A Guy Who Thinks He’s a Villain in a World Where Gender Ratios Are Broken - Chapter 10: If Only This Weren’t a Villain Reincarnation, I Could Enjoy This (Wrong)

Chapter 10: If Only This Weren’t a Villain Reincarnation, I Could Enjoy This (Wrong)

When we returned to the mansion, the three of us gathered in the spacious living room.

Sitting across the table from me was Kyoko, her expression as composed as ever. Next to her sat her younger sister, looking a bit tense.

Unlike Kyoko’s sleek silver hair, her sister had soft, flaxen-colored hair.

The hair color was different, but now that I looked closely, their facial features were somewhat similar.

“Allow me to formally introduce her, Young Master.”

Oh, looks like we’re starting. I’d better pay attention.

“This is my younger sister, Nako Nijou.”

Kyoko’s crisp tone carried through the room, and her sister, Nako, gave a small bow before speaking.

“I-I’m Nako Nijou. It’s a pleasure to meet you…!”

So her name is Nako. That’s a cute name.

“Nako, huh? My name is Reito Hazumi.”

“Ah, yes… I know. Actually, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“Before?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Wait? We’ve met before?

“The Hazumi and Nijou families have known each other since our mothers were in college… Because of that, we met when we were kids. Don’t you remember?”

What?! Seriously?

Not only that, but if we met as kids… doesn’t that make Nako my childhood friend?

Great. Now there’s even more reason for her to dislike me!

I glanced at Kyoko for a moment, hoping for some kind of clue.

“That’s correct. I’ve known you since we were kids, Young Master.”

Kyoko replied with her usual composed expression.

Right… if Nako is my childhood friend, then of course Kyoko is too!

This was a shocking realization.

Could these sisters actually be the main heroines of this world? Childhood friends are almost always part of the heroine lineup, right?

And yet, I’ve already managed to get on their bad side from the start… Isn’t this situation pretty hopeless for me?

“Um… Reito-sama?”

Nako looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Ah, I can’t let my thoughts show. I need to maintain the image of a proper villain.

“Is that so? Unfortunately, I’ve had memory issues ever since I hit my head hard last week. I don’t remember much about the past… My apologies.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine…”

Well, it’s not like anyone would be happy if someone they dislike remembered them.

An awkward silence hung between us after that, until Kyoko was the one to break it.

“By the way, Nako. Didn’t you say you were going to Sotei Academy today with your friends to check the route?”

Oh, a sisterly chat, huh?

I guess I’ll just sip my tea and let them talk.

“Ah, yeah. That was the plan, but… My friend messaged me this morning saying she wasn’t feeling well and had a slight fever. With the entrance exams coming up, I thought it’d be better not to push her, so I told her to rest at home today. That’s why I ended up coming here alone.”

“I see.”

Oh, that makes sense.

It’s exam season, after all, so even a mild fever is something to take seriously.

Still, so Nako plans to apply to Sotei Academy, huh?

“Reito-sama, you’re entering Sotei Academy through a recommendation, right?”

“Yeah, well… that’s right.”

I don’t remember actually taking any exams, though…

“—Admission to the co-ed school can’t be changed, understand?”

Kyoko did mention something like that. I guess the original Reito must’ve applied for the recommendation and gotten accepted before I took over.

Wait… Does that mean Reito was actually smart?!

I’m not exactly a genius, so I’ll have to work hard to keep up from now on.

“I have my general entrance exam next week. Today was supposed to be a trial run, but… getting hit on was definitely not part of the plan.”

“Doesn’t that happen to you all the time?”

“Really? I wonder… But if you hadn’t come, Onee-chan, who knows what would’ve happened? You came to Sotei Academy because of the email I sent you yesterday, didn’t you?”

“That’s…”

Huh? That email must’ve been the one about Nako planning to visit Sotei Academy with her friend.

Now that I think about it…

“Please take me to the academy where I’ll be studying.”

“…! Understood. I’ll go right away.”

I finally understood why Kyoko had that awkward pause when I said I wanted to visit the academy—it must’ve been because of Nako’s message.

Maybe Kyoko had originally planned to meet Nako alone later on.

“Onee-chan…?”

“Sorry, Nako. I asked Kyoko to come to the academy because of my own whims.”

“O-Oh, I see… But even if it was just a coincidence, I was saved by you both being there. Thank you so much.”

Nako spoke cheerfully, expressing her gratitude.

But in the next moment, her expression turned serious.

“Reito-sama… Um, I have a request.”

“Hm? What is it?”

I had a feeling this was going to be something important.

