Time flows swiftly.
As part of our practical training, today was the day we were to visit an orphanage affiliated with the agency.
“It’s a hero’s duty not only to subdue villains but also to consistently contribute to society. The orphanage we’re visiting today is directly sponsored by Fearless. You’ll all learn the spirit of service and generosity here today, won’t you?”
My gaze met Sleeping Bubble’s as she gave the instructions.
I offered a slight bow in greeting.
“Haa…”
She abruptly turned her head away, letting out a strange sound.
Seeing her face flushed crimson again today, I wondered if she might be suffering from a heat-related illness.
Han Sua, standing beside me, furrowed her brow in puzzlement.
“…Did you do something to Sleeping Bubble?”
“Not really?”
I had done *something*, though.
During breaks, I’d bought her drinks, and when she returned from a mission, I’d lightly pat her shoulder.
I’d tried to act friendly, hoping to pry out some information, but unfortunately, I’d yielded no results on that front.
To overtly attempt hypnosis still carried some risk.
After all, it might not work, just like with Han Sua or Yuha.
It felt as though I had wasted my efforts for nothing.
As our conversation continued, we soon arrived at the orphanage.
Though not particularly large, the children’s faces radiated pure joy.
It was clear how much effort Fearless invested in this orphanage.
“Alright, then, feel free to spend time with the children!”
All the heroics students, including Han Sua, were wearing their suits.
The reason was simple enough.
Naturally, children loved heroes.
“Once upon a time, in a very small village, there lived a girl…”
Han Sua read a fairy tale in a soft, gentle voice.
A little girl sat perched on her lap.
Her gentle demeanor, so unlike her usual cold impression, felt oddly out of place.
Throughout the practical training, she diligently applied herself to every task.
Watching her go on missions and apprehend minor villains, one could almost be fooled into thinking she was a true hero.
Just like on the first day, when she had helped Fearless subdue the colossal villain.
Seizing a moment when the little girl had stepped away, I approached and asked,
“Is this merely an act to project a friendly public image?”
“What are you talking about?”
Han Sua snapped back, glaring at me as if she’d never been anything but sharp-tongued.
For some reason, I felt at ease.
‘Yes, this is the real Han Sua.’
“You’re the one who needs to manage your expressions. Even if the kids are annoying.”
“What?”
It was only after I touched my face that I realized my expression.
My lips, stiff and unmoving as stone, hadn’t twitched.
Han Sua, her eyes narrowing even more fiercely, accused me.
“You really are trash. Even if you’re a villain, in front of kids…”
“Indeed. If my parents hadn’t died at the hands of villains, I might have been playing with them too.”
“What…?”
Han Sua’s eyes trembled violently for a moment.
Was it because she’d heard an unexpected answer?
Recalling unpleasant childhood memories, it seemed an orphanage was not a place well-suited for me.
Why, then, had I suddenly blurted out something no one but Yuha knew?
Hearing myself called a villain by a villain had certainly irritated me.
“…I didn’t know.”
Han Sua mumbled, her lips twitching.
‘Judging by her reaction, does she still possess a shred of conscience? How amusing.’
“…Even so, you somehow manifested an ability.”
“That’s right.”
‘Though it was an artificial ability created through surgery.’
After a moment of silence, she cautiously asked,
“If something like that happened, why didn’t you just become a hero?”
“It would have been better in many ways.”
I let out a wry chuckle.
Once, I too had naturally dreamed of it.
But that path had only led to hell.
Even now, having gained an ability, nothing had changed.
‘How could a presumptuous sinner ever qualify to be a hero?’
“That’s none of your business, villain.”
“…”
At my forceful words, Han Sua pressed her lips together.
The occasional glimpse of sorrow I sensed from her was the primary cause of my unsettling emotions.
She then asked in a voice tinged with melancholy,
“…So what exactly are you plotting?”
“What do you mean?”
“There must be a reason you blackmailed me into coming all this way, right?”
“Nothing at all? My dream is simply to finish this practical training safely and go home.”
