I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Bluff

***

Pursuing justice is a righteous thing.

A society collapses when its sense of justice falters, so those living within it must adhere to laws and morality.

But in reality, everyone knows.

Justice is not an inherent truth but something we call so because everyone agreed upon it.

“Justice is… honestly, a cowardly concept.”

“What? Justice is cowardly?”

“You know those Sentai heroes who always move in groups? Five to ten at a time… When you see a villain facing them alone, don’t you sometimes feel sympathy for the villain?”

“Well, they are Sentai heroes…”

“Does being Sentai make ganging up any less cowardly?”

It might seem wrong, but the era we live in is different from before the Great Cataclysm.

Evil exists and is close to everyone’s daily life, and because its form is so clear, heroes must exist.

Even ideals once thought unattainable have been brought into reality. So what’s wrong with using force and numbers against those who threaten you?

“You don’t have to uphold ethics and morals when dealing with those called evil. Isn’t that a cowardly concept?”

“…When you put it that way, it sounds like you’re saying there’s something wrong with justice.”

“It’s not always right. The concept of justice has historically evolved.”

What might seem barbaric and ignorant now was considered justice in its time.

Modern justice stems from those old roots.

Just slightly altered so people don’t notice, making them believe the current way is right.

“And being a hero means… asserting that what might be deemed wrong in the future is right for now.”

Even if you feel something isn’t right, if everyone believes it is, you have to follow that belief.

To maintain society, you have to sacrifice the small things and let the past be the past.

Gradually understanding the natural order of the world, compromising with reality, and unemotionally observing what’s left out.

That’s how heroes I’ve seen usually become.

“But you, unlike the rest, are too ambitious.”

“Ambitious, you say?”

“Sure, a hero should meet people’s expectations, but… thinking you can fight off enemies alone, save people, and even prepare for your next performance without any damage to your clothes is too much.”

“But that’s what being a hero means. Doing it all…”

“That’s an ideal, not reality.”

No matter how much power you have, you’re still just a person.

Yet she tries to take on too much responsibility, wanting to handle everything in front of her, struggling when something has to be sacrificed, and holding onto regret about past events…

“People expect ideals from you, but you have limits.”

If this continues, she’ll eventually break under harsh reality. A hero must first learn to compromise with reality.

As long as those enforcing justice are imperfect beings (humans), believing everything they do must be perfect is not duty, but an obsession.

“I can’t tell you to rest, but striving too hard for the sake of being a hero isn’t good either. Take breaks, reflect on yourself, know your limits, and act within what you can handle.”

Yes, most heroes I’ve seen were like that.

Recognizing their limits, they struggled to save what they could, placing their bodies in the glory created by those they saved.

Then, wrapped in the comfort of the ‘paradise they created,’ they tried to impose their righteousness on those outside it.

‘You’ve already lost, so why can’t you accept it and join in this moment of glory!?’

Even the strongest hero was steeped in such repulsive self-indulgence. Wouldn’t a newbie fare the same?

This current confusion is just temporary. One day she will realize reality and follow the same path.

Becoming a hypocrite symbolizing hope.

“A hero should first learn to compromise with reality…”

For whatever reason, as long as she aims to be a hero, it’s inevitable we will be enemies.

So my advice must end by teaching her about such cold reality.

“Isn’t that something you shouldn’t say, Mr. Manager?”

As I tried to conclude, she questioned, catching me off guard.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Why shouldn’t I say that?”

Sure, it’s odd for a villain like me to talk about heroes, but she doesn’t know I’m a villain.

“Because earlier today, you were running around saving people.”

No, she wasn’t suspicious.

She was referring to me at the scene of the fire, saving people.

“I saw you. Even after I dealt with the villain, you kept running around saving people.”

Kana, reminiscing about that time, reached out to me.

Her gentle touch was like tending to an old wound.

“At the amusement park, and today… Though you lack my strength, you saved people more diligently than anyone else.”

It felt less embarrassing and more disturbing.

No, I felt an urge to push her hand away in disgust.

“You saved people without considering your own safety. Even if your recovery is fast, you feel pain and aren’t as strong as me…”

Don’t misunderstand.

The best mercy a villain can offer civilians is thorough indifference, but reaching out to save them has its reasons.

I’m disguised as her manager, so if she doesn’t perform properly, it’ll be troublesome for me too.

“Personally, I thought you were amazing. At that moment, Mr. Manager…”

But she saw goodwill in my actions.

From a mere act.

An action merely for disguise and planning.

Absolutely…

“You really seemed like a hero.”

No, that’s not it.

Don’t say that to me.

I’m not the person you think I am.

