Ch.227227. Handcuffs

I stepped back out onto the street, holding the doll.

Surprisingly, people made way for me at the checkout counter.

Though they did take quite a few photos in exchange.

Well, that’s fine.

At this point, with my face already out there, it’s an acceptable level.

To be honest, as long as it’s not like those certain photos Blanc takes every night, I don’t mind.

Among the punishments she mentioned before, there was definitely something about wandering outside, which is a bit burdensome.

It’s better for my well-being to move around believing she won’t actually give me that kind of punishment.

Well, nothing much happened after that.

I’m not sure what people usually do on dates, but I held Hyewon’s hand and went here and there.

Full of interest rather than annoyance.

Somehow, this seems better than trying on this and that.

Even though there are times when I wonder if these experiences are really that fun…

Well, seeing Hyewon enjoying herself makes me happy too.

…

I guess I’ve really fallen hard for her.

Before we knew it, the evening sunset was fading.

I thought we might go to a nearby park, but Hyewon said she’d found a café.

A large picture window that showed not the beautiful setting sunset, but the pure white moon rising.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“I didn’t think we could find such a café in the city…”

“That’s because this is the tallest building in the area.”

“It’s not actually the tallest, is it? That building over there…”

“They say the night view here is really beautiful.”

Hyewon cuts off my words.

Really…

“Well. Since you selected it. I naturally expected it would be good.”

“It’s not bad, right?”

“…Yes. This is a bit more familiar to us.”

As twilight comes to an end.

And the moon rises at this hour.

Commonly called the hour between dog and wolf.

That time.

When the weariness of people who have finished work spreads throughout the city as they leave to rest for tomorrow’s strength.

Therefore, a time when people are more off-guard than any other.

“The moon is beautiful.”

“…Are you serious about that?”

“I am serious.”

Since I heard it from Blanc that day, I know exactly what that means.

“In a place like this?”

“In a place like… this. I just couldn’t hold back.”

“You really have no patience.”

“Right? Well, I’ve always been that way.”

“That’s true.”

“Do you like it?”

“I don’t dislike it. It was surprising at times, but that was then. These days, I can feel that everything you do is to take care of me, or… well. Something like that.”

“Then I’m glad.”

The streetlights of the city gradually turn on from the far end.

The buildings in the city also light up one by one, creating lighthouses.

“They say this place is famous for its night view.”

“Night view… We can see it from here, but wouldn’t it be better from that building behind us?”

“If you only look from such high places, everything looks too small. Think about the beauty contained in each of these people’s lives, each small and precious everyday moment.”

“…Well, weariness, fatigue. And what… boom?”

“What do you mean by ‘boom’?”

“Maybe that’s how I feel right now. A bit different from the old ‘boom-‘ feeling. It’s because a strange blonde keeps trying to crack my heart.”

“I’ve already cracked it.”

“Should I say shattered?”

“Are you flirting with me just now?”

“Why would I flirt with Hyewon?”

“Pfft.”

Hyewon just laughs.

Perhaps she’s realized it’s not just one-way anymore.

Or maybe she’s only now gained confidence.

Well, I think I’ve been doing enough to give her that confidence.

Maybe something has finally clicked for her.

We poured out our conversations without hesitation.

From trivial matters to thoughts we’d been keeping in our hearts.

For Hyewon, is a loved one…

Someone you can honestly share everything with?

I wish I could honestly share everything too.

But I still have to keep that plan secret.

As we sat there, our drinks emptied.

And the burdens in our hearts lightened.

“I mentioned that building, right?”

“Yes… well. I remember visiting it before.”

“Oh? You do?”

“When I first… no, that’s right. After I became like this, when we first met. Do you remember Blanc from that time?”

“…Hmm.”

She seems to remember.

Me, who was just living in seclusion.

The defeated villain being threatened with money at a hotel.

…Thinking about it now.

I wonder how I managed to hold back.

Blanc did some things like that.

…And even in that situation, I was.

Selling spring, of all things.

…

“Why is your face so red? Are you hiding something about that time?”

“No. What happened then was probably… exactly as Blanc described.”

“Well… if that’s how it was, Yunseul must have been in that kind of mood too. I didn’t think I’d touch you in the first place.”

“But, even so.”

“Well… what could I do? Even if it’s Yunseul, I had to be suspicious first.”

The memory of her catching me like a mouse is still vivid.

I look at Hyewon with disbelief.

“Well, it’s a bit disappointing that you’ve been there before. If it were Yunseul, he would have taken you straight to a suite room, right?”

“Perhaps so. Judging by the state of the room at that time, it was certainly of a quality worthy of being called a suite room.”

