Chapter 43

Chapter 43

I Became the Academy Mafia Chapter 43“ You want to go downtown with Ji-yoon?”

At Father's surprised gaze as he asked me once again, I nodded and answered once more.

“Yes. I made a promise with Ji-yoon.”

Just as I was waiting with my next words prepared in case he refused.

“Ha, haha! Hahahaha! What an incredible coincidence! Hahahaha!”

Father suddenly burst into laughter.

“...

Father?”

“Hahahaha! Sorry. I was rather surprised. Do you know what I was going to ask of you?”

“...

I'm not sure.”

Father smiled slightly at that and opened his mouth.

“Actually, while having your clothes fitted yesterday, I also asked the Maestro to make something for Ji-yoon. So I was hoping you could go with Ji-yoon.”

Huh? This...

“If I had my way, I'd go with you as well... but something urgent came up in Busan today.”

Work...

“This worked out perfectly! Perfectly. Hahahaha!”...

It resolves itself like this?

“Even if you hadn't asked, I would have gone anyway. Ji-yoon is my younger sister, after all.”

At Father's words, which were practically inevitable, I immediately bowed my head and answered as though it were only natural.

Perhaps he was extremely pleased by the sight of me bowing my head and answering politely.

Father smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I thought it would be good for you to spend more time with Ji-yoon as well. To be frank, ever since you entered adolescence, you haven't really played with Ji-yoon much, have you? At least recently, Ji-yoon seems happy that you've changed... but I think she still feels a certain distance from you.”

Then Father's thick hand came down onto my shoulder.

“To think you would bring this up first. Yes. Family should cherish and love one another. As your father, I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm proud of you.”

There was sincerity in Father's expression as he said that.

“Ah, the Family will also be organizing a separate security team.”

Apparently, he hadn't intended to send me alone after all.

As I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, Father's hand on my shoulder tightened.

“Of course, since you'll be the one closest to Ji-yoon, I trust that you'll protect her well.”

“Of course, Father.”

Even if he hadn't asked, I naturally would have done my best to protect Ji-yoon.

Now that I had permission to go out, the next step seemed worth attempting as well.

“Then, Father. Since we're already going to get her measurements taken, may I look around downtown with Ji-yoon as well?”

“Hmm, downtown?”

Apparently he hadn't thought as far as walking around downtown, because Father tilted his head.

“Wouldn't downtown be a little dangerous?”

“I'll submit the travel route and the places we intend to visit to the head of security in writing. And of course, from the moment we step outside, I have no intention of leaving Ji-yoon's side even once.”

More importantly, what mattered was this.

“This is only my opinion, but I think the biggest reason I went astray during adolescence was probably because I had no freedom. Of course, I'm fine now... but as someone who already walked the path Ji-yoon will have to walk, I simply hope she can grow up feeling a little more freedom.”

There was also the possibility that Ji-yoon might end up following the same personality as the original owner of this body, ‘Eugene Han Calione.’‘What the hell do you know! Being watched from childhood, living locked away, and on top of that, the pressure of having to live up to the expectations of a father called one of the strongest people in the world! What the hell do you know to talk so big!’One of the most memorable in-game lines spoken by the guy who had been a minor villain in the game.

I thought it was probably the line that best expressed why ‘Eugene Han Calione’ had started going astray.

If that truly was the reason he had fallen, then wouldn't Ji-yoon also be negatively affected in a similar way? It was a genuine concern.

And fortunately, Father seemed to respect my opinion.

“Very well. Since you'll be beside her, and you're not just anyone, I'll trust you with her.”

“Thank you.”

Of course, Father had no choice but to worry.

They weren't the son and daughter of an ordinary household, but the eldest son and eldest daughter of a Mafia Family operating throughout the entire world, so there was a high chance that people hostile toward Calione or those holding grudges against us might make a move.

Even so, the reason I could speak this confidently was because I knew that at this point in time, there was no one on these streets capable of threatening the current me and Calione's security team.[Don. It seems you should be departing soon.]

The voice of an organization member came from beyond the door.

