I thought I had tamed the villain

I thought I tamed the Villain Chapter 8

[Iris]: This was the best!

[Theo]: The best…?

Theo repeated as if he had never heard the word best before. I held out a mirror in front of him. Theo looked into his face for a long moment.

I said, anticipating.

[Iris]: Maybe I actually had a considerable talent for hairdressing?

I trimmed the length of my bangs and clumsily touched them here and there, but that alone was very good. I don’t know if it’s because of my skills or Theo’s face. Anyway, let’s skip that.

[Iris]: Didn’t you like it?

But Theo’s expression wasn’t good. I carefully examined his face as he looked in the mirror with an anxious face.

[Theo]: I can saw my eyes so well like this.

[Iris]: Huh?

I tilted my head and looked at Theo. He was pressing his bangs with his hands to make them look longer.

[Theo]: ……. I didn’t like to see it well.

[Iris]: But you knew I was going to cut your hair.

[Theo]: ……. yes.

Theo hesitantly looked in the mirror. Unable to make proper eye contact with himself, I could tell that Theo’s wounds were bigger than I thought. I hesitantly spoke to him.

[Iris]: Theo, if I say this, you might snort. But still….

I was very different from Theo.

Unlike Theo’s color, which is called the symbol of the devil, I had hair-like gold threads and blue eyes that were considered sacred. Therefore, I didn’t think that complimenting Theo’s hair or eye color would make him feel genuine.

Perhaps even worse, he would consider it a deception and feel offended. But even so, I wanted to tell Theo.

[Iris]: I like your black hair like the night sky and your red eyes like jewels.

I like you as a kid. Even that color, which was considered special, was thought to be pretty.

[Iris]: I was serious. That was what I really think.

I mumbled as I held the mirror.

[Iris]: So you didn’t have to hide it, I was not sure what you’d think if I said this on my subject, but… Still, I want you to be confident…

That was then.

I stopped what I was saying and looked blankly at Theo. Like spring has arrived after enduring a long winter, like finding a sprout in the barren ground….

The warm feeling that had grown tickling in my stomach disturbed my chest.

I could feel my heart beating inside my small body.

[Theo]: Other times you were always so confident, why did you looked so much like that now?

I wasn’t the only one who arrived in spring. Before I knew it, the sun was shining, and a bright smile spread across Theo’s face.

Theo was smiling at me.

[Theo]: Iris?

I stood there like an idiot, blinking. Theo waved in front of my face.

[Theo]: What’s wrong?

[Iris]: What…You laugh goodly.”

Theo’s face stiffened at the muttered words. He didn’t even know he was smiling.

[Theo]: Oh….

Theo touched my face with a hollow sound. He probably won’t know for the rest of his life. What a smile he just wore on his face.

[Iris]: I cut your hair and you even got a nice smile. All that was left was to have friends? Whew, be proud.

I fussed to release the air that had become a little awkward. There was no answer back to me, who hurriedly arranged the mirror and scissors.

[Iris]: Weren’t you very happy? Or were you still worried?

I turned my back to clean up and didn’t see Theo’s unanswering face. What I heard was Theo’s voice, which had calmed down a bit.

[Theo]: I didn’t intended to make friends.

[Iris]: What?

With that, I immediately turned around and stepped closer to Theo’s front. At best, I cut his hair and trained him to smile! What did you mean by this all of a sudden?

[Iris]: Why? It was nice to have a lot of friends. Then you’ll have your side, and you’ll have a shield to protect you from those weird rumors.

[Theo]: That was where you were.

Theo said, looking straight at me.

[Iris]: Huh?

I asked back, squeaking and pausing. I was so shocked that my head seemed to harden.

[Iris]: So now you mean….

With the most confident face he had ever seen, Theo grabbed my hand without my hesitation. He said with that big smile.

[Theo]: I just need you.

Enough to make my heart drop to toe…. It was a very unconventional statement.

[Iris]: Uh… Whatever….

[Theo]: Ftt

Theo laughed when he saw me squirming like a crucian carp. Was I teased by a ten-year-old now…?

[Iris]: You… That was on purpose! Where did you learn this?

[Theo]: The reaction was funny, but I wasn’t kidding.

He paused.

[Theo]: Really. I didn’t need anyone else. I cut my hair because you wanted to.

[Iris]: What?

I doubted my ears at Theo’s words. But the words that followed were even more shocking.

[Theo]: Just. Because you were pleased.

I opened my mouth as I looked at Theo talking casually. Besides, how were you so good at saying such ticklish things?

[Iris]: Theo, since when had you been so good at talking?

[Theo]: …..

I regretted looking at Theo, who had shut his mouth again. I made him into a human and then he went back to being a robot.

[Iris]: Anyway…. I was glad I thought about all that, right? You said we weren’t friends like that.

I patted Theo on the head. I couldn’t be happier that the little kitten seemed to have opened up to me.

