A Guy Who Thinks He’s a Villain in a World Where Gender Ratios Are Broken - Chapter 24: I’m a Villain, But I’m Just Sitting in the Cafeteria… Right? (Not Really) – First Half

Chapter 24: I’m a Villain, But I’m Just Sitting in the Cafeteria… Right? (Not Really) – First Half

As soon as we stepped into the cafeteria… I was stunned.

The spacious floor was lined with long tables and round ones, all arranged neatly. The design was simple, but everything looked brand new.

I had imagined the usual setup where people would line up at a ticket machine to buy food… but—

“At Sotei Academy, each table is equipped with a touch panel, so you can order food right from your seat.”

Shizune, who was walking beside Minato, explained with a soft smile.

She was probably familiar with the school’s systems because of her older sister, the student council president.

“Ohh~ Usano-san, you’re really knowledgeable!”

“Thank you for the compliment, Amakasa-sama.”

Shizune smiled in response to Minato’s words.

And with each movement… her chest bounced.

Seriously, that’s impressive.

The four of us sat at a table near the window, off to the side… but I couldn’t help feeling a little restless.

Minato seemed to feel the same way. He was glancing around the cafeteria, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Wow… this cafeteria is amazing! Right, Reito?”

“Yeah, it really is.”

As I responded to Minato, I suddenly noticed…

Across the table, Shizune was staring straight at me.

“Hm? Is there something on my face?”

“No, there’s nothing on your face… I was just surprised, that’s all. I assumed you’d be used to places like this, Hazumi-sama.”

“Huh?”

Her words caught my attention.

We were meeting for the first time, so why did Shizune talk as if she already knew me?

…Well, she might have seen that whole grand parade yesterday.

I mean, if you saw a guy walking around surrounded by over a dozen maids and bodyguards, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out he came from a wealthy family.

“It’s nothing, Hazumi-sama. Fufu.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes.”

With a gentle smile, Shizune closed her eyes for a moment.

If she said it was nothing… then maybe I shouldn’t press the issue right now.

I turned my attention to the touch panel to check out the menu.

Steak, seafood rice bowls, mapo tofu, fruit sandwiches…

They had a full variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, plus desserts.

Honestly, this felt more like a food court than a cafeteria.

Great facilities, a personal support assistant, and a cafeteria with this much variety…

This place was way too comfortable.

What an amazing academy.

If word about how good life here is spreads, won’t more guys start enrolling?

By next year, the number of male students might increase.

Well, leaving those thoughts aside… I was getting pretty hungry.

But before ordering, I should—

“You two can pick first.”

I slid the touch panel over to Minato and Shizune.

“Are you sure, Reito?”

“Yeah, take your time and choose whatever you like.”

“Thanks, Reito! Ehehe, what should I get~?”

“Amakasa-sama, do you have any favorite dishes?”

“Hmm, let’s see… I think I like…”

The two of them were completely engrossed in scrolling through the menu.

Meanwhile… I decided to chat with Nako.

“Sorry for dragging you into this, Nako.”

“N-No, it’s fine!”

She shook her head as if to say, Don’t worry about it…

But it was her first time meeting Minato and Shizune, so it made sense that she was a bit nervous.

To help ease the tension, I figured I should take the lead in starting a conversation.

Besides, this was a chance to learn more about Nako.

“Is there anything on the menu that caught your attention?”

“Hmm… I’m kind of interested in the desserts.”

“Desserts, huh? Nice choice.”

Oh? So Nako has a sweet tooth.

Now that I think about it…

“I’m Nako Nijou. And my hobby is baking.”

That’s what she said during introductions.

“So, Nako, what kind of sweets do you like?”

“Let’s see… There are so many to choose from, but if I had to pick, I’d say cake! Especially shortcake with lots of strawberries and whipped cream!”

I could tell Nako’s tone had brightened a little.

Yeah, this was good.

A conversation about desserts was something she could comfortably continue.

“A shortcake with lots of strawberries and whipped cream… that sounds amazing.”

“It is delicious!”

“I see. Maybe I should try having one again after a long time.”

Back in my old world, I went to an all-boys school, so I only had guy friends.

And when guys went out to eat, it was usually heavy, greasy food like burgers or ramen.

Now that I think about it, the only times I ever had cake were on Christmas or birthdays.

