I Became a Villain's Hero [Complete]

Chapter 18: Emotional Baby Steps (4)

"Alright, what can you cook?"

"......"

Before bringing Song Soo-yeon into the kitchen, I conducted an interview.

In fact, there wasn't a specific job assigned for her.

After all, hiring her wasn't really about needing help.

I'm quite idle myself, so there's no real need to employ her.

Naturally, all of this was for her sake.

It was my way of helping her to make a fresh start as an adult in a few months.

She might not realize this.

But if I simply let Song Soo-yeon sit idle, she'd refuse out of pride, so I had to go through this kind of formality.

Lately, I've been feeling proud to be able to help her.

She's been thanking me more and more, and it's unbelievably gratifying.

I didn't feel this emotion in my previous life, but it kept tickling my face.

Even just to keep feeling this, I planned to continue helping her.

"Ms. Song Soo-yeon? You need to answer."

I questioned her sternly, as if I were a corporate interviewer.

Song Soo-yeon expressed her annoyance at my role-play.

"Ah, stop it... It's annoying."

"Really now. What's bothering you this time?"

"....What's with 'Ms.', Ms. Song Soo-yeon."

"What should I call you, then? Maybe, 'Soo-yeon'?"

"Ah!"

Song Soo-yeon suddenly got up from her seat.

It's almost a reflexive action by now.

She gets irked by almost anything.

"No, that's not it. 'Ms. Soo-yeon' just sounds unnatural."

"........"

Song Soo-yeon seemed frustrated but didn't have a better answer.

She didn't like it, but couldn't find a solution either.

I tried to calm her down.

"I know 'Ms.' sounds odd to you as a student, but you'll have to get used to it. Adults always use 'Ms.' or 'Mr.'"

"..........."

"Or I can drop formalities and call you 'Soo-yeon'."

Again, Song Soo-yeon flinched at my words and frowned even more.

Realizing it was time to back off, I acknowledged that a man like me closing the distance might still be uncomfortable for her.

She seemed very upset, blushing and fidgeting with her fingers.

After a while, she sat down again.

".......Call me 'Ms. Soo-yeon,' then."

She turned her head away as she responded.

Feeling a sense of regret, I smacked my lips.

"...Alright. So, back to the question, what can you cook?"

".........Ramen."

"........."

"........"

There was a moment of silence. If I were really conducting an interview, that would be a failing answer.