I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Time for You (3)

Bank…

In the common language, it’s “Bank,” a facility primarily used for depositing or borrowing money. But in Seolhwa’s culture, it shares a homonym with the “ginkgo tree” often planted along streets.

So, are there any ginkgo trees around here?

“Isri needs money to buy snacks. And banks have lots of money. So, if we rob a bank, we can get money!”

No, she clearly meant the financial institution.

This kid sincerely intends to rob a bank and is trying to drag me, a stranger she met on the street, into her scheme.

Realizing the harsh reality of capitalism and wanting to steal to eat snacks… What a cunning and malicious villain in the making!

“If you want snacks, just say so.”

But she’s just an elementary school kid, so I can understand.

It’s better to give her some snacks than get involved in a troublesome situation.

“Nom nom.”

She munched on the snacks in both hands like a squirrel.

She looked quite cute, savoring the sweetness of the snacks.

So, snacks were the goal. This should be fine.

“Now, can you tell me again what you want me to do?”

“Rob the bank with me!”

“…No, come on.”

“The more snacks, the better!”

Damn, I must have miscalculated.

Human greed is endless, and that’s why we keep repeating the same mistakes.

“I understand your concern, but Isri is a minor under the juvenile law, so it’s okay. Even if I kill a politician, I won’t go to jail!”

“…Where did you hear about juvenile law?”

Seeing this bright kid comprehend capitalism, she seemed smart like Nella. But her direction was completely opposite.

Juvenile law?

Lawmakers might think kids are innocent and don’t know better when they create such laws, but innocence is just a lack of experience.

You only learn what’s wrong by getting punished and suffering. Repeating mistakes teaches seriousness about everything.

But if you let them go without consequences, do you think they’ll learn? They’ll just think, “Oh, I didn’t get in trouble!” and repeat the offense.

“Hey, kid. There’s something you should know.”

But as the girl said, society operates on capitalism, and juvenile law exists within that framework.

“Even minors under juvenile law can face civil lawsuits.”

“…What?”

Isri’s eyes widened in surprise.

She knew about juvenile law but not the difference between criminal and civil law.

“Civil… lawsuit?”

“Yes, even if you don’t get a criminal record, you still have to pay damages. Don’t you want to burden your parents, do you?”

“Isri doesn’t have a mother!”

Is she trying to make me a piece of trash here?

“And Isri doesn’t understand difficult words like civil lawsuits! Don’t say bad words!”

“You can’t claim to understand capitalism and then refuse to understand that.”

And if we’re talking about bad, it’s not civil lawsuits but juvenile law.

“Quiet! Isri has chosen you! Follow quietly, and there will be no bloodshed!”

“Why is this kid so violent all of a sudden… Whoa!”

Just as I tried to ignore her and turn away, the kid grabbed me tightly.

In that moment, my body was pulled out of the chair and onto the street.

What? Why is she so strong?

No, it’s not about strength. It’s… heavy?

“Hmm?”

But the girl seemed to notice something as well.

Isri looked down at the hand gripping my sleeve, then back up with wide eyes.

“This feeling… You have sensation!”

“…What?”

“Yes! Isri feels destiny with you!”

What is she talking about now?

First, she’s a juvenile delinquent, and now she’s spouting nonsense?

“My father.”

As I struggled with the girl, I heard a familiar voice from behind.

Turning around, I saw the red-haired girl holding two cups and staring blankly. The Boss had returned from the restroom.

“I brought some takeaway drinks after a stroll, but who’s that child…?”

“I don’t know either.”

I appreciated her thoughtfulness in getting me another coffee, but right now, I wanted to get rid of this troublesome kid.

Damn, what did this kid eat to be so heavy? If I pull harder, won’t my arm come off?

“Oh, Moa!”

While still clinging to me, the kid waved at the Boss.

The Boss, recognizing her, smiled faintly.

“…Do you know each other?”

“She’s in the same class. She’s quite innocent and free-spirited, often causing trouble for Nella, the class president.”

Ah, right. Nella is the class president.

Teaching the Boss, dealing with this troublesome kid… She must have a lot on her plate.

“But Isri, what are you doing to my father?”

“Father? Is he Moa’s papa?”

The curious kid looked back and forth between me and the Boss.

Well, she’s smart enough to understand capitalism and juvenile law, so she’ll realize her friend is in trouble.

“Well then, how fortunate. Moa, lend your papa to Isri!”

But I didn’t expect her to suggest kidnapping.

“You want my father?”

The Boss seemed genuinely surprised by Isri’s request.

To elicit such a reaction from a transcendent being like the Boss…

“Isri feels destined with your papa.”

But what followed was even more ridiculous.

“I’m certain! In my past life, this man and I were one!”

Damn, what is she talking about now?

As imaginative as she might be, it’s way too early for her to have delusions.

“My daughter, don’t misunderstand…”

“Isri has a good sense. I’m certain! Moa’s papa is my destined one! So, come on! Be one with Isri! Let’s rob a bank!”

