The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 51: A Kansai Boy, Protecting Natsume Shina.

A Kansai Boy, Protecting Natsume Shina.

I rushed out of the house, heading straight for the Natsume residence. On the way, I tried calling out to Shina-chan.

“Shina-chan, what’s wrong!? Are you at home!?”

‘Hic… snff… uuu… hic…!’

Damn it… she’s crying so much she can’t even speak properly. But—through the phone, I could hear the sound of a train. A train…?

“Shina-chan, where are you right now? That’s a train, yeah? Are you at the station?”

‘Uu… snff… I… hic… was meeting Dai-chan… sniff…’

“Alright, I’m coming there right now! Don’t move from that spot! Keep the call going!”

I sprinted like some Olympic athlete. Don’t underestimate Tennoji’s physical prowess. Not that it’s thanks to me.

‘Oh my, what’s wrong, young lady? Did something sad happen?’

A disgusting old man’s voice came from her side of the call. He must’ve approached Shina-chan because she was crying, but his tone alone pissed me off. This guy’s trying to proposition her… definitely up to no good.

I ran even faster.

‘Sniff! Uhh… hic hic! Don’t cry, okay? How about you come with me? I can make you feel good… make you forget all those sad things… u—ARGH!’

Yeah. This bastard is getting a beatdown. Rinko-san told me I shouldn’t use violence, but… at least I’ll rip out some hair. The station came into view — and there she was at the bench where we planned to meet, crying her eyes out while some balding creep leaned in close with a disgusting grin.

“Well now, why don’t you come along with me?”

“No!!”

“Hey, old man. What the hell do you think you’re doing to my girl? Want me to expand that shiny bald spot of yours?”

“Heeii!? Wh-Who are you!?”

“I’m her boyfriend. And you laid your hands on my girl… You think you’re getting away with that for free…!?”

He squealed like a pig and ran off. Didn’t even get the chance to rip out his hair. But now’s not the time to complain.

“Shina-chan, are you okay? Did he do anything to you?”

“Da-chaaaaaan!!”

The moment she saw me, Shina-chan threw herself into my arms and burst into tears again. For her to call me in that state… something serious must’ve happened. Did something happen at home? All those things she bought are still with her… Could she have been attacked before getting here? No, she doesn’t look disheveled… so it must’ve begun at home.

We couldn’t stay outside like this. I had to take her somewhere safe.

“Shina-chan, let’s go to my place, okay? You’ll catch a cold if you stay here.”

She nodded faintly. I carried her bag and gently rubbed her back as we made our way to my house.

Letting her go home now wouldn’t solve anything.

***

…

She kept crying the entire way back. Whoever made her cry is someone I’ll never forgive — even if it’s her parents.

But right now, calming Shina-chan is what matters.

“Shina-chan. You must be cold. Wait a second, I’ll warm some tea.”

Even after coming inside, she clung to me and wouldn’t let go. She kept crying, so I held her close — stroking her head and rubbing her back, whispering to her until she could breathe again.

It took around thirty minutes before she finally calmed down and began to speak in small pieces.

First — she came home late. Her father started accusing her mother of not raising her properly. The fight escalated until they started talking about divorce.

That alone ignited a storm of anger inside me.

Why the hell blame her for their fight?

Normally her father ignores her. And her mother never complains about the dyed hair or flashy outfits. They just happened to clash today — and because Shina-chan wasn’t home, they used her absence as an excuse.

And then — in front of their daughter — they started discussing custody and child support?

Do they even deserve to be called parents!?

All they’re thinking about is pride and money, while the one they’re hurting is right in front of them!

Unforgivable.

“How could they… how dare they make you cry…!”

Whether they’re parents or not… I’ll never forgive them for this!

“Shina-chan. You’re staying here tonight. Going home will only make you suffer again.”

“Dai-chan… is that… okay…?”

“Of course. I can’t stand seeing the girl I love hurt anymore. Maybe I can’t do much yet… but I’ll protect you.”

I’m still just a high schooler — I can’t support her financially yet. And in my previous life? I was a corporate slave. The frustration burns deep.

“W-Wait… just now… Dai-chan, did you say you love me…?”

“You said you love me earlier. And you told me to think about you. I love you too. Shina-chan… I know I’m still seen as a delinquent with bad rumors around me, but… would you be my girlfriend? I want to make you happy.”

The reason I didn’t say “I love you” but “I love you a lot” — is because Shina-chan doesn’t yet understand what love truly means, thanks to her toxic parents. The original story was the same. Even if Imamiya told her “I love you,” she would answer, “What does that mean?”

Her parents love other people — so love equals betrayal in her mind.

So the greatest expression she knows is “I love you a lot.”

That’s enough for now. Someday, she’ll learn what true love is.

“…Really?”

“It’s true. I love everything about you — how honest you are, how you always show me how much you care. Hugging me, holding my hand… I want to respond to your feelings. I want to protect you from anything that makes you cry. Because your smile is the cutest thing in the world.”

“Will you… stay by my side… forever…?”

“I want to stay by your side too.”

“You… you won’t throw me away… right? Ah—!?”

I pulled Shina-chan into my arms. Her shoulders trembled — so I whispered into her ear.

“I’ll never throw you away. Never let you go. Shina-chan… I love you a lot.”

“Y-Yes… yes…!! I love you too, Dai-chan…! Forever!! I love you so much!! Uwaaaahhhh!!!”

…And she’s crying again. B-But this time… it’s a good kind of crying, right? Right?

⋯⋯⋯

Her eyes were red, yet she clung to me, refusing to move even an inch. When I tried to pull away, she held on tighter.

“Shina-chan. There’s something I want to give you. Is it okay?”

“…Okay.”

Reluctantly, she released me. I opened the cabinet in the living room and took out the key hanging inside. I placed it in front of her.

“Dai-chan…?”

“This is a spare key to my house. If you ever feel lonely… if you can’t stand being around your parents… if you ever want to run away… come here. Anytime. This can be your escape. A place where you can heal — where your heart won’t break.”

“…!? B-But… I’ll be such a burden…”

“I’ll never think of you as a burden. So come whenever you want.”

Shina-chan picked up the key, holding it close to her chest as if it were a treasure. Tears fell again — but she smiled this time.

“Okay!”

She hugged me tight. This was the right choice. Distance from toxic parents is necessary.

But… like this, it might look like I’m kidnapping her.

“Shina-chan, I need to step out for a bit.”

“Eh… where are you going…?”

Her eyes filled with fear — but I had to face this. Toxic or not, they’re still her parents. And she’s still a minor.

It might get messy. Honestly… that could be fun.

With a wicked grin, I told her:

“I’m going to talk to your parents.”