A Guy Who Thinks He’s a Villain in a World Where Gender Ratios Are Broken - Chapter 29: I May Be the Villain, But This Time, I’m Not Backing Down (…Maybe?)

Chapter 29: I May Be the Villain, But This Time, I’m Not Backing Down (…Maybe?)

A few minutes later—

Hurried footsteps echoed through the mansion’s hallways.

Mom had returned—

“Rei-kun! How could you say something like that—!!”

“Guheh—!”

The moment the door flew open, Mom burst into the room at full speed, her eyes slightly teary, and threw herself at me.

The sheer force nearly knocked me over, but thanks to my regular training, I managed to hold my ground. 

With one steady step, I braced myself and wrapped a light grip around her waist to absorb the impact. 

Crisis averted.

After taking a deep breath, I spoke up.

“Mom? You just got here—what’s wrong?”

“Ehehe~ Rei-kun hugged me~! Before, you used to scream and run away when I tried to hug you, but now… ehehe~”

“Uh, Mom?”

A moment ago, she had looked like she was about to cry.

Now, however, she was smiling ear to ear, her expression completely melting away.

Mom had long, wavy black hair, a well-defined figure, and honestly looked no older than her early twenties. Yet, at the end of the day, she was still my mother. And more importantly, she was the villain’s mom.

Yeah, she was beautiful, sure. 

But this is NOT the time for those thoughts.

“Mom, calm down. Kyoko and Nako are here too.”

With a calm voice, I glanced toward the corner of the room.

There, Kyoko stood with her usual cool expression, while Nako looked mildly stunned.

“Oh my, both of you—great work as always! Thank you for taking care of Rei-kun~”

“The pleasure is ours, Madam. We are truly grateful to you as well. And thank you for hiring my younger sister, Nako, this time.”

“T-Thank you very much…!”

Mom finally let go of me and flashed a graceful smile. 

Kyoko and Nako bowed their heads in response.

Huh. So Mom actually acts properly in front of them. 

Well, I suppose she has to; it wouldn’t look good otherwise.

“So, Mom? What was so urgent that you rushed back here? Did you just want to hear what I said over the phone in person?”

“Mhm, that’s right~. So, could you say it again? What exactly was Rei-kun trying to tell Mama~?”

Her expression suddenly turned serious as she locked eyes with me.

“Actually, there’s something I want, so I’d like to get a part-time job to buy it. That’s okay, right?”

My voice rang clearly through the silent room. 

This time, there were no signal issues—she heard every word loud and clear.

“―”

And yet, Mom froze completely, as if she couldn’t comprehend what I had just said.

“Rei-kun… Do you have a fever?”

“Nope. In fact, I’m in perfect health.”

Regular exercise, delicious meals, and a comfortable space to sleep.

Honestly, it’s harder to get sick in an environment like this.

That said, now that I was facing Mom directly, I finally understood why she reacted the way she did. 

She was shocked. 

And really, who could blame her?

After all, the spoiled, self-indulgent son she had doted on for years had suddenly announced that he wanted to get a part-time job—her brain probably hadn’t caught up yet.

“By the way, can I ask what exactly it is that you want?”

“A smartphone. It’d be really useful to have one.”

The moment I said that, Mom relaxed and shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Oh, of course! Rei-kun, you’re a high schooler now, so naturally you need a smartphone. Something like that—Mama can buy it for you—though I might tweak the settings just a little bit.“

I didn’t quite catch that last part, but from the looks of it, if I just asked, Mom would buy me one.

And I do want a smartphone; she’s offering to get me one.

In my old world, this was where the conversation would have ended. 

But things are different now.

I was reborn as a villain. 

And this time, I can’t just sit back and rely on the privileges handed to me.

“No… That won’t work.”

“…Won’t work?”

Mom suddenly froze, then stared at me intensely.

“I want to work, earn my own money, and buy a smartphone myself. And more than that—after watching Kyoko and Nako work so hard, I realized I can’t just keep relying on you, Mom.”

Sure, part of it was because I wanted to prove I could stand on my own.

But more than anything—

I had been watching Kyoko and Nako work as maids, supporting their family with their own efforts.

It was impossible not to be influenced by that.

“Rei-kun…”

Mom’s eyes widened for a moment, then she let out a gentle, warm smile.

“I’m happy to hear you feel that way, Rei-kun.”

“Then—!”

“But, Rei-kun, may I say something?”

Mom took a breath, then continued,

“It’s natural for children to rely on their parents. And you—don’t need to worry about money. Because if it’s for you, Rei-kun—Mama can do anything.”

She wasn’t scolding me. 

Her eyes were filled with nothing but kindness.

This wasn’t just her usual overprotectiveness; it was her genuine, honest feelings.

Now that I think about it, my mother in my past life was the same. 

