I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Conviction (1)

Half a day had passed since I lost consciousness…

I could tell just by looking out the window from the hotel room where Boss was staying.

Before I passed out, it was dawn, but now the sun was high in the sky, casting its warm light…

“It’s the perfect time to rest.”

Boss sat on the bed, basking in the sunlight, with me in her embrace.

She looked so content, smiling with her eyes closed.

“Don’t worry.”

Noticing my unease, she gently placed her hand over mine, which was wrapped around her.

“I told them I was resting because I wasn’t feeling well. No one will come here, so you can hold me as long as you want.”

As always, her voice was kind.

Yes, as always.

“…Ki.”

Feeling a pang of guilt for her kindness, my eyes unconsciously fixed on her head.

Yes, now that I think about it, it’s strange.

Though my body was torn apart by Anatomy, it was completely restored now.

“Ki, you say?”

“Yes, your height…”

Maybe Boss used her power.

Just like before, consuming her own existence to heal me.

“…You’ve grown a bit.”

But I knew, having been vigilant all this time.

There was no sign that she used her power. At least, not to heal me.

“Haha, children at this age grow quickly…”

Even as I placed my hand on her head, she smiled as if enjoying the touch.

It was a relief.

But still, doubts lingered.

Could my limited regenerative abilities really restore me this much in just half a day? Even my clothes were intact.

“It’s a pity. On such a fine day, it wouldn’t be bad to go outside.”

No, let’s not worry about it now.

Especially not when I’m with Boss.

“Shall we sneak out for a walk?”

I decided to focus on being by her side, forgetting about my body or what to do with Anatomy.

“A walk, you say?”

“Yes, you said you weren’t feeling well… But going out for some sunlight might be something people would allow.”

With that reasoning, I eagerly tried to persuade her.

But she seemed unconvinced, lowering her head from the window towards me.

“…No, let’s stay like this for now.”

“Pardon? But…”

“I feel it’s necessary.”

With those words, Boss tightened her grip on my hand.

Only then did I realize.

When I was examining her body, I had been holding her tightly without realizing it.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“It’s fine.”

Though she had a child’s body that could easily express pain.

She accepted the tight embrace without complaint.

“Yes, just like back then…”

Yes, just like that day.

“You held me tightly like this.”

I didn’t want to remember.

The day I decided to play the role of her father.

“A body even smaller and more fragile than now, as if you’d never let go.”

“…”

“Do you remember?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded quietly.

Yes, I remembered back then.

It was unforgettable. Because it was that day, I couldn’t protect Boss, and her body became this small.

***

Back then.

After the war ended, when the Association was trying to assess all the damage, I was the only one left by her side.

The organization was destroyed by the war, and most members died or were imprisoned by the Association.

Even the executives scattered and disappeared. I couldn’t protect her alone.

To rebuild the organization, we needed to seek refuge with a larger force.

So, I sought out connections from the past and eventually found an organization hoping to succeed Ouroboros.

But hope fell quickly.

They treated the weakened Boss not as a ruler but as a tool. There was nothing I could do against them.

All I could do was watch helplessly as they confined me and tried to violate her.

‘No, stop.’

I watched helplessly from their grasp, as she tried to use her power…

‘No, please don’t. Boss… I’ll save you soon. So, please…’

She shouldn’t use her power anymore.

She was already too weak. Using her power might destroy her beyond recovery.

Despite my pleas, she used her power before my eyes, and the world collapsed from that moment.

All humans, including myself, everything on this planet turned to ash and disappeared… Until it all replayed without my awareness.

When I regained consciousness, the organization destined to succeed Ouroboros was gone, as if it never existed.

I was the only one who remembered that absurd event.

Overwhelmed by her power, feeling reverence, but more acutely feeling the catastrophe my weakness had caused.

‘I’m sorry.’

The omnipotent ruler no longer existed in this world.

All that remained was a frail little girl, not even five years old.

‘I’m sorry, Boss. I was too weak…’

If only I had been stronger.

If I could have protected her, even at the cost of my own life, this wouldn’t have happened.

Why, despite my desperation, couldn’t I gain the power to stay by her side?

***

“I didn’t understand then, but now I do. What you were feeling when you held me.”

“…”

Silently.

Finishing her recollection, she looked down at my weakening grip and gave a bitter smile.

“Were you afraid I’d leave your side?”

Yes, I didn’t want to let go.

If I let go, she might disappear from my side.

She might vanish from this world, and I felt wretched and desperate, thinking I must hold on.

“I…”

Even now, that fear grips me.

The conflict in my heart, fearing it might drive me away from her.

“Since that day, nothing has changed.”

I know it’s a pointless conflict.

There’s nothing else for me to focus on now.

With no one to rely on, all I can do is hide in society and act weak.

“…Bread.”

“I’ve achieved nothing.”

I can’t even concern myself with her future.

Whatever fate she walks, no matter how unjust it is… I can barely stay by my lord’s side now.

“No matter how much I try, I achieve nothing. It might always be this way.”

So, I should let go of my regrets.

Forget about the past and only worry about my own future.

“Because it’s always been like that.”

Why do I regret not stopping her so much…

“Going forward, nothing will change for me…”

This self-loathing for ignoring my anguish, pretending to protect her, is overwhelming.

Sometimes, I think it wouldn’t be strange if she despised me.

“…Indeed, you haven’t changed.”

But she showed me grace as always.

“Feeling your own powerlessness, yet still declaring yourself my vassal, without blaming your lord’s incompetence.”

As if to teach me that the responsibility wasn’t mine alone.

“What…”

“She was my subordinate too. I should take responsibility for this situation.”

It wasn’t just empty words.

She was generous to those who followed her, treating them all equally.

“If I had paid more attention, I could have warned her of the dangers on her path. I could have reprimanded Anatomy for his malice.”

But she didn’t.

Even with her greater insight and remaining power, she couldn’t prevent this.

Feeling the weight of her responsibility, she could only share my burden.

“Yet, you don’t blame me but take all the responsibility yourself.”

“That’s…”

How can a vassal blame their lord?

“Bread. The humans I knew couldn’t defy their environment.”

Before I could respond, she continued.

“No matter how much they claim to overcome everything with will and conviction, it’s just idealism for those with the luxury to do so. That luxury comes from knowing only a limited world. When the environment shifts, humans are easily swayed and crumble.”

“…”

“In this harsh world, you all are bound to be powerless. Knowing this, you cooperate and build a society.”

She argued that my sense of guilt was fundamentally flawed.

Before I could reply, she began to loosen her grip on my hand.

“And I’m just as weak now. Unable to control my subordinates, I must follow the same method.”

“Boss…”

“So, just one word will do. You’ve always protected me, so you have the right.”

She stepped away from my embrace, facing the fading sky.

Her gentle smile turned dignified.

“Bread. If you want me to help you…”

As an enlightened being, she spoke to me.

“If you want me to use my power, I will grant your wish.”

A chance to wield the power that could change the world.

By her will.

And through mine.

“…”

At that moment, a fierce temptation welled up inside.

Knowing her power, the desire to achieve what I couldn’t was growing.

Just one word.

Just one word, and I could repeat that day’s tragedy…

“Why.”

But instead of self-loathing or submission to temptation, I had one question.

“Why would Boss… do so much for me?”

Why would she sacrifice herself for me?

For a mere ant-like human, why would she be willing to sacrifice her existence?

Why, for me… why…

“Love.”

Her one-word answer to my question.

Momentarily speechless, I looked back at her.

“If what I feel for you is defined as that emotion… Can you believe it?”

As sunlight pierced the sky again, she stood there.

Still gazing directly at me.

End of Chapter