I Became a Villain's Hero

Weeks flew by swiftly.

The days had been quite peaceful.

Of course, from Solace's perspective, they might have been a bit busy with Tryno and Liquid forming an alliance and causing trouble.

A new piece of news also came out.

A new villain joined the alliance: Tryno, Liquid, Stingshot, and now, Riem.

Riem, a teleport ability user, was all that was known about her.

Because of Riem, both Solace and Shake had a tough time.

No matter how much they cornered her, she inevitably escaped through teleportation.

She was a villain who should have been captured before Tryno, Liquid, and Stingshot teamed.

Ranked 77th.

That was Riem's villain rank, but based on ability, she was likely the villain heroes wanted to capture the most.

However, turning away from the villain world, those days were truly peaceful.

Perhaps due to volunteering, more customers visited the restaurant, highlighting its shortcomings.

Located in a secluded alley, having a sign that read ‘Hero’s Heart Restaurant’ wasn’t inviting enough.

Seeing my attitude at volunteer facilities gave them courage.

I considered changing the sign, but I had grown attached to everything, and it wasn't as easy as said.

Changing the sign wasn't the only thing; renaming the restaurant would involve more paperwork...

I decided to keep it as is.

After all, with only three tables, I couldn’t accommodate more customers anyway.

It was a perfect balance, one could say.

On the other hand, Song Soo-yeon seemed slightly discontent.

Was it the increase in customers and more work, or the discomfort with the attention?

Her sighs and tongue-clicking increased.

Once, I chased away a man hitting on her, feeling really sorry for her.

I adjusted the business hours, no longer opening in the morning as before. There seemed to be no need for it, and I needed time for volunteering.

Also, Sundays were now closed.

This was partly to manage Soo-yeon's irritation. I told her it was okay not to help if it was too hard, but she always reacted angrily.

Designating a day off wasn't just for her. As I became busier, I too wanted a break on Sundays.

So, it was for both reasons.

And so, on a Sunday morning.

In my one-room apartment, which I had taken back from Soo-yeon, I finished exercising and lay on my bed, aimlessly passing the time.

The weather was gradually warming up, signaling the approach of spring. It was still a bit chilly, though.

April 1st marked the arrival of spring.

Unlike before, the season now held a pleasant vibe, largely thanks to Solace. After all, her name was synonymous with comfort.

-Beep, beep, beep, beep.

My door lock rang at that moment.

The door opened and as usual, Song Soo-yeon walked in.

Living close by, she had made a habit of entering my room without notice.

Without looking up from my phone, I addressed her.

"Soo-yeon, feel free to come in, but please knock first."

Soo-yeon, already inside, responded casually.

"Do I really need to knock? Isn't the door lock ringing a clear signal for you to prepare for my entrance?"

"What if I were changing?"

"..."

Soo-yeon didn't answer, just cleared her throat.

Perhaps thinking of spring earlier made me wonder what Solace was doing.

[Solace, what are you up to?]

Her reply came swiftly.

[Taking a break, haha. What about you, oppa?]

[Just resting. It feels like it's becoming spring, so I thought of you.]

"Mister, at least look away from your phone when you have a visitor."

"...Huh? Oh, give me a moment..."

[I was thinking of you as well.]

Solace's words brought a smile to my face, and I asked about her situation.

[So, are things still tough for you? The villain alliance seems to be expanding. There are four of them now, right?]

Soo-yeon's voice interrupted again.

"...What's making you smile at your phone? Is it something amusing?"

She knelt beside my bed, trying to peek at my screen.

I instinctively turned off my phone, unwilling to share such personal exchanges.

I had plenty to keep private.

But Soo-yeon might have seen something. She asked, looking puzzled.

"...Who were you texting?"

[Yes. Four.]

Solace's brief response. Something felt off, piquing my curiosity and concern.

Was she hiding something?

"Mister, who were you texting?"

"Ah, Bom."

"What?"

[I won't pry, but you can always talk to me about your worries. Keeping them to yourself isn't always good.]

She replied with a sullen character emoji, hinting there might indeed be something troubling her.

"Why are you texting Solace so early? Have you always texted each other like this?"

"Just a moment, Soo-yeon."

[Oppa, where are you? At the restaurant?]

Solace's question.

[No. I've been closing the restaurant on Sundays lately.]

[Then, at home?]

[Yes, I'm back in my one-room apartment, as I mentioned before.]

Soo-yeon's voice gradually became background noise to my thoughts.

"...!......!"

"...Yeah... Uh-huh."

I found myself responding absentmindedly as I focused on the text.

[Then, oppa, can I come to your place for a bit?]

[Uh? How will you get here?]

[School has started again. I'm currently at the high school Soo-yeon used to attend, doing some bullying prevention. It's nearby, so I can come over quickly.]

[Then come over. It’s been a long time. If something's troubling you, we can talk about it.]

"Mister!!"

Startled by the loud shout, I accidentally dropped my phone.

It was Song Soo-yeon, suddenly standing up from her spot, frowning down at me.

