I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 112: Café Date Gone Wrong

Chapter 112: Café Date Gone Wrong

"You know, you’re pretty tough," Verena remarked casually.

As much as the girl’s constant effort to act tough was a little grating, Verena had to admit, it was admirable how genuine she was. It reminded her of herself, albeit with far less caution.

"S-Shut up!" Sera snapped, scowling. "And why are you even here?! I could’ve handled it myself! You too, Clarina!"

"I’m not entirely sure," Clarina replied, tilting her head. "M’lady just told me to carry her here."

"WHAT?!"

"Yes. I carried her all the way—from the ground floor."

"WHY?!"

"Because M’lady is still recovering. She seemed to sense something was wrong... and wanted to save you."

Sera immediately turned to Verena, eyes narrowed in a fiery glare. "Y-You! You’re so stupid! You disappear for a week, and now you’re trying to play the hero?!"

There was no way she was about to be lectured by the same girl who treated life like a full-contact sport and sprinted into danger like it was a hobby. Half her "near-death" moments wouldn’t even happen if she had the self-preservation skills of a mildly intelligent squirrel.

Honestly, she was like Vivienn, but with more volume and zero brakes.

"It’s alright. I am here to protect m’lady from now on..." Clarina said calmly.

"Ah—" Sera paused, glancing at Clarina. Her mouth opened like she had something to say, but then she went quiet.

Verena sighed, offering a small smile. "Don’t worry. It’s not that I think you can’t protect yourself. I know you can. You’re probably the most reckless, headstrong disaster I’ve ever met, and somehow, you still come out on top. But even the strongest people deserve backup sometimes. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human."

Something strange flickered in Sera’s chest. Not anger. Not pride. Not that explosive fire that usually surged whenever someone tried to pity her.

No, this was quieter. Warmer.

Her heart, unruly as ever, gave a sudden stutter before racing forward like a startled colt. Her fingers twitched slightly, and for the first time in a very long while, she didn’t know what to do with her hands.

Because someone had seen her—not just the bark, the bite, the bluster—but the bare, stubborn truth of her. And still said, "You’re strong."

And meant it.

And didn’t follow it up with a warning or a scolding or a lecture.

It was like hearing her name spoken in a language she hadn’t known she’d been waiting her whole life to understand.

[System Notification: Affection Update!]

[Target: Sera Anverre]

[+5 Affection Points Earned!]

[SYSTEM NOTICE: The mission was successful!]

[Affection Points: 9]

***

The day passed quietly, yet it was clear that Sera hadn’t moved on from what had happened.

Though classes continued as usual, she spent most of them staring out the window, unusually silent. It was the calmest anyone had ever seen her, no sarcastic comments, no groans, not even the usual tapping of her foot.

Her classmates exchanged glances, surprised by the shift, but no one dared to ask.

When the final bell rang, students spilled into the courtyard like water breaking from a dam. Verena, stepping out with a slow breath, scanned the crowd—and there she was.

Sera stood near the garden gates, arms folded, posture guarded but not stormy.

When their eyes met, Verena smiled.

Affection points... now would be a good time to earn some and get to know her better.

Afterall, she did promise to herself that she’d own up to this situation and not run away.

She considered her options. Sera didn’t like pity, and praise made her fidgety. But maybe—

"Want to go to a café with me?" Verena asked, walking up beside her casually. "Outside the academy. Just the two of us."

"A café?"

"I know one. Off-campus. Quiet, warm bread, terrible music. Thought you’d hate it. Perfect for us."

That earned a small smirk. "You’re weird."

"I’m consistent."

The café they arrived at was nestled between two bookshops just beyond the academy gates—a quaint little place with ivy crawling up the brick exterior and golden hanging lamps swaying gently in the breeze.

Inside, it smelled of cinnamon, roasted beans, and aged wood. The tables were mismatched but polished, and the chairs creaked just enough to feel alive.

A sleepy cat lay curled by the window, and the gramophone in the corner hummed an off-key jazz tune that gave the place an oddly comforting charm.

Sera glanced around and raised a brow. "You weren’t kidding about the music."

"Right?"

Then they found their seat and ordered their food.

Sera didn’t say anything at first.

