episode_0004

As Skadi had said, the guards soon took me out and sat me down in a room that looked like an interrogation room. The interior of the interrogation room was painted in dull gray, perhaps with a hint of damp beige, creating the same gloomy atmosphere as the rest of Ward C.

“Ahem. Tsk. Since dawn.”

The man sitting across from me was quite old, and his expression lacked any trace of passion or interest. It felt as if he had been forced to leave his rest and investigate me.

“Why did you fight?”

Along with these formal yet sharp questions, he showed no reaction to my bruised skin and swollen eyes.

“…I was the one who was attacked first, and I fought back to defend myself.”

“Anywa, it’s a mutual combat.”

Perhaps he was being especially harsh with me. He definitely knew who I was.

“You admit to this, don’t you?”

“Yes…”

When facing someone one dislikes, there are times when one behaves even more formally than usual. That was the impression I got from this man as he investigated the incident, showing little interest in its circumstances or consequences.

“Mutual combat… assault… Well, it’s not a big deal. Are there any other special circumstances?”

So, I needed a lot of thought and determination to speak up. Would this man try to help me? Would he report this and send them to Ward A or B?

“I was forced into it.”

“Huh?”

I had no choice, though. I had to honestly describe what had happened to me. I couldn’t predict how things would unfold, but there was no need to hide the incident on purpose.

“Those women tried to force themselves on me.”

“Hmm… Yes. Ah, right. I heard something about this during the handover, didn’t I?”

The man’s attitude remained unchanged. He simply asked a few more questions.

“So, they tried to force themselves on you, or did they actually succeed?”

“They succeeded.”

Despite it being an obvious fact, I felt a strange sense of shame as I spoke those words. An inexplicable shame.

“Were all six of them involved?”

“I don’t know that for sure. I can confirm that at least two of them were.”

“Who were they?”

“Acid and Black Owl…”

“Huh? Oh, yes. That’s enough.”

A few more sentences were added to the paper in front of the man, including their names and any additional details about what I had endured.

Then, he pushed the paper towards me.

“Now, please write down what you remember in as much detail as possible.”

“…What should I write?”

“You said you were forced into it. If you provide as many details as possible, the responsible personnel can properly assess the incident and take appropriate action.”

For a moment, something rose to my throat,

and then it barely subsided again.

“…Alright.”

I wrote down the circumstances of the incident and glanced up briefly at the man. A few seconds ago, I noticed the special circumstances he had written down.

[Mutual combat. Injuries similar in severity. Acid, Black Owl attempted rape? Rape?]

There was nothing else.

He had simply summarized what I had said in a concise manner and jotted it down.

That was it.

He showed no interest in what I had been through.

“Well, for a woman to… The world is indeed…”

Instead, he looked at his smartphone screen and mumbled to himself loud enough for me to hear, shaking his head.

It didn’t seem like he was consciously doing it. He just had a loud voice, and I happened to hear him unintentionally.

“They can fight but… Rape… Pfft-”

However,

even though I knew he didn’t mean any harm,

“It doesn’t seem like that to me…”

Every time I hear a voice, my writing gets crooked,

and I wished he would just hold it in for a little longer.

——————————————-

As the seemingly endless interrogation finally came to an end, I was sent back to Ward C.

On my way back, I noticed a few things. Firstly, there are very few men in this villain’s prison. The guards and the staff who manage the facilities are mostly women.

The man I saw earlier, with slightly different clothing, might be an internal staff member responsible for other duties, given the difference in his attire. Perhaps he was just taking a break and randomly dragged in for the investigation, and it had nothing to do with him being a guard.

I wonder if there was a specific reason they needed to bring in a man for the investigation. But then again, they might have shown consideration for me, as their actions were clearly against the prison’s regulations.

A same-sex person about sexual assault case investigation… Of course, it felt much less efficient compared to the investigations conducted by other guards.

And indeed,

Compared to the other inmates, the guards in this Villain Prison have a different aura about them. Their uniforms and armed guns create a sense of intimidation.

However, they don’t display a forceful attitude towards the prisoners. Instead, they seem cautious and vigilant, almost as if they are handling a bomb.

“Enter.”

