I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 112

“Then why are you eating now, Roena?”

Leo eyed Roena curiously. It wasn’t often that she came to the dining hall alone, without her 1st Unit members.

“I was overseeing my unit’s training and filing reports. I forgot I needed to eat lunch.”

That sounded almost impossible, but considering the person saying it was Roena, it wasn’t all that surprising.

“You really are something else.”

Leo shook his head in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape.

“That’s interesting.”

Luke muttered under his breath, and immediately, all eyes turned to him, silently pressing for an explanation.

“Oh, just—she reminds me of the commander. Theo used to be like that back when he was the captain of the 1st Unit.”

“The commander did that?”

Leo looked up, lost in thought, while Dylan and Roena both seemed unconvinced.

“He used to get so absorbed in training and work that he’d barely make it to the dining hall before closing time. You didn’t know?”

In the end, Philip and the other members of the 1st Unit had taken it upon themselves to make sure Theo ate on time. In that sense, Roena and Theo had a lot in common. Now that Roena had taken over the 1st Unit after Theo, it was kind of fascinating.

“I don’t remember that at all.”

“Me neither.”

“Same. Though, back then, I was just a senior-ranked officer.”

All three of them answered at the same time, making Luke realize something strange. Was he really the only one who had noticed that? But thinking about it, the answer was obvious—back then, he had spent all his time trailing after Theo, watching his every move.

“Hm. Well... just saying.”

It was unexpectedly embarrassing to realize how much attention he had paid to Theo’s habits. Dylan and Roena didn’t seem too bothered and simply resumed eating, but Leo kept looking at Luke with a meaningful expression.

“But Roena, you don’t seem to mind sitting next to me.”

Luke asked bluntly, and Roena only shrugged indifferently.

“Is there a reason I should be uncomfortable?”

It was unexpected for her to sit next to him. Leo was one thing—he was naturally eccentric. And Dylan, well, they had formed some kind of bond through training. But he and Roena? There was nothing between them.

Even when Luke had been a captain, Roena had always been silent and focused on her work. When Luke had stirred up trouble with Mile or Seth or any of the other captains, she had barely spared him a glance, as if he were nothing more than a lowly creature beneath her notice.

The only person she had ever treated warmly was Theo.

“Of course, I didn’t like that you were stirring up trouble in headquarters.”

Luke’s lips twitched at her sharp remark. Even if Roena was similar to Theo, he found it hard to talk back to her. Maybe it was her demeanor.

“But I do acknowledge your skills.”

“That’s right! Sir Luke, you really are strong! Almost as strong as the commander—”

“Ahem.”

As Dylan chattered on with a bright smile, Leo let out a loud cough. Dylan immediately paled.

“S-Sorry...”

He had just remembered that Leo and Theo had once been rivals for the position of Supreme Commander.

“Huh? What are you sorry for? I am as strong as that guy.”

Leo and Roena’s expressions turned a bit awkward.

“Are you about to scold me for calling the commander ‘that guy’? What does it matter? I’m not even a soldier anymore.”

Luke smirked, and Leo let out a helpless laugh. Dylan, meanwhile, wore a confused expression. Somehow, it felt like Luke had shifted the focus onto himself to change the subject.

“Luke, you really haven’t changed.”

“Yeah. Still as blunt as ever.”

Roena picked up her water but suddenly paused, her gaze fixed on Luke’s right hand wrapped in bandages. She was about to ask about it when a thick arm suddenly cut through the space between them.

“Where’s the seat you saved for me?”

Theo placed a hand on the table, leaning in slightly behind Luke. The unexpected presence startled not only Luke but also Leo, Roena, and Dylan.

And since Theo had come with his hair down instead ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) of neatly tied back as usual, it took them all a second to even recognize him.

“You’re here, Commander.”

“Damn it, you scared me! Why do you always sneak up behind people?”

Luke scowled, his voice a mix of irritation and exasperation.

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“Enjoying your meal?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then go ahead and finish. I was thinking of taking Luke with me.”

“Oh, sure, no problem.”

Leo responded with a bright smile, making Luke’s eyes narrow dangerously.

“Why are you asking them for permission?”

“You’re not coming?”

“...I’m coming.”

Luke immediately stood up, grabbing his tray. He hadn’t even been able to eat properly anyway, too distracted by thoughts of Theo.

The two of them moved to a table far from the others, settling into new seats. The moment they left, Dylan started fidgeting nervously.

“C-Could the commander have heard what I said earlier...?”

Since Dylan’s comment had led to Luke calling Theo ‘that guy,’ guilt was starting to eat at him.

“Don’t worry, Dylan. The commander doesn’t care about trivial things like that.”

“Still... if they end up fighting because of me...”

“That’s not going to happen.”

Leo grabbed one of the leftover tomatoes from Roena’s plate and popped it into his mouth.

“Those two don’t fight the way they used to.”

“Huh? How do you know that, Captain Leo?”

Instead of answering, Leo just smiled.

“Leo, you look like you know something.”

Roena narrowed her eyes at him.

“Just pay attention. You’ll see. This has been so entertaining for me lately.”

Leo grinned, making Dylan’s expression turn uneasy.

“Captain, what’s with him?”

Dylan whispered to Roena, just loud enough for her to hear.

“No idea. Not even surprised anymore. It’s not the first time he’s been weird.”

Meanwhile, Leo’s gaze remained fixed on the table where Luke and Theo now sat.

And at that table, Theo was openly showing his discontent.

“So tell me, who was it that said they’d save me a seat?”

“You’re making such a big deal out of this. I was sitting in an open spot. They were the ones who showed up without asking.”

Theo glanced behind him. Leo, Dylan, and Roena were still eating. He had expected Leo to be all over Luke, but the other two joining in was unexpected.

“I was surprised, too.”

Theo turned his eyes back to Luke, who was now finally eating properly.

There was one thing all three of those people had in common. Either they had already seen another side of Luke, or they were beginning to.

“....”

In other words, Theo wasn’t the only one who knew Luke’s real nature anymore.

“What? Not eating?”

Luke looked up at him, a piece of bread in his hand. Some crumbs clung to the corner of his lips.

“...Not thrilled about others figuring it out.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Luke’s gaze was nothing but curious, innocent. Theo chuckled, then reached out and brushed the crumbs from Luke’s lips—before popping them into his own mouth.

“Ah, you—!”

Luke’s face turned red as he whipped his head around, checking if anyone had seen. Fortunately, there was no one sitting nearby. Who knew he’d be grateful for eating late?

“Was work rough this morning? Still, I’m glad you’re eating more than usual.”

“Like army food’s anything special.”

Even as he grumbled, Luke lowered his head and shoveled more food into his mouth. His pale ears burned red.

Theo watched him with a quiet smile.

“This soup’s pretty good. I don’t remember having this before.”

Luke scraped the bottom of his bowl, savoring the rich, slightly sweet flavor.

“Want more?”

“I saw earlier, they’re out. It’s fine.”

Theo glanced at the serving station. The kitchen staff was already packing up. Then, without a word, he stood up.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Wait here.”

A moment later, he was speaking with one of the kitchen staff.

“What’s he doing?”

After a brief exchange, the cook rushed inside while Theo returned.

“What did you say?”

“I asked them to make more soup.”

“...You liked it that much?”

Luke snickered. Theo liked it enough to personally request more? That was a first.

“Hm? No. I don’t care for sweet things.”

“Huh? Then why—”

“You wanted more, didn’t you? Just wait. They’ll make it.”

Theo’s voice was casual, but Luke’s heart pounded as he gripped his spoon a little too tightly.