[Theo]: Keep it in.

Theo said with a crooked smile. It was funny that I kept it in my heart. I glanced at Theo slightly and pursed my mouth.

[Iris]: Done. I had cut off all of your hair, so let’s get out now.

I said softly and walked out of the common room.

No, I was going to walk. Until Theo pulled my hand, which had been holding him all along.

[Theo]: That was right.

Theo left that brief comment and began to walk past me. Somehow, his gait seemed fast, as if he was running away.

[Iris]: Now…. Were you embarrassed?

I spoke to Theo slowly, following him. I walked alongside, holding back the desire to pinch his cheek. My project to change my perception of Theo was not over yet.

Theo still has a very important problem.

[Iris]: First. Didn’t say you were going to kill.

Theo didn’t answer, staring straight ahead. But there was no way to hide the red-hot ears because of his shortened hair.

[Iris]: Ayu, so cute!”

Did you? Were you worried I was really hurt?

[Iris]: For example, you can’t take out their guts, you can’t break their head.”

I explained, writing eagerly on the ground in front of Theo.

[Iris]: Okay? People saw the inside of a person from the language they used.

[Theo]: So what should I did if he was a bastard?

Theo, who was also squatting next to me, furrowed his brow and said.

[Iris]: Then use this.

I held out my clenched fists. Immediately, Theo’s gaze flew in as he looked at me pathetically.

[Iris]: Ha, yes. This was not it.

Unknowingly, revealing my wild nature, I hurriedly shook my head. I corrected his explanation with a gentle smile.

[Iris]: There were many ways to express anger without using cruel words.

[Theo]: For example?

[Iris]: For example….

I was troubled. Speaking of which, I also had forgotten how to speak without using profanity because I was a bit of a hot-headed person. I felt myself depraved and collapsed.

Until I remembered my previous life, I was an innocent child.

Theo, who watched me with his jaw clenched, smiled shallowly. I could clearly see so many emotions passing from my face.

[Theo]: I didn’t think you were in a position to teach me?

I couldn’t answer and glanced at Theo in silence. Did you get scolded when you keep saying the right thing like that?

[Iris]: Hmm, second. No violence.

Once again, I felt a strange gaze directed at me. I was furious with Theo, the thief had numbed my feet.

[Iris]: What! For what! Why did you looked at me like that!

[Theo]: I didn’t say anything.

‘Eyes glowed, eyes shining!’

I whispered to myself, scraping the floor with a branch.

[Theo]: So, what was next?

[Iris]: Come on, come on! We were all together, right?

A few days later, I called all the kids I knew. I was famous in the nursery, so there were quite a few kids on the playground.

[Iris]: Ahem. I called you because I had someone to introduce.

As I gathered people together and spoke like a drug dealer selling medicine, the children’s eyes were drawn to me. Each one had a curious face.

[Iris]: I probably have a lot of friends who didn’t know much about him. After all, he was an inconspicuous kid.

[Random Child]: Who?

One of the children urged. But it’s not enough. I raised my index finger to maximize their curiosity.

[Iris]: I couldn’t tell you yet. Come on, listen.

As I set the tone, the children held their breath and began to focus on me. I held back the burst of laughter at the sight of them. Perhaps one of my past lives was a medicine man?

Watching the little children pay attention to me with their eyes shining filled me with indescribable joy.

[Iris]: Actually…. We had a friend in the nursery who was subjected to outrageous insults and obscenities.

[Random Child]: Hmmmm?? What was that?

[Iris]: Hmm?

Oh dear. I was so absorbed in the role that I forgot who I was talking to. I cleared my throat and corrected my words again.

[Iris]: That was not it! I mean, I had a friend who was unfortunately misunderstood. Ignored every day, bullied by mean children!

[Children]: It was a pity…

[Iris]: We can’t even play ball! We didn’t even play childhood games together!

[Children]: Oh my God! It was too much!

The mood began to rise. Children reacted more violently to ball games or childhood games than to casual stories.

[Iris]: Right? Even you good guys should accept him as a good friend, right?

[Children]: Of course!

The innocent children nodded proudly. With a smile, I distributed snacks to them.

[Iris]: I knew you guys would. This was a small token of my gratitude.

[Children]: This was…Chelle de Merridge’s chocolate, which you can only ate when you went out!

The children quickly hid the chocolate in their pockets. This led to a secret deal that was insidious to be.

[Iris]: Good. I think we had done enough of it, so I was really going to introduce you to him. Some of you may have heard the name. Theo!

When I called Theo’s name, I saw the faces of some of the assembled children turning blue. But it didn’t matter. For now, I’m going to focus on imprinting Theo’s good image on a lot of kids.

Theo, who had been hiding in the back the whole time, appeared. As a result of rigorous practice, a pleasant gentle smile was draped over his lips. I watched Theo with a smile.

Very good! Who would look at that face and think it was a demon?

[Theo]: Hi.