Kid, please just quiet down for a moment.

Damn, with so many eyes around, I can’t hit her. What should I do?

-Squeeze.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of paper crumpling.

The atmosphere cooled rapidly, and Isri’s grip on me weakened.

“…What?”

Isri, puzzled, looked forward.

There stood the Boss, holding a crumpled paper cup, dark liquid dripping from it.

“Isri.”

Yes, it was the Boss.

The Boss was crushing the paper cup in her hand while staring at Isri.

“Look at me, Isri.”

Placing the crumpled cup on the table, the Boss wiped her hands with a handkerchief and walked towards Isri.

Her face still wore a smile, but the atmosphere was anything but friendly.

-Step, step.

The sound of her steps was hard and cold, exuding an aura no seven-year-old girl should have.

“What? What is it?”

A young girl couldn’t withstand such an atmosphere.

Having closed the distance entirely, the Boss half-closed her eyes and reached out to Isri’s face.

“Though I’m not yet well-versed in human social etiquette, I understand there are lines one must not cross. And you, you’re about to cross one of those lines.”

“I don’t understand you.”

“Don’t look away. Look at me.”

-Crack!

A low voice and a rough hand gesture accompanied the sound of her neck bones grinding.

The Boss forcefully turned Isri’s head to face her.

“Isri.”

Her half-closed eyes opened slightly.

“I can get angry too.”

Even her smile turned icy.

“Ah!”

Isri screamed and broke free from the Boss’s grip.

But she couldn’t get far, collapsing to the ground as her legs gave out.

“Isri knows fear too… No more pranks…”

She started to cry loudly, unable to hold back her fear.

The Boss, watching her, sighed and picked up the crumpled cup from the table.

“Don’t worry, Isri. If you don’t touch my father, I won’t harm you.”

Changing her demeanor immediately, the Boss patted Isri’s head.

Isri, comforted, sipped her juice and smiled through her tears.

“Hehe, Moa is kind after all.”

To go from crying to laughing so quickly… Is she emotionally unstable, or did she trust the Boss before this?

…No, probably the latter.

The Boss is very kind to those who aren’t her enemies.

“But why are you here?”

“I’m exploring the city for social studies. Until the Doctor calls for me… Huh?”

Right after the Boss asked, Isri focused intently on her head.

The two antenna-like strands of hair… No, hair standing up against gravity.

It’s impossible without static electricity. What is it? A Gift? Did she awaken a Gift at such a young age?

“The Doctor is calling me.”

Sensing something, Isri spread her arms wide and walked in the opposite direction of the Boss.

“Isri will take her leave now. See you at school, Moa!”

“Yes, see you later, Isri.”

Despite the earlier commotion, Isri left in an instant.

Only the Boss and I remained in the crowded street.

“…My father.”

As soon as Isri disappeared, the Boss’s voice turned heavy again.

Almost as heavy as when she had threatened Isri.

“Yes, ma’am. Please speak.”

“Lower your head.”

“Like this?”

“More.”

“Like th… Whoa!”

No sooner had I cautiously followed her instructions than the Boss grabbed my collar firmly.

Though her grip was weak, my upper body bent forward, and her sudden action left me no choice but to follow.

Looking into her eyes, shadowed by her expression, I was taken aback.

“Bread. Today, this is what you should see.”

As she brought me closer, she called my name.

In public, she usually called me “father,” but now she used my name.

Was she this upset by the situation?

“And today, you are not spending time for my sake. I am spending time for you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Yet you intend to waste that time by ignoring your lord’s decision?”

She had every reason to be angry.

Though unintended, she saw me playing with another child instead of paying attention to her while she was away.

I should have handled it better and sent the child away. I made the Boss go through unnecessary trouble, so her anger is understandable.

“I’m sorry!”

As I braced for punishment and closed my eyes…

“Honestly, I didn’t expect such an interruption when I finally found something nice for you.”

Contrary to my expectations, she loosened her grip.

When I opened my eyes in confusion, I saw the Boss’s satisfied face.

“How do you like the gift?”

“…Gift?”

Looking down where she pointed, I saw something around my neck.

A striped necktie…

Yes, she had grabbed my collar to put it on me.

“You always work hard for me. When you said you didn’t have time for hobbies, I felt sorry.”

Realizing this belatedly, I looked back at the Boss.

She stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at me with caution.

She seemed a bit unsure of herself, utterly devoid of her previous threatening aura.

“But I still lack confidence. I’ve never chosen something like this before…”

On the surface.

On the surface, she appeared like a shy girl unsure of her gift.

“No, it’s fine.”

But to me, it was something to be treasured.

“It’s… perfect.”

Though it wasn’t gold, silver, or an honorable medal, it was something she bought with the allowance I gave her to play the father-daughter role.

A gift from the one I serve.

“…I’m glad.”

Seeing me, she sighed in relief and smiled.

I too silently expressed my gratitude to her.

Determined to be worthy of the tie around my neck.

With that resolve solidified.

End of Chapter