I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 42

Episode 42

Permette moved away from the target and approached Min-joo. 

Min-joo, with a cheerful smile, casually placed the rifle on the table.

“Permette, did you see? I think I’m getting better.”

“Yes, I saw. You’re doing well.”

Enough to steal from Vehen as if wanting to use it as a sniper rifle.

Permette couldn’t bring himself to speak and remained silent.

Min-joo grabbed the revolver.

It was a gun familiar to Min-joo.

It was the gun Permette had brandished on a fictitious day not long ago. The gun made of iron was heavier than expected, despite looking light when Permette held it with one hand.

Min-joo examined the gun, and Permette covered Min-joo’s hand with his own.

Then, his other hand joined in, creating a posture as if pulling her from behind. Their chests, muscular arms, touched again.

Even though it seemed intentional, the seriousness of the explanation about the posture made her dispel any doubts.

Permette leaned his cheek against Min-joo’s. The man’s cheek was soft, gentle, and strangely warm.

Nervous.

Unconsciously, Min-joo closed one eye and raised her arm at a right angle.

“So, because the recoil is bigger than you think, you must hold it with both hands.”

“Permette did well with one hand.”

“Is my body the same as Min-joo’s?”

Well, that’s true. Min-joo readily admitted it. Because she could feel Permette’s muscles behind her.

The biceps were twice the size of Min-joo’s. Even though Min-joo was on the very slender side, Permette’s body was quite solid.

After Min-joo finished taking a deep breath, she pulled the trigger towards the humanoid target. The bullet soared through the air with a loud noise.

After a while, it pierced through the humanoid target.

It was a considerable distance, but she roughly hit the rib area of the target. Min-joo regretted not hitting the heart, but Permette was different.

She hit the target with a revolver at the distance intended for a rifle. And she was a beginner.

Envy surged. He wanted it.

Permette, mesmerized, stared at the target, biting his lips.

“How was it, Permette? Did I do well?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“I got praised. Feels good.”

Permette felt even better.

If Permette had a little less favor towards Min-joo, he would have kidnapped her right away and trained her into a skilled sniper. 

Min-joo fired a few more shots while maintaining her posture.

Two shots hit the target, but the remaining two were nowhere to be found. In her heart, Min-joo wanted to hit them all and show off, but it didn’t work out that way. Still, shooting this accurately at such a distance was impressive.

“Have you ever handled a gun before?” 

Permette asked, handing Min-joo a shotgun. Min-joo shook her head.

“No, never. If I knew it was this fun, I would have tried a shooting range or something. Maybe on a trip to the U.S.”

“You have talent. To the extent of attracting Tam.”

Permette often didn’t understand the words Min-joo used, but he let it slide. They were probably words from Min-joo’s world. He didn’t bother asking, thinking there was no need to understand.

Feeling Permette’s gaze, Min-joo playfully smiled. She had a natural charm.

“Why? Do you want to take me as your disciple or something?”

“Not necessarily a disciple, but I want to train you as a sniper.”

“Even if you train me, it won’t make a big difference.”

“I’m serious.”

“Really?”

Not expecting sincerity, Min-joo was surprised, her eyes widening. Finding her reaction cute, Permette swallowed his emotions.

Compliments always felt good.

Min-joo chuckled, placing the shotgun on the table and leaning against it as support.

“I feel good because I’m good at something. But I don’t like hurting people. I just want to protect myself.”

“Understood. That’s why you decided to learn, right?”

“Yeah. But to protect myself, I’ll eventually have to hurt people. It’s ironic.”

The tool becomes good or evil depending on how it’s used. Min-joo hoped that the gun she wielded would become a tool for good, even though its purpose was initially to harm. A weapon by name.

Min-joo held the shotgun casually.

“If I shoot well this time too, will you buy me dessert?”

Permette adjusted Min-joo’s posture, holding her hand. His voice echoed softly.

“If you wish.”

“Good. Then let’s have fun shooting, have lunch, and maybe I’ll have to empty Permette’s wallet.”

