Chapter 91

A Different Place, Different Characters

Seo-a has been acting strange lately.

"Isn't that EgoStic really a bad guy? It's like the end of the world that such an evil person even has a fan cafe. Don't you think?"

"....Yeah."

It's been a few weeks since Haru started staying at her friend Seo-a's house. To take a break from the constant hero work that had left her feeling a bit tired, she came to Busan at Seo-a's invitation and mostly spent her time playing with Seo-a.

And then, one day.

Seo-a started to curse EgoStic a lot.

"How many times has he even committed terrorism? He's completely a scumbag, a heartless and tearless guy."

"......"

For some reason, her friend started talking about EgoStic a lot, and Haru felt an inexplicable discomfort.

...He is definitely a villain, but still, still...

However, as a hero, she couldn't defend a villain even a little, so she always just nodded quietly.

"That bad guy should be torn to pieces and killed."

...That's a bit much.

"When I look at him, he seems like a psychopath who only thinks about himself."

No, he even risked his life to save me.

"How can he cause terrorism against hundreds of people? He's pure evil."

...But there haven't been any deaths yet.

"And he always calls you, Haru. Isn't that creepy?"

Not really...

Haru always swallowed her thoughts and just nodded.

Around the time she was blankly watching the TV on the wall of Seo-a's house.

[Special Feature! In-depth Analysis of EgoStic!]

Startled.

Haru's eyes flickered at the sudden news program.

And as expected.

"Hey, that guy!"

Hearing Seo-a's voice from behind the sofa, she couldn't help but sigh.

Ah, here we go again.

*

The content of the video was quite ordinary.

Roughly, as can be inferred from the EgoStream EgoStic announced, there's a high probability that he will team up with other villains in the future.

The predicted areas for terrorism are mostly Seoul, and the hero to face him will almost certainly be StarDust.

The content itself wasn't problematic.

The problem was Seo-a, who kept cursing EgoStic while holding the remote.

"........"

At this point, Haru realized something was off.

Why is she suddenly so fixated on EgoStic? What triggered this?

When they talked about EgoStic before, Seo-a had shown an indifferent attitude, telling her not to worry too much.

It was very strange that she suddenly started cursing him.

And even more peculiar was that...

"Another reason EgoStic is such an evil villain is..."

Her intuition told her that.

Seo-a's words didn't feel genuine.

That was the strangest part.

"......"

So Haru just listened to Seo-a's words with slightly sunken eyes.

***

A large house nestled in a mountain valley.

Known as the EgoStream headquarters, The Big House.

I was declaring to everyone there.

"We're going to Busan."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you go to Busan alone last time? Again?"

Choi Se-hee tilted her head in confusion.

"Bro. Why are we going to Busan?"

"To cause terrorism."

At my simple answer, Hae-in asked, puzzled.

"Causing terrorism in Busan? You always targeted StarDust in Seoul."

"Right. You said you'd do it in other places, Da-in?"

Everyone looked at me in disbelief.

No, what am I. When did I get this image? It sounds like I'm obsessed with StarDust. Of course, I do live for StarDust, but that doesn't mean I think about her all day. I don't, really.

Anyway, I cleared my throat to change the atmosphere.

"Look. Everyone's misunderstanding. I'm not that obsessed with StarDust."

"But... Mr. Da-in, you even run a StarDust fan cafe, don't you?"

Soo-bin shot me a disbelieving look. Sharp. In situations like this, it's best to smoothly change the subject.

"Ahem. Anyway, this time, I've decided to cause terrorism in a place with a different hero, not just StarDust."

Partly because of Seo-a's constant nagging, but also to show that I don't always target StarDust. There are too many toxic fans.

And, the timing is good now. They'll probably come to Busan soon.

"For that reason, Choi Se-hee, you're coming with me."

"Huh? Me?"

Choi Se-hee blinked, pointing at herself. Really, I don't know.

"Of course, you. You're the only one among us with powers, isn't it obvious?"

"Oh, right."

Choi Se-hee nodded in understanding. Through the fluttering strands of her orange hair, I could see Seo-eun's pouting face behind her.

"...I need to do it soon, too..."

Her muttering was ominous.

While I glanced at Seo-eun, Choi Se-hee, who had been nodding thoughtfully, suddenly asked.

"But, didn't I cause terrorism last time? Again this time?"

Shaking my finger, I corrected her. Not this time.

"No, this time we're not directly causing terrorism."

"Then?"

"Of course, we'll have someone else do it."

I smiled and said so.

Didn't I say I was founding the EgoStream, a villain alliance? Naturally, I need to team up with other villains.

Technically, it's not an alliance, but more like I'll be using them. Hehehe.

With that evil thought in mind, I also told Soo-bin.

"And Soo-bin, can you handle a boat?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm not good with big boats, but I can handle a small one, to some extent."

"Exactly. So, you're coming with me this time."

I snapped my fingers and said so. Good, all preparations are complete. Now I just need to contact Seo-a.

"Next week, we're heading to Busan."

That's how our next terrorism was decided.

Of course, we can't immediately cause terrorism in Busan. We need some time to persuade another villain.

Now, I need to show the world that I'm not just targeting StarDust. I'm a terrorist for everyone! While I do think of StarDust a bit more specially, I don't only think about her. And especially,

'Debt, paid off, right?'

...That day, Shin Haru's face, smiling slightly and saying that to me, kept coming to mind, which was a problem.

I need to keep some distance from StarDust for a while.

Let's prepare for the terrorism.

***

"Next week? Sure. A yacht? Hah, what do you take me for? I'm Lee Seo-a of Yuseong Group. I'll prepare the best quality, so just bring your body and don't worry."

"By the way, I've been saying bad things about you to Haru lately, but it doesn't seem to be very effective. Should I keep doing it? Hmm...."

"Alright, I understand. See you then."

After a long conversation, Lee Seo-a hung up the phone and laughed to herself in her office.

Her mind was already calculating the benefits of suppressing the terrorism EgoStic would cause in Busan—recognition, popularity, influence, and a boost in her image.

"Perfect."

After the call with EgoStic, her plan was already taking shape. Haru would be back home in a few days, so it wouldn't be a problem... Using the various materials he sent, it would work perfectly.

She felt good for the first time in a while. Everything was going according to plan. If this continues, she might achieve her goals within a few years...

With a lighter heart, Seo-a headed home.

When she arrived, Haru was waiting for her, eating a mango-flavored ice cream from the fridge.

"Haru~."

"Mm? Ah."

Seo-a immediately hugged Haru, who was waving at her with an ice cream in her mouth.

Ah. Just hugging Haru is so soothing.

"Mm? Why are you doing this suddenly?"

Haru, surprised by the sudden hug, was flustered but didn't push her away, just standing there quietly.

Actually, Seo-a liked this about Haru. As a hero, she's the most righteous and strong, scolding villains, but in private, Haru is actually quite quiet. Like a gentle, kind cat? Just the fact that she stays quiet without much resistance when hugged like this shows it.

Her MBTI is actually I, introverted, right? Thinking about this, Seo-a finally let go of Haru. Haru looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

Seo-a just smiled and said,

"Just because. I've had some good things happen lately, so I got a bit carried away."

"....Okay?"

Haru tilted her head.

That day, Seo-a seemed very happy all day. Her lips were slightly curled up, her mood was high, and she even forgot to curse EgoStic for a while.

Seeing her friend like this,

Haru felt a growing sense of unease in her chest.

...Without knowing why.

As the day of EgoStic's first terrorism in Busan approached, the unease only grew.