I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Heroine Contest (1)

***

‘Who is the greatest hero?’

This is an ongoing debate that can never be excluded in our society, with many heroes constantly competing in various fields to be the best.

Strength, recognition, nobility, and even beauty…

And what’s happening in the ballroom of District G is the Miss Heroine Contest, a competition focused on female beauty.

Because the festival emphasizes appearance and personality, female heroes who focus on a sense of justice or fighting spirit don’t pay much attention to it.

On the contrary, if you belong to an agency that values recognition, participating is almost mandatory.

‘Mr. Manager, help me with my outfit, please.’

That’s why Kana came running to me a while ago.

‘But you have a dedicated coordinator. Why come to me?’

‘Well, I’m a magical girl who protects children’s dreams and hopes. Don’t you think it’s better for someone who understands a girl’s heart to handle this?’

‘Sure, I have a daughter, but…’

‘While coordinating, I’ll even let you touch here and there. You can touch my chest if you want!’

‘…Hey.’

‘Ah! But purity is off-limits! It’s the source of my magic, so it’s a no-go until I retire!’

‘Even if you have an open personality, you know it’s not good to flirt with any random guy, right?’

She’s an idol loved by many, after all.

Even if it’s with an employee, saying someone can touch her body is disrespectful to her fans.

For her job’s sake, I wish she’d refrain from such comments.

‘I don’t do this with just anyone.’

‘What’s that?’

‘I do this because it’s you, Mr. Manager.’

…Damn.

Why doesn’t she realize that makes it worse?

Though I understand her excessive goodwill towards me, continuing this isn’t good for either of us.

The manager contract ends today.

In the future, we’ll be destined to face each other as enemies again.

“Oh my, isn’t that Mr. Manager?”

While I was mulling over this bitterness, a few people enjoying the banquet recognized me.

Industry folks I met while helping with broadcasts, and employees or representatives from other agencies.

They aren’t people a temporary contractor usually meets, but their feelings towards me were close to goodwill.

“Wow, Mr. Manager is here too.”

“Of course, being Spiritas’ manager.”

“Haha, and today’s your last day, right? With this banquet, your contract ends.”

“Ah, what you’ve done so far is amazing. If you use this achievement, you might be considered for a permanent position. Have you thought about appealing for it?”

“Our side also highly values your skills, Mr. Manager. We’d love to work with you long-term.”

Wow, getting such high praise from industry leaders is overwhelming.

Indeed, earning double what I’d make in a year in just a couple of months is tempting.

But given the circumstances, I thought I should approach this cautiously.

Being highly noticed also means there’s a risk of getting detected.

I have a rough idea of who Spiritas is. Further infiltration might bring more harm than benefit.

“I’m sorry, but I…”

Just as I was about to gently explain, I got distracted by something.

A person moving through the crowd.

A woman with conspicuous white long hair, standing out among black tailcoats and colorful dresses, about my age.

“…Huh?”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Why?

Why is she here?

“What’s wrong?”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I turned my back on the friendly people and ran into the crowd after the woman.

I wasn’t mistaken.

White hair and blue eyes. Piercing cold eyes that overwhelm those who face her.

A mix of North Asian features before the Great Cataclysm and East Asian facial structure like Kana’s.

How could anyone mistake such a distinctive appearance?

“Seol…”

I almost called out her name but shut my mouth, realizing where I was.

This is the realm of heroes. A villain like me shouldn’t call her name openly.

Especially since she’s an executive of Ouroboros.

“…Why is she here?”

Okay, her death wasn’t officially reported, so she must be alive.

What bothers me is why she’s walking around hero territory without a mask.

Like me, is she infiltrating? If so, for what reason?

Whatever it is, the former executive being here…

“This could mean trouble.”

It was enough to give me an ominous feeling.

***

Suzuki Kana.

Known publicly as Spiritas, she was waiting for the contest to start, spending time at the banquet.

However, even she, who never lost her cheerfulness, couldn’t hide her nervousness.

‘Did I step on a landmine?’

Yes, unlike the glamorous and elegant dresses around her, her attire was childishly cute.

A pink dress adorned with frills, not much different from her usual costume except for being more extravagant.

Though it symbolizes her, this is a banquet hall for industry professionals who value solemnity and elegance.

‘No, let’s think positively. Cuteness amidst splendor might have a surprising appeal, right?’

Maybe such an outfit would be highly rated in the contest.

Ignoring others and pushing her own style until the results come out, she briefly resolved herself.

