The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 114: Harumiya Sakura Searches for the Kansai Man.

Harumiya Sakura Searches for the Kansai Man.

From Harumiya Sakura’s POV.

One night, while I was out on an errand, a stranger suddenly called out to me.

“Whoa, there she is! Found the girl from the photo!”

“…Yes? May I ask who you are?”

I may lack many talents, but I have always prided myself on one thing: the ability to read people. As the eldest daughter of the Harumiya family, it is all but certain that my elder brother will inherit the house. Yet I, too, am destined to marry into another distinguished family, bear an heir to continue its line, and support the Harumiya name from afar. For that reason, I was raised to sharpen my eye for those I should never allow close—men whose intentions are anything but honorable.

There were three of them. And every single one had clouded, impure eyes. The kind that schemed unspeakable things. Just like those vile lowlifes who had unilaterally declared me their fiancée, staring at me with those same murky gazes, plotting how to make me their wife. A photo… They meant to abduct me. No doubt that man was behind it. But I could not let myself be caught. Unfortunately, my butler, Sebas, was not nearby… They had chosen their moment perfectly.

I fled with all my strength, but I have never been athletic, and running is far from my forte. It was only a matter of time before the ruffians caught up. To make matters worse, I had dashed into a deserted park—my luck had run out. I was going to be taken… A bitter mistake… How regrettable… Just as one of their hands reached for me—

“Why don’tcha go for a nice midwinter swim, huh?”

A low voice cut through the air. The man in front of me vanished… and in his place appeared a fiercely intimidating figure.

I stood frozen in shock as he spoke to me gently, giving me time to catch my breath.

“Miss, ya hurt anywhere?”

He had a distinctive way of speaking. He did not seem like a bodyguard dispatched by my butler. Just… who was this person?

“Name’s Tennouji Daiki. Nice to meet ya. At least remember the name before ya send me off for that swim.”

The man who called himself Tennouji was a warrior worth a thousand—his strength was overwhelming. Yet he did not rely on brute force, beating or kicking recklessly. Instead, he used the terrain to his advantage, hurling his foes into the pond to sap their fighting spirit. A sharp mind, clearly. Even when faced with a blade, he did not flinch; rather, he closed the distance, caught them off guard, and sent them tumbling into the water. By the time the police arrived, the thugs had fled.

Later, as we spoke with the officers, I learned just how humble he was. He brushed off any thanks as unnecessary… And then… he patted my head. It was different from when Father, Mother, or my butler had done so. It was gentle, reassuring… warm… Ahh… While I stood there dazed from the sensation, Tennouji-sama slipped away like the wind. Wait—Tennouji-sama, please wait! That night, I lay awake for hours, unable to forget the feel of his hand on my head, the lingering warmth.

***

“Milady, the men who attempted to abduct you the other day belong to a semi-criminal group known as Shien… However, they were undoubtedly hired with money. We have confirmed it. That man’s influence is behind them.”

The next day, while I was at school, I had my butler, Sebas investigate the incident. As expected, they were his underlings. That utterly repulsive, filthy man I despise… The one who arbitrarily calls me his fiancée—no, his betrothed—had a diamond ring worth ten million yen prepared and was unilaterally pushing forward with marriage plans. Just thinking of him makes my skin crawl. A man more than a decade older than I, claiming love at first sight, persistently pursuing me even after I refused him… No, I must stop thinking of him. The mere memory makes me nauseous.

“Milady, from now on we must exercise even greater caution in your movements. All travel shall be by car. I will never leave your side. We will need to station guards everywhere…”

“I am truly sorry for the trouble… Sebas, and everyone else…”

“Not at all! We are all desperate to protect you, milady. Please leave your safety to us.”

“Thank you. I am truly fortunate.”

“The noble daughter of the illustrious Harumiya house. We shall protect you with our very lives!”

