I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 4

Chapter 4
Shopping (2)

***

Times Square in District D.

It’s the largest discount store within a 30-minute drive from home, considered a savior for the money-strapped common folk.

The reason a villain like me bothered to set foot in such a place was simple: to gather the necessary supplies for an upcoming crucial operation.

“How do I look with this backpack?”

Yes, the backpack the Boss was wearing was a vital item for our upcoming mission.

A backpack is essential for an elementary school student.

“My, your daughter is so adorable!”

To others, we just appeared to be a father and daughter out shopping.

While this was a good disguise, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“If you’re buying a backpack, how about this one? Kids around this age love this design. You know, the famous Star Girl Spiritas?”

“I’ll take this animal design one.”

I can’t let the former boss of an evil organization use a hero-themed product.

Even if it’s cute, I’d rather avoid that.

“Hehe, we got a good one.”

The Boss smiled contentedly as she looked at the backpack on her back as we left the stationery store.

It’s cheaper since it’s not hero merchandise, which is good… but is it really okay?

“Should we have gotten a more expensive one?”

“No, this one is sufficient. It’s better not to stand out.”

Right, a plain design is better for blending in as a typical new student.

“Above all, since you bought it for me, I will cherish it.”

“Ah, yes…”

I appreciated her thoughtfulness, but still, maybe something better…

No, let it go.

How could I, a mere underling, object to the Boss’s decision? An underling’s fate is to obey.

“We’ve bought everything we need. What should we do now?”

“I would love to explore more places today, but…”

Considering our next move, I looked to the Boss, who started glancing around thoughtfully.

“You have to work tomorrow, right? I don’t want to take away your precious rest time…”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve dedicated today to you, Boss.”

I leave her alone every day while I go to work.

At least on weekends, I want to fulfill her wishes.

“If you insist, I will accept your kindness.”

The Boss gave me a faint smile and began looking around again.

-Squeak, squeak, squeak.

Her gaze finally settled on the kids’ zone.

Mechanical devices mimicking fighter jets and animals were scattered around, bringing broad smiles to the children riding them.

“I see.”

The Boss looked at the machines and spoke.

“Are those boarding machines?”

“…No, they’re amusement rides.”

“When I was in the organization, those who manned equipment were filled with a sense of purpose, but these children seem to be having fun.”

“Well, they’re toys.”

“I see. Even though they are killing machines, they can be used for children’s play if used like this.”

Though she seemed to understand, she was far off the mark.

Boss, they just look similar. Their purposes are entirely different.

“Do you want to ride?”

Despite everything, the Boss’s attention was still fixed on the amusement rides.

These rides are quite expensive, but I would gladly invest in them for her. Even though they’re expensive.

“Hmm.”

As I felt a twinge of anxiety, she turned her gaze from the rides and started looking elsewhere.

“Aren’t there better things to ride?”

“…Excuse me?”

Following her gaze, I saw a nearby child reaching out to his father with both hands.

“Daddy, hold me!”

“Alright, my princess~”

The father, smiling brightly, picked up his daughter.

When I turned back, I saw the Boss looking up at me with her arms extended.

“…I, uh.”

“Am I burdening you too much?”

Yes, very much so.

But how could I express that honestly?

“Hehe, the view is nice.”

“If it’s too uncomfortable, please let me know.”

“What’s uncomfortable about this? Even while holding me, I can tell you’re being considerate.”

She said this while resting her head against my chest.

It was overwhelming, and I felt paranoid that others might notice us.

Are they suspicious of us?

“My, how cute~”

“Daddy must be working hard~”

…No, we just look like a father and daughter to them.

But I can’t shake the unease.

Damn, I need to get out of this situation… Oh, it’s almost lunchtime.

“Boss, it’s almost time to eat…”

“Shh.”

Quietly.

The Boss placed a delicate finger on my lips.

“There are many eyes here, so it’s best to be careful with titles.”

She removed her finger and looked at me sternly, as if testing me.

Feeling pressured, I took a deep breath and spoke.

“My dear, are you getting hungry? Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“My father, I am grateful for any food you provide. Please choose a place that’s comfortable for you.”

…Boss, seven-year-old girls don’t talk like that.

***

Family Restaurant.

As the name suggests, it caters to ordinary families, maintaining a certain ambiance and decoration while being relatively affordable.

It’s not something I’d eat every day, but it’s suitable for outings like today.

“Mom! Buy me the toy set!”

“Oh, come on. Didn’t we buy that last time?”

“This time it’s a different hero! Please, please!”

As expected, it’s a place where kids can throw tantrums.

Parents often reluctantly buy toys for their demanding children here.

“A toy set, huh…”

Sitting across from me, the Boss had to act like a child.

She was observing the child throwing a tantrum with keen interest…

I hope she doesn’t actually do it.

“Don’t worry.”

Sensing my anxiety, she placed her arms on the table and smiled warmly.

“Though I have to act like a child, I must also consider you. I was just curious; we never saw children like that in our hideout.”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

In the organization, recruits were all adults.

Children were rare, even during missions.

Ouroboros valued the luxury of strength and often made grand announcements before executing operations.

In such situations, most civilians had already evacuated, prioritizing the elderly and children. Seeing a child in the operation area was rare.

“Humans…”

Maybe that’s why.

The Boss’s gaze at the child held an emotion I hadn’t seen before.

“Are such diverse beings.”

Like an adult looking at a child.

No, more like a higher being looking at a lower existence, but with a sense of benevolence.

“Ah!”

As I contemplated this, I heard an exclamation and instinctively turned my head.

A nearby staff member was losing their balance, the tray and cup in their hands toppling towards the Boss.

-Slap!

But before it could fall, a small hand caught the cup.

The Boss had grabbed it before it could spill on her.

“…Huh? What?”

The bewildered staff member stood there, still processing what had happened.

Seeing the cup in front of the Boss, she widened her eyes and quickly bowed, apologizing profusely.

“I-I’m so sorry! Are you hurt?”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.”

The Boss handed the cup back with a deliberate yet gentle motion.

Though it was a bit formal for a child, the staff didn’t notice anything strange and hurriedly retrieved the cup.

“I’m very sorry!”

The staff quickly left, and the Boss chuckled softly.

“It seems they’re new and very nervous. But it’s a cute mistake, so we should forgive it.”

She dismissed the incident lightly.

“…Um, Boss.”

But I couldn’t overlook what just happened.

It was as if she predicted the cup would fall and caught it in advance.

“Did you just…”

If that action was due to her Gift…

“Did you just use your Gift?”

No, if she had used the power appropriately called an ‘ability’…

“Of course not.”

Fortunately, she denied it.

“If it were out of my sight, maybe. But seeing it right in front of me, reading the flow was easy. Catching a falling cup isn’t even a trick.”

Oh, good. That’s a relief.

So, it was ‘anticipation,’ not ‘precognition.’

Its level was so advanced that it amazed a normal person like me, but based on her reaction, it didn’t seem like she was lying.

“For me, understanding what’s right in front of me is simple. For example, that man over there is a hero.”

As I sighed in relief, she continued.

“And it’s easy to predict he’ll come over here soon.”

“…What?”

I was too stunned to comprehend her sudden statement.

Did she just say hero?

“Excuse me.”

As I processed the confusion, a man approached me and the Boss.

A kind-looking man wearing glasses, with a little girl hiding behind his coat.

A hero with a girl about the Boss’s age on his back.

“May I join you?”

His proposal was a threat I couldn’t ignore.

End of Chapter