“…You’re not very good at lying.”
Han Sua shot me a sharp glare.
I merely shrugged.
‘Of course, she wouldn’t believe me.’
‘Nor was it meant to be believed.’
“Hero unnie, here…”
Just then, the little girl returned, breaking the awkward silence.
Her small, fern-like hands offered Han Sua a flower crown woven from wildflowers.
Though its crude craftsmanship might have been off-putting, Han Sua simply accepted it with gentle care.
A warm smile, one I had never seen from her in the Cradle, graced her face.
“Oh, how lovely. Thank you.”
“Hehe… huh?”
The shyly grinning child belatedly noticed my presence.
“…!”
Her eyes, fixed on me, grew increasingly bright and clear.
That innocent gaze was filled with deep longing and earnest wishes.
The child, looking back and forth between Han Sua and me, exclaimed,
“Playing house!”
“…What?”
****
Thus began the impromptu game of playing house.
I was the dad, Han Sua was the mom.
A single, reluctant exchange of glances passed between us.
The little girl, nestled between us, wore an expression of utter satisfaction, giggling softly.
Few people in this world would possess the conscience to refuse an orphan’s request to play house.
Even for the most wicked villain, such a refusal would prove incredibly difficult.
That was likely why Han Sua had no choice but to accept.
Of course, I had not anticipated a sudden video call from Yuha.
–…Mom? Dad?
Yuha’s voice sounded strangely hollow.
Anyone seeing this situation out of context would surely be bewildered.
“Ah, currently…”
“Honey, if you’re off work, you should hurry home for dinner.”
Han Sua’s sudden voice interrupted my explanation.
She had somehow donned an apron and was now pressing herself right beside me.
I couldn’t understand why.
She had been merely going through the motions until now, so why the sudden change?
Han Sua subtly checked her smartphone, then whispered to me.
“Stop messing around, alright?”
Han Sua smiled gently, yet subtly gestured to her side with her eyes.
As if angered by the interruption to her game, the little girl was on the verge of tears.
“…I suppose I must.”
At least Han Sua had better situational awareness than I did.
I sighed and nodded.
“Sorry, Yuha. I’m a bit busy right now.”
–W-Woojin…! Wait…!
“I’ll call you back later!”
*Click.*
I hung up the phone.
“Pfft.”
Han Sua’s eyes were now curved into a wide, happy arc.
It was the happiest I had seen her in days.
‘…What was that about?’
****
The peaceful practical training continued the next day.
I encountered Han Sua in front of the agency office.
“Ugh.”
“?”
Startled, she abruptly averted her gaze.
It was as if she was desperately trying to conceal her expression.
Her dry lips, bitten intermittently, somehow felt like an expression of anxiety.
Her demeanor, completely reversed from yesterday, gave me a peculiar premonition.
‘Is this it, then?’
As the training session neared its end, I raised my hand and spoke.
“Sua seems to be feeling a bit unwell.
May I take her to the infirmary for a moment?”
“Uh…?”
Han Sua’s eyes widened in surprise.
Sleeping Bubble glanced at her briefly, then readily nodded.
“Of course!
Psyche (TL Note: Sleeping Bubble refers to Han Sua by her hero codename, Psyche, here) does indeed look a little tired.
It’s not good to overdo it.
I told you, didn’t I? Rest is an important virtue for a hero.”
Having received permission, I smiled and beckoned to Han Sua.
“Sua, come this way.”
“Ah, no… I don’t really…”
“Even the Sidekick (TL Note: Sleeping Bubble is a Sidekick, a hero who assists a main hero or agency) said it’s fine.
Come on, quickly.”
“Ugh…”
Han Sua, weakly rising, finally shuffled her feet forward.
I feigned supporting her as we headed into the corridor.
I heard something akin to an exclamation of admiration from behind us, but it was hardly important at the moment.
Thus, we arrived at a secluded spot, not the infirmary.
“It seems you’re not actually sick, after all.”