“Thank you, Sebas. And… um…”

“It concerns Tennouji-sama, yes? Of course, milady. At your command, I have already looked into him.”

Just hearing Tennouji-sama’s name made my cheeks burn. And then… I remembered the moment he stroked my hair. The gentlemen I know are often arrogant, looking down upon me… But Tennouji-sama was different. He was kind, and above all, he worried for my safety. Even with a blade pointed at him, he shielded me… How brave he is. Ahh… What sort of person is he, truly!

“Sebas! Tell me quickly—everything about Tennouji-sama!”

“Very well… His name is Tennouji Daiki—as you already know, milady. He is a second-year student at Sumizome Academy.”

“My! He is the same age as I!? What a… coincidence…!”

I apologize for saying so, but given his height and build, I had assumed he was older… To think he is my age!

“However… his conduct has not been exemplary. He is known as the most notorious delinquent at Sumizome Academy—constantly fighting, frequent nightlife… Many unsavory rumors surround him.”

…? He certainly seemed accustomed to conflict, yet… he had said he was merely out jogging that night…

“Since the start of the second semester this year, he has suddenly begun attending school diligently, participating enthusiastically in events, and achieving excellent grades. It is almost as though…”

“He were a completely different person… I do not know what changed him, but rumors tend to grow tails and fins… He cannot be the villain they claim. If he were, he would never have saved me, never worried for my well-being.”

“Ngh… Th-that is certainly true…”

“Sebas. Tomorrow after school, will you take me to Sumizome Academy? If I do nothing, I may never meet him again, and I will be unable to thank him properly! I wish to meet him in person, express my gratitude, and invite him to our home! I will speak to Mother as well!”

“M-Milady! Bringing a gentleman home so suddenly would trouble the madam greatly! Please reconsider!”

“No! Good deeds must be done swiftly! Tomorrow—take me to Sumizome Academy without fail!”

“Milady!”

Very well—I absolutely must meet Tennouji-sama and thank him properly! And then… perhaps he will pat my head again… Ahh… Even remembering it makes my chest feel so warm!

***

I waited until the very last dismissal time, but no one resembling Tennouji-sama appeared… Could he have left through a back gate? Unable to bear it any longer, I gathered my courage and spoke to a gentleman returning from club activities.

“E-excuse me! You there!”

“Hm? Me?”

“Yes, I have a small question!”

“Haha, ask anything if it’s me. You’re from Hanajyo, right? Cute.”

…This person looked directly at my chest first. I feel rude for thinking it after approaching him myself, but—no, he is the rude one!

“I am looking for a gentleman named Tennouji Daiki! Do you know him?”

“Tennouji? A girl like you meeting a delinquent like that—you don’t know what might happen! Better give up.”

“I… see…”

“Yeah, yeah. More importantly, you okay? Want me to walk you home?”

“That will not be necessary. I have a car waiting.”

“O-Oh… I’m Imamiya, by the way. If you ever—”

“I am terribly sorry. I am looking for Tennouji-sama.”

While I wasted time with this rude person, the other students were disappearing! Next, I approached a couple—a gentleman with a lovely girl on his arm.

“Hm? Tennouji? Oh, Daiki, yeah. Daiki’s out today with a cold. Not sure if he’ll be in tomorrow either, but want me to pass a message?”

“N-No! There is no need for such trouble!”

“Oh? Well… he said he’ll probably be in tomorrow. Maybe.”

“Truly!? Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome. Night roads are dangerous for girls—get home soon, okay? Kana~, let’s go.”

“Okay~!”

If he comes tomorrow, I may have a chance to meet him! Sebas looked extremely reluctant, but… tomorrow, without fail!

And so, the following day, I left school early once more and waited in front of Sumizome Academy’s gate. Then… walking with three female students… that face I saw that night… It is Tennouji-sama!

“I have found you! Tennouji-sama!”

“Yes?”

Ahh… At last, we meet again… The one fated for me…!