She just sat there, arms stiff, posture bristling with leftover frustration. Her brows were knit, like she was trying to piece together something that didn’t make sense. Because it didn’t. Not to her.

People didn’t say things like that. Not to her. Not like that.

She glanced at Verena, unsure—like a soldier returning from battle only to find a bouquet in their hand instead of a sword.

"...You meant that?" Sera asked, trying to sound dismissive, but her voice cracked in the middle.

"What do you mean?..." Verena paused, realizing what the girl meant. "I don’t say things I don’t mean."

Sera fidgeted. Her fingers twitched at her sides like she was debating whether to clench them or hide them. She did neither.

"I just— I’m used to people thinking I’m too much. Or not enough." She huffed. "Depends on the week."

"You’re not too much. You’re just... undiluted."

"...Is that a compliment or one of those noble insults with frosting on top?"

"It’s both," Verena replied, lips twitching slightly. "But mostly a compliment."

"Ugh, stop saying things that make me feel things. I don’t do well with those."

"Feelings?"

"Yeah. They’re like... soup. Messy and hard to carry."

That earned a soft snort from Verena. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Sera didn’t say thank you. She didn’t need to. She just leaned back, arms crossed behind her head, and said, "Next time, don’t let Clarina carry you like a damsel. You looked like a hot sack of flour."

"I was a hot sack of flour," Verena replied dryly. "But thanks for noticing."

"Shut up," Sera muttered, hiding her grin.

As they settled into a cozy corner booth, the café’s charm slowly worked its magic on them.

Verena, always composed, tried not to laugh when Sera made a face after biting into a cinnamon roll that was far too sweet for her taste.

Sera, in turn, couldn’t stop snickering as Verena fumbled with a cup of tea that was just a bit too hot, causing her to hiss and blow on it like an overdramatic child.

They weren’t close yet, but in this quiet café with the off-key jazz and strange pastries, it felt like they might get there someday.

"That was actually nice," Sera said, still trying to look gruff. It was the most peaceful she’d felt in ages.

"I know right?"

As they stepped outside, the first few raindrops began to fall, tapping lightly against the pavement.

Both of them paused for a moment, letting the cool droplets fall on their faces.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[New Affection Event Unlocked]

[Affection Event: "Rainy Day Escape"]

[Goal: Take Sera To An Inn]

[Description: A quiet moment under the rain has sparked a shift in the bond between you two. Take Sera to a nearby inn to continue this rare, peaceful connection. Will the warmth of the inn nurture the growing bond? Time to find out.]

[Time Limit: 5 Hours]

’PARDON?!’

The rain had somehow intensified in mere seconds, now pouring like the gods had collectively decided to launch a divine water attack.

The wind howled, dramatic and over-the-top, as if the universe itself were playing matchmaker with zero subtlety.

Verena couldn’t tell what was worse: that she didn’t have to convince Sera to come with her to an inn... or that fate was railroading her into it anyway.

ANOTHER AFFECTION EVENT DISGUISED AS A SEX EVENT! I REFUSE TO FALL FOR THIS TRICKERY! NEVER—

Is what she screamed internally... right before reaching out and taking Sera’s hand.

"Let’s go somewhere!"

"WHAT THE 5!#^@#^!@#^?! WHY IS IT SO SUDDENLY STRONG!" The girl screamed through the strong downpour.

The rain hit them like a wall.

No, a vengeful waterfall.

Sera let out a battle cry halfway through their dash, while Verena clutched her cloak like she was in a melodramatic stage play.

"WHY IS IT STINGING?!" Sera yelled over the gale, her hair plastered to her forehead like a soggy mop.

"I THINK THE WIND JUST SLAPPED ME!" Verena shrieked, trying to dodge a flying leaf that could’ve counted as a small blade.

They bolted across cobblestone puddles, slipping, sliding, and nearly tripping into a flower cart (which, for some reason, had not budged an inch). Finally, like two half-drowned cats, they burst into the nearest inn, dripping, wheezing, and looking like they had just lost a fight with the sky.

The innkeeper blinked at the sight of them. "...Room for two?"

Verena didn’t hesitate. "YES. AND MAYBE A DRY TOWEL BEFORE I SUE THE WEATHER."