I Don’t Want to be a Villainess – Chapter 178

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: Wojo

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“……”

After Yang Hye-in and her grandmother left, the house was enveloped in silence.

Ha-neul and Soo-ah, who had been listening intently to the stories just a moment ago, finally exhaled.

I was the same.

The only one who seemed unaffected was So-hee.

What should I say?

Is there some sort of kind-hearted thug setting when it comes to grandmothers?

Somehow, it feels like thugs in subculture often end up that way.

“Why is everyone acting like that?”

When So-hee tilted her head and asked that, Ha-neul and Soo-ah laughed awkwardly and replied.

“No… it’s just…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I was tired or feeling awkward, so I just mumbled my words.

Honestly, I regretted it intensely.

Ever since we arrived here.

If Yang Hye-in hadn’t been tactful enough to take her grandmother out, it would have felt like sitting on a bed of thorns.

Of course, it’s not like I did anything wrong.

I was just trying to give Yang Hye-in a proper rest, but she refused, and after some verbal back-and-forth, we ended up here.

“Well, her grandmother is a good person, and this house isn’t so bad, but… how should I put it…”

Unless you’re an incredibly social person, it’s bound to feel awkward when meeting someone else’s family members, especially elders.

Imagine meeting someone at a wedding after a long time, they remember you, but you don’t remember them—that’s already an awkward situation.

This one felt like a more intense version of that.

“No, it’s nothing.”

However, since there was nothing to really complain about, I shook my head once more and let my words trail off.

So-hee, still with a puzzled expression, picked up another traditional snack and popped it into her mouth.

“But…”

This time, Ha-neul spoke up.

“So, sis… no, Yang Hye-in.”

She almost called her “sister Hye-in” like earlier, but quickly corrected herself.

“So, has she never come here while working?”

“……”

Hmm.

That might be true.

At least that’s what I thought, which is why I tried to force her to take a vacation.

But if that’s the case…

…No, there might be a reason beyond my understanding.

Besides, it could be because of Choi Na-kyung that Yang Hye-in hasn’t come here.

“Well, it’s not like we can directly ask her.”

“Yeah, I guess so…”

Soo-ah said with a complicated expression.

“Well, if she wants to talk about it, she’ll tell us.”

So-hee was the only one who said that.

Well, she’s someone who had heard a bit about Yang Hye-in’s personal life.

…Honestly, my feelings were split.

I was curious, but at the same time, I didn’t want to hear it, fearing it would make things uncomfortable.

…What can I do?

Until Yang Hye-in chooses to talk, we’ll just have to wait.

After all, I’m the one who dragged her here.

*

“This place hasn’t changed.”

“Oh, no, that’s not true.”

I muttered quietly, but despite usually being hard of hearing, Grandma waved her hand dismissively.

“With the money you sent, we fixed up the house and everything.”

“…But when I asked for that money back, you returned it to me.”

When I needed it again to get So-hee into school, Grandma had returned the remaining money, almost in full.

Although it wasn’t all the money Yang Hye-in had saved, it was still enough for the bank to call.

Thanks to that, things went smoothly back then.

“It’s fine, it was just the leftover money after fixing the house. And I’m still strong and healthy.”

Of course, Grandma’s income from working wouldn’t be much.

Certainly less than what Yang Hye-in earned with much less physical labor.

Knowing Grandma’s stubborn nature, Hye-in didn’t bother mentioning it.

Hye-in slowly looked around.

The house was already halfway up the mountain, but the field was even farther up behind it.

Climbing the steep mountain, there was a sudden flat area in the middle.

That’s where the field was.

The trees had been cleared from the flat area, revealing the soil.

Sweet potatoes were sprouting in neat rows there.

It wasn’t a large field.

Even though sweet potatoes were growing, it wasn’t enough to sell.

It was just enough to share a little with the neighbors and eat through the winter—just that much.

“Grandma, have you thought about moving to Seoul?”

I asked the question I had asked several times already over the years,

“I like it here.”

Grandma’s answer was always the same.

“……”

I don’t like it here.

I used to boldly say that… but now, I wondered if there was any need to express it anymore.

