I Was Reincarnated as the Villain in an Eroge, but I’ll Live Honestly ~Because the Protagonist Was Useless, I Ended Up Making the Heroines Smile and Somehow Built a Harem~ - 24

Chapter 24: As the Outer Moat Was Filled In, Noah Found Himself on the Brink of a Harem

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“I’m home!”

“I’m back! I’ve returned!”

When they returned to the mansion, Layla came running over with hurried, bustling footsteps. 

“G-good grief! You two are so late! You only went shopping, so please come back sooner!”

“Eh, really…? I think this is pretty normal.”

To confirm, Noah looked toward Flora.

“Well… It might have taken some time, but isn’t this normal?”

“No, it’s not.”

Layla declared firmly, then moved behind Noah and squeezed him tightly in a hug.

“A-ah, um, Layla… h—!”

Noah tried to open his mouth, but when he saw Layla’s eyes had lost their highlights, his voice caught in his throat. Then Layla began muttering her lament nonstop.

“I couldn’t see Noah-sama at all today so I was lonely well it’s fine really but lately Noah-sama and Flora have been getting along so well today you even went shopping together and I really wanted to go with you too and you’re even wearing matching accessories”

“U-um, Layla… Please calm down a little…”

“Has Noah-sama stopped caring about me already? I’d do anything for Noah-sama but you still won’t even call me for night companionship! Don’t leave me alone, don’t leave me alone, don’t leave me alone—”

This is bad… She’s heavy…no, why is she this dependent…? Layla’s event hasn’t even happened yet, right?

Noah looked to Flora with a silent plea for help, but she was nodding with her eyes closed, as if in agreement.

“I get it, I really do. If there’s even a single day I can’t see Noah-sama, I’d go crazy too.”

Why!? I still have things I want to ask Layla about… Oh, right!

Layla was still muttering with lifeless eyes, and Noah steeled himself and spoke to her.

“I-I also… I also missed you today, Layla…… I want to eat the scones you made, and I’d like you to brew some tea for me too…”

The moment she heard Noah’s words, Layla’s eyes sparkled brightly, like a child’s. Then she spoke in a tone that practically had a run sound effect at the end.

“Yes, Noah-sama! Of course! I missed you too! The scones are already prepared! I’ll have the tea ready right away~!”

Saying that, Layla hugged Noah tightly again.

“Hehehe… Ahh, Noah-sama’s scent… You’re smaller than me now, but you’ll surpass my height soon enough, won’t you? And then next time, when Noah-sama holds me like you’re wrapping me up, and from there the two of us will be bound by a bond thicker than blood. Right, Noah-sama?”

“Ah, y-yeah… Maybe so.”

Layla gazed at Noah with sparkling eyes. The heat in her stare was almost frightening, and Noah’s reply came out shaky. Layla narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

F-for now, I managed somehow…Good, good…

Just as Noah let out a sigh of relief…

“Hmmfufu~, then I’ll go prepare the tea right away. Since it’s a good opportunity, Flora can come along too whi— …Huh?”

………Huh?

A bad feeling crept up on him.

“Flora, did you have a hair accessory like that before?”

“Oh, this? Ehehe~ actually, Noah-sama bought it for me. Oh, and I’ll join you for tea too~!”

Before Noah could stop her, the color drained from Layla’s eyes once again.

“I see… So you’re that kind of person, Flora… Hmm.”

This is bad, bad, bad! Layla’s switch just flipped again!

Because Noah was still being hugged by Layla, he barely managed to hear her. In contrast, Flora seemed not to catch it at all and blinked in confusion.

“She’s well-behaved and cute, and she understands Noah-sama’s charm properly, so if I’m nice to her, she immediately tries to steal Noah-sama from me. What should I do… That’s it, if I make her do errands all the time, she won’t even be able to get close…”

Completely unaware of Layla’s state, Flora spoke to her.

“Layla-senpai, I’ve decided something.”

“Oh my, what might that be?”

Layla wore a smile so beautiful it was almost eerie.

F-Flora, what on earth are you about to say…?

“Something unpleasant happened while we were out today, but Noah-sama protected me.”

“Oh… Is that so…”

“So I decided I’ll become Noah-sama’s mistress and follow him for the rest of my life!”

……Huh?

At Flora’s unexpected declaration, Noah felt all the strength drain from his body.

“I’m a commoner, so I can’t become Noah-sama’s legal wife or concubine. That’s why I want my beloved Layla-senpai to become Noah-sama’s wife or concubine instead. The two of you can have lots of Noah-sama’s children, and the three of us can live happily together!”

“F-Floraaa…!”

Once again, Layla’s eyes lit up.

“Good grief… You really are such a wonderful girl. And I love you too, Flora!”

With a grin plastered on her face, Layla swayed her body happily.

