I, Who Reincarnated as the Villain in a Romance Game, Somehow Became Doted on by the Heroine. And That Heroine Turned Out to Be a Yandere Stalker - Chapter 22: Shopping with Tendo-kun

Episode 22: Shopping with Tendo-kun

In the bustling “Yang-In Academy,” where extroverts and introverts mingle, Mitsurugi Todo is the strongest player.

With his sharp intellect and striking appearance, there’s no character he can’t charm.
That’s the biggest thrill of this romance game.

In the original story, Mitsurugi begins a sweet and happy life after rescuing Hiyono-san from delinquents.
Interacting with characters like Rin, Mikumo, Chiyo, Mitsurugi Todo, Akuudo, etc., he lives as the champion of this world.

And standing before me is such a person.
This is probably the first time we’ve had a serious conversation.
During gym class, he was a bit curt, so…

Despite his languid expression, he looks great in a stylish hoodie and black jeans.
His beautiful double eyelids almost resemble a girl’s.

Up close, Tendo-kun looks cool and cute!

“Good morning, Todo-kun.”
“Good morning. Tendo-kun.”

I accidentally used formal language out of joy, but he laughed, saying, “Why the formal language? Just be normal.”
We didn’t get along well in soccer, so I hope we can get closer.

Because if I, Mitsurugi Todo, and Tendo-kun become friends, it’s practically like avoiding my downfall!

“Shall we go, Tsukasa?”
“Yeah, you don’t have to use formal language with me either.”

I’m a little nervous. Am I being too imposing? Did I try to get close too quickly?
But Tendo-kun just smiled.

“Got it. Let’s go.”

The plan is a success.

—

Before we knew it, we found ourselves in Anime Town, where Mitsurugi and I first met.
It’s a holiday, so there are many people bustling about.
The signs are adorned with familiar anime and manga characters, making it even more exciting than before.

But today’s purpose is to get maid outfits at a reasonable price.

I’ve checked out a few cosplay shops, so I suggested we start exploring them.
But then, he made an unexpected suggestion.

“Todo, have you ever been to a maid café?”
“No, never…”

Come to think of it, I’ve never been to one.
Well, I was an otaku in my past life, but I was a shut-in. There’s no way I could go alone.
I have knowledge of anime and TV, but maybe there’s a special possibility in this world.

Does that mean market research is essential?

“It seems like you’re thinking the same thing.”
“Yeah, let’s go. Knowing thy enemy is the key to victory.”

With a cool demeanor, we’re off!

Or, I’d like to say that, but since we have no idea where to go, we decide to search on our phones.

Hmm, I see.
It seems that recently, they’re often referred to as “concept cafes” and abbreviated as “concafe.”
In addition to maid cafes, there are cafes themed after black cats, nurses, tsunderes, kindergartens, nurseries, and more.

Kindergarten and nursery, either one is fine, right?

“Todo, how about trying that one with the sign over there?”

Without realizing it, I started walking while looking at my phone. That’s not good manners. I need to be careful.
Tendo-kun pointed to a sign that said “Maid Café.”
Simple is best.

We nodded silently and headed down a narrow alley.

At the end, the road curved slightly, and I felt a bit uneasy, but we arrived at the front of the store.
The sign depicted a cute anime girl wearing what could be considered a maid outfit.

Then, a person who seemed to be an employee emerged from the entrance.

Wearing a white and black uniform with frills at the hem and large buttons at the neckline.
Their hair was covered with a cap, and they held a bucket and mop for cleaning.
Their appearance and voice were clearly that of a tough guy.
Or rather, are they over two meters tall?

“Welcome home, gentlemen.”

But their appearance and voice were clearly that of a tough guy.
Or rather, are they over two meters tall?

They could easily crush a tin can with one hand.
I replied with a forced smile. Is this the right response?
Since they don’t look like maids, let’s just call them Maid Lord.

Maid Lord smiled happily.

“Welcome, gentlemen! Please enjoy your stay!”

Their booming voice suddenly changed, and we could hear lively shouts from inside.

Isn’t this a ramen shop? I thought it was a maid café?

