The Villain’s Sister - Chapter 118

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Music boomed loudly from a shop built along the coast.

I was so busy looking at the street stalls lined up along the road that I could barely focus.

“This is only seven thousand raphens? Seriously?”

I put on the sunglasses and checked the mirror.

On Mist Island, this quality would have gone for at least twenty five thousand raphens. I hurriedly paid.

Since I had already filled one shopping bag to the brim, Mandy shook her head.

“Jean. Stop buying things already.”

Mandy grabbed my arm and pulled me along, telling me to keep up.

I wanted to look around more, but with Mandy stopping me, I reluctantly followed.

We took a table by the glass window where we could see outside from the restaurant.

The lighthouse wasn’t far, and its light glittered in the distance.

“Aren’t you buying too much?”

“If you have it, you end up using it.”

“You sound exactly like my older sister.”

Noah, who came along with us, recoiled.

Since my hair was a bob that brushed my jawline, I had no idea when I’d ever use all the decorative strings.

Still, I decided to trust my future self.

“The shopping center is about a thirty minute drive from here.”

“That’s closer than I expected.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re going together this weekend?”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

The late dinner was lively, thanks to the yellow lighting and the music drifting in from a nearby bar.

Then a group of men in suits entered the place.

I tensed and slipped my hand into my bag.

My fingertips touched the cold metal of the gun.

If it looked like they recognized me, I’d pull it out first.

“Jean? Jean.”

“Huh. Yeah?”

“What’s wrong?” Noah looked at me worriedly.

“Those people……”

When I gestured with my eyes, Noah checked them.

He tilted his head, clearly not understanding.

At Noah’s gaze, one of the men in suits walked over.

I pulled my bag closer and gripped the barrel tightly.

The man in the suit greeted Noah familiarly.

“Hey. Noah! I almost didn’t recognize you!”

“Uncle Richard. Long time no see.”

“Your dad’s been bragging nonstop about you getting a scholarship this time.”

“Haha. Really?”

“Are these your friends? You’re already old enough to drink now. Time really flies.”

“I guess so.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

The man patted Noah on the back and returned to his group.

Not understanding what was going on, I frowned on my own.

“Were you in a gang?”

“Huh? What?”

“What?”

You shouldn’t judge people by appearances, but Noah didn’t look like the type to be involved with an underground organization.

Noah’s mouth fell open as he exclaimed, “Wow, you really are from Black City. He’s not a gangster!”

“He’s not?”

“No! He’s a friend of my dad’s and works at city hall. There’s a city hosted event coming up nearby this spring, so he probably came with his coworkers.”

Mandy sneaked a look into my bag and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Is that a real gun?”

“Of course.”

“You’re insane! Have you actually fired it before?”

“…You haven’t?”

“Of course not! I’ve never even seen a real gangster or mafia up close!”

“So Black City really has terrorism and gang wars like in the news?”

The fact that things that were everyday life for me were something they had to confirm even existed felt like fresh culture shock.

“You’ve never seen a terrorist attack? I’ve been caught up in two just this year!”

This time, Noah and Mandy were horrified.

It felt like common sense was shattering, like the world was spinning.

I propped my chin in my hand, then pushed the grape juice I was drinking down my throat as if it were wine.

“No underground organizations?”

Of course, I chose Blue City knowing there were almost no underground groups here, but actually feeling it was different.

Just like the clearer air without exhaust fumes, it made me realize I was in an unfamiliar city.

“You’ve actually seen gangsters in real life?”

“I have.”

I even lived in the same house as them.

I even sat there eating ice cream while an underground boss worked up a sweat trying to build abs at home.

“Then what about heroes? Oh, they’re not from Black City, are they?”

“Noah. Heroes are from Mist Island. Black City has Esper villain organizations.”

“Is that so?”

I’ve lived in the same house as heroes too.

Tristan borrowed Johan’s shirt and complained it was too tight, almost walking around shirtless, and Johan threw a dry dishcloth at Tristan for not cleaning up properly after eating.

It was such a ridiculous sight for heroes that it really drove home the fact that villains and heroes are all just people.

I slumped back against the chair, completely spaced out.

‘Did I live in a strange place, or is this place strange?’

Noah changed the TV channel playing in one corner of the restaurant.

Mist Island local news came on.