Ah, this actually seems okay!? There were tons of things to point out, but still!?

“Ehehe… Me too. And if I ever betray you, Layla-senpai, I’ll bite my tongue and die!”

“Th-that much resolve!?”

While Layla trembled with emotion, Noah couldn’t keep up with their exchange and just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Flora then spoke to him.

“Noah-sama, you have something to give Layla-senpai, right?”

“Huh!? Ah, y-yeah… Right.”

To the slightly confused Layla tilting her head, Noah handed over the white bracelet he had bought at the market. It was the same one Noah and Flora were wearing now.

“Thanks for everything, always. I bought three matching ones at the market. It can be worn as a bracelet or a hair accessory, so wear it whenever you like.”

“N-Noah-sama… Thank you very much. Then I’ll use it as a bracelet when I’m not working.”

Layla gazed at the bracelet with a dreamy expression, as if it were a treasured keepsake.

“Well then, I’ll go prepare the tea and sweets now. Please wait in the room, you two.”

“Hey, Noah-sama.”

“Yeah? What is it, Flora?”

Only Layla was heavy. In fact, she was the same in the game. And Noah was completely unaware of the kind of influence he had on those around him. That was precisely why he had let his guard down.

“If I ever end up biting my tongue and dying, you’ll die with me too, right, Noah-sama?”

“…………Huh?”

When he hurriedly looked at Flora, she was smiling sweetly, but her eyes were devoid of any highlights.

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“That’s right! And then Noah-sama said to that guy, ‘Don’t get close to my woman!’ At that moment, Noah-sama was just so cool… Goodness…”

Perhaps recalling the moment, Flora waved her hands excitedly while letting out a shrill “Kyaa!”

“No, no, I don’t think I actually said it like that.”

And Flora finally started calling Abel ‘that guy’…

At the moment, the three of them were drinking tea and talking about what had happened today.

“Mmmph… That’s unfair! Noah-sama, what about me? Won’t you say ‘my woman’ and fight for me too!?”

“Well, uh… Maybe it’d be better if it didn’t turn into a fight at all… Yeah.”

Besides, that kind of thing probably won’t happen very often anyway!

Noah was raising a huge flag without realizing it.

“Let’s set that aside for now. There’s something serious I want to ask you, Layla.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You remember the day we searched for Mimi-chan’s parents together, right?”

“Yes, of course, but…”

Layla tilted her head in confusion.

“You said something unpleasant happened that day, remember? That some strange person bothered you because of me. Do you remember what kind of person it was?”

I really hope I’m wrong about this… But they say bad premonitions tend to come true.

“Let’s see… He was about 170 centimeters tall. His age was probably around the same as Noah-sama’s. His face was…Well, he was fairly well-shaped, I suppose. He spoke in a very overbearing manner, and I believe he said he was from a marquis family.”

“Eh, that person… No way… Noah-sama, could it be…?”

Flora covered her mouth in shock and looked at Noah. Noah nodded, agreeing with what she had realized. Seeing the two of them, quick-witted Layla seemed to catch on as well.

“I see. So the one who bothered me was Abel too… Speaking ill of Noah-sama and causing trouble for Flora as well… That’s unforgivable.”

Muttering to herself, Layla quietly let her anger burn.

So it really was Abel… I didn’t want to be right about that…

“I’m sorry you both had such unpleasant and scary experiences because of me.”

Noah’s chest hurt at the thought of them being harassed.

“No! Noah-sama has nothing to apologize for! Everything wrong is his fault, so please don’t worry about it!”

Flora rushed to defend Noah. Taking over from her words, Layla spoke with a wry smile, as if saying it couldn’t be helped.

“Thanks to Noah-sama, both Flora and I are living happily. If anything, Noah-sama should act more arrogant. It suits you better.”

“Ah, I totally agree! Noah-sama could afford to be much more haughty!”

“Well said, Flora. You really understand.”

“Ehehe~ I got praised.”

Watching the two chat amicably, Noah let out a small chuckle.

“I see, I see. Thank you, both of you.”

I don’t want to give up this place to anyone…

As he looked at them, the thought came naturally to Noah.

I can’t leave them to someone like Abel… No, that’s not it.

Noah shook his head slightly.

I want to protect the two of them myself.

Noah wanted to become someone who could protect the two girls who said they loved him, no matter what malice might come their way.

Next should be the third heroine’s event, Freya’s. Freya is my former fiancée and also Abel’s childhood friend… I wonder what will happen.

“What’s wrong, Noah-sama? You look kind of serious.”

“Huh? Oh, sorry. It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, Layla.”

“Is that so? Come on, Noah-sama, eat more of my scones. Here, say ahh.”

“No, no, no, I can eat by myself! I’m fine!”

And so, it was said that the three of them spent the rest of the night chatting happily until dawn.

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