The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 12: When a Kansai Man Can’t Hold Back His Tears.

When a Kansai Man Can’t Hold Back His Tears.

While eating some bread I’d bought from the convenience store, Natsume-san suddenly asked, “Aren’t you going to the cafeteria?” So I decided to tag along—and the moment I stepped in, I thought I’d found paradise. Everything, from rice bowls to sandwiches, was ridiculously cheap. I tried the katsudon on a whim, and it was so delicious I actually teared up. People around me looked seriously weirded out, but come on—don’t you cry when you eat something truly good? You do, right? Fast, cheap, and delicious. I never thought I’d get to experience all three at once.

Back in my previous life, I’d been living off energy drinks and calorie bars from the convenience store for years. I cooked sometimes, but mostly heavy, greasy food—meat and oil, that sort of thing. So now, I’m trying to take better care of myself. After discovering the cafeteria, there’s no going back to convenience store meals. I’ll be using this place religiously.

One day, I was spacing out at my seat, reading a novel that Fuyuki-san had recommended, when I overheard a bit of commotion nearby.

“Here you go, Toshiya-kun—today’s lunch.”

Ah, my favorite couple’s daily routine. Lovely. Watching these small, ordinary exchanges every day is the true pleasure of a background character like me. The game’s protagonist, Imamiya Toshiya, and the devoted heroine who always looks after him, Akitani Mio. Just seeing them interact puts me in a good mood.

But then—

“Huh? I don’t need lunch today. I’m eating at the cafeteria with the basketball team.”

Those words shattered the pleasant atmosphere like glass. What did he just say? Did that idiot really just—

“W-what!? Geez, I told you to tell me ahead of time! I went through all the trouble of making this…”

I couldn’t believe my ears, but apparently I hadn’t misheard. Akitani-san looked heartbroken, scolding him in that trembling voice of hers. Of course she’d be upset. She put all that care into making his lunch, and he’s choosing cafeteria food instead? What’s wrong with this guy?

“Can’t help it, okay? The team messaged me on POINE this morning.”

“Then you could’ve… you know…”

“What?”

You could’ve turned them down, man. Said you already had lunch made. Why can’t you just say that? What, afraid of refusing people? If you start worrying about that in high school, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime as a corporate slave, Imamiya-kun.

“Anyway, I don’t need it. Oh, but maybe I’ll eat it before practice if I get hungry! Alright, end of discussion!”

…Unbelievable. The guy’s hopeless. It’s September, still hot as hell. Without a fridge, that lunch won’t last until evening. What’s he planning to do, let it spoil? Such a waste. I glanced toward Akitani-san, and for some reason, our eyes met.

“T-Tennouji-kun!”

“I saw that. What the hell is he thinking?”

“Ah, well… he has club stuff too, so… I guess it can’t be helped…”

Behind us, Fuyuki-san sighed and shook her head, clearly exasperated. Natsume-san looked irritated, too. Yeah, no kidding. Protagonist-kun, stop choosing the dialogue options that tank your affection points!

“Um… this might sound weird, and if you don’t like the idea, I completely understand… but since I don’t think this lunch will last until after school… Tennouji-kun, would you maybe… eat it for me?”

W–what!? My years of grinding through this game told me one thing for sure—Akitani Mio’s homemade lunches are legendary. Fact. In every route, she makes lunch for the protagonist almost daily. No matter where they eat, Imamiya always says, “Your lunches are the best, Mio!”—and she smiles so brightly in return. It’s healing. Even when my heart was wrecked by the game’s bad endings, just seeing that scene could mend it… at least until the next heartbreak.

“A-ahaha… s-sorry, I’m bothering you, huh?”

“I’ll gratefully accept it.”

“Eh? Really…?”

“You made it with care. Letting it go to waste would be wrong. If you don’t mind, I’d be honored.”

“R-really!? I’m so glad…! Then, I’ll give it to you at lunch, okay?”

“Perfect. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Akitani-san smiled in relief—soft, warm, and impossibly cute. Missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? No way. Among us “NetHaza” (short for NTR Hazard) veterans, there were even fans who tried recreating her lunches in real life, though of course, the real taste could never be known. The original exists only in the 2D world, after all.

Now I’d get to experience the things no fan ever could—Natsume Shina’s black hair shimmering in the sunlight, Fuyuki Rinko’s faint smile when she talks about novels, and the legendary taste of Akitani Mio’s homemade bento. God, thank you for reincarnating me into this world. But I swear, I’ll rewrite its history. I’ll make sure all of them find happiness.

…That said, Imamiya seemed to have overheard everything. He kept glancing this way. What? You said you didn’t want the lunch, didn’t you? Don’t act all regretful now. Today’s Akitani-san’s bento is mine.

Wait—don’t make me sound like some kind of NTR character, damn it.

***

When the bell for fourth period rang, my leg was shaking so hard from excitement I probably made the floor vibrate. Sorry, Tsumura-kun in front of me. I tried to play it cool, stretching and cracking my back, pretending I wasn’t internally freaking out. Marching right up to her would look too eager, after all.

“Tennouji-kun, got a minute?”

…She’s here. Akitani-san! I turned around as calmly as I could manage.

“Yes.”

What the hell was that tone? Damn, I’m nervous.

“Hehe, sorry to make you wait. Here’s your lunch.”

It’s here… it’s finally here! The ultimate homemade bento, crafted almost entirely without frozen food. This is it—the holy grail!

“Whoa… thank you!”

“Hehe. I’ll sit here too, if you don’t mind.”

“Tennouji-kun, Mio-chan’s lunches are seriously amazing! I call dibs on the tamagoyaki!”

“Why would you eat her lunch, Shina?”

Wait—hold up. The three heroines are all here now!? I… I actually have friends to eat with? No more eating alone!? I could cry.

“There might be a bit too much, so don’t feel like you have to finish it all, okay?”

“No way, I’ll eat every bite. Whoa—tamagoyaki, spinach, fried chicken… you made all this yourself?”

“Yeah. I try not to rely on frozen food.”

“She starts prepping the night before, and wakes up at five to finish it. Some people might not appreciate that kind of effort… but what about you, Tennouji-kun?”

Waking up at five after helping the basketball club every morning… that’s rough. Now I’m actually mad at Imamiya. Forget him. Focus on the fried chicken.

“I marinated it since last night, so I think it’ll taste good,” she said confidently.

How could I not have high expectations after that? I picked up a piece with my chopsticks and took a bite.

“Well? How is it?”

“Tennouji-kun?”

“…I-it’s… it’s so goooooood!!!”

And just like that, I burst into tears.