Imagine how much a slim Min-joo could eat. Permette quietly laughed, explaining more about the gun.

* * *

Having learned well, Min-joo received a revolver as a gift from Permette. 

It appeared to be a product available in the market, with a clean surface and an unblemished handle. 

According to Permette, it was the latest model, quite expensive, and popular due to its flawless design. Although she received a stack of bullets, Min-joo secretly hoped she wouldn’t have to use them, letting dust accumulate.

After finishing their meal and arriving in the bustling downtown, the two decided to stroll without an escort. Permette could handle some situations if they were attacked or faced danger, and there were also guild members trailing from a distance. 

Additionally, the downtown area had relatively good security, allowing them to walk around without an escort during the day. There were also patrols in the capital.

As Min-joo, with Permette’s arm around her, looked around, she asked.

“What are we going to buy?”

“Do you want me to tell you everything? Are you pretending not to know?” 

Min-joo responded cheekily to Permette’s puzzled reaction, surpassing confusion.

“Since there are so many hidden things, I thought there might be some hidden meaning.”

Permette chuckled and shrugged off the embarrassment. The noise of the bustling downtown mixed with their voices.

“I heard there’s a shortage of necessities. Like… the things you wear under your clothes.”

Despite wearing a kind and gentle mask, he seemed lacking in embarrassment or empathy, perhaps due to being twenty years old. Or maybe it was the closed atmosphere regarding sexuality in his world.

The young man, who claimed not to have met a woman but showed no signs of embarrassment, was cautious as if handling explicit words. Min-joo understood his meaning at once and remained silent.

Underwear, of course, was a necessity. She had bought a few cheap and worn pieces when working at the theater. Uncomfortable and bothersome, she would rather not have any. But with no friends and only Vehen and Permette around, how would she know about women’s underwear?

Where to get them, how much they cost, what types there were – she didn’t ask. So, she just wore what she had.

He could have suggested finding a sorcerer or investigating the recent incident caused by Tedric. He had missed the mark significantly. 

To say something so embarrassing to someone she had just started to get close to – no way. Now she was going to hear that she didn’t have underwear? She clutched her skirt tightly and trembled. 

Pretending not to notice Min-joo’s reaction, Permette folded his fingers and spoke. 

“I heard there’s a shortage of other necessities too. Let’s go buy those as well.”

“No, no! If you just tell me where to buy them, I’ll use my own money!”

Seeking help was burdensome, but above all, it was embarrassing. She might be poor, but she still had some pride. Besides, she would soon receive the maid’s salary from Vehen, which should be enough to cover this.

Come to think of it, how long has it been since her last period? Min-joo stopped walking and deeply immersed herself in thought. She hadn’t experienced it since coming here. It seemed to be a combination of stress and the change in environment. 

Even when she underwent weight loss due to starvation before, she didn’t have it. Her body and mind were weary and tired.

Min-joo still hadn’t fully adapted to this place. She remained a stranger here. Perhaps it was for the better. If she was struggling so much, dealing with her period would only make things worse.

Nevertheless, not doing it made her worry again. Min-joo felt Permette pulling her arm and walking slowly, lost in thought.

“I’ll buy the necessities. I’m embarrassed, I can’t accept it.”

“…”

This was an aspect Permette hadn’t considered. If Min-joo lacked something, he would gladly provide it, wanting to see her happy. He could have obtained anything she needed, but he hadn’t considered Min-joo’s feelings.

If someone lacked something, giving it to them would make them happy, right? But Min-joo might feel embarrassed about receiving what he gave her. Maybe he should just accept it without thinking too much about it.

Permette looked down at Min-joo and softly smiled. His well-fitted suit and the jewels on his jacket were just as dazzling as his kindness.

“Alright. I’ll ask the maid to get the information for you.”

“Yes, please. Please do.”

Who would have thought that not having money would be so heart-wrenching?

Min-joo sighed, turning her head away to hide her flushed cheeks. In the direction she turned, a crowd had gathered, forming a circle from nobles to commoners, enclosing something.

