I Became a Villainous Character with a Limited Lifespan

Episode 67

“Are you and Jae-young… just friends?”

The carefully asked question had a nuance of expecting a different answer. Seung-hyun thought the question was interesting.

“What makes you want to ask me something like that? I think I know what Executive Director Han would have said even without hearing it.”

Although it was still before Seung-hyun did anything to Seon-hu, Tae-sung had been consistently suspicious of Seung-hyun from the beginning until now.

Considering their last meeting and just from what he said a moment ago, there was no way Tae-sung wouldn’t have warned Seon-hu about him. But Seon-hu didn’t show any signs of avoiding Seung-hyun at all.

Saying thank you was one thing, but having this kind of private conversation was certainly an interesting thing.

“…Honestly, I can’t say I heard good things… but still.”

If he listened to Tae-sung’s words, it would be right not to exchange a single word. But Seon-hu didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t a rebellious feeling of not wanting to hear Tae-sung’s words.

He wasn’t a child, and he didn’t think something big would happen if he didn’t listen to his words. Isn’t one’s life made up of one’s own choices?

“I want to judge from my own experience. And asking isn’t something so great. It’s not like I have to run away.”

Unlike Tae-sung’s words, Seon-hu didn’t feel like Seung-hyun was such a bad person. He showed signs of putting up a wall or being bothered by the other person’s words, but as for being as scary as Tae-sung said. He didn’t seem like that at all.

“If you’re Jae-young’s friend, it feels like you’re my friend too. And somehow, I feel like I want to get close to you.”

In fact, part of the reason he brought up Jae-young was because of the suspicious vibe he felt from Jae-young not long ago, but it was also an excuse to just try to strike up a conversation with Seung-hyun.

“Ah, was I too sudden?”

After saying everything he wanted to say, Seon-hu watched Seung-hyun’s reaction. Wanting to get close. Seung-hyun tried a meaningless imagination for a moment.

Becoming friends with Seon-hu didn’t seem so bad. He’s optimistic to the point of being clueless, but Seung-hyun didn’t dislike such people.

Above all, Seon-hu had a charm that drew people in to the point of feeling envious, perhaps because he was the protagonist.

“Well.”

Becoming friends with Seon-hu and bragging about his relationship with Jae-young. Having silly conversations. As time passed like that, maybe even Tae-sung, who was displeased, would someday believe that he really had no interest in the company.

“I don’t want to take unnecessary risks. I don’t want to be unnecessarily suspected by Executive Director Han either.”

“Ah……”

“To be honest, it’s a bit burdensome. I’m also baffled that you talk as if you know me well after meeting me a few times.”

At Seung-hyun’s words, Seon-hu looked a bit crestfallen. But he soon lifted his head and asked again.

“But just because you’re not on good terms with Tae-sung, doesn’t mean you have to be that way with me too.”

“And it makes me uncomfortable.”

If he had more time given to him, he would ignore the suspecting Tae-sung and wait for time to resolve it. But now he couldn’t do that.

“I didn’t do it to be thanked, I just did it because I didn’t like seeing that side act up. Executive Director Han will be worried, so go inside now.”

“……”

“As for my relationship with Jae-young… well. I don’t know either.”

He didn’t want to say that word he defined with his own mouth, at least in front of Seon-hu. Seung-hyun left an ambiguous answer and walked to the parking lot.

***

“So, you’re busy tomorrow and the day after too?”

― It’s no exaggeration to say that every day at the end of the year is a commemoration event. I’m tired to death.

Seung-hyun, who had returned home, was staring at the TV screen that was on while receiving Jae-young’s whining about wanting to run away home. The news was saying it would snow throughout the Christmas holiday.

― At this very moment, I envy Seung-hyun who quit the company.

“Even though you’re practically unemployed too.”

― Unemployed? Do you know how much work I do?

For the reason that he had the most likable face among her sons, Mrs. Ju often dragged Jae-young, her youngest son, to various events. The remark that a useless guy like him should at least be useful in that way was an extra.

― Catering to Mrs. Ju’s mood is no ordinary task.

“Yes, yes.”

― Seung-hyun must have been home all day today too. Haa. I’m sincerely envious.

It wasn’t true that he was home all day, but there was no need to correct him. Seung-hyun didn’t answer and roughly changed the topic.

