! …!”

“Okay, okay.”

Perhaps because quite some time passed while Siwoo and I were bickering, people started passing by the surroundings that were quiet in the morning.

Realizing those people were looking at us fondly, I soon gave up and drooped.

It’s usually fine, but…

Sometimes Siwoo gets too mischievous.

As I looked at him with a sullen expression, he smiled it off and approached the aquarium entrance to speak to the staff.

“Two people.”

“Yes, understood.”

“There’s the superhuman discount, and… I heard couples also get a discount here on weekdays.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll apply it for you.”

“… You’re not going to check or anything?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary for you two. Anyone can see you’re lovers.”

Ah. So they were watching.

Well, it would be weirder if they didn’t see after we caused such a commotion right in front of them.

Anyone can see we’re lovers. I unintentionally smiled at the aquarium staff’s words mixed with laughter.

“Ahem… Is that so…?”

“Well, yes. It seems like you two haven’t been dating for very long, right?”

“Yeah, well…”

“Don’t tease your girlfriend too much saying she’s cute. If she gets angry or sulky, it’ll be a headache.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Ah, my. I shouldn’t be holding up customers like this. I’ll help the next person with their payment. I hope you have an enjoyable visit.”

With those words, the staff let us in and started helping the next customer’s entrance.

“Hehe…”

“You’re that happy and we haven’t even looked around yet?”

“Well, they said anyone can tell we’re lovers…”

Lovers, they said lovers. How could I not be happy hearing that?

I kept smiling even while entering the aquarium.

“…Arte.”

“Yes?”

“There’s one thing you’re mistaken about.”

“Mistaken…?”

Mistaken about what? I looked at Siwoo with a questioning gaze, and he grinned playfully.

“I didn’t say a single thing as a joke, you know?”

“Huh?”

“So don’t smile so cutely in a place like this. I’ll get jealous if other people see.”

“…?!??!”

“Focus on me, okay?”

“W-Wait a minute. What do you…!”

“It’s my first time at an aquarium. I wonder what they have, don’t you?”

Ah. They say in love, the first one to fall loses.

That was a lie.

After all, if it were true, there’s no way my face would be turning this red.

Translator’s Corner

My mom walked into my room while I was editing this. She asked why I was smiling so much.

-Ruminss