The Most Terrifying Villain Is Actually a Beautiful Girl

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We moved to a place called Grassland Cafe.

When we arrived, the children gasped with wide eyes. I could even hear their breaths shaking with excitement.

Red, who had likely been to many places, seemed quite surprised by the scenery before her.

“I never imagined it would be recreated so perfectly. Even I find this a bit astonishing.”

The cafe lived up to its name.

A vast expanse of meadows stretched out before us.

If I looked up, I could see a clear blue sky dotted with pristine clouds. The sunlight pouring in felt so real that it was almost blinding.

As the wind blew, the meadows whispered a beautiful sound like waves.

The mechanical animals wandering about sometimes made sounds like their real counterparts.

Even if they looked and felt real, it was all a counterfeit space created with the power of science and magic.

“Wow~ Amazing!”

“It feels cozy and warm.”

“I heard there used to be many places like this….”

But the children didn’t mind that it was fake. Everyone here felt the same way.

The kids looked around, marveling at the scenery laid out in front of them, their eyes sparkling with wonder.

Seeing their shining eyes, a bittersweet smile unconsciously appeared on my face.

It was understandable—such sights were rare in this world.

You could only find them in mid-sized cities or the center. Those from the outskirts had to rely on books or videos to experience them.

The landscapes that were taken for granted where I used to live were not so for the people living here.

Now the children were experiencing scenes they had only seen in books or videos, even if just in this way, and something in my heart ached slightly at the sight of them being so satisfied and excited.

How wonderful it would be if this were a better world, I thought.

“That’s why coming to places like this feels a bit awkward. I get too emotional and it just makes me feel down.”

As I pondered this, Red suddenly spoke to me.

“Lily, do you not like it here?”

Was she reading my mind? I was sure my face was covered by a mask.

When I looked up at Red, she merely gave me a faint smile, though there was an air of loneliness to it.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I shook my head at her question.

It’s not that I disliked it.

I was just caught up in feelings only someone who had lived in a peaceful world could understand.

Red gently patted my head again.

It felt like she was treating me like a child again. I forcibly pulled her hand away, giving her leg a light tap with my soft fist.

She couldn’t help but suppress her laughter at my antics.

“I wonder how it feels to sing in a place like this….”

At that moment, Lena muttered beside me.

Her voice trembled slightly, perhaps from being overwhelmed with emotion.

She had her mouth slightly agape, lost in wonder.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, her face turned serious and she turned to Red, tugging at her clothing.

“Unni.”

Red knelt down, and Lena leaned in to whisper in her ear while pointing at a huge tree a bit further away.

Red nodded.

“Hey kids, before we go to the cafe, let’s check that out. Lena has a surprise to show.”

The kids responded with excited “Oohs” and dashed toward the tree.

They settled down beneath the lush branches and leaves, and I sat beside them.

Lena stepped forward, surveying the area.

She clasped her hands modestly over her stomach.

The dense branches and leaves blocked the sunlight, but just then, rays filtered through, casting light in her direction.

Lena took a deep breath and began to sing.

It was a sweet song she often sung.

The gentle melody flowed out from her small mouth, resonating softly.

“She really has talent. In a peaceful world, she could aim to be an idol….”

Lena sang beautifully for her age. Moreover, there was something mystical about her voice. Almost like magic.

It warmed my heart.

Especially in such a warm and vibrant place, her song amplified those feelings even more.

As her song came to an end, applause erupted around us.

I turned in surprise to see people gathering.

It seemed that the people had come over after hearing her sing.

Lena’s face turned red as she awkwardly waved her arms around.

Still, she didn’t forget to thank the audience who appreciated her performance.

Lena bowed her head in gratitude and rushed off the “stage.”

We moved on to the cafe with cheerful hearts.

*

On the hill stood several huts.

Choosing one, as soon as we walked in, a Guide Robot greeted us warmly.

We followed its lead to an unoccupied wooden table and took our seats.

“Here’s the menu. Once you’ve decided, press this button and a Waiter Robot will come to take your orders. Have a peaceful time.”

I opened the menu.

A glance revealed a variety of dishes available.

There were snacks that were hard to find even outside, mixed in with familiar ones.

And, just as expected, the prices were pretty steep. They were so high that my eyes felt a bit dim.

“It seems like overpriced snacks are the same everywhere, whether here or there. How much is this exactly? No wonder there are so many empty seats.”

It wasn’t just me feeling the pinch of the prices; the other kids’ faces were also dim.

They began to glance nervously at Red.

Their expressions seemed to ask if it was really okay to buy something.

Normally, this would be an awkward situation, and we’d quietly get up, but not with Red.