― (Anchor) The armed assailants who raided the Duke of Valkenstein’s residence have been identified as members of Two Star. They stated that they approached while targeting Giselle Moltke, the whistleblower of Death Adder.

― (Maggie Giomatti) Is the failure of Raphael’s transfer operation the price of the central government infringing on Mist Island’s rights? If so, this is an utterly disgraceful outcome. A deeply symbolic defeat. The central government must take responsibility!

― (Citizen) Giselle Moltke refused police protection and hid throughout the city while fleeing from Two Star. Any Mist Island citizen knows what that means.

― (Citizen) It’s heartbreaking that we can’t trust the police. Is there salvation for this city?

― (Citizen) We must all repent.

― (Citizen) The only thing we can rely on in this city is heroes.

― (Citizen) …Black Pistols!

I changed the channel myself.

I didn’t want to hear Mist Island news.

Blue City’s entertainment program came on, but the customers who saw the news kept gossiping.

Mandy and Noah were no different.

“It’s practically a civil war. Those people must have it really rough. Jean, it’s dangerous for you too, so you should live in this city if you can.”

“But do heroes get paid? Or do they make money from ads?”

“Ads? Pfft! Hahaha!”

It was a thought no Mist Island citizen would ever have, so I burst out laughing.

If Tristan heard this, he’d clutch his chest in protest.

That guy complained nonstop, saying night shifts were unfair enough, and now it was unpaid labor on top of that.

I wiped the tears gathering at the corners of my eyes from laughing too hard and explained, “They’re one hundred percent unpaid vigilantes. The central government is desperate to arrest heroes, but Mist Island citizens and police are friendly toward them.”

“Guess you really know a lot since you’re from the neighboring city.”

“Yeah. It really feels like the north and south live in completely different worlds.”

We kept talking and devoured our late night food.

“You live alone? You really need to be careful. Noah, walk her home later.”

While we finished our meal, I was reminded again of how kind and warm Mandy was.

I promised Noah, who was studying nursing, that I’d let him practice drawing blood on my wrist.

I also made plans with Mandy to go to the shopping center to buy winter clothes.

After our late night snack, we went to the beach to look at the sea.

Unlike the locals, who were indifferent to it, I liked it so much that I even took off my shoes and ran across the white sand.

“Kyaaaah!”

When I ran around to my heart’s content and flopped down on the sand, Mandy clicked her tongue.

“City people….”

After that, Noah walked me home.

“He says he’ll decide after seeing the puppy you rescued.”

“Then let’s meet by eleven tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“Thanks for walking me home. Be careful on your way back!”

After sending Noah off, I collapsed onto the mattress. The puppy came over, whimpering, and burrowed into my arms.

Maybe because it had picked up the cold winter wind, it trembled for a moment.

If Noah’s neighbor didn’t take it, I’d have to send it to a shelter, and if it didn’t get adopted there….

“Hey. What am I supposed to do with you?”

Its situation, floating with nowhere to go, felt a lot like mine, and I felt sorry for it.

I hugged the puppy tight and fell asleep.

I think I even heard it get up and pad around the room while I was half asleep.

***

“You little brat. How could you do this? It’s not even seven yet.”

I could’ve slept another hour or two, but I woke up because the puppy kept licking my face, whining that it was hungry.

Yawning, I pressed down my hair that was sticking out in every direction.

Having short hair comes with side effects like this.

“Is it good?”

The puppy finished its food in an instant, then looked up at me, whining for more.

I’d heard puppies need to watch out for obesity just like people.

And if it ate any more with such a tiny body, its stomach might burst….

“Just for today.”

Anyway, if things went well, it might be going to another home today or tomorrow….

I gave it just one more small handful.

Chomp chomp chomp.

The tiny thing devoured the food in no time.

Geez. Whose puppy is it going to be. You little pig. You’re too cute for your own good.

When I took the puppy to the square, Noah was already there, waving his hand.

“He’s handsome.”

“He’ll get adopted, right?”

With my heart in my throat, I went to Noah’s neighbor’s place.

And then….

“He looks like he’ll grow into a large dog, so that won’t work for us. We’re looking for a small breed.”

I looked down at the little guy I’d picked up.

If he went to a shelter, would there be any chance he’d get adopted within a month?

We’d only known each other for a few days, so why was I this worried?