Father checked the time, gave an awkward smile, and rose from his seat.

“It's already gotten this late. I'll be leaving first. Be careful out there.”

“Yes. Father.”

After patting my shoulder a couple of times, Father left the study first.

I also returned to my room, spent a short while drafting a simple itinerary, then had a maid deliver it to the head of security.

With that, there shouldn't be any major problem with going outside with Ji-yoon.

While I was changing clothes to head out, cheerful footsteps went tap-tap-tap-tap through the hallway outside, making a smile naturally rise to my face.

“Big Brooo! Are you all readyyy?”

Knock knock. Ji-yoon's voice came from outside the door along with the knock.

“Yeah, come in.”

“Yes!”

The moment permission was given, Ji-yoon opened the door and entered with a bright smile.

“How does Ji-yoon look? Grandpa Parnello gave me this ribbon as a present!”

Her hair was neatly tied back into a ponytail. A cute little red ribbon hung from where her hair was tied.

“It suits you. Shall we go now?”

“Yes!”

Holding Ji-yoon's tiny hand, I slowly walked with her until we arrived at the front gate where the car was waiting.

Considering the size of the estate and the level of security, we had no choice but to drive to the downtown area where the Maestro's tailor shop was located.

Of course, for Ji-yoon's safety, organization members were already stationed along the route and at every store we intended to visit.

Since this was an outing for Ji-yoon, whom everyone in Calione adored and cherished, most of the organization members were unusually fired up.[Young Master and Young Lady are departing.]

The voices of the organization members came through the in-ear device I had received when submitting the itinerary to the head of security.

To be honest, I wondered whether we really had to go this far, but compared to Michael Jackson renting out an entire supermarket just to go shopping, I suppose this much was simply unavoidable fate.

“Picnic~ Picnic~ A picnic with Big Bro~”

When I glanced beside me, Ji-yoon was bouncing her feet with an expression full of anticipation.

It seemed she was extremely excited because it had been so long since her last outing.

Due to the nature of the Calione Family, young Ji-yoon lived in an environment where she couldn't casually go outside, so outings like this that happened only occasionally were extremely precious experiences.

Even Eugene Han Calione had completed all his basic compulsory education at home through private tutors, which said everything.

“Hmm hmm hmm~ Hmm hmm~ Hmm hmm hmm~“At least the fortunate thing was that I had entered the Academy, so I could now naturally leave the family estate.

Father had judged that someone like me, who entered the Academy in second place, would not be in much danger even if I moved around outside on my own.

There was also the fact that I had proven my strength as a hitman through the successor qualification test, but even now, if I tried to suddenly head out, an attendant would still follow me.‘I understand it, but... He's seriously overprotective.’Maybe once Ji-yoon reached a suitable age and gained enough strength, she too would naturally be allowed to go outside on her own?

“Waaah...!”

The car carrying us passed through the long forest road and streets, finally entering a downtown area lined with numerous shops and buildings.

“Big Brooo! There are so, so many people!”

Ji-yoon smiled brightly and giggled simply from seeing all the people.

“We can stop around here. Ji-yoon. Shall we get out?”

“Yes!”

After arriving at the starting point we had discussed beforehand, I had the car stop, got out first, and opened Ji-yoon's door for her.

“Should we go get your clothes fitted first? Papa said to have some pretty clothes made for Ji-yoon.”

“Clothes? Yay!”

Ji-yoon practically threw herself at me and hugged me.

I heard things like ‘Young Lady is so cute...!’ through the in-ear device, but I deliberately ignored them and simply caught Ji-yoon, then slowly set her down on the ground.

“You could get hurt if you run around too much, so hold Big Brother's hand and follow me slowly, okay?”

“Okaaay~!”

Holding Ji-yoon's hand, I slowly began walking toward the clothing store.

Ji-yoon couldn't take her eyes off the people passing by or the various shops displaying all sorts of appearances.

