I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Time for You (1)

“You’re the same age as me, right?”

“…Be quiet.”

“Hey, you. You’re past thirty now, and you still can’t sleep without a doll? Come on, admit it. Do you still bundle up under the covers when there’s a thunderstorm…”

“I told you to shut up!”

Seolhwa glared at me sharply.

But my interest had long since moved away from her.

“It seems I’ve made a troublesome suggestion for both of you.”

Seeing the Boss’s expression turn bitter, I realized I had gone too far.

No matter how much I disliked her, I should restrain myself in front of the Boss.

“…Sigh.”

Realizing my mistake, I closed my mouth, while Seolhwa sighed softly and turned back to the Boss.

“I’m sorry, Boss.”

After deep contemplation, she ultimately declined.

It wasn’t just because she didn’t like me.

She still had respect for the Boss and wanted to distinguish personal feelings from professional matters.

“I would love to repay the kindness you’ve shown me, but I have responsibilities that I cannot neglect right now.”

“Yes, I understand. You have your own obligations to fulfill.”

“I can get some understanding from the organization, but… My current status is one where I operate openly, so I can only appear in a limited capacity. Especially if it’s an undercover family, it’s even more complicated.”

Indeed, that status allowed her to step into the hero’s domain.

Since her visit here was recorded, it would be wise to avoid building relationships beyond a simple visit.

“Then it can’t be helped. I wish you success in your endeavors.”

“Thank you, Boss. I wish you well too…”

With a courteous bow, Seolhwa ended her conversation with the Boss.

Having checked on the Boss’s well-being, she headed for the front door without hesitation.

As expected, she didn’t say a single word to me…

“Mr. Bread.”

…Or so I thought.

I stared silently at her by the door as she slightly opened her trembling lips.

“Please take care of the Boss.”

Ah, I see. It’s not a greeting but a concern for the Boss.

At least her worry for the Boss seemed genuine, which was a relief.

“Make sure you don’t get caught on your way out. If your identity is exposed, the Boss could be in danger.”

But even so, she’s someone who abandoned the ideals of the organization.

Answering curtly, I turned away. She bowed her head without a word and left through the front door.

She’s probably cursing me under her breath, but I couldn’t care less.

My concern was for the Boss, not Seolhwa.

“You seem uncomfortable.”

“…Of course, I am. I was hospitalized for two weeks because of her.”

Even now, some of my left fingers don’t move well.

If they did, I’d be flipping her off right now.

“Despite that, you seemed particularly edgy this time. As if you were hiding something.”

The Boss’s voice lowered slightly.

When I looked back, her gaze was filled with subtle worry.

Did she notice something?

“Bread. Do you genuinely dislike her?”

“…”

I looked at the Boss silently, then turned away without answering.

If asked whether I like or dislike her, it’s closer to dislike.

But that’s only how I feel now.

Measured by our last encounter three years ago, my feelings towards her can’t be defined by a single word.

“…Boss.”

If anything, it’s uncomfortable to revive those old feelings.

“She won’t remember me, right?”

The Boss answered with a bitter tone.

“Who knows? I’m in an unstable state.”

Yes, erasing records and memories is only possible when she has full strength.

The Boss is currently very weakened.

The reason for the undercover family was to prevent our identities from being exposed.

“Though I can restore memories now. Erasing existence affects the entire planet, but restoring individual memories doesn’t burden me much…”

“No need. Just let her forget me forever.”

For my sake.

And for hers.

“If that’s what you want.”

With that, the Boss turned her attention away from the front door.

Seolhwa’s visit was a matter that would end here.

At least she wouldn’t harm the Boss.

“Then let’s prepare to go out.”

Just as I thought it was over, the Boss headed back to her room.

I followed her curiously and saw her putting on a jacket and slinging a handbag over her shoulder.

She had prepared her outfit for going out.

“Going out? Where to?”

“I mentioned the school observation, didn’t I?”

“Oh, right. Are we going to buy the necessary items for that?”

“Yes, we’re getting your clothes.”

“Oh, my clothes… What?”

Surprised by the unexpected comment, I blinked my eyes.

The Boss smiled warmly at my reaction.

“We’re going to show the world the man who stands as my father. We can’t go unprepared, can we?”

“…”

***

Sometimes you hear that appearances don’t matter, that what’s inside counts, or that even if you look bad, people will flock to you if you have money…

But in reality, people judge mostly by what they see, and first impressions often determine half of a relationship.

In an age where self-promotion is important, grooming one’s appearance is a vital trait for a social being.

So, caring about appearances in events like a school observation is understandable.