“Oh my~ Isn’t this Spiritas?”

A woman who recognized Spiritas approached her, speaking in a somewhat arrogant tone.

The owner of the voice was someone Spiritas remembered well.

“Oh, long time no see, Pingping~ How have you been?”

“Don’t call me Pingping!”

A Western woman in a glamorous dress, looking almost aristocratic with her elegant demeanor.

But her eyes didn’t show pure goodwill towards Spiritas.

“Your personality hasn’t changed a bit. They say positions change people, but despite being in your role for a year, you’re still the same.”

A woman who nagged her the last time they met too.

Spiritas wasn’t annoyed; she merely pointed out the discrepancy between what she knew and reality.

“Not wearing your usual suit today?”

“It’s not a suit; it’s a super suit! The proud uniform of the Super Rangers handed down for generations!”

Super Ranger Pink yelled, her usual nagging tone now almost crushed.

Spiritas’ thoughtless comment was her sore spot.

To some, it may seem ridiculous, but that suit was a source of pride for her as an official hero.

“I just took it off because this isn’t a stage or site. Unlike you, I have the sense to dress appropriately for the environment.”

“Oh, really?”

“Anyhow…”

Ranger Pink scrutinized Spiritas from head to toe.

No matter how much she’s a hero based on a female character, this outfit wasn’t suitable for such an event.

“Are you really thinking of entering the contest in that?”

Normally, she’d mock her, but this was indeed a concern.

But Spiritas shrugged it off casually.

“Why not? There’s no dress code, and you and I both qualify.”

Though a bit annoying, they were colleagues in the same industry.

If the other wasn’t overly hostile, Spiritas was willing to play fair in this contest.

As a hero and a rival aiming for the same goal.

“…Seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”

But Pink responded skeptically to Spiritas’ words.

Spiritas turned to her in confusion.

“Misunderstanding what?”

“I’m here as a guest, not participating in the contest.”

“What? You, Pinkping, who lives on social media, are skipping this event?”

“Don’t call me Pinkping! And I’m doing it for promotion and fan service, not because I crave attention!”

Pink sighed and looked in a direction.

“I take pride in myself, but today’s contest coincides with ‘Femme Fatale Familia’s’ retirement. You know who that is, right?”

“Well, I’ve heard the name.”

Never met her in person, though.

Looking where Pink pointed, an older woman talking to people came into view.

A woman with a distinctive teardrop mole under her eye.

Though faint lines on her face showed her age, she exuded an untouchable noble aura.

Femme Fatale Familia.

A living legend in the entertainment industry and the oldest existing A-Class female hero.

“Despite her age, she embodies deadly femininity, as her hero name suggests. I pride myself in my body, but I decided not to participate because I’d be overshadowed.”

“…”

“Oh dear? Spiritas, did hearing Femme Fatale Familia would participate make you lose confidence? Her charm alone can make anyone realize their limits.”

It wasn’t just her charm.

There was an aura one couldn’t just approach.

An allure that drew people closer despite their hesitations. A feeling of ‘admiration.’

‘She must’ve participated in the Great War too, right?’

The realization combined with admiration for her as a star and hero, creating a complex emotion, albeit briefly.

-Attention to all attendees. The contest will start soon…

“Oh, it’s time. I’ll head to the audience.”

Hoping not to embarrass herself, Ranger Pink left, and Spiritas prepared to head to the waiting room.

Just then, a waiter carrying drinks approached.

“Ah, are you Hero Spiritas?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“An executive from the Association wants to see you. Could you come this way?”

“…An executive?”

An executive overseeing heroes.

Even if not the best, many recognizable female heroes gather here, so it’s plausible they’d visit.

But calling her specifically right before the contest?

‘Maybe something important.’

It might take some time, but she could just change her waiting order. She decided to follow the staffer.

“Um, this is a storage room…”

The place they reached was a dark storage area.

As soon as they entered the deserted location, the door shut, and the man ahead pulled something out and aimed it at Spiritas.

A black L-shaped device.

-Bang!

The flash aimed directly at Spiritas’ eyes.

Her body staggered but didn’t fall.

Given the opponent, it was somewhat expected.

If an ambush fails, they can overwhelm with numbers.

“…Huh.”

As shadows emerged from the storage corners, she straightened her posture, turning her bullet-pierced eye to look around.

“Wasn’t today supposed to be a festival?”

Her blink dropped the squashed bullet to the ground.

“Why are there so many people asking for a funeral?”

An aura surged from her hand as she concentrated her superpower.

End of Chapter