The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 49: A Kansai Boy Goes on a Date with Natsume Shina.

A Kansai Boy Goes on a Date with Natsume Shina.

“Daai-chaaan!”

When I arrived at the station where we were supposed to meet, I spotted Shina waving wildly at me. I walked over to her. It was Saturday, a day off from school, and today I was going on a date with Shina—a promise we made during the cultural festival. To think that I, of all people, would end up going on a date with Shina. Well… lately she’d been incredibly touchy with me, so even someone like me, who has absolutely no experience with girls, could tell she liked me. But hearing her clearly call it a date—that’s a bit embarrassing.

“Ahaha! Dai-chan! Let’s have sooo much fun today!”

“Yeah. Let’s walk the whole mall until our legs fall off.”

“Yep!! C’mon, let’s go, let’s go!”

Shina latched onto my arm—then even intertwined her fingers with mine. The full-on, fingers-entwined lover’s hold. Th-that’s way too bold… And the people around us kept staring.

“May the normies explode.”

Someone even muttered that. But I didn’t pull my hand away. Why are girls’ hands this soft…? And smooth. And small. Cute.

Shina had a radiant smile, enjoying herself more than anyone else in the world.
Yeah… I don’t ever want to see that broken, drugged Shina from NetHaza again.

I wanted this smile. This happy smile.

***

We took the train two stops to the shopping mall. I figured somewhere like Harajuku would be better for clothes, but she said it would be too expensive on her allowance. Honestly, she’d look cute no matter where she bought clothes. Let’s pick something cute for her.

“What about this one?”

“It’s cute, but your shoulders are totally out, and your stomach too.”

“Ah, too flashy! Pass, pass!”

“How about this one?”

“Oh—that one’s cool. Nice.”

“Then I’ll keep this one!”

Girls have this insane power when they shop for clothes. Tops, pants, skirts—an endless rotation. Lots of flashy gyaru-style pieces because, well, she is a gyaru.

While looking around the store, I spotted a certain set on a mannequin.
A full-on “menhera/ji-rai” type outfit.
Pink and black frilled blouse, black mini skirt.
For some reason, I thought… this would suit Shina.

“What about th—hm? Dai-chan? What’re you looking at?”

“Oh, Shina. What’s next?”

“Are you curious about that pink one?”

“Eh? Ah—yeah. I thought it might look good on you.”

“Really? Then I’ll try it! Excuse meee!”

Laughing brightly, she disappeared with the clerk into the fitting booth.
She did joke that I could watch her change, but obviously that was impossible.

I thought so—then the curtain flew open.

“Hehe, Dai-chan. How is it?”

“Oo…oh…”

When you say Natsume Shina, you think flashy gyaru fashion.
Even when she was dating Imamiya.
Even after she fell and crashed on drugs.
Always bold, showy, loud.

But this… This quiet, subdued, frilled black-and-pink look matched her black hair perfectly.
Her slightly embarrassed posture, with so little skin showing—that was so fresh, so new.
This… this might be unlocking a completely new side of Shina.

“Dai-chan…? Does it not… suit me?”

“It’s unbelievably cute.”

“F-fyehh!?”

“It’s a new discovery. Shina, this style fits you so well. Ah, excuse me—do you have pumps? Sneakers don’t work. Yes, sorry—could you help my girlfriend with them?”

“Certainly!”

“E-Eh!? D-Dai-chan!? Ma’am!?”

Feet included, the look was perfect.
No need for accessories either.
Just a black scrunchie around her wrist for an accent—perfect.

“M-Miss… I’ll… wear it out as I am…”

“Wonderful! Your boyfriend is thrilled.”

“Fwaaa…”

Yes, yes.
Absolutely perfect.
I need to thank that clerk.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“You wanna look around a bit more?”

“Yeah, just a little… I want you to see me in this outfit today…”

“Then let’s walk around. Ah, I’ll carry that.”

“…okay!”

And naturally, I held her hand again.

“Ah—” she gasped softly, then smiled and laced our fingers tightly again.

“Hehehe♪ Dai-chan, there’s Mikudo!”

“Oh, Burger Queen too. Which one?”

“Want to try Burger Queen for a change?”

“Yeah. Heard it’s good.”

“Mm!”

We skipped Mikudo and explored new territory. It was actually delicious.

“Dai-chan.”

“Mm?”

“You got sauce here. Okay, it’s gone.”

“O-oh…”

Classic date event: sauce on the cheek. She’s too cute and way too considerate.

“What about after lunch?”

“I wanna look for clothes too. Come with me?”

“Yes! I’ll help you pick!”

“Please.”

***

“Dai-chan, you’ve got great fashion sense…”

That was original Tennouji, not me.
He hated being looked down on—and hated dressing badly even more.
That sense lives on inside me.

“Maybe. I dunno. Oh—this V-neck is nice.”

“Whoa, cool! You buying it?”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Yay! Dai-chan, Dai-chan, this one would look great too!”

“A leather jacket? It’s sick… The price is—50,000 yen.”

“Hwaa… yeah, that’s impossible.”

Too bad. We settled for some winter stuff.

Then we went to Snowbucks for lattes, the arcade for crane games, and a bookstore. We walked the mall the entire day.
Shina was having so much fun.

“Let me treat you for dinner.”

“Okay… thank you, Dai-chan♪ Next time I’ll treat you! I kinda… spent too much today.”

“Those underwear… that was embarrassing…”

“Hehehe♪ But I’ll wear the ones you picked~ Pink, light blue, and purple!”

“You didn’t have to say that…”

When she said underwear, I thought my face would combust. We had dinner at a hamburger steak place, then headed home.

***

“Dai-chan, thank you so much. Today was amazing!”

“You sure you don’t want me to walk you home?”

“Yeah! I’m good! We say goodbye here today.”

“Alright. See you at school.”

“Yep! See you the day after tomorrow!”

We got back to the station. The day flew by. It was a fulfilling date.

“Well, I’ll head home.”

“Yeah. Ah—Dai-chan, come here.”

Shina beckoned me closer. She leaned up like she wanted to whisper something, so I lowered my head.

Then—

Chuu.

Something soft pressed against my cheek. Huh…?

“Dai-chan… I love you.”

“S-Shina…”

“You don’t need to answer right away. I just… want you to think about me.”

“…”

Her face was bright red. But she was smiling so happily.

“See you! Bye-bye!”

She ran off in flustered steps.

I walked home… though I don’t remember how.

***

Even after getting home, the warmth of that kiss lingered.
And thinking about Shina, huh…
As if there was any other answer.

If that was her confession, then of course I’ll accept it.
I’ll make her happy myself.
That’s my unchanging conviction.

I’ll give her my answer on Monday. To protect her smile, from now on and always.

“Damn, I spaced out too long. Time for a bath.”

Just then, my phone rang. It was Shina.

Did she forget something?

I picked up.

“Hello, Shina?”

“Hic… ngh… h-huhh… aaah…”

A trembling voice. She was crying.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“D-Dai-chaaan…”

I bolted out of the house.