“I was planning to talk to you about this after my exams were over… But meeting you like this feels like fate. So, I’d like to say it now.”

After taking a deep breath, Nako met my gaze and continued.

“Would you consider hiring me as a maid in this mansion?”

Her words left not just me but even Kyoko wide-eyed in surprise.

This situation seemed like one of those classic light novel moments where someone wants to repay a debt after being saved. But I wasn’t about to misunderstand.

After all, I had been reincarnated as the villain.

This…

“Hm, let’s hear what you have to say. But first, I’d like you to rephrase what you just said properly. You must have a true purpose, don’t you?”

“…!”

Nako flinched at my words, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Looks like my hunch was right.

After taking a deep breath, she looked me straight in the eye.

“I will work as a maid in my sister’s place. So please… set her free.”

“N-Nako!”

So that’s what she was after.

It made sense. Of course, she’d be worried about her beloved sister working for someone like me, who’s infamous for inappropriate behavior.

That said, I couldn’t afford to lose Kyoko.

“And what if I say no?”

“Then….”

“You wouldn’t give up that easily, would you?”

“N-No, I wouldn’t.”

Nako nodded firmly, her determination clear.

She’s a good kid who cares deeply for her sister.

“Your Master, this girl is not suited to be a maid. Please disregard her words—”

“Onee-chan, don’t interfere!”

Kyoko started to appeal to me, but Nako cut her off, her voice strong and unwavering.

Her outburst made Kyoko falter for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and shot a sharp look at Nako.

“Nako…”

“I… I’m sorry, Onee-chan, for speaking so harshly. But I’ve made up my mind.”

Nako turned to face Kyoko, meeting her gaze with resolve.

“Even after he left, the unreasonable struggles didn’t stop. Mom and Onee-chan are working so hard, but… isn’t it strange that I’m the only one doing nothing?”

“Nako, that’s not true. Mom and I are doing this because we want to. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just live your life happily, like you always have…”

“Even if it’s your choice, it doesn’t change the fact that both of you are struggling! And I know our finances are tight, too. I’m part of this family, aren’t I? How can I just enjoy myself while you and Mom are going through so much?”

“Nako, that’s not…”

Kyoko tried to respond, but her words trailed off.

Instead, she just looked at Nako silently.

“…I see.”

I folded my arms and watched their exchange quietly.

Honestly… yeah, I was starting to feel like I didn’t belong here.

Still, there was definitely something going on with these sisters—or rather, the entire Nijou family.

And that “he” Nako mentioned? That sounded important too.

It seemed like the Nijou family’s circumstances might somehow tie into my own doom flags.

If that’s the case, then…

“—Are you two done arguing?”

““…!””

Both of them flinched and turned to look at me.

Whatever happened in the Nijou family’s past, I could figure that out later.

Even if I knew their story, it wouldn’t change the decision I was about to make.

So, I might as well say it now.

“After hearing what you’ve said, I have a suggestion. Kyoko will continue as the head maid, but how about having Nako work here as my personal maid?”

““!!””

Both sisters reacted simultaneously to my words.

Kyoko had been managing her studies at university while also acting as both head maid and my personal maid. Now that I thought about it, that was far too much for one person to handle.

“Reito-sama… are you sure about this?”

“Yes. I understand your desire to ease your sister’s burden. If that’s the case, the best way for you to support Kyoko is by working here alongside her. You’ll take over as my personal maid. Is that okay with you?”

“Y-Yes!”

Nako nodded firmly, her face lighting up.

Now for the more challenging part—convincing Kyoko, who was clearly not on board.

“Young Master…”

“Kyoko, I don’t know everything about you two, but it’s clear to me that Nako cares deeply about her sister. She’s the type who might push herself too hard because of that. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“That’s…”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for her to work somewhere you can keep an eye on her? That’s why I’ve decided to make Nako my personal maid.”

Kyoko fell silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. But eventually, she gave a quiet nod.

“…Understood.”

“Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll also inform my mother about this.”

I finished the last of my tea and stood up.

“I’ll leave the rest to you two to discuss.”

Leaving those words behind, I exited the room.

As I walked down the hallway, I let out a long sigh.

“Man, that was nerve-wracking. I wonder if I made the right choice.”

Even though things had calmed down in the moment, the reality was that I now had two people who didn’t particularly like me working as maids in this mansion.

On paper, it sounded like the ideal setup—Kyoko and Nako, two beautiful sisters, both working here as maids.

If this weren’t a villain reincarnation, I could’ve enjoyed this scenario a lot more.