Theo greeted them in a low voice, and the children watching him looked at each other in confusion. I clapped my hands as they drew their gaze to me.

[Iris]: His name was Theo. He was the same age as me. As you can saw, he was a very kind and wonderful fellow.

[Random Child]: But he has black hair and red eyes!

As expected, a point was made about Theo’s appearance. It was really just as I and Theo expected.

[Iris]: Van, but in your opinion, is Theo really demonic?

I asked him, his round eyes wide. Van then looked at Theo, who was smiling good-naturedly, with wavering eyes.

[Iris]: Theo had dark hair and red eyes. But just because they have black hair and red eyes, were they all demons? What if Van happened to have black hair?

At my words, Van couldn’t say anything and pursed his lips. Children are brutally simple. So much so that I was shaken by the appearance that made me look good. And so much so that many friends get carried away by the simple persuasion of a popular kid they like.

[Iris]: That was the misunderstanding that bothered Theo. Let me tell you exactly. Theo was not a demon.

[Random Girl]: But there was no proof that it was really not a demon!

Then I heard the voice of a girl with her own firm wick. That made sense. I replied with a nod to her.

[Iris]: Good. I’ll show you the proof.

Then all the children’s eyes widened. Then, holding my breath, I focused on the evidence I was presenting. It was time to show what we had prepared.

There was tension in the playground, as quiet as a dead rat. Some children were so focused that they swallowed so hard that they could not make a noise. I turned to Theo with a sullen face. He nodded.

‘Were you ready?’

At my signal, Theo winked lightly. The answer was affirmative. I held out a hand to Theo. I said in a firm voice.

[Iris]: Theo, hands!

With a light sound, Theo’s left hand landed on top of mine. I smiled and moved on to the next step.

[Iris]: Good. Now, this hand!

Once again, Theo calmly raised his hand. I patted Theo on the head and praised him.

[Iris]: Well done!

I turned my head towards the children and smiled triumphantly.

How was that?! There were no demons in the world who do this, right?

[Children]: …

A strange silence flowed through the air. The children were all watching us as if they were

stones. I tilted my head and looked at Theo again.

‘What? Why was there no response?’

Then someone shouted.

[Random Child]: Iris tamed the devil!

As if the sound had signaled a signal, the voices of children screaming for the playground to leave broke out.

“It was great!”

“How did you do it?”

“Oh my God! Iris must really be an angel!”

What the heck was this? Why was the reaction like this? This wasn’t it?

I looked back at Theo with my eyes wide open. But Theo just looked at me with a puzzled face.

He sighed and furrowed his forehead.

‘Iris tamed the devil.’

‘A demon named Theo became Iris’ pet.’

‘Iris made the devil good. She even changed his face.’

But….

What the hell, everyone refused to listen to me. It was all a rumor that arose after I showed off Theo in front of the children in the nursery. At first, it was absurd. They were childish rumors that could only appear in a fantasy novel.

Therefore, I tried several times to correct the rumors. No matter how much I say he was not tamed, they know that was the mindset of a zookeeper!

“Iris, there was a reason you read that! I’m sorry. I don’t even know the subject!”

“Evelyn….”

“I was going to tell this beautiful story!”

Moreover, due to Evelyn’s spontaneous actions in the library, rumors were spreading like wildfire.

[Ms. Hailey]: He got hurt like that. In the end, you did something big, didn’t you? Great job. Iris.

[Iris]: Even Mrs. Hailey….

Even Ms. Hailey was making fun of me, so I guess this was a bad thing. Surely.

[Iris]: I’m sorry Theo. I didn’t mean to do this…

I hung on to Theo and apologized. I didn’t even have any desire to look at Theo, who had officially become a demon.

[Theo]: I was fine.

But Theo maintained a calm face for several days. I was scared of Theo like that.

Why, wasn’t it said that quiet anger was more frightening?

Later, I wondered if Theo would assassinate me for demonizing him.

[Iris]: Nope! I’d rather that you be mad at me now! Please, please.

I didn’t want to die cruelly!

[Theo]: I was not angry, how can I be angry?

Theo looked at me eagerly and made a puzzled face. He said with that characteristic look in his eyes that looked pathetic to me.

[Theo]: I knew it was going to fail from the time I heard about it anyway.

[Iris]: What? Then you should have told me!

[Theo]: It didn’t matter if I failed.

Theo looked very relaxed, unlike me, who was stomping his feet. He said that calmly whilst sitting cross-legged.

[Theo]: They wouldn’t have believed anything anyway. And I….I told you. You’re good enough for a friend.

Was it because the soft voice sounds friendly at first glance? I felt like my heart was pounding in my chest for some reason.

[Theo]: And your plan, maybe it worked.

[Iris]: Huh?

[Theo]: No one was scared of me anymore.

Having said that, Theo smiled. It wasn’t a fake laugh we practiced day and night. It was a friendly smile that he sometimes gave me.