I can’t be that.

I despise such a position.

“Just.”

I hate myself for not being able to voice this repulsion.

“That’s just basic. Basic stuff.”

Compared to the executives in the organization, I’m too weak.

Unable to reveal my true self, forced to hide behind a façade, I’m disgusted by my own weakness.

“…”

Unable to contain such feelings, my body trembled, and I noticed Kana’s face growing tense.

Did she sense she touched a nerve?

Yes, I’d rather she think that.

Continuing this topic…

I might abandon the ‘Ginger Bread’ mask regardless of my mission.

“Ah~ basic, huh?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

As I regained my composure and looked, Kana was leaning on the bath’s edge, smirking.

“Sure, it must be easy for you. I must be an idiot for not even managing that basic stuff.”

This was her usual tone.

Cheerful yet unrestrained, with a hint of playfulness.

“Glad you understand. A strong but foolish idiot.”

For some reason, her attitude made me laugh reflexively.

It seemed foolish to have been so tense.

“Then teach this fool. What do you consider basic?”

Kana stood up, lightly trapping me in the bath.

With nothing but a wet towel covering her, she was practically naked.

Yet there was no shame on her face.

“What do you think… a true hero is?”

She wasn’t just a weak girl.

Though still immature, she had the heart to truly become a hero… a flickering but unextinguishable flame of justice.

With such determination, how could I end the conversation?

“…Sigh.”

I wished she’d just left in a huff, but ironically, I was too absorbed in our conversation.

Damn, I was too careless, thinking I was good at lying.

“Don’t take it too seriously. Just consider it light advice.”

“Really? Promise!”

“Hey, don’t stand up. You’re exposed.”

“So what? I saw your chest, you can see mine.”

“Seriously…”

By the time I covered my eyes in embarrassment, she had already left.

Seeing her run off, not even drying herself, she’d likely dive into her bed soaking wet.

Even if she’s immature, she should know her limits.

Briefly, such thoughts crossed my mind, swallowed by my self-deprecating mutter.

“…No, I’m immature too.”

A lie should be a clever mix of truth.

I shouldn’t lie about serious topics, yet here I was, unable to control my emotions, causing this mess.

A mistake uncharacteristic of me, believing I was good at lying.

But why didn’t I feel entirely disturbed?

Likely because the executives I know…

Might have responded similarly in this situation.

***

‘Come back stronger.’

Yes, they always said that.

Though it seemed like letting enemies go, they sought not indiscriminate slaughter but ‘proof and submission.’

Even if they strayed from the path, if they couldn’t be stopped, the justice prevalent in the world was flawed…

To prove that, they aimed to defeat those in high positions, sometimes recognizing and endorsing promising heroes.

If you’ve set high ideals, don’t make exceptions.

Justice is only overthrown when it believes itself perfect, causing followers to despair and abandon hope.

Though I’m weak, my pursuit of that path wasn’t out of leisure.

Simply put… it was just the bluff of a fool who couldn’t accept his place.

Being such a person, I couldn’t reveal myself proudly, forced to live disguised in this hypocritical society.

If I were more confident, I’d reveal myself, but for now, I had to stay hidden to protect my lord.

-My father, it’s been a while. I’m glad to see you.

The one I must protect appeared on my smartphone screen, waving at me.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Boss.

Three years since we’ve been apart this long?

-Ah! Mr. Bread! Can you see me?

I wasn’t too anxious because she was in one of the safest areas on this continent.

At least, as long as she’s not exposed as a villain, being near heroes is safest.

“Yes, Nella. Are you enjoying your trip?”

-Yes! We’re resting at the lodge now. My classmates want to have a pillow fight…

-Haha, they may not hit hard, but that means you don’t have to worry about getting hurt. Perfect for sparring, don’t you think?

“Well, my dear… Don’t overdo it, okay?”

Who’d imagine the Boss of an evil organization joining a pillow fight with kids?

I was worried about her overdoing it, but she only showed kindness while looking at me.

-My father.

Yes, her gentle voice.

-Are your tasks going well?

She cared more about me than herself.

I wished she’d focus on herself, but her comforting voice soothed my weary mind.

“Yes, well… I’m finalizing the contract today, so I’ll be home by tomorrow.”

-That’s good. I hope we both finish safely and return home.

Ending our conversation, I disconnected the video call and looked around.

A grand castle like something from a movie.

While often used as a movie set, it also hosted large events.

Lavish tables filled with feasts in a magnificent garden setting. The luxury and taste surpass any high-end buffet.

“Top stars indeed.”

This was considered a small-scale event.

As I moved through this grand setting, I pondered why I was here.

End of Chapter