Times Square in District D.
The largest discount store, which can be reached in about 30 minutes by car from home, is considered a savior of the poor.
The only reason I, a villain, went to such a place was to buy supplies needed for the important operation that would take place later.
"How do you see me with this backpack?"
Yes, the schoolbag that the boss is carrying on his back right now was something necessary for the operation that would take place later.
A schoolbag is a very important item for an elementary school student.
"Wow~ Your daughter is so cute~"
Of course, to others, she would just look like a little girl who went shopping with her father.
Since she had to act like that, I had to make sure she was well disguised, but it was inevitable that I would feel a little uncomfortable.
"But if you're going to buy a backpack anyway, how about this one? Kids that age really like this design. It's inspired by a famous person these days, you know,
her name is Spiritas, the Star Girl..."
"I'll go with this animal design."
A former boss of the Evil Order using hero products.
I'd rather avoid that, even if it's wrapped in cuteness.
"Hehe, you made a good choice."
The boss, who had come out of the stationery store, smiled happily as he looked at the backpack on my back.
It was good that it was cheap because it wasn't a hero product... Is that really okay?
"Should I have bought something a little more expensive?"
"No, it's enough. It's not something that really stands out."
Yeah, if you want to act like an ordinary student, a simple design would be fine.
"More than anything, you bought it for me, so I should use it carefully."
"Oh, yes..."
I appreciate your consideration, but I still think it would be better...
... No, let's stop.
How can I argue with my boss's decision when she has already made up her mind?
"I've already bought everything I need, but what should I do now?"
"I'd like to take the opportunity today to look around a few places, but..."
With that in mind, when I asked about her plans for the future, the boss rested her chin on her hand and began to look around.
"Don't you have to go to work tomorrow to earn money?
If possible, I don't want to take away your precious rest time..."
"Don't worry about it. I've decided to spend today with the boss."
You don't leave the boss alone because you're working every day?
I want to fulfill the boss's wishes, even on a weekend like this.
"...If you say so, I guess I should accept the favor."
She smiled slightly at my sincere feelings and began to look around.
-Kirikkirik, kirikkirik.
The place that soon appeared was the Children's Zone for children.
As the machines imitating fighter jets and animals scattered everywhere shook, the faces of the children in them began to show radiant smiles.
"I see."
The boss said as he looked at the machines.
"A boarding device?"
"...No, it's a toy."
"When I was in the organization, those who piloted the machines were filled with a sense of solemnity, but here they seem to be having fun."
"Well, they're just toys."
"I see. Even if it's a weapon used for slaughter, if it's used like this, it can also be used for children's entertainment."
It seems like he's convinced, but coincidentally, he's far from the concept.
Boss, it's just that the design is a bit similar. The purpose is completely different.
"Would you like to ride it?"
However, even considering this, Boss's interest is still fixed on the toys in the department store.
These toys are quite expensive, but he would invest in them if they were for Boss. But they are expensive...
"Hmm."
At that moment, when I felt uncomfortable for no reason, Boss looked away from the toy and started looking somewhere.
"Isn't there a better toy than this?"
"…Yes?"
I followed her with a questioning look.
Soon, what caught my attention was a nearby child waving with both hands to her father.
"Daddy, hug me!"
"Yes, my princess~"
The father smiled brightly and held his daughter in his arms.
When I looked away from that blank stare, I saw Boss looking at me and opening his arms.
"…Uh, that's it."
"Did I put too much pressure on you?"
Yes, too much.
But how could I reveal my true feelings?
"Haha, the view is good."
"Uh, if it's too uncomfortable, tell me."
"What could be uncomfortable? Even hugging like this, I can feel that you're being considerate of me."
The boss said, resting his head on my chest as he held me in his arms.
Although I felt very burdened by this, I also felt uncomfortable because it seemed like everyone around me was paying attention.
Are they suspicious of us now?
"Wow, you're so cute~"
"How cute~"
... No, at first glance, it would seem like just a father-daughter relationship.
But even so, I still can't shake my discomfort.
Damn, I need to get out of this situation fast... Oh, now that I think about it,
It's almost lunch time.
"Boss. It's almost meal time..."
"Shh."
Quietly.
Boss puts his little finger on the corner of my mouth.
"Since there are so many people watching, wouldn't it be better to be careful with the titles?"
The boss who had lowered his hand and began to look at me steadily, as if he was testing me.