“Reito-san, do you like sweets too?”

“Yeah. I like sweet things, but I also eat pretty much anything.”

“I-I see… Um, if it’s okay… would you eat a cake if I made one for you?”

“Yeah, of course I would.”

“!! Really?!”

Nako’s face lit up instantly.

Well, if she’s going to make one, then of course I’d want to eat it.

She was probably talking about baking a cake at the mansion.

If she made one for dessert after dinner or as a snack, that’d be pretty great.

“You two sure get along well!”

I suddenly heard Minato’s voice.

He wasn’t looking at the touch panel anymore. Instead, he was glancing back and forth between me and Nako.

“You think so?”

“Yeah! I mean, having a conversation with a girl that keeps going like this is proof that you’re close!”

Hmm? Is that really how it works?

Back in my old world, even in an all-boys school, just having a normal conversation with a girl was considered a rare experience—people would even call it “living the dream.”

“Well, I do want to get along with Nako.”

“…!”

Raising Nako’s favorability was crucial, so getting close to her was basically my first challenge.

I glanced over at Nako… and noticed she was looking down slightly, her expression unreadable.

Huh? What’s up with her?

Well, even if I asked, she’d probably just say it’s nothing.

“So, Minato, did you decide on your order?”

“That’s the thing… I can’t choose between omurice and katsu curry.”

Saying that, Minato turned the touch panel screen toward me.

Both omurice and katsu curry looked delicious, and they were only 450 yen each—a ridiculously cheap price.

“If I order both, I won’t be able to finish them… but I really want to try both… uu, what should I do…?”

Minato tilted his head in deep contemplation.

“Then just go with omurice. I’ll order the katsu curry, and you can have some of mine.”

“Are you sure, Reito?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“~~! Thanks, Reito! You’re really kind!”

Minato beamed with a bright smile.

Meanwhile, Shizune had decided on the daily grilled fish set meal, so the touch panel was passed over to me and Nako, and we started looking through the options.

Not only did they have a huge variety of dishes, but for just 50 yen extra, you could swap the miso soup for udon, soba, or ramen.

Plus, desserts came with a mini-sized option… 

Yeah, this school was amazing!

A few minutes after placing our orders, the touch panel notified us that our food was ready.

Seriously, what a convenient academy.

“We’ll go pick up the food. Shall we, Nijou-sama?”

“O-Okay! Um… can I just call you Shizune-san?”

“Of course, I don’t mind. Then, I shall address you as Nako-sama.”

“…You don’t have to add ‘sama.’ We’re classmates, after all.”

“That is due to my family’s customs. I would appreciate it if you didn’t mind too much.”

“Oh, I see. Well then, nice to meet you, Shizune-san!”

“Yes. I look forward to getting along, Nako-sama.”

The two of them shared a warm exchange.

With that, Nako and Shizune started heading toward the pickup counter—

“Wait, you two. We’ll go too.”

I stood up from my seat.

Even if they were my support, there was no way I was going to let the girls carry our food for us.

“Minato, you coming too, right?”

Well, if it was just Minato’s food, I could grab it for him.

But I figured I should at least ask.

“O-Okay! If you’re going, Reito… then I’ll go too!”

Minato slowly stood up from his seat.

I glanced over at Nako and Shizune—both of them looked a bit surprised.

“Reito-san, are you sure you’re not pushing yourself?”

“Huh? Pushing myself? Not at all.”

I answered without hesitation, though Nako’s question left me a bit confused.

Then, I turned to Shizune.

“If the two of you insist, I don’t mind. However…”

“However?”

“If Amakasa-sama and Hazumi-sama both stand up and move together… you will stand out.”

“Huh? Stand out?”

I tilted my head at Shizune’s words… but then, as I casually glanced around the cafeteria, I suddenly realized something.

A little while ago, there were plenty of empty seats… but now?

The cafeteria was packed with female students.

Oh, right… the lunch bell rang earlier.

That meant the entire school was now on lunch break.

Naturally, students would gather here.

And since there were barely any guys in this school… that meant the cafeteria was now completely filled with girls.

No, no, no—our reason for coming here was just to eat.

Everyone here was hungry, and they came to the cafeteria simply to get food.

So, after a little while… things would go back to normal, right?