She appeared perfectly calm.

“Choose whatever you’d like. Otherwise, I’ll just choose for you.”

That’s Red for you!

She’s really generous!

Inside, I raised both hands and jumped around, wanting to shout in joy.

With her encouragement, the kids started picking their menus.

“What are you getting?”

“I have a feeling this is going to taste good.”

“What kind of snack is this?”

“My head is spinning….”

The menu included photos and descriptions of each dish.

Having seen these snacks a lot before, I knew what they were, but the kids were different. Naturally, their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they looked at the menu.

“What are you picking, Lily?”

Hmm? I’m not sure myself.

I pretended to think deeply about Ren’s question, fiddling with my chin.

To show I was having a hard time choosing, I pressed my fingers on both temples and shook my head lightly from side to side.

“I feel the same. Choosing is too hard.”

I nodded in agreement.

However, I couldn’t ponder indefinitely.

The kids began deciding on snacks one by one. I picked what seemed the best to me.

Beep—.

Red pressed the button on the table, and shortly after, a Waiter Robot arrived.

“Have you made your selections?”

“Let’s see. Catharsis Giant Pudding, Tri-Color Soft Long Ice Cream….”

Red listed the menu items chosen by the kids in order. She even added a few more snacks that were hard to come by outside.

The kids cheered.

I imagined colorful flower petals raining down from above Red’s head.

She really has such a big heart.

“I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

“What will it taste like?”

“It looks like Lily is really looking forward to it! Her shoulders are bouncing.”

Huh? Looking forward?

Caught off guard by the kids’ observation, I almost snorted.

I’m not a little kid who would get worked up over something like that. I was just curious about how the snacks here would turn out.

If I could, I’d have wanted to thump the table, protesting against such remarks, but the mature me refrained.

After some time passed.

The waiter wheeled a cart filled with food and began placing dishes one by one on the table.

“““Wowww~”””

I gulped.

First, the appearance and portion were a pass!

The price was definitely reflected in the quality.

The kids tried the snacks they had ordered.

The moment they took a bite, the expressions on their faces lit up in surprise as if they had just tasted something amazing.

And they all gave the exact same taste rating.

“““Delicious!”””

I lifted my mask slightly to eat comfortably and cut into the 5-layer pancake I had ordered with a knife and fork.

It was fluffy and melted in my mouth. A sweet taste spread throughout.

Mmm, delicious.

I can’t believe they could create a flavor like this!

Everyone happily devoured the snacks. It was a joyful time.

After all, snacks are happiness incarnate.

The kids exchanged their happiness with each other, sharing their treats too.

I got to try a variety of snacks as well.

In the frenzy of eating, before I knew it, the bowls were empty, and I spotted one last Egg Tart, trying to take a bite with my fork.

Clang.

I bumped into seven forks, getting stuck.

It seemed the other kids had the same thought as me.

“““….”””

A tense silence fell. Invisible sparks flew.

‘Looks like no one is willing to give up.’

It felt like a war was about to break out over who would get to eat it, and just when it was about to escalate as expected—

“Alright, alright. I’ll take the last Egg Tart.”

Red grabbed the last remaining Egg Tart and ate it.

A soft sigh escaped the kids’ lips. Still, they didn’t whine.

If it was Red, they couldn’t really argue. That was the vibe.

Though, for some reason, a sense of disappointment lingered on their faces.

Red smiled.

“I’ll make it up to you by buying you something else.”

Beep—.

Red ordered eight cups of milk and one coffee, which could only be found here.

The kids beamed with joy.

The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.

I briefly turned my head outside.

The spread of the grassland came into full view.

‘Even though I know all of this is fake, perhaps because I’ve been living in a stifling city, my heart feels more at ease being here.’

Happy moments are rare in the city.

There aren’t many warm and lively places.

So, I silently wished that this time wouldn’t be broken while I was here.

Surely there couldn’t be anyone so dense as to ruin this atmosphere.

If there was, I would never forgive them.

*

Meanwhile, at the zoo, some distance away.

Isaac, wearing a mask and hat, sat on a bench, staring at the animals inside their glass enclosures. But his gaze held no interest in the creatures.

Right now, something more important than those fakes was on his mind.

At that moment, a mother and child passed by.

The child’s eyes widened as he seemed to recognize Isaac, but Isaac pressed his finger to his lips, as if sealing a secret.

The gesture indicated it was a secret.

The child nodded.

And so, the mother and child went on their way.

Isaac checked his phone.

A message had arrived.

“Time to start the plan.”

A devious smile crept onto Isaac’s face.

But since his mask covered it, no one noticed.

 

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