Feeling overwhelmed by that look, I took a deep breath and said:
"My daughter, you must be hungry. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"My father. This body accepts any food you give me with a grateful heart. So don't worry and go wherever you feel comfortable."
... ...Hey, boss.
A 7-year-old girl doesn't say that.
***
A family restaurant.
As the name suggests, it's a place aimed at ordinary families, the ambiance and decor are slightly elaborate, and the prices are relatively low.
It might be a bit tiring to eat there every day, but it's suitable for an outing like today.
But…
"Mom! Buy me a toy set too~!"
"Oh my son. You bought this last time too."
"This time, it's a different hero! Buy it, please, buy it, please!"
…Yes, it's definitely a family-friendly place, so it's a good place for kids to have some fun.
It's not uncommon to see reluctant parents accepting such things and buying toys at restaurants.
"A toy set…"
And the boss sitting across from her… Yes, as if trying to stay true to that role
was watching the child who was throwing a tantrum over a toy…
Oh no, you're not really going to do that, are you?
"Don't worry."
As if reading my anxious feelings, she placed both her arms on the table and smiled happily.
"I have to act like I'm your daughter, but I also have to do it while being considerate of you, right? It's a bit strange, because we didn't see any children like that in the hideout where we were staying."
"... Yes, that's true."
Yes, the people recruited into the organization are all adults.
And you wouldn't see any children even during operations.
Uroboros had the value of being the strongest, so instead of carrying out covert operations, he would often declare large-scale war and then carry out the operations.
Of course, most of the places he entered had already been evacuated by civilians. Since the elderly and children were the top priority for evacuation, it wouldn't be easy to see children in the operation area.
"People."
Is that why?
In the eyes of the chief, who was staring at the child, I saw a different emotion that I had never seen before.
"There were so many different beings."
It was as if an adult was looking down on a child.
Not a look that seemed like a superior being looking down on an inferior being, a more lenient look.
"Huh!?"
As I felt this, I suddenly heard an exclamation and my gaze reflexively turned to the side.
What I saw as I moved my gaze was the sight of a clerk passing by, and losing his balance.
The tray and cup in his hand fell towards the boss.
-Pum!
However, the cup was standing upright where it should have fallen, the boss quickly caught the cup before it fell on her.
"...Huh? Huh?"
The clerk had a blank expression on his face, as if he still hadn't understood the situation.
When he saw the cup in front of the boss, his eyes widened and he began to lower his head, screaming.
"Ahhh, I'm sorry! Did you hurt yourself somewhere!?"
"It's okay, don't worry."
The boss held out the cup as he said this.
Although it was a firm gesture for a child, the clerk didn't notice the suspicious atmosphere or tone and quickly took the cup back.
"I'm sorry!"
The clerk hurriedly left the place.
The boss burst into laughter when he saw the clerk's back.
"Apparently you were nervous because you just started work. Of course, this is just a cute mistake, so I should be generous and forgive you."
An attitude of someone who didn't take the previous situation seriously.
"...Uh, boss."
However, I could never ignore the previous scene.
As if she expected the cup to fall on her, she put her hand there before it happened.
"Just now..."
What if that previous action was the gift she had....
"Did you just use the gift?"
No, what if she had used the power she calls "authority"? ##############
"Impossible, right?"
Fortunately, her answer was negative.
"If I can't see it with my eyes, I don't know, but reading the flow right in front of you is easy. Catching a cup that's about to fall isn't even a trick."
Oh, right. Thank God.
That was just a "prediction," not a "foreknowledge."
It seemed incredible to a criminal like me, but at least judging by her reaction, it didn't seem like she was lying.
"Yeah, it's very easy for me to figure out what's right in front of me. For example, that the man over there is a hero."
Just as I was feeling relieved, the words suddenly followed.
Before I could understand what that meant, she continued speaking casually, swinging the fork in her hand.
"It's easy to predict that he'll come here soon."
"...what?"
I didn't understand the sudden words, so I had a blank expression.
What did you just say? A hero?
"Excuse me."
Just as I was feeling confused, a man approached me and the boss.
A bespectacled, gentle-looking man with a thick coat, behind which a young girl was hiding, holding the hem of his clothes.
A man carrying a girl the same age as the boss on his back, no, a hero.
"Can I join you for a moment?"
The offer made by such a person was a threat that I could never ignore.