Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Phew…”
Ever since that ‘incident’, Chise didn’t know how to regard Gahn Yi-an anymore.
Who would have thought the cafe owner would have a lover?

‘Come to think of it, it would have been stranger if he didn’t.’

“…Mr. Gahn is quite handsome, after all.”

With long eyelashes, distinct features, and if she exaggerated a bit, he had the looks befitting an idol in Korea. If the cafe was located in a bustling downtown area, customers might visit just to catch another glimpse of the attractive owner rather than for the coffee itself.

That’s how strikingly handsome Gahn Yi-an appeared to Chise. She had cautiously speculated he might be involved with someone.

‘But to engage in such bold behavior in public…!!’

Chise recalled that embarrassing situation. Gahn Yi-an had seated a slightly older-looking woman on his lap, gazing at her with adoring eyes. As her face flushed crimson, he smiled familiarly and caressed her cheek and lips.

The two then leaned gradually closer to each other…

Ding-a-ling!

‘Mr. Gahn! I’m he-!!’
‘Ah.’

Witnessing that scene from outside while secretly observing, Chise ultimately decided to feign ignorance and barge right into the cafe.

‘Why did I do that back then…?’

While aware it was improper, an inexplicable feeling compelled her to intervene rather than silently watch.

As a result, Chise found it difficult to face Gahn Yi-an afterward.

It wasn’t strange – she had abruptly encountered an unfamiliar side of him at an inopportune timing.

‘Oooh…’

The embarrassment weighed heavily on her. Not only over her unwarranted intrusion, but the mortification of recalling him attempting to kiss that unknown woman while seated on his lap.

‘I must have been out of my mind, Chise Tsukino.’

Truthfully, it wasn’t an incident worth overreacting to this extent. While caught off guard, she could have simply brushed it aside as insignificant.

Yet Chise found herself rattled over such a trivial matter.

‘…Could it be that I harbored feelings for Mr. Gahn?’

Personally, she did view him as a kind individual. He had helped her when lost and even provided her meals free of charge upon their first meeting.

The next time they met and the time after that, Gahn Yi-an unhesitatingly allowed her to accrue debt with the simple reassurance of paying later, no conditions attached.

For someone so handsome and seemingly benevolent to extend such kindness, it would be a lie to claim she felt no affection in return.

‘But I had thought it was merely human warmth, not romantic feelings between the opposite sexes…’

“Phew…”

Regardless of her own sentiments, it was a moot point now. Even if her feelings amounted to love, so what?

He already had a cherished lover, so harboring any romantic notions, regardless of the reasons behind his kindness, would be inappropriate.

‘From the start, Mr. Gahn likely never viewed me in that light.’

To him, she was simply a pitiable person – more deserving of compassion than love.
Ultimately, agonizing over this was foolish.

‘I should just apologize and make amends.’

She had yet to properly repay the debt owed to her benefactor. In such circumstances, to cause him such vexation and leave their relationship strained would be unacceptable for the heroine Phantom Luna.

Ding-a-ling!

“Welcome, please come i-”

Having gathered her resolve, Chise slowly opened the cafe entrance. Gahn Yi-an fell silent upon noticing her.

“Ah, Mr. Gahn. Hello there.”
Chise regarded him with an awkward smile.

‘…Awkward.’

Perhaps due to her needless contemplation en route, an inexplicable discomfort welled within her. Fidgeting her cheek, Chise stole furtive glances at Gahn Yi-an.

‘I really overthought things unnecessarily…’

“……”

Of course he wouldn’t reciprocate her feelings – it was only natural. While not agonizing over unrequited love, she still felt guilty for causing him discomfort.

“Ms. Tsukino.”
“…I, I wasn’t peeping this time, I swear! No, I mean…!!”

As Gahn Yi-an addressed her, Chise hastily attempted to apologize and reconcile. But then…

“Would you like to join me at an amusement park?”
“…Huh?!”

How was she supposed to interpret this?

Meong-

“……”

Ever since Gahn Yi-an invited her to the amusement park, Chise had maintained a dazed stupor.

“…Chise, you’re spilling your soup.”
Even during meals.

“Whoa, Chise! Watch out for that lamppost!”
While out patrolling the streets.

“Even if it’s a simple patrol mission, you need to focus properly.”
She repeatedly zoned out, even amidst heroine duties.

“……”
“”……””

After observing Chise’s spacey behavior for a while, Suzuki and Kato exchanged glances.

Kung!

“!!Hey, Chise!”

In that momentary lapse of attention, Chise walked headfirst into a lamppost. Startled, Suzuki and Kato rushed over to her.

“What’s eating you this time? You’ve been mentally checked out all day.”
“Yeah, Chise. Why are you so out of it today?”

Seemingly unable to tolerate it any longer, they regarded her with evident concern.

“……”

Perhaps prompted by her friends’ worried expressions, Chise briefly lowered her head in contemplation before responding.

“Everyone.”
With a dazed, slightly flushed expression, she faced her friends.

“…I got asked out on a date.”
“What?!”
“Pardon??”

Suzuki and Kato’s eyes widened as they stared at the bashful Chise.

