SOS! I’m Being Forced to Be a Villain - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23

I quietly watched the approaching staff member move food from the tray to the table. Three dishes were placed cozily around the center of the table.

Besides the seafood cream pasta I had chosen, there was pork cutlet and pilaf lined up side by side. From the looks of it, they seemed to have ordered a variety with the intention of sharing everything together.

Or maybe they brought me here planning to stuff me until I burst from overeating…

‘…No way.’

I raised my hand to cover my mouth and rolled my eyes anxiously. Come to think of it, there was no way those two would drag me all the way here just to feed me well, treating me like a pet. I think Seo Jung-hoo had mentioned the word “food torture” at school earlier, so maybe they got some novel bullying idea from that.

While I was caught up in anxious worries, Kwon Tae-min served some pasta onto a flat side plate and placed it in front of me. Seo Jung-hoo pulled the plate with the pork cutlet toward himself and skillfully gripped the knife.

Since I had rarely seen Seo Jung-hoo and Kwon Tae-min together before, the scene before my eyes felt unfamiliar.

‘The role distribution seems… excessively well coordinated.’

Well, quite some time had already passed since the system window appeared saying the novel had started. By now, Seo Jung-hoo, Kwon Tae-min, and Lee Chung-hye would have already had their three-way meeting and been hanging out together here and there.

‘…Lee Chung-hye.’

There were many things I wanted to confirm and ask about. But when it came to actually approaching her, I found myself hesitating for no reason, and above all, there was no time.

After I impulsively grabbed Lee Chung-hye by the collar today, I felt like Seo Jung-hoo’s surveillance of me had become even more strict. Seeing how much he wanted to protect Lee Chung-hye, it seemed like that damn BL development was progressing well.

“Yu Baek-hwa.”

At the low voice, I snapped out of my absorbed thoughts. When I slowly rolled my eyes, I saw a fork that had suddenly filled my vision.

As I just stared at it blankly, Kwon Tae-min, who had held out the fork, shook it as if urging me.

That was ridiculous.

‘What’s wrong with this bastard now.’

He hadn’t even brought the fork from another place. Kwon Tae-min had deliberately picked up the fork that was neatly placed right in front of me and was holding it out to me again.

It was within arm’s reach. The fork was close enough that I could touch it if I fell forward, yet I couldn’t understand his intention of making it go through his hands.

It seemed like I was being ignored beyond simple oppression or bullying. Looking down on me, treating me lightly, always grabbing, blocking, and dragging me around.

‘Am I your pet or something?’

No one can tame me. Even my blood-related brother can’t do it, so how could you guys!

My irritated lips trembled. Meanwhile, I felt frustrated with myself for consciously exerting force to avoid biting my lower lip.

Then Kwon Tae-min, who let out a small “ah,” tried to take back the fork he had been offering.

“Is it difficult? Should I feed you?”

“Crazy, no! Absolutely not!”

I shouted and snatched the fork. Then I belatedly shut my mouth tight and looked around cautiously. Fortunately, the background music in the restaurant seemed to have covered my noisy outburst, as I didn’t see anyone glaring at me.

Swallowing a sigh of relief, I gripped the fork tightly and glared.

“Why do you keep ignoring people like that.”

Maybe the reason he didn’t get particularly angry about the sticky drink I spilled on him last time was for the same reason.

If someone of equal standing, or someone not much different from oneself, showed overt aggression, anyone would react and respond. They’d feel pretty bad about it and would probably mull it over a hundred times in their mind.

But Kwon Tae-min, not just that day but afterward too, never demanded compensation from me or even made a single sarcastic remark.

‘What exactly do you see me as.’

Why, isn’t that right? If the same person bit someone’s hand, you’d think “what kind of crazy bastard is this,” but if a hamster you placed on your hand did such a thing, you’d just laugh and say it tickles.

“And you. You too!”

I whirled around to glare at Seo Jung-hoo. Seo Jung-hoo, who had stopped cutting the pork cutlet and was watching the interesting scene with his chin propped up, tilted his head.

“Huh? Me?”

Bastard with a million tails. And he’s way too good at using that overly innocent deer-like face of his!

“What are you doing blinking your eyes while acting like ‘I don’t know anything.’ Do you think I don’t know that you guys are subtly ignoring me and looking down on me?”

“Hmm, us? When and why did our Baek-hwa feel that way?”

“You’re doing it now too, right now…!”

I slammed the fork I was holding down on the table.