“Shall we go, Todo?”
“Y-yeah…”

But Tendo-kun. As expected of Tendo Tsukasa. He seems calm and unfazed. Maybe he doesn’t know anything about maid cafes.

Inside the store, it had the atmosphere of a traditional cozy café.

A fan quietly circulated the air above wooden counter tables.
It’s a bit old-fashioned, but somehow comforting.

But my feet felt sticky from the oil on the floor.
Is this still a ramen shop? Come to think of it, it smells like tonkotsu.

“Would you like to sit at the counter or a table, gentlemen?”

Guided by the booming voice, we made eye contact with Tendo-kun and sat at a table.

“Here are the menus, gentlemen. Please enjoy your time, meow.”

By the way, this was also a booming voice. They brought a small transparent glass of water, but my thumb is submerged in the soup.
It’s a ramen shop!

“What will you have, Todo? How about the Tonkotsu Nyannyan Set? They’ll write ‘I love you’ with ketchup, apparently.”
“If it didn’t have the word ‘tonkotsu,’ it would probably be the right choice, but let’s give it a try.”

Without hesitation, we ordered together.
Their cap looks like a towel wrapped around their head now.

“Two Tonkotsu Nyannyan Sets, coming right up!”
“Yes, sir!”

Hmm, I definitely messed up here. I want to get out of here fast.

“That reminds me, Todo, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

As I pondered that, Tendo-kun asked me seriously.
It’s kind of cool.

“Anything.”
“…I’ve heard various rumors about you. But there are too many inconsistencies, like with the gym uniform incident.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I can’t believe you’re the same Mitsurugi Todo. I’ve even considered the possibility that another personality has taken over. Well, that might be too far-fetched. I apologize.”

Honestly, I was speechless.

No one has ever said that to me before.

He hit the mark, even though not even Hiyono-san has ever doubted me.

Maybe… if it’s Tendo Tsukasa.

If it’s Tendo Tsukasa, can’t I tell him the truth?

If he believes me, avoiding my downfall is guaranteed.

I don’t have to struggle anymore.

Before going to bed, I was anxious about whether I would wake up as Mitsurugi or return to my past self.

Should I gather my courage… and tell him?

I clench my fist tightly.

“Tendo, I actually—”
“Here’s your Tonkotsu Nyannyan Set!”
“Huh?

The timing—”
“Here, for you, sir!”

What they handed us was food where omelet rice was stuffed into ramen.
The smell of tonkotsu is intense. Also, my thumb is in the soup.
The bowl is hot!

“It’s hot! It’s hot!”
“Just hold onto it, sir! I’m about to write ‘I love you’ now!”
“It’s hot!”

I couldn’t stand the heat, so I ended up throwing the Tonkotsu Nyannyan Omelet Rice Ramen. It landed on Tendo-kun, who let out an even louder scream than me.

Watching that, I couldn’t help but feel sorry and remember an old TV show.

You know, the one where they jump into boiling water and scream their heads off.

Come to think of it, I watched that in my past life too.

“Get me some clothes to change into, maid!”
“Yes, sir!”

Feeling like it was my fault, Tendo-kun got angry at the Beast Maid.
And instead of anything else, they brought over the maid outfit they were wearing.

Tendo-kun said, “I’ll take it!” and changed in a slightly secluded area.
Just like a boy with no changing space at his part-time job in a food establishment.

When he came back, Maid Tendo-kun had been born.

It suits him quite well.

“Ugh, I’ll wash and return the clothes…”
“Of course! And give us compensation! Jeez. Shall we go, Todo?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”

Tendo-kun, faithfully wearing his cap, looked kind of cute.

Anyway, we managed to get a maid outfit for free.
And maybe our bond deepened a bit.

But then, Tendo-kun blushed and fidgeted.
He seemed like he wanted to say something, hesitated, tried to say something, hesitated again, and finally spoke up.

“Todo, I actually got another outfit. Since it’s embarrassing to wear it alone… would you wear it with me?”
“…Got it. Sure.”

And so, the two of us, Maid Outfit Boys, continued our shopping trip.