Only then did I turn to her and ask,
“Has Hwaryeon (TL Note: ‘Hwaryeon’ appears to be the name of a villainous organization to which Han Sua belongs) issued any orders?”
“O-orders…!”
Han Sua vigorously shook her head, still unable to meet my gaze.
“N-no, it’s nothing like that.
Just a little tired…”
I then twisted my lips into a smirk and raised a finger.
–*Snap!*
[Skill: Marionette is being used on the target…]
Han Sua’s eyes immediately lost focus, becoming vacant.
‘She should know better than to lie.’
‘Hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?’
In that state, I slowly continued my questioning.
“What conspiracy are you plotting?”
“…An attack.”
“An attack, you say. When?”
“…The last day of practical training.”
Han Sua, her lips weak, spilled out information.
“The location is 46 hero agencies in S City… The perpetrators are the S-rank villain Stingray and his subordinates… The other agencies are a smokescreen… The real target is… Fearless…”
The words she uttered perfectly matched the information I already possessed.
I had checked, just in case something had changed, but it seemed there was no significant alteration.
‘Good, it seems everything is proceeding as planned.’
“Why was the attack planned?”
“To… kill the hero Fearless.”
“…And what is your role?”
I hesitated for a moment before asking.
Han Sua continued to answer in a slow, yet unhesitating voice.
“To remain hidden… then join the attacking side… and kill all the heroes.”
A cold smile naturally formed on my lips.
‘Just as I thought.’
‘No matter how much she imitates a hero, a villain is still just a villain.’
I flicked my finger once more.
Han Sua, who had been momentarily blank-faced as her focus returned, belatedly gasped and covered her mouth.
“W-what did I just say…!”
“It’s no use acting surprised now.
I’ve already heard everything I needed to.”
Speaking nonchalantly, I suddenly changed my expression and uttered in a chilling voice,
“And yet, you still dared to lie in front of me.
Was the punishment last time not enough? Hmm?”
I slowly raised my finger, as if threatening her.
Han Sua was now trembling violently, like an aspen leaf.
She stammered out,
“I-I’m sorry… I made a mistake…”
“You’d do well to mind your conduct.
Why do you think I’m keeping you alive? If I decide you’re useless, I’ll kill you immediately.”
“Hmph, I-I understand…”
Han Sua nodded fiercely.
‘Though I said that… honestly, I don’t want to use my ability any more than I have to.’
‘What Han Sua experienced wasn’t even 30% of the intensity I suffered at Marionette’s hands.’
‘I know that pain better than anyone.’
“So what do you intend to do? Will you obediently follow the orders?”
I asked Han Sua.
She nodded, albeit reluctantly.
“…Of course.
Disobeying Hwaryeon’s orders is out of the question.
If I did, I… I would die.”
“Didn’t you like Fearless so much?
It seems it was all just an act.
She’d certainly be pleased to see you like this.”
“Ugh…”
Having nothing to say, Han Sua cast her gaze downwards.
After a moment of silence, she cautiously met my gaze and spoke.
“S-so, what about you…?”
“What about me?”
“You… you infiltrated here with some ulterior motive, too.
Deliberately pretending to be a student.”
“…And?”
“I-I don’t know what it is, but if a third party interferes, it wouldn’t be good for you either, would it…?”
Han Sua’s voice was unconsciously rising.
To an unwitting ear, it almost sounded like a desperate, foolish hope.
“Wouldn’t your plans be disrupted if outsiders got involved?
So I was wondering if you planned to stop it…”
“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”
“Huh, huh?”
I grinned.
‘I do have an ulterior motive.’
‘But why would I stop it?’
‘In fact, it seems to be going exactly as planned, which only pleases me.’
“What you all are doing? I have no intention of stopping it.
Don’t worry about it; feel free to rampage as much as you like.”
I replied cheerfully.
“You too.”
“…”
Han Sua remained silent.
Though the hypnosis had long since worn off, her eyes remained unfocused and vacant.