“If you’re going to cut the pork cutlet, just cut portions for you two. I’ll cut what I’m going to eat myself.”

At my confident declaration, Seo Jung-hoo’s face, which had only held a languid smile, crumbled for a moment. Soon he opened his mouth as if trying to persuade me.

“What’s the point of doing that. It’s troublesome.”

“I hate being forced to depend and rely on others when I never wanted to. It’s horrible.”

“How is this depending and relying? It’s just that the person who picked up the knife first cuts it all at once…”

“Why, do you think I can’t even handle a knife properly?”

I threw barbs with a fierce tone. Then Seo Jung-hoo widened his eyes for a moment, then moved the hand that was propping up his chin to lightly tap his mouth.

“Certainly… I do wonder if you can hold a knife with those cotton fists.”

Cotton, cotton fists?

“Of course, the forearm that Baek-hwa hit earlier today really hurts though? It even got all bruised up?”

Watching Seo Jung-hoo teasingly raise his voice at the end of each sentence made my blood boil. Kwon Tae-min, who had been just listening to our conversation, suddenly spoke up.

“You hit him? Seo Jung-hoo?”

‘…What, why. Why are you asking about that.’

“I hit him, so what. What are you going to do about it.”

Even if they’re love rivals, are they still close to being friends for now? With that thought, I looked back at Kwon Tae-min through narrowed eyes.

But faster than that, Kwon Tae-min’s hand carefully stroked the back of my hand and knuckles.

“Are there any injured spots?”

“…Huh?”

“And Seo Jung-hoo, you just let her hit you? What if the kid’s hand got bruised?”

Huh?

‘These bastards really.’

No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t me but these guys who were better at getting on people’s nerves.

‘Do you think I’ll just take it lying down?’

I felt the forceful control that had been fanning my impulses seize this moment to exert its power without fail. Tens of thousands of curses and laments about to burst from my mouth rang loudly in my head. Trembling from it, I was pushed by reluctant force to pick up the knife that was placed next to the side plate.

And I pointed its tip toward Kwon Tae-min.

I could see Kwon Tae-min, who had been chattering away, stiffen. I triumphantly pulled up the corners of my mouth.

“How’s that, scary? I can also hold, swing, and cut with a knife really, really well!”

I could hear the sound of laughter leaking out from across the table, but I was too busy focusing on Kwon Tae-min right in front of me to pay attention to it.

I knew that a knife for cutting pork cutlet was quite different from a regular knife. But anyway, since it’s a knife, isn’t it a type of blade?

So if I pointed it at someone, wouldn’t anyone instinctively tense up? My reason, which wasn’t working well due to impulse, came to that flimsy conclusion.

Kwon Tae-min still couldn’t move rashly. Seeing his gaze toward me wavering, I wondered if I had gone too far. But I had to do at least this much so they wouldn’t look down on me in the future.

Hmph, I snorted and was about to put the knife down.

“Your wrist… that’s dangerous.”

I had no choice but to freeze mid-motion, creaking to a stop.

“What if your joint gets twisted by mistake? So Yu Baek-hwa, don’t wave that around carelessly.”

“…”

“Let’s put it down first and talk. I was completely wrong.”

Was he getting anxious since I wasn’t giving any response? Kwon Tae-min hurriedly signaled with his eyes to Seo Jung-hoo across from him.

Seo Jung-hoo, who had been covering his mouth and breathing heavily, soon wiped away tears. Then, as if nothing had happened, he drooped his eye corners and wore a pitiful smile.

“Yeah. I was wrong, Baek-hwa. I wasn’t trying to ignore you, but I’m sorry if you felt bad.”

Seriously, I want to dig into what exactly is in these guys’ heads.

Would you like to check the profile information of ‘Main Character Kwon Tae-min’?

Would you like to check the profile information of ‘Main Character Seo Jung-hoo’?

‘I won’t look. I said I won’t look!’

I only said that for expression’s sake. I really had no desire whatsoever to peek into their emotions or inner thoughts. I didn’t want to get that deeply involved, nor did I want to unwillingly face the truth and have my blood pressure rise from stress.

“You bastards are…”

The fist gripping the knife trembled.

That must have looked quite unstable. I could see Kwon Tae-min cautiously reaching out his hand while watching my reaction.

Swallowing a hollow laugh, I raised my voice despite being conscious of the surrounding tables and customers, unable to bear it.

“You guys don’t know, but I’ve used knives so many times. I use them often!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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