Villain wants to live as a commoner chapter 60

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“You’re already nice to me.”

“……”

“If we start dating, I’ll start questioning whether all that kindness is just because of my own selfishness.”

“What selfishness? I’m the one who said we should date.”

“I know. I understand, but…”

Even now, I’ve gotten a lot better, but there were still times when every little thing Baek Gunho did made my heart flutter.

It was painful back then.

I felt guilty for having lustful thoughts toward someone who genuinely liked me as a friend, and at the same time, I felt stupid for overanalyzing his every small act of kindness.

If I felt that way just as friends, how much worse would it be if we started dating?

I’d drive myself crazy, constantly comparing his treatment of me with how he acted toward others.

And the moment I convinced myself he didn’t really like me, I’d fall apart.

Over time, I wouldn’t be able to treat Baek Gunho as comfortably as I do now.

“I like things the way they are.”

Baek Gunho wasn’t just my crush; he was my one and only friend.

I didn’t want to lose him just because of my own selfish desires.

I ran a hand over my dry face.

“And… it’s true that you don’t really like me.”

“I like you.”

Baek Gunho immediately shot back.

But instead of feeling convinced, I could only muster a bitter smile.

“That’s not romantic feelings, though.”

“At the very least, I don’t just like you as a friend.”

“……”

“No one gets hard for their friends.”

Suddenly, the memory of Baek Gunho’s overly excited state from last night flashed in my mind, and my resolve wavered.

But I quickly got a grip on myself.

“You don’t need to like someone romantically to get hard.”

“I’m not that kind of person.”

He had a point.

Unlike me, who had given up on romance because of a mix of bad luck and unrequited love, Baek Gunho had never been interested in relationships in the first place.

Guilt crept up again.

It wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment proposal I made yesterday—I hadn’t expected him to take the bait.

But… no excuses.

This was all my fault.

He was just naive enough to fall for it.

I really am trash.

I probably need to apologize on my knees for this.

“What happened yesterday was me being selfish. I crossed a line with you… I’m sorry.”

“Is that all you have to say…?”

“If you’re mad, you can hit me.”

“Me, hit you?”

Baek Gunho snapped, looking like it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard.

I immediately shrank back.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“……”

He remained silent, clearly fuming.

After staring at me with an unreadable expression for what felt like forever, Baek Gunho finally spoke.

“Fine. If that’s what you want, have it your way.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize. You’re going to do whatever you want anyway.”

His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

It looked like he was really mad this time.

Was it because things hadn’t gone the way he planned?

Knowing him, it made sense.

He was the type who had to have everything go his way.

Baek Gunho stormed out of the room, leaving me anxious.

He almost never got mad at me like this.

The only times I could remember were when I’d run away from home or when I’d been self-destructive.

Maybe I couldn’t blame him.

I’d be pissed too.

I led him on, let him believe we were going to date—and now I’m backing out.

Even though, technically, he was the one pushing it.

…Actually, thinking about it, this wasn’t just annoying—it was infuriating.

If I were him, I’d grab me by the collar and shake me senseless.

I waited quietly in the room.

Contrary to my expectation that he’d storm out of the house, I heard the sound of pots clanging in the kitchen.

Was he seriously going to make me breakfast?

Turns out, that’s exactly what he was doing.

I could hear the sound of rice being washed, the fridge opening and closing, and soon the delicious smell of cooking filled the air.

“……”

Up until now, I take back what I said about Baek Gunho having a bad temper.

In some ways, Baek Gunho wasn’t just not bad-tempered; he was practically a saint.

As Baek Gunho, who had been preparing food, opened the door, he looked at me with his usual expression, different from how he was when he left the room.

“Go wash up and eat.”

“…Okay.”

I answered nervously, and, like I was sneaking off to steal something, I quietly went into the bathroom, washed, and came out.

As always, I set the table, taking out side dishes from the fridge and arranging them.

I did it even more slowly than usual, fearing that if I finished too quickly, things would get awkward.

But even though I was moving as slowly as possible, Baek Gunho took longer to finish cooking.

Setting the table felt like preparing for a feast.

He must’ve used all the ingredients he’d bought from the market, saying I should eat well after getting discharged.

“Why did you make so much food?”

I muttered, hoping Baek Gunho would respond like he normally did, while sneaking a glance at him.

