The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 39: A Kansai Boy in the Kitchen.

A Kansai Boy in the Kitchen.

I slapped and shaped the hamburger patties with both hands. When I finely minced the onions, Mio-san looked genuinely impressed. Meanwhile, she was marinating the chicken for karaage. She also helped peel the potatoes earlier—effortlessly gliding the knife along the surface in smooth strokes. I can only manage it with a peeler. Must be the result of her mother’s teachings.

On the other hand, Rinko-san still hadn’t come out of the study. If she really felt like it, she’d probably borrow every book in there. Shina-chan, for her part, was reading manga. She wanted to help, but I guess she was a little intimidated by how absurdly fast and skilled Mio-san was. Same for Rinko-san.

“Tennouji-kun, your house has so many seasonings. Thanks to that, prepping everything was so easy.”

“Glad to hear it. It’s a pain when you’re all set to cook but realize you’re out of seasoning and have to run to the store.”

“Oh, I know! It really kills the mood. You’re all motivated and then… wham.”

“Exactly. That’s why I make sure to keep a decent stock so nothing runs out.”

“Hehe, I feel you.”

Seasonings really are important. When you suddenly need one and it’s not there… nothing’s more irritating. I always keep backups, just in case.

“Alright, everything’s prepped. Let’s take a break. Want me to make some tea?”

“The water’s already boiling. How about black tea?”

“Yes! I’ve started to really like the tea at your house, Tennouji-kun.”

Moments like this… they’re nice. Having a girl over—this girl, especially. It makes me squirm a bit, but since it’s Mio-san, there’s really no feeling except happiness. She’s the guest today, though, so I’ve got her sitting on the sofa while I handle the hosting.

“Thanks for waiting~”

“Aah! Choco pies! Dai-chan, you bought these!?”

“You looked like you’d want some.”

“Oh, honestly… Tennouji-kun… Shi-chan, don’t eat too many or you won’t have room for dinner.”

“Uu… that would be a disaster…”

“There are plenty of side dishes, okay?”

“Then… I’ll just stick to the tea…”

“Hehe, Mio sounds like Shina’s big sister.”

“I mean, it’d be a shame if you couldn’t eat the delicious hamburg steak Tennouji-kun worked so hard on.”

“That’s true. Is this small one mine?”

“It’s not much, but I want you to enjoy everything. Though Rinko-san, this might not be enough for you.”

“Indeed. I’ll take a little less rice and finish everything. Thank you for being considerate.”

“Heh. This is fun. Let’s do this again after finals.”

“Yeah! Cooking for everyone is so fun. Let’s do it again!”

“Aaah, I’m in too!”

“Shina, you’re only here to eat.”

“Ehehe, but… I feel way more relaxed than at home.”

“Shina…”

Parents who bring home random women… or come home and don’t even care about their own daughter… I can’t say it to her face, but honestly, what useless parents. If they ever make this girl cry again, I’ll storm their house. If they make her unhappy—I will yell at them.

“Dai-chan, do your mom and dad also never come home?”

“They’re busy, I guess. They come back during Obon or New Year’s, though.”

Apparently whenever they were home, I used to wander around, avoiding the house and troubling Mikage-san instead. Still, I do get random messages like, “You’re eating properly, right?” Not exactly overprotective, but close. The other day when they called, I answered properly and they said, “Are you really Daiki? Or some scammer pretending to be him?” How do you accuse your own son of being a scammer on his own number?

“I see… I’d like to meet your parents sometime.”

Oh no. If someone as pretty as Shina ever came to greet them, those two would probably start booking a wedding hall. Well… I hope I never need to introduce them.

“I’d like to talk to them too. The genre of novels they write is exactly my taste.”

“What kind of parents are they?”

And so the questions about my parents kept coming.

***

A sizzling sound filled the kitchen. I was cooking the hamburg steaks while Mio-san fried the karaage beside me. Dinner time was approaching. Shina peeked in, and Mio gently scolded her that it was dangerous. It was such a heartwarming little scene.

“It smells so good… I’m starving…”

“Hehe, Rin-chan’s getting impatient? Just a little more, okay?”

“Hamburg’s almost done too. Just wait a bit.”

“Okaaay!”

Cooking for someone else really is fun. It’s tiring, but if they tell you it’s good, it’s worth everything. Is this how Mio feels making lunch every day? No wonder she gets mad if someone wastes it. Imamiya, seriously, appreciate her more.

“Done!”

“Same here. Everything’s finished—and the rice is ready too!”

At that, Rinko-san fiddled nervously with her hair. Cute.

…

“Alright, hands together. Let’s eat.”

“““Let’s eat!”””

And just like that, our little “midterm exam celebration dinner” began. Mio quickly plated everything and served the rice. She really would make a wonderful mother someday.

“…Delicious. This definitely calls for more rice.”

“Really? I’m glad!”

“The hamburg is amazing too. The salad, the fried shrimp… hehe, I might actually explode.”

“If you can’t finish, don’t force yourself. Shina, are you eating?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s plenty, so eat as much as you want!”

“Yeah.”

Shina quietly kept eating. Must’ve been really good.

“Shi-chan, what’s wrong?”

Her usual energy was nowhere to be found. She ate slowly—almost savoring each bite. But after a while, her chopsticks stopped moving.

“Shina-chan, what’s wrong? Did you not like it?”

I leaned over to look at her. She seemed dazed for a moment…

“Shi-chan!?”

“Shina?”

Suddenly, tears spilled from her eyes. Then came the sobbing.

“It’s… so good… so warm… h-hic… uuu…!”

“Shi-chan!”

Mio immediately hugged her. Rinko stroked her head. Warm. Right… Shina doesn’t really know the warmth of a home-cooked meal. Not with parents like that. I’ve eaten alone for over ten years—I get it. Eating the same freshly made food together at the same table… Shina probably hasn’t had that since elementary school. And now that she’s tasted it again…

“Uu… hick… Dai-chan… it’s so good… it’s so warm… Mio-chan… th-thank… you…!”

“Shi-chan…!”

Mio held her tight as she sobbed. I gently patted her head.

“Shina-chan. Come eat here anytime. I’ll make all your favorite dishes again.”

“Shi-chan! You can come to my house too… let’s eat together, okay?”

Shina nodded hard and cried into Mio’s chest. Rinko didn’t say a word, but her kindness reached us anyway. Shina wasn’t alone. She had Mio, she had Rinko, and she had me. We’d never let her feel that kind of sadness again.

“Sniff… ehe… eheh… If I keep crying, the food’ll get cold… let’s eat… I’m sorry…”

“Yeah…”

“Yes.”

“There’s seconds too, Shina-chan. Eat plenty, okay?”

“Yeah!!”

Even with tears still in her eyes, she smiled and repeatedly told us how good the food was as she ate. She savored every bite of the dinner we made together.