I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 186: law-abiding citizen (4)

"The person who wrote this isn't likely to be very careful."

Da-eun started the conversation.

"The fact that they wrote this based on a mere suspicion and the way they reacted—it feels very impulsive, right? Someone like that would definitely take the bait."

"Impulsive" and "a strong desire for recognition."

Even when considered separately, these aren't exactly positive terms, but when combined, they create a noticeable effect that can't be ignored.

Da-eun's explanation was that the reason for secretly taking pictures and posting them on a community with a large number of viewers was likely due to these traits.

"Oh..."

Wait a minute.

If I say it this way, Da-eun might think I'm insulting her.

But I wasn’t trying to insult her; I was just stating a fact.

The Da-eun I know isn't the type to make such cold judgments about others.

In fact, she seems the type who trusts people too much, which might cause problems.

"...I heard that from the lawyer."

"Of course."

"...Of course? What does that 'of course' sound like?"

"I was relieved because it's the Da-eun I know."

"...Is that a compliment or an insult?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does matter!"

I tilted my head, and Da-eun nodded intensely.

"If it's a compliment, I'll pet you. If it's an insult, I'll pet you aggressively!"

"...?"

Is she indirectly saying she wants to fulfill her desires in a roundabout way?

"If I had to choose between the two, I think it’s a compliment."

"If it’s a compliment, then say it’s a compliment. What does 'I think it’s a compliment' even mean?"

"Well, I like that about you, Da-eun."

If Da-eun hadn't had that personality, I wonder what would have happened.

I know that asking 'what if' about the past is meaningless, but if that had been the case, I'd be living a completely different life right now.

So, as someone who is somewhat satisfied with my current life, I had no reason to view Da-eun’s personality negatively.

"...Ugh."

Da-eun turned her gaze slightly away.

"That was cheating. You can’t just suddenly make a move like that..."

"?"

"Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Usually, you're so blunt, and then every once in a while, you say something that makes my heart skip..."

"Heart skip?"

I didn’t think I’d said anything heart-stopping, but whatever.

Da-eun, who had been holding her chest and breathing deeply, looked up with her eyes half-open.

"You can’t say things like that to other people. Got it? Especially not to men."

"No need to worry. I only say that to you, Da-eun."

To be exact, I don’t even really talk to other people, but still, I don’t say those kinds of things, right?

At that, Da-eun once again clutched her chest.

"...Are you okay?"

"It’s because of Kana... Where on earth did you learn to say such suggestive things?"

"Oh, I see. Just the usual Da-eun."

"Just the usual Da-eun? That’s too much!"

She yelled like a pigeon in the street.

But I also had something to say.

I know there are a lot of pigeons on the streets of Seoul.

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

But for someone like me, who doesn’t go out much, it's only natural that I would see Da-eun more often than pigeons, so using 'Da-eun' to mean something commonplace wasn’t so strange, was it?

Da-eun stopped yelling after hearing my logically sound words and grew quiet.

"...That makes sense."

"See? Makes sense, right?"

"Yeah... It does make sense...."

Crinkle!

The paper Da-eun had been holding was crumpled into a mess.

"...What does that have to do with anything!"

"Ah. You’ve turned fierce again."

"Don’t talk to me like I’m a wild animal!"

I thought it was a pretty understandable explanation, but unfortunately, Da-eun didn’t seem to get my point.

This was all her fault, really.

If she hadn’t said weird things all the time, I wouldn’t have had to say such things.

I couldn’t stand watching Da-eun jumping around like an angry boar, so I forced her to sit down.

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"The operation was successful. Boss."

"I've never had a subordinate like you."

"Does that mean you think of me as a sister, not a subordinate?"

"Interpret that however you want."

Was all that build-up just to say that?

"Well, that’s good."

I spoke calmly, hiding my true feelings for a moment.

Honestly, I wasn’t that confident in the operation.

It seemed kind of flimsy, I guess.

I also wondered whether it was really necessary to lure them so close to where we live.

But since I was just watching and not interfering, it would’ve been petty of me to criticize it, right?

So, I just stayed quiet, but now that it had worked out as planned, I was a little surprised.

"Do you want to come with me to check it out now? Kana, too?"

"If I go with you, won’t it make everything I’ve been doing at home pointless?"

"Oh, right."

Really, what was going on?

"Da-eun, Da-eun."

"Huh?"

"If I say someone is pathetic, would that be rude?"

"Well... if it’s not a joke, it’s probably rude? But why are you asking all of a sudden?"

"Hmm, it’s nothing."

Da-eun, who had been about to tilt her head, stopped abruptly.

"...Wait, no?"

"I’m not sure what you mean, but it’s probably not what you think."

"It’s not what I think? I’m sure you said I was pathetic!"

"...Gasp."

An unexpectedly sharp strike.

"I didn’t say that."

I was just asking.

"What’s the difference between asking and saying that...!"

"Ugh—"

This time, I quietly allowed myself to be caught because I knew I had sinned.

After a while of her rubbing my cheek and patting my head, Da-eun finally let go of me after the phone rang.

"I’ll be back. Don’t make any trouble."

"...Who would make trouble?"