“Ah… well, I’m not much different.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve made a reservation at the restaurant below. Shall we go?”

“Earlier you were talking about viewing the night scenery from a lower place…”

“That’s different. It’s good to see both, isn’t it?”

“And, is this reservation what a normal citizen would consider a reservation? I’m starting to lose my sense of money among magical girls.”

“…Maybe?”

“What do you mean, maybe?”

“It is a reservation, but…”

I heard Hyewon say it was a full rental.

Full rental.

That high building, the hotel.

Renting out that restaurant?

And during dinner time…

Well, it’s a bit late for dinner, but still.

Renting the entire restaurant.

“You mean like a private room in the restaurant?”

Hyewon bows her head, unable to answer.

…How much I would scold her.

Hmm. At least less than Citrus would.

To spend so much on someone like me…?

“Sigh.”

“Let’s go.”

“…Well, I appreciate the thought, but… for me.”

“What do you mean ‘for me’? Don’t say things like that.”

“…I’m a villain.”

“That’s not something you should say in front of someone who loves you, someone who wants to express their love to you.”

“Well… okay.”

I took Hyewon’s hand as she spoke with squeezed courage, and headed to the restaurant she had reserved.

Well, although she called it a restaurant, it was part of the hotel, so naturally we had to go through the hotel lobby.

Hyewon pulled me to the front desk.

“Ms. Shin Hyewon, correct?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll guide you to your prepared room for one night.”

“No. Just give me the key. We need to have dinner first.”

The employee’s face seemed familiar, yet unfamiliar.

I usually remember faces I’ve seen once, but I don’t particularly recall what happened in the hotel lobby that day.

Perhaps because I was nervous and couldn’t look at people’s faces properly.

Well, back then…

It was a time when it was difficult to show my face like this.

So, they might not recognize me.

But it might be different for that person.

A magical girl might come here often, but a villain whose face is known, being led by different magical girls.

Hmm.

This isn’t self-consciousness, but I can’t help thinking it looks strange.

…

Accommodation.

Hyewon skillfully received the key card from the employee and led me to the elevator heading to the restaurant.

“…Accommodation?”

“Yes. I got permission from Seohyun.”

“Permission?”

“Well… that’s how it is. Seohyun said she’ll pick you up in front of this place tomorrow morning.”

“Am I some kind of object…?”

“Think of it as the price for seducing women.”

“Seducing?”

“You seduced me too.”

“…What can I do? If you say I seduced you. Just prepare to be devoured by the villain.”

“Isn’t it that I’m preparing to devour the villain?”

“Weren’t you seduced by me? Doesn’t that mean I can move the magical girl around as I please?”

“Really? Then I’ll move as you please.”

“…I can’t even joke around.”

Even in the rising elevator.

The clear ding of the elevator’s arrival sound.

Whether it’s because it’s a hotel or because everything is set to be luxurious, I don’t know.

As soon as the door opens, the night sky visible through the wide-open window.

The sun has already set, and only the city lights twinkle like stars in this scenery, just the two of us.

Only the two of us.

And only one table prepared.

Just two sets of tableware.

“…So it was true?”

“It worked because it’s a weekday.”

“It’s Friday.”

“Isn’t Friday a weekday?”

“At least not an ordinary weekday.”

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Hyewon subtly comes behind me and pulls out the chair.

“I should be doing this.”

“Would I let you?”

“I guess not. Today I’ll let myself be treated.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take as much as I give.”

The sparkling night, and the red wine flowing into the glass.

“You’re even giving me alcohol?”

“Well. I know you’re not good with alcohol, so I’ll only give you a little. Why? Would you prefer grape juice?”

“I can handle alcohol well.”

“No, you can’t.”

“…Tch.”

“I want you to remember this day too. The day our first began.”

“I pride myself on my memory. And… at least you’re not less special than others. Everyone is special to me.”

“Thank you. For saying that.”

The clear sound of wine glasses clinking together.

The tears of wine flowing down from the marks made as they shake.

“It’s delicious. Must be a good one.”

“I asked for the very best, specially.”

“The aroma is really nice.”

“You seem to know about these things?”

“Well, Eden wasn’t short on money. I had my subordinates order it. Of course, in times when survival was the priority over gastronomy, this would have been an unimaginable sip.”

“Then, shall I raise the value of this wine a bit more?”

She takes out a small accessory box from her bag.

Opening that box, to me.

“Will you go out with me?”

“A magical girl proposing to a villain.”

“So, won’t you accept?”

“…Put it on for me directly.”

I extend my arm.

And at that moment, a golden handcuff is clasped around my wrist.