“You overdid it yesterday, so you need to eat a lot.”

“…”

“Eat. You need to take care of your health.”

I was momentarily surprised when Baek Gunho casually brought up what happened yesterday, but quickly accepted his nonchalant attitude.

Right, even though we decided not to date, that doesn’t mean what happened yesterday disappeared, so I guess it’s okay to talk about it.

It was a bit embarrassing, but I wasn’t in a position to firmly tell Baek Gunho not to mention it.

I’d have to be a bit cautious for a while.

“When are you going to the Bureau?”

“I have to go today.”

I replied after swallowing the bulgogi I had been chewing.

The dungeon break this time had an odd feature: black smoke that swallowed people.

The Hunter Bureau had asked for my cooperation for research, and I had agreed to contact them and visit during my break.

“Let me come with you. Don’t go alone and get into trouble again.”

“Okay.”

Doesn’t he have work to do? He’s been sticking with me since the other day… If he keeps putting off work like this, it won’t be good.

I obediently replied, holding back the words that he shouldn’t worry.

As soon as it was time to go, I contacted the Hunter Bureau and made an appointment.

Today, I wasn’t visiting the main office but a nearby research lab.

Upon arriving at the lab, I explained as much as I could about what I had seen.

But since I couldn’t mention the dust swallowing the darkness inside or the bird that emerged to improve Na Hongju’s condition, my explanation ended up being quite vague.

The researcher nodded in understanding, though with a slightly puzzled expression. Before leaving, I asked the researcher a question.

“Has that gate been dealt with?”

“Oh, well, technically it should be closed since it appeared inside a building… But it has research value, so for now, we’ve stationed hunters in front of it and are investigating.”

“When will it be closed?”

“Within two weeks to a month. We’d like to study it as long as possible, but…”

The researcher sounded disappointed.

After a polite bow, I left the lab.

However, a man was standing in front of the lab, as if waiting. He straightened up and turned to face me.

It was Lee Kanghoon.

Lee Kanghoon is a target who might be connected to the Baekmyeon Sect.

What was someone like him doing here?

“Hello, are you Seo Heewon?”

“Yes, that’s me…”

I answered cautiously, wary of the man. Lee Kanghoon handed me a business card he had prepared in advance, then bowed politely.

“I’m Lee Kanghoon, a hunter from the Hunter Bureau. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, hello. But why would a hunter from the Bureau…”

“I heard that you helped Hongju. I wanted to personally thank you, so I came to find you. Hongju is here, and I heard you were visiting today too.”

Perhaps noticing my suspicion, Lee Kanghoon quickly explained the situation in detail.

I smiled at him, thinking quickly.

“I was just doing what needed to be done.”

“No, I heard that it could have been dangerous if you hadn’t acted in time. Thank you so much. You’ve saved both me and Hongju.”

Lee Kanghoon expressed his gratitude several times.

“I’d really like to repay you in some way…”

“I didn’t do it expecting anything in return.”

I subtly turned down his offer without rejecting it outright. It would’ve been problematic if he backed off too much.

I needed to extract more information from him somehow.

“If you insist, how about buying me a meal?”

With a smile, I made the suggestion, and Lee Kanghoon nodded, seemingly pleased with the idea.

“Oh, Hongju also really wanted to thank you, so a meal sounds like a perfect way. Let’s find a good place.”

We exchanged numbers and parted ways, smiling at each other.

I needed to think about how to use this opportunity, but at least I had a chance now.

Just then, someone tapped me on the back.

I hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.

Startled, I turned around, only to have someone grab my shoulders.

“Why are you so jumpy, Heewon?”

My heart started pounding for another reason.

Didn’t he accept what I said?

Why is he calling me by my name like that?

“What’s this about?”

“You didn’t come down, so I came looking for you myself.”

Then why doesn’t he make some noise when he walks?

Baek Gunho’s ability to conceal his presence was borderline cheating.

Baek Gunho glared at the spot where Lee Kanghoon had just disappeared.

“What were you doing with Lee Kanghoon?”

“We exchanged numbers… He said he’d buy me a meal.”

“Why are you having a meal with him?”

Baek Gunho’s tone was overly gentle.

Coming from someone who’d never spoken like that before, it felt more like a threat than anything else.

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