Chapter 89

### Chapter 88, Section 4: How to Approach a Hero (8)

* * *

While riding the bike back to the dormitory with Yumir, I felt a chill run down my spine from a creeping intuition deep within me.

'She somehow seems to know that I’m Do Jihwan, doesn’t she?'

If I had to put a probability on it, I’d say there’s about a 90% chance that she’s practically certain.

But there’s no concrete evidence.

It’s just my guess, after all.

'Does she have some kind of intuition that only EX-levels can feel?'

Considering she’s the protagonist and has abilities I don’t know about from the original story, she might have thought about me as much as I’ve thought about her and Yumir.

'So, is she playing hard to get with me right now?'

If she knows I’m Do Jihwan and is subtly making her move, it’s a rather bold and cute act.

After all, she’s still telling me that she doesn’t know who the Goblin is.

【How long do you plan to keep feeling around like that?】

"Until I can grasp the true form of the body protected by magic?"

Yumir continued to touch my abdomen and waist.

It’s probably to investigate the abilities of my partially etherealized body, which is wearing the Goblin’s hood, but her touch is becoming increasingly overt and sticky.

【Isn’t that sexual harassment at this point?】

"Oh, am I becoming a villain through sexual harassment? How do you execute a villain who sexually harasses?"

【I wonder. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and sexual harassment for sexual harassment?】

"Really villainous of you to say that."

Gulp.

Yumir pressed her body closer to mine from behind.

"Will you let me do this? I’m just curious."

【About the source of my abilities?】

"...Yes. I want to know what kind of abilities the Goblin uses."

【Do you plan to take my abilities too?】

"It’s not about taking. I’m not a demon. It’s more like... borrowing?"

【Suit yourself.】

The dormitory is gradually coming into view.

To avoid being noticed by others, I spread my mana more intricately, just like when I met Yumir, and drove the bike over the dormitory wall.

【We’ve arrived. I’d like to talk more, but I’m busy too.】

"I don’t mind talking more."

【Let’s save that for another time.】

"Can I call you?"

【Do you have my number?】

"If you give me your number, I’ll call often. You should give me your business card. Even if you don’t think about it now, you can always call me if you change your mind later, right?"

【......】

Should I take a gamble?

If I do, it would essentially mean revealing my identity.

【Hmm.】

The problem if Yumir knows my identity.

The problem if Yumir knows that Do Jihwan is the Goblin.

There’s only one scenario.

'If my identity is exposed because of Yumir.'

If Yumir is often seen around Do Jihwan.

If it looks like they have some kind of relationship.

Oh? But Yumir is Platinum Sun?

Platinum Sun always appears where the Goblin does?

No way?

【I’ll call you.】

"...Really? Do you have my number?"

【Personal information is all over the internet, and as a salesperson of the Order, I can’t fail to breach the security of an E-level ability user.】

"Wow, are you going to hack to get my number?"

【If I already know it?】

"......"

Yumir said nothing.

I also said nothing, just looking down at her.

【I will treat you as Platinum Sun, and you should treat me as the Goblin.】

"Ah, I see."

Yumir flicked her finger at me and winked.

"Is that the concept you’re going for?"

【I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.】

"I thought the Goblin was a more honest person, but you seem to be playing a lot of games. You fail at flirting, don’t you?"

【If you can’t even talk properly.】

I got off the bike and jumped down to Yumir, who was right in front of the window.

【Listen carefully.】

I reached out and placed my hand on the glass next to Yumir, leaning in close to her face.

【There is only one time when a hero and a villain who hide their identities can reveal them to each other.】

"What is it?"

【When they fall in love.】

"......"

Yumir’s expression stiffened.

It seemed like she was about to burst into laughter, so I grabbed her cheeks with both hands and pressed them.

【Don’t laugh. Do you think I’m joking?】

"No, no. You’re right. When you fall in love, you want to know each other’s true identities... If you fall in love, you might even hide your identity for each other. Love...?"

Yumir looked at me drowsily and placed her hand on my chest.

"If I steal the Goblin’s heart, will the Goblin reveal their true identity to me?"

【That’s not what I meant.】

"But it’s true, right? If the Goblin falls for me, not as Platinum Sun but as Yumir, wouldn’t the Goblin want to show their true self?"

【A typical villain might, but I’m different. I already have someone I love.】

"Eh."

Yumir’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

【Why? Is that strange?】

"Me?"

【What nonsense. How long have we known each other for me to fall in love with you?】

"Ugh... If it’s not love, why are you treating me so well? Is it because of my abilities?"

【You might be disappointed, but if you become my enemy, it will be quite troublesome.】

"Wow. I thought you’d say it’s because of me."

【I’m not that superficial.】

Yumir pouted.

【I hope you continue on the path of a hero. Goodbye.】

"One more thing."

【What is it?】

"If, just if."

Yumir hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind, clenching her fists and looking up at me.

"...No."

【You’re being silly.】

"I was just thinking about whether to say it or not. We’re not at that stage yet."

I don’t know what she was thinking, but this distance feels just right.

If she’s not ready to join the Order.

If she’s not ready to be called a villain even if she does the right thing.

Showing more 'sincerity' is for later.

【Then goodbye.】

"One more thing."

【What is it?】

"Can I hug you once? From the front."

Yumir spread her arms, and I hesitated for a moment.

【...Well, I suppose it’s not impossible.】

I spread my arms, and Yumir immediately hugged me.

【You’re trying to confirm my abilities so desperately...】

I pushed her away by holding her face.

Her touch lingered on me, and it felt very uncomfortable.

【Now you’re outright sexually harassing me.】

"Hehe."

Yumir held her hands to her face and played with the air.

"The Goblin’s butt is so firm."

【You’re dead.】

"Where are you going to say that? I’ll just keep this feeling with me. Ahem."

【If you go around doing that, you’ll get the same treatment.】

"Where would I go around doing that? I only do this with you."

【Even though I’ve been lenient with you because I want to recruit you, don’t forget that I’m an S-level villain.】

"Then I’m an EX-level hero. And."

Yumir grabbed my hand and placed it on her chest.

"Is this a teacher-student relationship?"

【......】

"Look at your hand."

【I’m not the one who can’t let go; I’m just thinking about what you’re doing.】

Big.

Definitely EX-level.

【And.】

I’m a villain.

【Do you think I’d act like a novice?】

"......?!"

Yumir tensed up instantly.

I buried my face in her shoulder, gently pushing my hand into her side and pressing close.

"A, that, um...!"

【Why? You started it.】

"No, that... Wait a moment. I didn’t expect this!"

【Do you think a villain is a puppet that moves as you expect?】

Squish.

Squish.

"Ah, um, sorry. I went too far, hic?! That, that’s...?! Sorry! I really won’t do it again! Okay?!"

【Anyway.】

I pulled away from Yumir.

Yumir was breathing heavily and sniffling, clearly different from before.

"Ugh, I can’t get married now...."

【What kind of talk is that, even a woman from the Joseon era wouldn’t say.】

"What do you mean?"

【Don’t cross the line.】

I drew a line between us with my hand.

【If you do it again, I’ll punish you with the Goblin’s bat.】

"Inside that... Ouch."

I smacked Yumir’s head.

【Until the end.】

"...Hmph. Still..."

Yumir sniffled but