Chapter 76: Can't Run Away (2)
TL/Editor: Raei
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In the middle of a meeting, Shake interjected.
-Bang! Bang! Bang!
By slamming his palm on the desk, he garnered everyone's attention.
"Stop!"
Silence fell with his booming voice.
As the meeting room quieted down, Shake opened his mouth.
Although he was not the decision-maker, no one could ignore him.
"Let's stop fighting and come to a conclusion. It's a waste of time otherwise."
Uncomfortable coughs erupted here and there.
But Shake didn't care.
"So, to summarize, there's no change from before, we can't announce Luna. We don't know their appearance or gender. Students and teachers who were harmed by Luna have all lost their memories, not even aware of them. With Tryno causing havoc, there are even fewer witnesses. In such a situation, it's better to send a reassuring message than to announce Luna and highlight the Hero Association's incompetence. Right?"
Someone responded to Shake's summary.
"That's correct. If we announce Luna and all attention shifts there... people will only focus on our incompetence.
Not being able to protect the citizens' control over their bodies without even knowing the appearance or gender of the perpetrator would bring criticism towards us. But... if we highlight Solace."
Shake took over the conversation.
"If we focus on the fact that Solace withstood the Villain Alliance, then it looks like our victory?"
"Exactly. Highlighting Solace is effective. It's killing two birds with one stone. It reduces criticism and raises the Hero Association's prestige."
"..."
"Anyway, we've taken all possible measures. It's better for us to wait until Luna naturally reveals themselves to the public rather than for us to announce them. Let's not make a fuss. Announcing Luna now brings us no benefit."
Shake muttered, tapping the desk with his finger.
"...If we highlight Solace in this situation... the rank would be..."
The Chairman of the Hero Association spoke.
"Solace would be ranked first."
---
---
The alarm woke me up.
My eyelids were heavy, probably from drinking too much.
"...?"
And my body felt heavy. It was as if something was pressing down on me.
I struggled to open my eyes.
Then, I saw Song Soo-yeon cuddled up to my side.
"..."
Cat-like eyes, long eyelashes, a youthful nose, and enchanting lips.
Long limbs proportionally, and her chest pressed against me.
One arm on her chest, the other on mine.
One leg over my thigh, she was soundly asleep.
I could see tear stains near her eyes. She must have cried a lot.
Before being surprised by her appearance, I felt warmth.
It was ridiculous to me.
After being so troubled yesterday, to feel happiness so simply again.
The fact that someone slept beside me, embracing me, pushed away my loneliness.
Of course, the throbbing in my heart hadn't completely disappeared.
The fact that she could be a villain still pained me, even after six bottles of soju.
I wish I could confirm it clearly.
I'd rather know the truth right away.
I despised myself for suspecting her, yet I was frustrated by this situation that left me no other choice.
I didn't want to suffer anymore.
I turned my head to look at Song Soo-yeon.
"...Ah... Mister..."
She was sleep talking and frowning. I wondered what dream she was having.
I sighed and stroked her cheek.
"...I'm here."
I hoped she could have a more comfortable dream, even if just a little.
---
---
Around noon, I went to the Hero Association.
I had left Song Soo-yeon behind.
It took me a long time to push her away, but it had to be done.
I came to visit Solace.
In this situation, where Song Soo-yeon might be Luna, I couldn't possibly take her along to visit Solace.
I don't think I could bear that bizarre situation.
Besides, there were things I needed to ask Solace.
Fortunately, I heard that Solace's condition wasn't too bad.
Thanks to the efforts of the healing hero, Hera, most of the wounds had healed cleanly.
Even the hole that Stingshot had made in the foot was gone.
Still, Solace hadn't left the sickbed, due to Hera's advice that emotional stability was important.
When I mentioned I came for Solace, people took great care of me.
It was another opportunity to confirm Solace's status.
Climbing the high building of the association, I passed through several corridors.
A refreshing scent and a soft song playing calmed my worried heart.
"Jung-gyeom, this is the room."
The person guiding me bowed and showed me a room.
I nodded in thanks and took a breath.
Then, I knocked on the door.
-Knock, knock, knock.
Her voice came through.
'Who is it?'
I felt relieved at her energetic voice.
Blinking, I responded.
"...It's me."
While waiting for her reply, the floor thumped lightly.
Then, the door burst open.
-Bang!
"Oppa!"
Min-Bom, wearing patient clothes, smiled brightly and hugged me.
She didn't seem to care about the glances of the association staff around.
I embraced her, asking worriedly.
"Bom...Solace, is it okay for you to move like this?"
"Call me Bom, Oppa. These people already know my name anyway."
Min-Bom said, pointing to the staff standing by the door.