Min-joo nudged Permette with her clenched fist. 

“What’s that? Some kind of performance?”

“Would you like to see?”

“Is it okay?”

“Is there anything that’s not allowed? Please do what you want.”

Why did everyone keep telling Min-joo to do what she wanted? She had already done whatever she wanted and never held back from expressing her desires. 

Did they somehow know she was always on the verge of being discarded? Min-joo looked up at Permette’s sharp yet gentle profile.

Vehen and Permette were both quick to catch on.

Min-joo pulled Permette’s arm and moved forward. As they approached the gathering crowd, the noise intensified, blending various voices.

If it were Vehen, he would probably dislike crowded places, but Permette, without much reaction, drew Min-joo closer to prevent her from getting pushed by the crowd.

“Permette, what’s going on?”

“Wait and see.”

As they squeezed through the crowd, all Min-joo, of average height, could see were the backs of people’s heads. With Permette now standing close behind her, she couldn’t see anything else.

Suddenly, Permette, who had leaned in, lifted his head and looked towards the center. Then, he burst into laughter as if finding something amusing.

Why is he laughing? Min-joo grabbed the edge of Permette’s coat and tiptoed.

“What is it? Why are you laughing?”

“It was nothing worth seeing. Let’s go back.”

“What do you mean?”

As he tried to turn around to go back, Min-joo suddenly grabbed Permette’s arm, crouched down, and jumped. Not like a rabbit, but something else entirely.

Permette looked at Min-joo’s head springing up and resisted the urge to burst into laughter. 

‘Darn. Why is this so cute? I wanted to tease her and see her get mad.’

Min-joo getting angry was amusing. Permette exerted some effort and looked down at Min-joo wriggling in his grasp. Then, he grabbed her waist with both hands and lifted her high into the air.

The ground seemed to vanish beneath her, and her toes didn’t touch it. The strong grip on her waist coincided with the people’s heads, which were as solid as iron, dropping below her chin.

Ant-like, the people gathered in front of her became clear. Min-joo’s black eyes sparkled in the sunlight. It was her first experience since her father lifted her when she was a child. That’s why she seemed quite excited.

And the scene reminded her of a monkey singing with a baby lion on a cliff.

It was a bit, no, quite embarrassing.

‘But still, it’s embarrassing, but we should enjoy the spectacle.’

Min-joo looked at the origin of the crowd. A man in a splendid suit, resembling a wealthy noble, stood there.

The light sparkled like glass fragments. The bright blond hair of the man, almost white, swayed in the wind.

Below that, in the gentle downturned eyes, high-pitched pink irises were as beautiful as diamonds embedded in them.

He seemed like a warm spring personified. Even though he was far away, a fragrance of spring seemed to emanate from him. The place where he stood looked like a blue field rather than the capital.

He felt like the main character in a woven, affectionate tale—kind, affectionate, and with a good personality.

Exactly that kind of feeling.

The build wasn’t particularly massive, but he looked solid, not lacking in stature. He didn’t seem short either.

“He’s handsome.”

If Vehen resembled autumn and Permette resembled winter, this man resembled spring. A warm spring, almost to the point of being adorable.

Min-joo stared blankly at the bright blonde man.

Is he just an extra passing by, looking so good? No, why are so many people gathered around him in the first place?

After finishing her observation, Min-joo tapped Permette’s hand. Immediately catching on, Permette gracefully let go of Min-joo, wrapped his arms around her waist, and guided her away from the crowd.

The surroundings were uncomfortably cold due to the dense crowd.

Min-joo, still holding her waist, separated from Permette, who showed no signs of annoyance. Permette raised one eyebrow, seeming disappointed with Min-joo’s nonchalant reaction.

“Why bother looking at that guy? He’s good-looking.”

“He’s the Crown Prince.”

“Oh.”

She almost answered too casually. Min-joo, startled, looked around at the crowd.

“What did you say?”

That person is the Crown Prince?