The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem.

The Protagonist’s Worst Few Days.

No matter how many messages I sent Mio, she didn’t even open them. Even when I called, it went straight to voicemail—no connection. What the hell was going on?

At that time, I never even suspected that she might have blocked me. I thought she was just throwing a childish fit, ignoring me like some brat. But I hadn’t realized it yet— that what I had done to Mio had been exposed… that the worst had already happened… that Mio was slipping away from me forever.

***

The next morning, I woke up surprisingly refreshed—maybe because I was pissed that she ignored me. We always left home around the same time. Since she wasn’t there, I figured I could walk fast without bothering anyone. Not that it mattered—she should always follow three steps behind me anyway.

But today… she wasn’t there.

When I entered the classroom, Mio was already there. So she ditched me and came early, huh? That irritated me even more, so I called her over.

“Hey, Mio. Why are you ignoring my messages and calls?”

“Ah… um…”

She stuttered. She always did when I put a little pressure on her. Just spit it out already.

No way… could she have found out about that? No, impossible. I handled everything perfectly.

Mio just trembled there. So damn weak when I push a little.

“Mio-chan, could you come here a moment?”

Tennouji called her. Annoying. I’m talking to her right now—shut up. His glare was seriously terrifying. Shina was calling her too.

What the hell…?

“S-sorry…!”

“Hey, Mio!”

She ran to hide behind Tennouji. Shina was glaring daggers at me. There was no chance to approach… not with that atmosphere.

After that, because Mio was always with Tennouji and the others, I couldn’t talk to her at all. Even lunch tasted like crap.

***

“And so, without further notice, Akitani has resigned from the basketball club for personal reasons.”

The basketball team erupted in confusion.

Why would Mio leave the club? She was essential. So many tasks relied on her—could Kana handle everything alone? We should bring Mio back!

“It was Akitani’s decision. No one is to pressure her to return. Makino, it’ll be tough, but I’m counting on you to manage.”

“Yes, sir!”

She quit the basketball club too… What the hell was happening?

Her messages still showed no signs of being read.

***

Since I couldn’t talk to her properly during the week because of Tennouji, Shina, and Rin, I decided to confront her directly on Saturday and went to her house.

I rang the bell and her mother answered.

“Yes? Oh… Toshiya-kun. What brings you here today?”

“Hello, ma’am. Is Mio home?”

“Well~ Mio went out for the whole day. And she said she’s staying over at a friend’s place tonight, so she won’t be home.”

“A friend… Shina or Rin, maybe…?”

“Who knows? But not them, I think. It’s her private life, so even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you.”

So she did know where Mio was— but she sounded so cold…

“I—I see… then, tomorrow—”

“She’ll be at her friend’s place until the evening, and after that we have family plans.
Sorry, but she won’t be free.”

“O-okay…”

Damn it. So I can’t talk to her at all like this!

Fine. I’ll settle this Monday for sure!

“Well then, I’m busy, so if you’ll excuse me.”

“Y-yes ma’am…”

She looked terrifying at the end… What the hell was going on…?

***

Monday. Without Mio waking me, I still got up easily.

Today for sure— I’ll catch Mio and get everything out of her!

I marched to school.

At the entrance, I ran into Tennouji. This felt familiar— but mostly, get out of the damn way! You’re huge, stop walking like a turtle!

“…What?”

I didn’t even say anything! Just move already!

Mio was already in the classroom. Fine, I’d act nice. I wasn’t angry, after all.

“Hey, Mio~ I dunno why you’re upset or whatever, but come wake me again.
I’m useless without you.”

I told her that. See? I’m not mad. We’re childhood friends—being together is normal.

Then I noticed the bento on her desk.

Oh! There it is! My lunch!

See? After all that, she still made me one! That’s Mio for you—my future wife, ha!

“Oh, you made me lunch? Knew I couldn’t live without your bento!”

I reached for it— and then—

She snatched it away with unbelievable speed.

“Don’t you dare touch this!!!!!!”

I had never seen Mio like that. Fury burning in her eyes. A voice loud enough to shake the room.

“Mio…?”

“This… this isn’t yours.”

She was furious. Protecting the bento—from me.

“W-what!? Then who’s it for!?”

“This is for someone precious to me. And that someone… is not you, Imamiya.”

“Imamiya? What’s with that way of calling me!? What did I even do!?”

“…Playing dumb won’t save you.”

My heart jumped. She… knew something.

“Imamiya… How was that extra-large katsu curry the other day?”

“W-what!?”

No way. No way. NO WAY— How does she know!?

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about—!”

“So you still won’t say it.”

“Imamiya. There’s evidence. Give it up.”

Tennouji showed his phone— a picture of the bento I threw away… in the trash.

Why!? Why the hell did he have that!?

“You threw away my bento… like garbage… And now you think you can EAT it again…?!”

“N-No, Mio! I had no choice that day—!”

“Ohhh~ You throw it away out of ‘no choice’? Show me more, Tennouji— Wow, that’s messed up! Look, he dumped her lunch and bragged about that katsu curry!”

Momodani yelled. Tenma joined in.

“Wait—!? Weren’t you two dating in the basketball club!?”

“HEY!?”

Shit! Shit shit shit!!

“And Natsume and Fuyuki too~”

Momodani! Shut the hell up!!

“Eww!? Seriously!? That’s disgusting!!!”

“Who’s dating who, exactly?”

“N-no! That’s not—!”

“…You’ve treated me terribly all this time… and now you’re spreading lies…?”

“Mio! Just listen! We’re childhood friends, so— it’s normal for us to always be together—!”

“That’s what you call a toxic bond. Being childhood friends doesn’t mean you’re dating her.”