To Ji-yoon, all of this probably looked peaceful and beautiful... but surprisingly, the reality was nothing like that.[Pedestrian Team, over there. Can't you walk properly?! Walk naturally like you're actual pedestrians!][This is Decoy. This is Decoy. Young Master and Young Lady are passing through.][Smoker spotted on Young Lady's route. Shall we eliminate him?][Cut off only the lit part with a knife, then drag him somewhere else.][Confirmed.][Suspicious individual in a black hood spotted at six o'clock.][Six o'clock? Black hood? You crazy bastard! You don't even recognize the team leader?!][This is the team leader. You idiots! Don't you know Young Master is listening to this channel too?! Watch your language!][Gasp!][We apologize!][Young Master, we're sorry!]

It was practically a full-scale Calione mobilization operation solely to protect the two of us.

I had expected maybe around three security teams to follow us... but somehow, the entire security division had ended up joining.

To be honest, I thought Father might have gone too far.[Suspicious signal detected at Young Lady's four o'clock. Mana detected. Mana detected. Scan results show the subject is carrying a firearm.][Bring him in.][──! Captured alive. We'll take him to the mobile camp.]

“Oh my, mister had a little too much to drink in broad daylight!”

At the same time, a merchant passed right beside us, dragging along a limp man.

As expected, there was a reason for all of this. Maybe it wasn't excessive after all.

“Big Bro, that person is getting dragged away!”

“Yeah, he must be really sleepy.”

“Then is he going to go night-night?”

“Yeah, he's going night-night.”

If getting taken away for interrogation counted as night-night, then sure.

“Then~ where are we going to buy clothes?”

Ji-yoon asked while tilting her head up to look at me.

I bent down to meet her eye level so her neck wouldn't hurt, stroked her head, and answered.

“To a place where a kind grandpa is.”

“A kind grandpa?”

“Yeah. We still have to walk a little farther, so tell me if your legs hurt, okay?”

“Ji-yoon's legs are strong!”

“That's good. But tell me if they start hurting, okay? Big Brother will give you a piggyback ride.”

“...

Owie~ Owie~ Ji-yoon's legs hurt~! Owie~”

The moment I said I'd carry her if her legs hurt, Ji-yoon suddenly bent her knees and spoke in an awkward voice.

The sight was so cute that I almost burst out laughing for no reason...[I'll carry Young Lady!!][Young Lady's leeeegs!! Young Ladyyyyy!!][Grab those bastards!!][Tie them up! Just tie up their arms and legs!!]

The desperate voices from the security team in my earpiece instantly killed my laughter.

What the hell are these guys doing...?

“My legs~ Ji-yoon's dying~”

Even so, when I looked at Ji-yoon still sneaking glances at me, I eventually couldn't help but chuckle.

“Alright, come here. I'll carry you.”

“Waaah! Jump!”

Despite claiming her legs hurt, she immediately sprang up and climbed onto my back.

“Hehe...”

Even though her face was pressed tightly against my back so I couldn't see her expression, I could clearly tell from that alone that she was grinning from ear to ear.

“I'm only giving you a piggyback ride. Do you really like it that much?”

“I love it!”

I had only asked out of genuine curiosity, but Ji-yoon answered energetically and rubbed her cheek against my back.

“Because Big Brother hasn't carried Ji-yoon since Ji-yoon was three!”

Wait, she remembers something from when she was three?

And if Ji-yoon was three back then... that would be around four years ago?

That would have been around the time ‘Eugene Han Calione’ first started down the path toward becoming a villain. Right when he had fallen deep into his chuunibyou phase and adolescence.

“...

I'll carry you often from now on.”

“Really? Hehehehe. I love Big Brother so much!”

Even though it was nothing more than a small promise to carry her more often, Ji-yoon happily buried herself against my back.

Right. If she gets this happy over even these small displays of affection, then I can do as much of that as she wants... but...

Meanwhile, another commotion had broken out through the in-ear device.[Team Leaaader... this is so moving.][How long has it been since we've seen this...!][The kind Young Master who used to be gentle with Young Lady has returned...!][Everyone... quiet...! Sniff! Don't... make such a... sniff! fuss!]

Seriously, why are these guys making such a big deal out of it?

They're ruining the mood.