Her eyes were slightly red, and her breathing was heavy.

I could tell she was extremely angry without asking.

"Sh*t, how can you not look at me even once!"

"...Uh."

I quickly got up from the bed and faced her.

"Soo-yeon, it's not like that... Solace has been busy... I was just worried about her..."

"So you’re saying you can’t see me when I'm right here? Is that your excuse?"

"Soo-yeon, let's calm down. Start by calming your breathing, okay? Follow me. Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale..."

Soo-yeon, biting her lip and glaring at me with annoyance, slowly calmed her breathing following my lead.

I wished she waited a moment.

I had barely texted for even 2 minutes.

But calming down the upset person was the priority. I could explain my side later.

I slowly took in Soo-yeon’s appearance.

I hadn’t noticed before due to a quick glance, but she was dressed differently than usual.

Hadn't she mentioned making a lot of money?

She wasn't wearing the shabby coat, but one with thick padding instead...

"...Huh? Your clothes..."

"........"

I glanced at the photo of Soo-yeon on the wall. Black tank top and baggy pants. She was wearing the exact outfit she was photographed in.

"...Now you see?"

Soo-yeon looked up at me with angry eyes.

She looked just as beautiful as when I had complimented her.

But my focus shifted.

"Soo-yeon...! It's cold, why the tank top...!"

"I'm okay because I have a coat...! Done, you have nothing else to say?"

Her intention was so clear, I couldn't help but start with a compliment.

"No, you look pretty. Beautiful, but... it's cold outside."

"I felt colder in workout clothes. This is nothing. Anyway, how could you not notice my effort and instead texting unni...!"

Flash!

At that moment, the room suddenly brightened and felt much warmer.

Looking outside, Solace was there.

Though caught up in a conversation with Soo-yeon, I quickly walked to the window and opened it.

As soon as the window opened, Solace flew into the house without a greeting, seemingly cautious of being seen by others.

Only inside did she speak.

"...Soo-yeon is here?"

"..."

"Really, Soo-yeon sticks to oppa like glue, doesn't she?"

"...Not exactly."

Following this brief exchange, Solace turned her attention to me, pulling down her mask to reveal her face. With a bright smile, she opened her arms wide.

"...Uh."

Ignoring Soo-yeon's soft sigh, Min-Bom hugged me tightly and greeted me with a cheerful voice.

"Oppa! It's been so long...! What, has it been 2 weeks...?"

"It has been a while, Bom. You've been quite busy."

I returned her hug, ready to listen to whatever she needed to share.

"...Unni, be careful, or Mister will get hurt. Ease up."

Song Soo-yeon stepped closer.

But Min-Bom paid no mind to Soo-yeon's warning, pressing closer to me.

"Oops."

Her force pushed me back, and I stumbled over the bed behind me, falling backward.

Solace didn't let go, following me down onto the bed.

-Thunk.

We found ourselves lying on the bed together.

As confused as I was, Soo-yeon's shocked face also caught my attention.

Yet, Solace, cuddling close to me, shared,

"...Haah... I've been having a really, really hard time, oppa..."

Song Soo-yeon watched silently as Jung-gyeom got ready to leave.

"Then, I'll go grab some ingredients. Wait here a bit, both of you?"

He planned to head to the restaurant for ingredients, intending to cook for them.

"Yeah, we'll wait."

Min-Bom waved at him with a bright smile.

Since becoming a villain, Song Soo-yeon had grown to be wary around Solace... but at this moment, she wanted to be alone with her.

She had things she wanted to ask.

-Thud.

Beep beep.

With the door closed and locked, the atmosphere around Solace subtly shifted again.

Soo-yeon examined Solace from head to toe.

Now, seeing her up close, the hero costume seemed overly revealing.

It fit snugly, accentuating every curve.

As beautiful as its sleek S-curves were, Solace appeared to Soo-yeon like someone seeking male attention.

"Unni, doesn't that outfit embarrass you?"

Of course, Soo-yeon, when transforming into Luna, wore a similar attire. But not currently dressed as Luna, she felt bold enough to make such a remark.

Solace smiled.

"Has Soo-yeon started modeling? So, you're into fashion now? It's fine. My outfit is very functional, and I like it. It's the only thing that can withstand my heat."

"..."

"But what's that?"

Min-Bom gestured towards the photo of Soo-yeon on the wall.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and a hint of triumph, Soo-yeon answered,

"...It's from my photobook."

"Ah. But why is it in oppa's room...?"

"Oppa hung it up, saying I looked beautiful. He wouldn't take it down even when I asked."

".....Hmm. You're wearing the same outfit now?"

A pause followed.

Soo-yeon was about to ask why Solace had come, but Solace spoke first, her gaze fixed on Soo-yeon.

"Ah, Soo-yeon. I'm dating oppa."

Soo-yeon's thoughts stalled. The small sense of victory she'd felt crumbled.

A heart-wrenching sadness overwhelmed her, triggered by that simple statement.

Blinking back tears, she managed to whisper,

"...................What?"