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

Fuyuki Rinko’s Melancholy.

Following Shina, Mio also became Dai-kun’s girlfriend. A feeling of impatience—one I couldn’t even put into words—kept tightening in my chest. It felt as if I alone had been left behind… as if the three of them were leaving for somewhere far away without me.

That anxiety consumed me.

From my perspective, both Shina and Mio are incredibly cute girls. But me? I’ve always been called a cold girl—no charm at all. I’m tall, my body is plain… and I’m not very friendly. I can’t cook, and all I’m good at is studying. I envied Shina and Mio so much it hurt. Yet for some reason, boys often come to confess to me. I never understood it. Wouldn’t Shina or Mio be the better choice…? Not that it matters anymore—now that both of them are Dai-kun’s girlfriends, it’s already impossible.

But… Dai-kun would still smile and say he’d gladly accept someone like me. That’s why I want to find the courage. If we’re talking about feelings for Dai-kun, I’m confident I’m not losing to Shina or Mio. And yet… I just can’t take that final step. I want… I want to become one with him—body and heart—just like they have.

Listening to the stories Shina and Mio tell… they’re so embarrassing I can barely stay seated, yet they seem so happy. I want that too.

Ever since hearing Mio’s story that day… I’ve been drowning in restless thoughts.

***

Monday.
The study group starts again today—I need to stay focused.
With that determination, I arrived early at school to prepare.
As I opened my shoe locker, I found a single envelope inside.

“Haah… again, huh.”

A love letter. Another message for me. I opened it right there and read.

“Please come behind the gym after school. There’s something I need to tell you. — Noe”

Behind the gym, again. That’s where confessions always happen. Probably because no one goes there and everything stays discreet. Noe… could it be that Noe-kun? The ace of Class E’s soccer team—popular among the girls, just like Momodani-kun and Tenma-kun. That only made my chest heavier. Whether I accept or reject him, the girls will make a huge deal out of it… Rumors like this spread among them in an instant.

“But… I can’t just ignore it.”

The letter clearly carried serious intent. I’ll have to apologize and decline. Just thinking about after-school made me sigh again.

***

After classes, I asked Dai-kun to keep the study group running for a bit and headed behind the gym. He was already there waiting. The moment he noticed me, he smiled—so brightly it hurt. What I’m about to say… I really don’t want to. But I must.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“Fuyuki-san! I’m so glad you came!”

“Yes. It would be rude to ignore it. So… what is it you wanted to talk about?”

“Right… I’ll keep it short since you’re probably busy.”

“All right…”

“Fuyuki-san! I’ve liked you since our first year! Please go out with me!”

As expected… a confession. My answer was already decided.

“…I’m sorry.”

Those words had become a rehearsed line. In the past, I would follow it with: “I’m not interested in romance.” But now… it’s different. There’s someone my heart has already chosen.

“I… already like someone else.”

“I see…”

Noe-kun gave a small, strained laugh—but right away, he returned to his usual refreshing smile.

“Thanks. Just saying it helped me feel better. Well, I’ve got to get back to practice! And um… maybe it’s none of my business but—good luck with the person you like! See you!”

Even to the very end—refreshing. I could only hope he’d choose someone more charming, more adorable… and fall in love. Now then, I should head back—

“Tch.”

“…What?”

That wasn’t my imagination. Someone clicked their tongue. Then footsteps—running away. Someone was there. Someone watched him confess to me… No—was watching all along.

That tongue-click… It was directed at me. I could feel the hostility—sharp, unmistakable.

My legs froze. My mouth felt unbearably dry. My breath quickened. Who…? Terrified, I fled back into the school.

In the classroom, I acted as if nothing had happened. Even when Mio asked if I was okay, I forced myself to stay composed. She’s sharp… I had to be careful.

That night, just remembering what happened made it impossible to sleep. I got into bed at eleven… yet didn’t fall asleep until around two. The next day was agonizing.

***

On Wednesday, three girls from Class E came with Kuzuha-san asking for help studying. Class E… being reminded of Noe-kun only made the memory of that tongue-click weigh heavier. But it wasn’t their fault. I welcomed them kindly.

Even though as the host, I shouldn’t act superior… Some people really don’t get that, do they?

***

Ever since Monday, I’ve barely slept. But today is Saturday. We’re having the study group at Dai-kun’s house—there’s absolutely no way I’d skip. I mean, I get to go to the house of the person I love. Of course I’m going.

Wearing my coat, I headed to the school gate where we were meeting.

Before Dai-kun arrived, I was chatting with Shina and Mio—and somehow, I ended up sharing the handles of the shopping tote with Dai-kun, carrying it together.

“T-today! I’ll hold it!”

When I insisted, he smiled Sure, and we walked side by side. So embarrassing…! When I looked to Shina and Mio for help, they just kept smiling. And when I begged them to switch with me—

“Nope♪”

“No-way♪”

That’s how they answered… Until we reached his house, my free hand kept fidgeting with my hair.

***

I was shocked… In Osaka, okonomiyaki is a side dish? Isn’t okonomiyaki supposed to be a main dish… or a snack…? I don’t understand…

But it was delicious. Rich enough to cost a lot at a restaurant. I had to refuse the rice—if I ate that too, I would’ve burst. My stomach felt tight but deeply fulfilled. I sat on a wonderfully comfortable sofa, sipping tea.

While doing the dishes, Dai-kun chatted with Shina and Mio. I watched them from the side. What a nice atmosphere… so calm and warm. I felt more relaxed there than in my own home.

As I watched him… sleepiness washed over me in waves. Their voices grew distant… Everything felt so… soft…

***

I think I was dreaming of a childhood memory.
The picture books about a prince and his princess I used to adore.
A princess kidnapped by a villain, and a prince who rides a white horse to rescue her.
They defeat the villain, and the prince and princess live happily ever after.

When I was little… I believed someday my prince would come for me. My prince… That’s… Dai-kun. Someone who would protect me no matter what.

And in my half-asleep haze… At Dai-kun’s house no less, I ended up mumbling—

“Nn… Dai-kun…? Morning… my… prince…?”

Those words… I could never take them back.

He was leaning over me, watching—and I just stared back blankly, dazed… But as my head cleared…

I realized what I had just said. And that I had fallen fast asleep during a study session of all things!?

Worse still, the blanket covering me… It was his—something he uses every day. When he said that, I dove under it in pure embarrassment. Wrapped in his warmth… I felt a tingle run through me.

Overwhelmed, I timidly peeked out—and when Shina and Mio called me cute… and even Dai-kun added that word—

“S-shut up! Idiots! I don’t care anymore!”

I yanked the blanket back over my head, my face burning hot.

Still—after that, I properly focused on studying. Exams start Monday… I have to give it my all.

That weekend, I slept soundly for the first time since Monday—forgetting entirely about the tongue-click incident. Wrapped in the memory of his blanket. Dai-kun’s home… is such a comforting place.

I want to go again.