Yes, even I understand that…

“Hmm.”

“…Um, Boss?”

“Shh.”

The Boss glared at me from the fitting room.

“Be careful with titles here. There are many eyes around.”

Holding her chin and frowning, she was clearly paying close attention.

It wasn’t a look one would usually see on the Boss.

For a transcendent being, participating in human society was just an experience, a light pastime.

“Uh, our daughter? Are you not satisfied?”

“My father. I will regard you with the same heart regardless of your appearance.”

“Thank you for that, but…”

“It’s just regrettable. I thought I picked suitable clothes, but I wonder if there’s something that fits you better.”

Ah, right.

We came to the store not for the Boss, but to buy clothes for me.

And it was the Boss who chose the clothes, not me…

“Let’s try this next outfit.”

“Oh, okay.”

Following the Boss’s direction, I went back into the fitting room to change into another outfit.

This time, it was a suit of a brighter color.

“Hmm.”

“…Um.”

“Try this one next.”

The Boss brought yet another outfit.

I had no choice but to change clothes again, but I was starting to feel reluctant.

Boss, isn’t this the tenth outfit already?

All these suits look similar, there’s barely any difference…

“Oh, that suit looks great on you~”

As I reluctantly adjusted the suit’s collar, a store clerk who had been watching us approached with a cheerful voice.

The Boss turned to her and asked,

“Do you think this suit looks good on my father?”

“Yes~ He’s tall and well-built, so the suit fits him wonderfully. He can pull off almost any style.”

The clerk smiled brightly, speaking the typical flattering words of a service professional.

Sure, I’m tall, but my ability keeps me merely healthy.

Having never properly groomed myself, excessive praise makes me suspicious.

What, is she just trying to get me to buy something?

“It’s still lacking.”

But the Boss only looked at the suit and the pile of other suits with a dissatisfied expression.

When the clerk saw this, her eyes widened.

“I believe there are better suits for my father. Don’t you think so?”

“Oh. Oh my~”

…Oh, damn.

The clerk was completely taken by the Boss.

“You’re right~ There’s a difference between what’s good and what’s great. Even if a suit fits well, personal preference matters. Trying various options isn’t a bad idea~”

To me, the Boss is still the Boss, but to others, she’s just a precocious girl.

Seeing such a girl struggling to make a decision would naturally trigger many people’s maternal instincts.

“Um, our daughter… Spending too much time on one suit might…”

Lingering any longer would be inconvenient for both me and the store.

I hoped we could just take the suit I was wearing and leave.

“My father.”

The Boss called me as I tried to speak.

She handed the clothes to the clerk and motioned for me to lower my head.

“Lower your head a bit.”

Though she was a young girl, her actions carried a weight that couldn’t be ignored.

Swallowing nervously, I brought my head closer to the Boss’s face.

And then…

“Bread, this is an order.”

A low voice whispered in my ear.

“Quietly change into whatever clothes the clerk brings.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Despite her young appearance, her authoritative presence made me tense and respond immediately.

Yes, defiance is never an option.

A subordinate must always follow the master’s orders.

It’s just that she’s rarely spoken to me this way before.

***

Downtown is very crowded on weekends.

You could easily get separated and lost if you lose focus for a moment.

“Hey, our daughter? Don’t walk too far ahead. If you get caught in the crowd and lost…”

“Don’t worry, my father. I’ve already memorized the layout of this area by walking through it. You just need to follow me.”

The Boss walked through the busy streets, confidently holding my hand.

Normally, she would stick close to me, but now she was so confident I worried she might get swept away by the crowd.

Still, what I felt more than anxiety was a sense of bewilderment.

“…Have you been here before?”

“Yes, I visited a few times with Nella. That girl is incredibly smart for her age, and I’ve learned a lot from her.”

The Boss turned and smiled at me confidently.

Her expression was brighter than usual. Specifically, brighter than when I had been focusing on my manager duties and rarely coming home.

“Basically, I know more about this area than you do. And I plan to spend today for your sake, so if there’s anything you want, just tell me.”

“Something I want?”

Glancing down at the paper bag in my hand.

A bag containing the suit, the reason we came downtown.

This should be enough, so what else could I need?

“It doesn’t have to be something material. Surely you have a hobby or something you enjoy?”

The Boss tilted her head curiously, seeing my confusion.

I pondered how to answer and then scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

“…No, I don’t really have any hobbies.”

-Stop.

Suddenly, the Boss halted.

She turned and stared at me intently.

“No hobbies? Is that true?”

With a serious look I hadn’t seen since the organization collapsed three years ago.

End of Chapter