“Think of it as work. Isn’t it worth doing that much work for that much salary? How much of the year do you even work?”

― Well, that’s true, but… I want to do something else right now.

A cheeky remark that didn’t even try to hide his intentions made Seung-hyun smile. It was nice to be able to smile comfortably since he couldn’t see his face on the phone.

― Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so it’s nice that everywhere you look on the streets, it feels like Christmas.

“Don’t you dislike the streets being chaotic?”

― Does Seung-hyun really have no sense of romance?

Jae-young grumbled. Hates snow, hates Christmas. When asked if there was anything he liked then, Seung-hyun also pondered seriously.

Hating snow and Christmas was because he had hard memories related to them. Not only snow, but he had an experience where he literally thought he was going to die while working part-time on Christmas.

It’s just one red day, but why were orders pouring in as if it was such a special day? Thinking of the day when he had to take orders and phone calls frantically and move his hands made him still dizzy.

― Even if snow is like that, when you say Christmas, there’s an image that comes to mind.

“…… Santa?”

― You’re doing that on purpose, right?

Seung-hyun had a bitter smile. No matter how realistically he lived, there was no way he wouldn’t know. Christmas is considered a day for lovers. Some friends envied couples, but Seung-hyun wasn’t particularly interested.

‘What does Christmas have to do with lovers? Those are all just business tactics.’

“Christmas Eve and Christmas will be the busiest days anyway. What’s the point of talking about it?”

― Still……

Though they clearly didn’t define their relationship as lovers, the two were aware of each other as a special relationship, even if they didn’t say it.

Seung-hyun noticed it but just smiled without correcting it. He still had no fantasies about Christmas, but he kind of liked Jae-young’s actions.

“Is there something you want to do? I thought you were busy.”

― Still, I think I can go back early on one of the two days. I think you ate well what I made for you last time.

Why is he beating around the bush so much to say let’s at least have dinner together? Even that aspect felt cute to himself.

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

At Seung-hyun’s answer, Jae-young continued the conversation with a satisfied voice about meaningless things, then said he had to go again, leaving only a regretful feeling and hanging up the phone.

It was amazing how a single phone call could make his mood so good even though he had a day full of annoying things.

Having ruined the atmosphere to that extent and left, Seung-hyun’s parents would now give up on his return. No, at least until this incident was somewhat forgotten by Chairman Han, they would be quiet.

‘Above all, Han Seung-hyun’s lifespan will end faster.’

Seung-hyun randomly flipped through the TV channels. The remote control that was wandering aimlessly finally stopped on a channel that was playing the news again.

― Companies’ race for good deeds continues ahead of Christmas two days later. Y Hotel CEO Ju Seong-ah, who participated in a charity event held at Seoul S Building at 5 pm today, gave a congratulatory speech hoping that Christmas and the year-end will be remembered as a joyful day even for neglected neighbors, and to the Star of Hope Foundation……

Seung-hyun blankly stared at the screen. Although not introduced, Jae-young was standing next to CEO Ju.

He always thought he was handsome, but perhaps because he properly prepared for the event, he looked smoother than usual.

Hair up with a bit of makeup on his face. It was a face so handsome that it shone even on a regular camera without editing or lighting.

“Is that why she takes him around as a face madam……”

Seung-hyun, who was muttering, picked up his cell phone. No matter how much it’s news he watches to get information, it seemed like such a face would inevitably become famous if it was broadcast.

Thinking like that and searching Jae-young’s name, sure enough, various posts filled the screen.

‘Real chaebol face level that can’t be beaten even by dramas’, ‘Y Hotel’s third son’s face that shows the world is unfair’, etc. Clicking on posts that were clearly nonsense just from the titles, there were tons of photos of Jae-young uploaded.

‘…… He’s handsome indeed.’

Seung-hyun slowly scrolled down, appreciating all kinds of photos. Before he knew it, he even saved a few photos and clicked on other posts to find new photos.

Ding dong-!

Then, the sudden sound of the doorbell pulled Seung-hyun back to reality. No one was coming. Jae-young said he would come tomorrow or the day after……

‘Could it be that he lied to surprise me?’

Why is he ringing the bell when he knows the password too? Anyway, he likes to play pranks. Seung-hyun thought so but still walked towards the door with a not unpleasant face.