At the entrance of Ward C, a large metal door, I took one last look at my surroundings. In the distance, I could make out the entrance to Ward B, and there were a few peculiar spaces that seemed like counseling rooms or lecture halls.

Most of the other areas were dedicated to culinary facilities or convenience spaces for the guards. Memorizing the internal structure wasn’t difficult.

In case things take a turn for the worst,

In case I really have to escape someday,

I mustn’t forget the layout of this place.

…No, that’s a bad idea. I shouldn’t be thinking like that. My colleagues will get me out soon.

—————————————–

The bustling atmosphere has returned to Ward C. Seven round tables placed in the common area buzz with conversations among the inmates.

Of course, there’s a brief moment of silence and an awkward atmosphere when I enter, as several villains are keeping an eye on me.

As quietly and naturally as possible,

I head toward my bed to retrieve my prisoner uniform and underwear. My clothes are still soaked from the hours-long interrogation. It’s about time I changed into something dry.

I’d love to proudly change my clothes right here, but while I don’t shy away from fighting back, there’s no need to actively seek danger. I need to be cautious and try not to attract too much attention.

So, I head to the bathroom with my clothes in hand. If there were partitions, I’d quickly change and come out.

“… ”

But there’s yet another thing I didn’t know.

There is no concept of partitions in this place.

The bathroom has rows of toilets. Seeing dozens of them lined up makes me want to laugh out loud.

A few women are using the facilities, and when our eyes meet, they giggle and seem to be testing my reaction.

I can also hear giggling from outside. Since they know I’m holding a prisoner uniform, they can probably imagine my bewilderment and frustration.

Whatever.

Don’t worry about it.

I’ll just ignore it and go back to my seat to change into my dry clothes as if nothing happened.

“Hey, look at him.”

I’ll just disregard it. It’s nothing.

I won’t back down. There’s no need to stress over mere laughter and glances.

“Wow… ”

“It’s your turn. Hurry up and put your card down.”

I start to take off my shirt while facing the wall. I don’t need to rush, but I can’t afford to be leisurely either.

Whistle sound,

Cheers

Comments to hype up the mood

“I love you, oppa~!”

“You crazy bitch! Hahaha…”

The brief indifference I felt earlier is now nowhere to be found. The villains who had approached me have not lost interest in me just because I defeated them.

“Hey, when you’re taking your pants down, can you let us see there? I’ll give you dinner tonight. For real!”

“We just want to see you when we feel like it. We’ll give you something nice.”

Countless eyes piercing through my bare skin,

And then the voices of accusation

“Is it going to wear out by looking? Hey!”

“It’s okay if even it’s small~”

I clearly hear all of this as I change into my dry clothes: putting on my underwear, then my pants, and finally my outerwear…

“Damn, it’s pretty big.”

“For real?”

“I just saw it through the crack. For real.”

“No, oppa! If you’re proud of what you’ve got, you should show it off! Why are you being so shy?”

And then I just sit down.

“Aww… ”

“You should’ve followed him to the bathroom.”

I hear some disappointed voices from my surroundings. That’s fine. I didn’t change my clothes to show them anyway.

“What a noisy bunch. Is this their living or something?”

Amidst all this,

Someone confidently shouts out proudly.

They occupy one of the tables, sharing cigarettes and playing card games.

“… Ruining the mood again. Fucking bitches.”

The attention towards me eases slightly.

Instead, everyone turns their gaze towards the table.

I’m no exception; my eyes automatically turn towards it as well.

At the end of my gaze,

I see two familiar faces once more.

… Scadi and Lynn.

“Stop, stop. Just a sec. Isn’t this a bit unfair?”

After Lynn’s remark, the atmosphere shifts significantly.

A villain sitting at the opposite end of the table stands up on his chair, drawing everyone’s attention.

“You there, secretary. Why are you talking to the kids like that? That’s not cool.”

What the hell…!

I know who she is. What’s surprising is that I only realized now that she’s here.

Even if I was distracted…

“We’re all part of the same family, living together. It’s rude to use such harsh language and exclude others. You should say something too, boss, instead of just standing there!”

A lifeless smile,

And a brief wink in my direction.

“I’m really annoyed. Aren’t you, darling? Those uptight folks don’t know how to break the ice.”

Code name: Creep.

Crime: Serial murder.