"Who do you think? Kana, who smashed the plate trying to grab a snack."

"..."

I felt a slight warmth on my cheeks, which puffed up a little.

Da-eun chuckled and poked my cheek.

"I’ll be back."

"...Come back soon."

"Okay. Hehe, doesn’t it feel like I’m leaving for work, like a husband?"

"Stop saying weird things and go quickly."

"I’m going, I’m going! Don’t push me...!"

I shoved Da-eun out of the door as she struggled.

...It felt a bit strange saying I "shoved" her out, but anyway, since I sent her off to do her job, I focused my mind and waited.

I didn’t have to go in person, but considering the distance, I could at least keep track of the situation.

Of course, I couldn’t hear anything, but if something unexpected happened, I could intervene.

As Da-eun left and headed toward Yuki’s presence and some unfamiliar ones, I closed my eyes gently.

If there’s no reason for punishment, you just create a reason.

That was the gist of the plan Da-eun had made with the lawyer.

‘...Are you suggesting framing someone?’

When I first heard the plan, Da-eun had asked, looking a bit reluctant.

‘It’s not framing. Framing is when you put the blame on someone for something they didn’t do, but this writer actually did it. And they will do it again.’

‘But what if it doesn’t go as planned?’

‘Then at least it will show they have a basic sense of reason, so it’s not a bad thing. Though the likelihood of that happening seems low.’

As Da-eun recalled her conversation with the lawyer, she realized the elevator door had opened and started walking.

As she neared the security office, the faint voices she had been hearing in the quiet hallway grew louder.

"What is this guy doing?! Why are you taking pictures of someone else without permission?!"

"..."

A woman with a sharp impression, who Da-eun had occasionally seen around or met in the elevator, was interrogating someone.

And the man being interrogated was someone Da-eun had never seen before.

‘So, that’s the guy.’

The man, dressed plainly and seemingly unremarkable, made Da-eun think.

‘Could taking pictures of just entering and leaving a building count as a crime?’

‘It wouldn’t be a crime, but it could be an issue. The place where you live is a pretty high-end officetel, right? So the people who live there are likely to be wealthy as well.’

‘Seems so, yeah?’

‘Wealthy people like that are good at bothering others. They don’t even need to go as far as a lawsuit.’

...It really was just like that.

A few people in the crowd glared at the man, pouring out their voices of displeasure.

As Da-eun heard the growing complaints, the man’s face grew paler.

Da-eun approached the woman, who had her arms crossed a little further away from the crowd.

"Yuki."

"You’re here?"

"Yeah. How’s the situation?"

"Just as you see it."

Yuki shrugged her shoulders.

And then, lowering her voice, she said:

"He was so panicked that he was brought here quietly. We confiscated the camera and found out he was secretly taking pictures of the residents."

"...No way, really?"

I had planned to accuse him of spying, but this guy’s actions were more extreme than I had expected.

"This guy’s totally insane."

"Is it okay if his place of residence is exposed?"

"Well..."

This time, Da-eun shrugged her shoulders just like Yuki had.

"There's a security office, and Kana will protect us if necessary. But more than that, I was thinking of moving if it got serious."

Although the place they lived in was spacious enough for two, Da-eun still felt a bit unsatisfied.

Every time she saw Kana holed up inside, she felt a bit guilty.

If it were a house with a garden, Kana could get some fresh air...

Yuki, hearing Da-eun's unintended monologue, looked surprised.

"...Kana’s not a dog."

"? What are you talking about out of nowhere? I know that too."

"Then why do you look so clueless?"

"Kana’s not a dog, she’s more like a cat..."

"..."

"Actually, no. From how much she likes me, I think she’s more like a dog..."

That was a joke.

Da-eun smiled brightly, wiping off her serious expression.

"Still, I was really thinking of moving because I felt like she was getting frustrated."

"Do whatever you want. What’s the plan?"

"Well... It seems like we can leave him as he is."

Da-eun suddenly took out her phone from her pocket and fiddled with it.

Then she took a step, two steps toward the man, moving slowly.

The man, who had been looking down, sensed her presence and looked up.

"...!"

He gulped as he saw her face.

Pretending not to notice his reaction, Da-eun frowned and asked the security guard standing beside her.

"Is this person the one who’s been taking pictures of us coming and going?"

"Yes. Only a few people were caught in the pictures, but we informed the others who might have been affected, just in case. There weren’t any photos left, but he may have done this before."

The security guard's expression wasn’t too good, probably because of the unpleasant incident.

Well, it was natural since something had happened in his area.

‘Maybe I should bring him a drink next time.’

Da-eun thought inwardly and crossed her arms.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I’m thinking of reporting it to the police. Some people said they’re planning to sue personally."

"...Ah, no!"

The mention of the police and a lawsuit made the man turn pale and yell out in panic.

Then, pointing at Da-eun with his finger, he shouted:

"I—I was following this woman, not trying to take pictures of anyone else!"

"..."

It was a confession without being a confession.

The atmosphere turned dead silent.

I asked directly.

Da-eun glanced at her phone screen, which said "Recording," and quickly covered her mouth.

She looked like she was shocked, but her hand clearly showed a smile.