I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Time for You (2)

Thinking back, I realized I never had any hobbies.

After becoming a villain, I toiled like a dog at the bottom of the organization, and once it collapsed, I focused solely on making money like a dog to secure my place.

Even mobile games felt like a waste of money to me, so the idea of a hobby was pointless.

“My father, what do you think is the difference between humans and animals?”

But to the Boss, this seemed like a shocking revelation.

“Uh, why do you ask…?”

“Humans have history.”

The Boss began her explanation, allowing no interruptions.

“History means passing down knowledge. Humans believe they were at the top of creation from birth, but it was possible because they preserved and passed down knowledge through changes in their environment, not through genetics.”

It was a long-winded explanation for the middle of the street, but I couldn’t interrupt her.

How could a mere grunt like me stop such a serious explanation?

“While knowledge is the core of this activity, what truly solidified human society is ‘culture.’ Cave paintings evolved into art, screams for excitement became songs, and survival competitions became sports, which are now major spectator events.”

“Uh, yes, that’s true.”

“Moreover, this continent experienced a civilization collapse after the Great Cataclysm. In the ruins of that collapse, people from different cultures united to restore the remnants of the old era in a ‘cultural restoration movement.’ This shows how important cultural activities are to modern humanity.”

-Clap, clap, clap.

Applause erupted nearby, along with murmurs of awe. Damn, more attention was gathering than I expected.

“Yet, as a social being, you don’t have a single hobby related to cultural activities. This could cause problems in the future, don’t you think?”

Despite the growing crowd, the Boss didn’t stop her lecture, her eyes sharp.

Unable to refuse her conclusion, I nodded tensely. Yes, as a social being, having a hobby or two is essential.

I just didn’t expect to hear it from the Boss.

“If that’s the case, I will take today to introduce you to various cultural activities.”

“…Excuse me?”

“First, let’s visit a café to review our plans. Follow me.”

With that, the Boss firmly held my hand and led me down the street.

I had many things to say but ended up following her to the café.

Right, if the Boss is this determined, she must have a plan.

But ordering at the café should be my job…

“I will handle the order.”

“…What?”

Blinking in surprise, I looked down at the Boss.

By then, she had already reached into the backpack at her waist with practiced ease.

“You always drink unsweetened coffee. Is an Americano fine?”

“Uh, yes. Anything is fine…”

“Clerk, I’d like to place an order.”

Despite my confusion, the Boss confidently stood at the counter.

The clerk, unaware of our situation, simply smiled her customer service smile down at the Boss.

“Sure~ Go ahead, little miss~”

“One Americano and the cookie of the day, plus a lemonade.”

Seeing the Boss place the order.

“I’ll pay in cash. Is this enough?”

And even handle the payment.

“Do you have any discount or loyalty cards?”

“I have the application that offers this café’s services. Please add the points to it.”

Even using the app benefits…

Wait, the Boss uses app benefits too?

“She’s a smart little one~”

As I stood there in shock, the clerk smiled at me.

Snapping back to reality, I turned my gaze back to the Boss at the counter.

“Hehe.”

The Boss stood with her arms crossed confidently.

To others, she might just seem adorable, but to those who knew her true nature, this situation was absurd.

After all, she’s a cosmic being who descended from space, seeing humans as no more than ants.

Even human society is like an anthill to her.

So, this situation is… Yes. It’s like a human understanding the pheromone structure of ants and using it skillfully.

“Did Nella teach you how to order too?”

“Yes, thanks to her, I adapted well to life here.”

Facing each other with our ordered coffee and snacks, the Boss stirred her lemonade with a practiced hand, as if she had done it many times before.

“That’s good. I’m glad you managed well in my absence…”

“It’s all thanks to her. Just being with her expanded my knowledge in many ways.”

Indeed, Nella was smart for her age.

Given her father is a hero and often away, she must have depended on the mature Boss. She would have explained many things to be helpful.

But teaching a transcendent being to understand human society…

Maybe she’s more remarkable than I thought.

She seems to have taught the Boss more in a few months than I did in three years…

“Isn’t it wonderful that I can use the knowledge she taught me to make you happy?”

“…Excuse me?”

Lost in thought, I was caught off guard by her sudden comment.

I expressed my confusion, but the Boss just smiled and sipped her lemonade.

Make me happy? The Boss, for me?

No… I shouldn’t take that for granted.

