Chapter 32: My Hero (8)

Chapter 32: My Hero (8)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: 4-5/week, Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

Join the discord! Here

No, you cant...!

Song Soo-yeon spoke out even before Jung-gyeom could answer.

Jung-gyeoms head slowly turned toward her.

No...you cant. Just no.

She repeated like a parrot, not meeting Jung-gyeom's gaze.

She hadnt yet come up with a reason to convince him.

She just held onto his arm, pleading with her words.

.....Did you hate heroes this much?

Jung-gyeoms voice echoed.

Song Soo-yeon gave no response.

.........Soo-yeon... do you hate me that much...?

The hurt in Min-Boms voice was just an afterthought, barely piercing Song Soo-yeons consciousness with guilt.

Song Soo-yeon bit her lip and then came up with a seemingly valid reason.

"It's... because you're a hero."

.........

What if villains find out you're helping Mister? Can you guarantee this restaurant will remain safe?

....Uh...

"Don't you care about our safety?

Song Soo-yeon....

Min-Bom glanced at Jung-gyeom before responding.

"I'll be as careful as possible in that regard. I'll always be by Gyeom oppa's side to protect him...."

Song Soo-yeon swallowed hard.

That was even worse.

She couldnt bear the thought of her always being by Jung-gyeoms side.

It just couldnt happen.

...No..you cant. I dont trust you. I dont trust heroes.

Then, a light laughter eased the tense atmosphere.

Jung-gyeom tousled Song Soo-yeons hair.

Ah, Mister?

....Hah. Why am I smiling and feeling happy?

.....What?

"......You're pushing Bom away because you're worried about me, aren't you?"

........

...Ah. I learned a lot today. Soo-yeon doesnt actually hate me.

Mister, thats not what were talking about.

Its okay.

Jung-gyeom stated firmly.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Song Soo-yeon doubted her ears.

She looked up at him.

.....What?

Thank you for worrying. Ill be fine. There wont be any problems.

But, but-

If that were the case, wouldnt all heroes acquaintances be in danger? Youre overthinking it.

Song Soo-yeon slightly distanced herself from Jung-gyeom and looked at his expression, asking weakly.

......So, youre accepting her proposal?

"....Yes. I don't think it will be too difficult for me."

Song Soo-yeon shut her eyes tightly and shook her head, not letting go of Jung-gyeoms hands.

....I said no....

Instead of an answer, the sound of Jung-gyeoms laughter reached her ears.

....Haha.

It was a laugh that sounded both regretful and awkward.

Song Soo-yeons heart fluttered again at the renewed confrontation.

Song Soo-yeon.

Min-Bom wasnt silent either.

She forced a cheerful voice, speaking up.

"I... I don't plan to ask Gyeom oppa for help without giving anything in return."

Song Soo-yeon slightly lifted her head.

"Really. Ill talk to the Hero Association about sponsoring this restaurant."

"......Sponsorship?"

"Yes...! Its a place doing good deeds! So... I'll find ways I can help..! I want to learn various things from Gyeom oppa..."

"....But thats-"

"-The restaurant is struggling a bit, right?"

Song Soo-yeon was speechless.

Unknowingly, she envisioned a future where the restaurant received sponsorship.

In truth, Song Soo-yeon was still unstable.

She had only set aside her fight with Jung-gyeom, without finding a solid solution to stay in the restaurant.

....But if there was money.

"........"

Song Soo-yeon couldnt find any more words to say.

It all comes down to money.

Always money.

Always bending to it.

Min-Bom continued.

But as much as Solace admired me, I wasnt anything special.

The reason I reached the top villain ranking in the past was all due to overwhelming force.

Not because I was cruel or vicious, but simply because I was unstoppable.

Thats why I was ranked first.

Of course...... I did commit some crimes.

So now, it's hard for me to feel fear towards anyone.

I've always been cautious about becoming reckless, though.

But I couldnt reveal that truth.

I couldnt say, "I did it because I was strong."

Reluctantly, I had to continue acting.

Just... you know, it's like that.

You werent scared?

Noo... I guess I should say I was scared...?

Sigh. I just wish I wasn't afraid at all.

I stop acting whenever it feels like I could give advice.

Oh. Thats not good. It's better to have fear.

".....How would you know that, oppa?"

"......Right."

Solace burst out laughing.

I joined in, laughing along with her.

"....Hmm.."

At that moment, Song Soo-yeon leaned more heavily against my shoulder.

I gently pressed the side of her head to keep it from falling off my shoulder.

"But I really think youre amazing. Everything you do, oppa."

"........"

"Standing up to Shake for a student youre close to, talking about school violence. Providing food for people for free. Even giving a house to Song Soo-yeon. While you sleep at the restaurant..."

I couldnt help but feel embarrassed.

Not because I was uncomfortable with praise, but because I felt somewhat guilty.

I was a villain.

I started living this way all because of Solace.

Thats why she couldnt help but admire my actions.

All the good deeds I did were things Solace would have done.

I was just doing what she would have dreamed of doing in the future.

So my actions must have struck a chord with her.

She saw my change and thought I was great for mimicking her.

I had no choice but to feel embarrassed.

"....It's not like that."

"Wow. Humble too?"

Knowing I was feeling embarrassed, Solace started to tease me.

Pretending to be overly surprised, she covered her mouth.

Her playful side, which I hadn't seen before, made me burst into laughter.

As I laughed, Song Soo-yeon shivered as if she was cold.

As she moved, I calmed my laughter and pressed her head back against my shoulder.

Song Soo-yeon wriggled a bit and then lightly embraced my arm, instinctively seeking warmth.

I thought about what excuse I could make if she suddenly woke up.

Solace activated her power for a moment.

Her eyes and hair began to glow brightly.

A warm heat filled the restaurant, driving away the winter chill.

"....Thank you."

I expressed my gratitude to Solace.

"Huh? Whats there for you to thank me for? I did it for Song Soo-yeon."

"Still."

Solace looked at me for a while, then changed her position to lean towards me.

"....Tell me honestly, oppa."

"Yes?"

"Song Soo-yeon is asleep right now. I'm just curious."

"What about?"

"......Based on what youve done for Song Soo-yeon so far, Im skeptical."

"........"

"......Do you really not like Song Soo-yeon?"

I looked at Solace.

Song Soo-yeon seemed to twitch slightly.

I shrugged my shoulders.

The same thought, no matter how many times Im asked.

".....I like her, but if you ask if it's love, then no."

A silence fell for a moment.

"...Really?"

Solace smiled gently.

I answered.

"....Yes. Besides, Song Soo-yeon...

I looked at Song Soo-yeon leaning on my shoulder.

".....She told me never to harbor such feelings."

---

*so looking at the raws, it seems to mostly refer to Solace as Min-Bom when the narrative is in 3rd, and Min-Bom as Solace when it is from Jung-Gyeom's view point.

However, I say mostly cuz there was a few sentences that called Min-Bom 'Solace' in the 3rd person, and there was 1 sentence at the very beginning of the pov switch to Jung-Gyeom that called Solace 'Min-Bom.'

I've fixed it to Min-Bom only and Solace only on the different povs and just decided to assume they were mistakes...

Though in future chaps using Min-Bom in the narrative text is slowly phased out and only 'Solace' is used...