The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 36: A Kansai Man, Sharing an Umbrella.

A Kansai Man, Sharing an Umbrella.

A few days after that incident at Mk, I resumed my reading sessions with Fuyuki-san, which had been on hold because of exams. This time, our pick was a full-fledged historical drama — a classic tale of justice and retribution, just as you’d expect from the genre.

“The author’s sword-fighting scenes are incredible. The way they write — it’s like the work of someone who’s actually trained in it. You can practically see the action unfold. Feels like watching a drama on screen.”

“A period drama, huh? That’s unusual. But it sounds interesting. I’ll give it a read.”

“Really? That makes me happy. In that case, I’ll read that romance novel you recommended to me.”

“Oh? You like pure love stories, don’t you, Tennouji-kun? Then this one’s perfect for you.”

“Do I ever. Those kinds of stories always get me right in the heart.”

“You’re far too quick to cry, you know that?”

She wasn’t wrong. I was ridiculously emotional — she probably figured that out from the way I always ranted about NetHaza.

When Fuyuki-san’s in-game counterpart got a tongue piercing, I’d been… well, very excited. But when she broke down, started hallucinating, and jumped from the rooftop — I bawled my eyes out. So hard that my neighbor rang the bell out of concern.

“AaaaAAAHHHH! How can it end like thiiiiiis!? KiEEEEEEEE!!! BIYAAAAAA!!!”

“Um—neighbor!? Are you okay!? I’m calling the police!!”

That was how I ended up completely humiliated and pitied by both my neighbor and the police. Still, I couldn’t help but wish salvation upon those tragic heroines. I even sent a message to the NetHaza devs: “Please, give them a route where they can be saved!”

Their reply on social media? “Didn’t she find salvation when she jumped from the rooftop?”
I threw my mouse.

In this world — the one where I exist as Tennouji — I want them to find happiness. No tongue piercings, no toxic relationships.

Just a peaceful school life, maybe even a nice boyfriend someday… Yeah. That’d be enough. Even if it makes me a little lonely.

“What is it? You’ve been staring at me. Is there something on my face?”

“Ah, sorry. Zoned out for a second.”

“You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”

“Nah, I’m fine. Actually, just looking at your face makes me feel better.”

“Wh–what are you saying… geez… idiot…”

Damn it. I said it out loud again.
Why do my thoughts always slip out like that…?
Wait, is she… playing with her hair? So she’s not angry?

“Hey, Tennouji-kun.”

“Y-yeah?”

“I was wondering… could you call me Rinko, like Shina does?”

…Huh? I must’ve looked like I’d just been hit by three fox spirits.
Wait a sec. She wants me to call her Rinko?
Shina had asked the same thing before, but now Rinko too…?
Is… is this what happiness feels like?
Did I just trigger a high-affection flag without realizing it?

“Is that… not okay?”

“N-no, it’s fine! If you want me to, Rin—uh, Rinko-san, then I’ll do it.”

“………I-I see.”

There she goes, touching her hair again. The more I talk to Rinko-san, the more I realize how different she is from her game counterpart — softer, cuter, more human.

And now that I remember her calling me Dai-kun the other day… ah, crap, my face is heating up again.

“I… um… just give me a little time, okay? I still need… a bit of courage.”

“A-ah, sure.”

For someone who used to dislike men, she’s trying so hard to bridge that gap.
She wants to call me by my name, even though it scares her a little — it’s so sincere it hurts.

That anxious little look on her face… too cute for words.

“Ah… the final bell.”

What lousy timing. We were right on the verge of something good. But maybe it’s for the best — any more, and Rinko-san might’ve short-circuited.

“Well then, shall we head home, Rinko-san?”

“………Yes.”

She went into the prep room to lock up the library, and I waited outside.

***

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

When I looked outside, it was pouring. I wanted to yell at the weather reporter, but hey — forecasts aren’t prophecies. It happens.

Sighing, I grabbed the spare umbrella I’d left in the classroom just for situations like this and headed toward the entrance.

“Oh dear…”

Rinko-san was standing there, gazing up at the sky helplessly. Guess she didn’t have a folding umbrella on her.

“Rinko-san.”

“Ah, Tennouji-kun. Where did you go?”

“To grab this. I keep a spare umbrella for emergencies like this.”

“I see. Then… I suppose we’ll part ways here. I’ll wait for the rain to stop.”

Like hell she would. This wasn’t a light drizzle — it was a full-on downpour. If she waited for it to stop, she’d be here all night.

And then it hit me — this was that scene.
The shared umbrella event.
If I walked her home, it would push her affection route forward.
If I didn’t… she’d get soaked, catch a cold, and miss school for days.

Yeah, no true fan would ever choose the second option.

“Rinko-san, let’s go together. It’s a big umbrella — you won’t get wet.”

“Eh!? B-but…”

“It’s nearly November. You’ll catch a serious cold if you walk home like that. You’re not exactly the strongest, remember?”

“…………Th-then… I’ll take you up on that…”

She stepped closer — close enough that our shoulders almost touched. So this was it… the shared umbrella event.

No wonder my heart was racing.

***

The rain didn’t let up. If anything, it got worse. Even I was starting to feel chilled.

“Rinko-san, are you cold? You’re not getting wet, right?”

“I-I’m fine… really…”

“Good. Just checking.”

She didn’t speak again after that.
Maybe she felt awkward… but it was better than her catching a cold.
I tilted the umbrella more to her side, keeping the rain off her.

“Tennouji-kun… your shoulder’s getting wet. That’s not good — it’s your umbrella.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’d rather get a little wet myself than see you sick. I’m fine, really.”

“I… I see…”

If Rinko-san caught a cold, I’d probably end up apologizing to her family on my knees. A damp shoulder? That’s nothing.

“Tennouji-kun…”

“Hmm?”

“You really are… different from other guys. You’re so kind.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. Usually, when someone does this much, you start to wonder if they have ulterior motives… but you— you don’t make me feel that way.”

“R-really? I mean, I’m just trying to keep you from catching a cold. That’s all.”

“…That’s exactly what I mean.”

“Eh?”

“N-nothing.”

After that, she didn’t say anything more.
But it wasn’t an awkward silence — just… warm.
Even without words, I was happy just walking her home safely.

“Hey, Tennouji-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Would you… like to see that romance novel’s movie adaptation with me sometime?”

“The one that’s supposed to be a real tearjerker? Absolutely! Let’s go!”

“Maybe after the cultural festival. Things will be hectic until then.”

“Good idea. Let’s set a date for sure. I know I’ll cry at that one.”

“Fufu, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

She smiled — that soft, beautiful smile I could never get tired of. I wanted to protect it, no matter what.

“Thanks for walking me home. I’ll repay you somehow.”

“No need. Just don’t catch a cold — that’s thanks enough.”

“…Alright. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. See ya.”

I was practically humming as I stopped by the supermarket on my way home.

And behind me, in a voice I almost didn’t hear—

“See you again… Dai-kun.”

…But I was too lost in my own happy daze to notice.