A subordinate receiving kindness from their lord… Seolhwa would curse me out if she knew.

“Is she bothering you?”

Thinking of Seolhwa, the Boss looked out of the café and asked.

Did my thoughts show on my face?

“I can’t say anything about her.”

Suddenly shifting the topic to Seolhwa, the Boss tapped her lemonade straw with a somewhat bitter tone.

“I didn’t ask her what she intended to do, and I can’t meddle in her affairs after being disappointed in her. I’m sorry I can’t satisfy your curiosity.”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

I was just momentarily annoyed.

I didn’t want to talk about her at length.

“As long as she doesn’t interfere with us, it’s fine.”

“…If you say so.”

With that, the conversation ended, and silence fell between the Boss and me again.

We quietly drank our beverages, occasionally nibbling on snacks and watching our surroundings absently.

How long did that silence last?

When the lemonade was finished, the Boss hopped off her chair, ready to step outside.

“May I visit the restroom?”

“Oh, yes. The restroom…”

Unfortunately, this café had outdoor seating but no restroom. We’d need to use the neighboring building’s facilities.

With that in mind, I stood up to follow her.

“…My father.”

The Boss glared at me as I stood.

“Even though I’m not used to this young body, I still understand the concepts of pride and chastity.”

“Uh, what?”

“Following me to the restroom is inappropriate behavior between humans, wouldn’t you say?”

“…Oh.”

Yes, that’s true.

Following someone to the restroom is embarrassing, especially if it’s someone of the opposite sex.

But you are my Boss…

“Then, at least to the restroom door…”

“….”

“…Okay, I’ll stay here quietly.”

Right, she’s just going to the restroom. What could possibly happen?

After she disappeared down the street, I stared at her empty seat and took a sip of my coffee.

Even unsweetened, the bitterness couldn’t cover the bitterness in my mouth.

The Boss’s actions today… They were so different from what I had seen over the past three years.

Instead of just receiving my care, the Boss was actively trying to take care of me…

Yes, like a human.

At least the actions the Boss showed today were things a ‘human’ I know might do.

‘A transcendent observer finally starting to imitate humans.’

Is that something to view positively?

Moreover, what about our future plans?

“Hey, you, are you looking over here!”

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a voice.

A sharp, childlike voice.

Puzzled, I turned to see a girl around the Boss’s age.

“…A kid?”

No, a girl who looked about the same age as the Boss.

“I’m Isri.”

“What?”

“I’m not a kid, I’m Isri!”

Isri.

That was the name the small girl in front of me gave herself.

Why she called me, I don’t know.

“Uh, okay.”

Swallowing my confusion, I looked at her.

She had rare greenish-blue short hair, wore a poncho-style outfit, and her sleeves were long…

Her outfit aside, the two antenna-like strands of hair atop her head caught my attention.

Wait, those aren’t antennas; they’re hair.

But who is she, suddenly appearing in front of me?

“…Is your mother not around?”

“I’m not lost, I’m just exploring the streets. It’s a proper social study!”

“Oh, really? That’s impressive at your age.”

It’s a bit worrying to see a child alone, but what’s it matter to me?

“However, during my social study, I discovered a harsh reality.”

“…A harsh reality?”

Isri suddenly slumped.

Curious, I asked, and she revealed her disillusionment.

She even placed her hands on her hips as if she had discovered something grand.

“This world operates on capitalism!”

“Oh, really?”

An obvious statement, but I couldn’t help but be impressed.

For an elementary school-aged child to grasp the truth of the world so quickly…

Yes, the world runs on money.

Power is just a means to earn money. If you can’t buy power with money, you just throw more money at it.

This world is Pay To Win.

In some ways, human society is more controlled by money than mobile games.

“I wanted to buy snacks, but the shop owner demanded money and kicked me out when I had none. But I realized it’s normal for society to ask for money.”

“Oh, I see.”

It’s odd hearing a child talk about society, but maybe it’s influenced by cartoons or something.

“Still, it’s okay. I have a brilliant plan. You can help me!”

Regardless, this kid picked me out of the crowd and wants my help.

A kid who learned the harsh truth of capitalism… I couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic.

“So, Isri. What do you want me to do?”

I asked, bringing my coffee to my lips.

Maybe give her some spare change?

“Help me rob a bank!”

-Slurrrp.

My coffee spilled back into the cup.

End of Chapter