No matter what, she always thought about me first. 

She never let me see her struggle, always acting cheerful so I wouldn’t worry about anything.

But—

“Mom, I truly appreciate your feelings, and I’m always grateful to you. But I have my own reasons, too. I can’t remain the pampered child forever—I can’t let myself be spoiled by the environment I was given. From now on, I want to do things that will help you. I’m not sure if this is the first step toward that, but… please let me get a part-time job.”

“Rei-kun…”

Mom nodded occasionally as I spoke. 

She was listening, yet I had a feeling that no matter what I said, she wasn’t going to say yes. 

That was just how stubborn she could be. 

But this time, I wasn’t backing down.

I hesitated, wondering how I could convince her—what would get through to her?

“—Madam. It may not be my place to speak, but perhaps this time you should listen to Young Master’s request?”

The room was dead silent. 

Then Kyoko’s voice cut through the tension.

“K-Kyoko…?”

I never expected Kyoko to speak up for me.

Mom’s eyes widened in surprise, but then her expression shifted.

“Kyoko-chan, are you saying you support Rei-kun getting a part-time job, even though… he’s a boy?”

“Yes.”

“I see… Then what about you, Nako-chan?”

“I-I…”

When Mom asked for Nako’s opinion, she flinched slightly—only for a moment. 

Then she straightened up and spoke.

“Yes. Like my sister, I also support Reito-sama working a part-time job. At first, I was surprised, but after hearing his reasons, I understand. And more than that, I deeply relate to Reito-sama’s feelings. I don’t want to just rely on others. I want to help my mother. I want to support Onee-chan. That’s why I’m truly happy that I get to work as a maid.”

As she spoke, Nako clenched her fists tightly, as if pouring all her emotions into her words.

“Children don’t just want to be taken care of forever. It’s because we love and appreciate our family that we want to give back. We want to become just a little more independent.”

“Nako-chan…”

At those words, Mom fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

“Alright, I’ll allow Rei-kun to get a part-time job.”

“!! Really!?”

“Yes. When all three of you—especially my own child—say something like that, I have no choice but to listen, do I?”

Hearing that, I immediately turned to Kyoko and Nako.

Kyoko gave me a small smile.

Nako’s face lit up with joy. 

It seemed they were both happy for me.

But when I turned back to Mom, she wore a mysterious smile.

“Rei-kun, you said you wanted to get a part-time job, right?”

“? Ah, yeah, I did.”

“But you never mentioned how many days you’d be working, did you?”

“Ah…”

She was right—I never actually specified anything. 

Not whether it was for a month or six months; I never said how long I’d be working.

“So, I will allow you to work for—One day. No, actually, just half a day!”

Mom declared it as if it were final.

“Ehh!? But I can’t buy a smartphone with just a half-day’s pay!”

“That’s true. So, I’ll cover the entire half-day’s wages and pay the rest of the amount. Use that to buy your smartphone.”

“Wait, isn’t that just you paying for it after all?”

“Fufu, yes, I suppose it is. But what matters most is that you experience working. If you work for half a day and feel it suits you, then you can always work again when there’s something else you want.”

Mom said that with a gentle smile. 

In essence, she was telling me there was no need to rush.

“Alright, Mom. I understand.”

With that reasoning, I really had no way to argue back. 

No matter what, Mother always thinks about her child first.

“…Well, if I’m being completely honest, the real reason is that if Rei-kun works a long-term job… he’ll just end up as prey for all those aggressive girls.”

…Huh? Did Mom just mutter something?

Eh, whatever. Not worth overthinking.

“Alright then, Mom. I’ll start looking for a part-time job.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that! I already have something perfect for you.”

“Something perfect?”

I tilted my head, and Mom nodded enthusiastically.

“Rei-kun, do you have time right now?”

“Uh… yeah, I do.”

Wait—don’t tell me I’m starting today? 

Not that I’d mind—if anything, I’d be glad to start right away. 

I’m the type who likes to take action the moment I decide on something.

“Actually, one of the shops I’m involved with is celebrating its 5th anniversary today with a special event. I was already planning to help out in the afternoon, so…”

She trailed off, then fixed her gaze on me.

“…Rei-kun, do you really want to work? Do you really want to go outside and experience it?”

“Of course.”

“Reeeeeally? Reeeeeally really?”

“Yes, really really really.”

Seeing my serious expression, Mom fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft smile.

So basically, I’d be helping out at that store. 

Now that I think about it, I don’t actually know what kind of businesses Mom invests in.

This might be a good chance to learn more about her.

“Alright then, Rei-kun—Mama will take you to the shop with her. And who knows… maybe you’ll end up as their poster boy!”

“Poster boy?”

That phrase made me tilt my head again. 

Isn’t it usually “poster girl” instead…?