I had said it enough times already.

Grandma hadn’t stopped Hye-in from leaving, after all.

Hye-in continued to gaze down at the village in the distance and slowly spoke.

“Grandma.”

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you resentful of me?”

She had left this place and hadn’t returned for years.

During that time, Grandma had lived alone.

She had sent money only to borrow it back later under the pretext of needing it again.

From any angle, she looked like an unfilial daughter.

“It’s fine, really.”

But Grandma, as always, simply said it like that.

“You must have had your reasons too…”

“……”

Hye-in didn’t reply.

*

It was a long time before Yang Hye-in and her grandmother returned.

Was the field really that big?

The road back looked incredibly steep, so I didn’t feel any desire to climb up after them.

Hye-in still had her usual blank expression, while her grandmother was still smiling.

I feel bad saying this, but honestly, they weren’t at all alike.

‘Still, I like Hye-in’s grandmother.’

……

Hmm, she’s definitely a good person.

Personally, I felt awkward and uncomfortable around strangers, especially older people, but from Sara’s perspective, who had rarely encountered such pure goodwill, it must have been different.

“But the house is so small. There should be enough blankets if we take them out, but it’ll be cramped if you all lie down together…”

Hye-in’s grandmother spoke with a slightly worried expression as she looked at us, but I quickly shook my head.

“Oh, no, we’re fine.”

We really were fine.

After all, I was already used to sleeping squashed between the three of them every night.

Ever since Ha-neul started sleeping over often, the bed had gotten even smaller.

So waking up every morning feeling cramped wasn’t anything new.

This house is much bigger than the bed, so I figured it wouldn’t be a problem even if we slept a little closer together.

“If you say so…”

“We really don’t mind.”

It was only after I said it a few more times that she finally nodded and smiled.

*

People are fickle creatures.

Once you get used to living in a much better environment, it’s hard to go back to how things were.

The bed I’ve been using since coming to this world is nothing short of luxurious.

It’s not just about the size—it’s so comfortable that it can’t even compare to the bed I used in my original world.

And naturally, it’s much more comfortable than lying on the floor.

Even with my eyes closed, I could hear the others had already fallen asleep.

Maybe it was because of the long hours spent traveling, or maybe it was because they had eaten more than usual and were feeling more full than normal.

But I couldn’t fall asleep at all.

It wasn’t because I was squished between them like usual.

It was just that lying on the hard floor was extremely uncomfortable.

After tossing and turning several times, I finally gave up and sat up.

Though there weren’t any bright lights outside like in Seoul, the night sky was bright.

Judging by the faint light coming through the window, the moon must have been shining brightly.

I sat there for a moment, sighed deeply, and then stood up completely.

The best way to fall asleep when your bed is uncomfortable is to stay awake until you’re so exhausted that you just pass out.

Fortunately, Sara’s body was sensitive to sleepiness.

If I stayed awake just a little longer, I’d eventually fall asleep, no matter how uncomfortable the floor was.

‘Do you think I want to stay awake like this?’

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Sara’s body is weak, most likely due to both congenital and environmental factors.

She tires more easily and feels fatigue quicker than others.

Normally, it’s not a big problem, but when something requires physical exertion, like last time, it becomes a serious issue.

I guess I’ll have to increase the types of exercise I do.

…Ugh, I really don’t want to.

With a deep sigh, I walked out onto the porch where I had sat earlier in the day, only to see someone already sitting there.

It was a familiar figure.

“…Yang Hye-in?”

When I called her softly, Yang Hye-in, who had been gazing up at the sky, turned her head toward me.

In the moonlight, Yang Hye-in’s face… Honestly, it made me think that maybe she should be the “lady” here, not me.

“Miss.”

“I told you not to call me that here.”

I glanced behind me, but it didn’t seem like anyone had followed me outside.

“……”

“…I know. So, what should I call you then?”

Good question.

I couldn’t exactly treat her like a subordinate in front of her grandmother either.

Well, since things have come this far, why don’t we just settle this before I get sleepy?

With that thought, I went and sat down next to Yang Hye-in.