The staff also smiled and nodded slightly at me.
"...Shall we go in?"
I suggested after the warm greetings.
"Yes...!"
Min-Bom nodded.
-Thud, click.
Closing the door, I followed Min-Bom into the room.
Numerous flowers and fruit baskets.
Letters and gifts.
The beautiful river and clear sky visible through the window.
...I felt a long nostalgia from the view.
I too lived in such a beautiful place when I was a villain.
It's not that I miss it.
The broken-down restaurant was more precious to me than that expensive house.
It was just a momentary dip into memories.
"How are you feeling?"
I asked.
Climbing onto the bed, Solace immediately turned her body to show me her healed foot.
"Ta-da, the hole is gone."
I gave her a small smile. Her brightness was contagious to me.
Sighing, I sat down next to her.
"What about the other injuries? You must have been hurt by Tryno as well."
"It's all fine. It hurt a bit, but it all went away when you came, Oppa."
She kept making cute gestures.
Min-Bom continued to smile brightly.
Then, after a moment of silence, she slowly erased the smile from her face and spoke to me in a more serious tone.
"...Oppa, but you told me you'd run yesterday."
"Hmm?"
"You should run when a hero tells you to. It's dangerous."
"..."
"What if you got hit by a shard from Tryno? Or a Stingshot snipe?"
A scolding that was fully within a hero's right to give.
I nodded and apologized.
"...Sorry."
"..."
Watching me apologize, Min-Bom gave a broad smile and said,
"That was Solace's opinion."
"Huh?"
"Now, it's Min-Bom's opinion."
Min-Bom got off the bed and hugged me tightly.
She spoke to me in a completely calm voice now, her feelings coming through more vividly than ever.
"...Thank you. Because you told me to be strong... I could muster the strength."
"..."
"I was really scared."
"..."
I'm glad I could be of help.
I patted her back.
...But internally, I also regretted.
If I had evacuated as she said, maybe I wouldn't have seen that scene that's now troubling me.
I wouldn't be suspecting Song Soo-yeon now.
Ah, but then, would Solace be safe?
I don't know. My mind was a mess.
I wanted to know the answer quickly.
As we detached, I cleared my throat and broached the subject.
"...Uh...Bom."
"Hmm?"
"...But what was that yesterday?"
"What do you mean?"
"That... all the students were acting weird... It was strange..."
"........"
Solace blinked and then shut her mouth.
I continued to press her for answers.
"So, has a new villain appeared...? Do you know anything?"
"..."
She was lost in thought, maintaining her silence.
Every second I waited for an answer felt like an eternity.
Solace couldn't possibly imagine how anxious I was for this response.
Slowly, she nodded her head.
"That's right... You must have seen it too, Oppa."
"Yes, I saw it."
"There's no helping what's been seen. Yes, a new villain has appeared."
"What's their name?"
I asked without hesitation.
My heart was pounding.
"...I can't tell you that."
But my enthusiasm deflated with Min-Bom's response.
"...."
I forced myself to hide my frustration.
"...Why?"
Min-Bom answered with a stern face.
"It's classified. The association decided so. You also can't go around talking about this villain."
I could tell from her expression.
There would be no satisfying my curiosity.
She wouldn't say anything.
Just like her always upright heroism, she wouldn't give me an answer to the end.
...But I couldn't give up.
I needed to know.
I didn't want to keep suspecting Song Soo-yeon.
I didn't want to keep worrying about the possibility.
I wanted to be relieved as soon as possible.
"...Bom, I won't tell anyone. Can't you just tell me the name?"
Min-Bom looked puzzled at my persistent questioning.
"...Have you always been so interested in villains?"
"..."
I had nothing to say to that.
Until now, I hadn't talked much about villains with Min-Bom.
I lowered my head.
I made an awkward, difficult excuse.
"...It's just so strange... I got curious..."
What should I do?
How can I find out?
I felt sorry for making such a request to her.
Yet, I couldn't stop.
-Swish.
At that moment, Min-Bom's hand was placed over the back of mine.
"...?"
When I looked up, a small smile had formed on her face.
It was a slightly more... mature smile than usual.
"...Are you that curious?"
She asked slowly.
I nodded.
"...Hmm."
Min-Bom stroked her chin with her finger.
I quickly realized she was pretending to ponder playfully.
That mature smile hadn't faded.
Min-Bom said,
"...What if I really can't tell you...?"
"..."
"...But since it's between you and me... What's the big deal about telling you the villain's name...?"
Pretending to ponder, then playfully teasing.
She fiddled with the back of my hand as she hesitated to say the next words.
Her cheeks gradually turned red.
Then, shyly, she whispered.
"...If you go on a date with me... maybe I'll tell you...?"
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