“The person is the owner of a cafe I frequent…”
“Considering he helped Chise when she was lost, he seems like a decent guy?”
“Y,yes…”

In contrast to her usual confidence, Chise meekly nodded with a shy smile.

“But, this is the first time something like this has happened, so…”

While a giddy excitement stirred within, she also felt flustered by the unfamiliarity.

“…I’m not even sure if he’s actually interested in me.”

Having never experienced romance before, the current situation felt entirely sudden and overwhelming. Was this truly a ‘date’ to speak of? How many meals should she skip to save up the money?

What attire was appropriate, and so on.

“He probably said that because he likes you, right?”
Kato gave Chise an incredulous look at her fretting.

‘Is that so…?’

Chise recalled the previous day’s events.

‘Truth be told, I’ve been pretty busy lately, so I was planning to take a few days off.’
‘I was considering finally visiting an amusement park since I never got to go as a child.’
‘But embarrassingly, I don’t have anyone to accompany me…’

The cafe owner had regarded her with a bright, untroubled smile. Could his invitation have stemmed from romantic interest?

“…He mentioned never visiting an amusement park before, so he wanted to experience it this time.”

From her perspective, he simply seemed eager to visit the amusement park…

“Come on, Chise. You don’t have anyone else to go with? That’s clearly not true, right?”
“It does sound like an excuse to me.”

Her friends shook their heads, interpreting hidden intentions behind his actions.

“Even if it wasn’t a lie, why single you out specifically, Chise? What reason could he have for wanting to share his supposedly meaningful first amusement park experience with you?”
“…He doesn’t have many friends?”
“No way! It’s because he’s interested in you, isn’t it?!”

Exasperated, Kato thumped her chest emphatically.

Could that be true?
Gradually swayed by her friends’ insistence, Chise found herself convinced as well.

“But there’s one other concern – the women around him seem a bit…”
“Ah, having a lot of women around would be worrisome.”
“Yeah, that is a bit concerning. But for a popular, good-looking guy, isn’t it normal for the opposite sex to fawn over him to some extent?”
“I suppose that’s true.”

Suzuki and Kato nodded in agreement with Chise’s remark.

‘…I was going to ask what he would do if caught embracing another woman.’

Having missed her opportunity to raise that point, Chise let out a small sigh and began heeding her friends’ advice.

“But considering he chose you over those other women, I don’t think you need to worry too much.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Suzuki smiled, suggesting it might indicate he had already fallen for Chise.

‘Fallen for me…huh…’
“…Do you really think so?”
“You can trust our judgment on this one, Chise.”

After an extended discussion offering reassurances, Chise felt her spirits lifted by her friends’ words. Regaining her composure, she straightened her posture and flashed them a confident smile.

“Thanks for the advice, Ms. Kato and Ms. Suzuki!”
It seemed she had caused them quite a bit of trouble today!
Relieved to see her usual lively demeanor, Suzuki and Kato smiled wryly.

“To be honest, I had been wondering if Mr. Gahn already had a partner…!! But I suppose him inviting me out must mean he’s unattached, right?”

“?”

Thankfully…!
However, Chise’s next remark froze them with apprehension mid-smile.

“I had been worried about potentially becoming his mistress, but I guess I was overthinking it!”
“What are you even saying…?”

Beautiful people naturally attracted admirers of the opposite sex.
But amidst that, he had invited Chise specifically to the amusement park!

‘So there must have been a reason behind him embracing that woman too, right?’

It would be premature to judge solely based on that isolated incident.
She could simply ask him about the circumstances later, couldn’t she?

Regardless, the crucial point now was that he might harbor genuine interest in her.

“Hold on a sec, Chise…”
“I’ll get going ahead for now!”

With a bright smile, Chise bid them farewell, mentioning preparations for the amusement park the following day before trotting off briskly.

“…Wait, Chise!! Everything you just said is cancelled!! Cancelled, I say!!!”

Though Kato belatedly called out in an attempt to clarify, Chise had already vanished from sight.

The next day.
Before heading out, Chise thoroughly inspected her appearance for the occasion.

A white blouse layered with a cozy brown knit sweater.
Aiming for a slightly mature, composed vibe, she had also donned a dark navy skirt and knee-high socks.

A quintessential date outfit.
While potentially too warm for the current weather, Chise beamed satisfactorily at her charming reflection in the mirror.

‘Shall we get going then?’

With an inexplicably giddy sensation, Chise made her way to their agreed meeting spot. As she drew nearer, her heart began fluttering rapidly.

Step. Step.

Essentially her first date, with an incredibly handsome man no less – a racing heartbeat was only natural.

‘Ah, I’ve arrived!’

Smiling cheerfully upon reaching the rendezvous point, what Chise saw was:

“You’re here early, Ms. Tsukino.”
“Hello.”
“…Ah.”

Gahn Yi-an flashing her an amicable smile while Ga-yeon clung tightly to one hand, waving excitedly with the other.

‘…So it’s not just the two of us, I see.’

“H,hello…!”

Chise swiftly replied with a bright greeting, but a fleeting hint of disappointment flickered across her expression.