The Kansai Villain’s Rebirth: I Accidentally Ended Up With a Harem. - Chapter 89: Kansai Guy, Exchanging Bentous.

Kansai Guy, Exchanging Bentous.

“It’s been a while since I last deep-fried anything, so I wasn’t sure it’d turn out okay… but somehow, it always works out, doesn’t it?”

I’m Daiki. It’s Monday, and starting this week, winter break finally begins. Yet here I am, up since five in the morning, making bentos. This one’s for the lunch-swap I promised Mio-chan on POINE. At the same time, I figured I might as well make one for Shi-chan too, so I ended up preparing several. Well, like Mio-chan said, making two isn’t much more trouble than making one. The chikuwa isobe-age came out perfectly crisp, and I’m in high spirits. Since they’re for girls, I kept everything on the lighter, healthier side.

“Mm, that should do it. Perfect—I’ve even got plenty of time for a shower.”

Chikuwa isobe-age. Dashimaki tamago. Green beans in sesame dressing. Tofu hamburg steak. And minced chicken over the rice. Oh, right—almost forgot the most important part. I carefully slip the bentos into my school bag, take a shower, blow-dry my hair… and set it just right.

“I’m off~”

There’s no one home, but I still call it out toward the living room before heading to school.

“Morniiing~”

I greet them with my usual light wave, and instantly Shi-chan, Mio-chan, and Rinko light up like flowers in the sun. Yeah, this sight never gets old.

“Morning, Daiki-kun! Here, today’s bento is extra special—I really put my heart into it!”

Mio-chan puffs out her chest with that proud little smirk, and it’s absurdly cute. Lunchtime can’t come soon enough.

“I put my heart into mine too. So, here you go—your bento.”

“Wah… I can’t believe I’m the one receiving a bento! Ehehe, being with Daiki-kun means so many firsts♪ Hmm, I’m dying to see what’s inside…”

“You’ll have to wait till lunch for the grand reveal. I’m looking forward to yours just as much.”

“Mm!”

“Oh, right—Shi-chan.”

“Hmm? Me~?”

“I went ahead and made one for you too. You always eat that cafeteria bread, so I figured two bentos weren’t any extra trouble.”

“Eeee!! For real!? Yippee!! Daichan’s bento!! I love love looove Daichan!!”

She launches herself at me with a flying hug. By now the whole class is completely used to these scenes. Unlike with Mio-chan or Rinko, at school Shi-chan and I are always like this—flirting shamelessly. The moment she sees me she’s glued to my side, and sometimes she even tries to steal kisses.

“I’ll make yours in the third term, Rinko.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

During morning classes, both Shi-chan and Mio-chan were fidgety the whole time. Adorable. By the way, when we exchanged bentos, Imamiya was staring at us again like he wanted to devour the boxes whole. Dude, how about a single word of apology first? Apparently only his mom came to apologize. Mio-chan’s mom said she never wants to see his face again—she was that furious. But still, the least he could do is apologize to Mio-chan herself. That’s exactly your problem, Imamiya.

***

Lunch is in our usual empty classroom. No breeze, perfect sunlight—ideal for this season. The moment Mio-chan and Shi-chan pop open their bento lids, the room fills with delighted squeals.

“Waa~! It looks so healthy and pretty!”

“Whoa, this looks insanely good!”

“Well, they’re for girls, after all. Oh, by the way, those hamburgs are tofu.”

“Even healthier! Amazing!”

“The dashimaki looks delicious~! Itadakimaasu!”

Shi-chan immediately steals a bite of the dashimaki, while Mio-chan starts with the tofu hamburg.

“So good! Daichan, the dashimaki is perfect!”

“The sauce on the hamburg is incredible!”

“Phew, glad it’s not too bland.”

“Not at all! The seasoning is just right~”

The two of them dig in like they’ve been starving for days. I nearly tear up eating Mio-chan’s karaage—it’s that good. For some reason, ever since we started dating, her cooking has leveled up dramatically. Maybe her mom’s been giving her intensive lessons. The growth is honestly frightening.

“Fufu, you two look utterly enchanted.”

“Of course~ It’s just that delicious… Ah, Rin-chan, want half my isobe-age? I already took a bite, though.”

“Oh? I’ll gladly accept, then.”

“A~n♪”

“Y-you don’t have to—”

“A~n♪”

“…A~n.”

Watching my two favorite girls feed each other like that in real life is nothing short of sacred! I’m practically ascending. Mio-chan’s spinach ohitashi is, as always, mysteriously perfect… I could eat it forever and never tire of it. So good.

“Delicious! Hey, could we trade some dashimaki? How’s the one Daiki-kun made?”

“Super tasty~! I’ve always loved the dashimaki Rin-chan’s mom makes♪”

“Thanks… nom… mm! So good!”

“The secret’s in the dashi amount.”

I’ve always loved dashimaki; in my previous life I made it constantly and obsessed over the perfect dashi ratio. Glad to see the skill hasn’t rusted. The three of them—Mio-chan, Shi-chan, and Rinko—happily swap portions, chatting and laughing. I stuff my cheeks with sweet tamago and watch them sparkle, happier than I can say.

“Phew~ That was heavenly♪”

“Yep! I’m seriously blissed out right now♪”

“As expected, Daiki-kun’s cooking is wonderful.”

“Once winter break starts, it’s crab hot pot time. They should arrive the day before, I think.”

“Crab! I’ve never had it before~ I wonder what it tastes like?”

“I’ve only had it a few times myself.”

“I get it occasionally, but… I think it tastes way better when everyone eats together.”

“Apparently we’re getting both taraba and zuwai… Not sure we’ll finish it all…”

“If anything’s left, Daiki-kun can have the rest the next day.”

“We could freeze it and have another party after New Year’s. They’re apparently sending scallops too even though I said we didn’t need them…”

“I’d love to properly greet your father-in-law and mother-in-law someday.”

“They’re coming home for New Year’s. I want to introduce you all, too.”

“Then let’s do hatsumoude together! The four of us!”

“Yeah, sounds perfect.”

“Ehehe, we’ll all be together for the holidays♪”

Mio-chan leans her head against my shoulder with that soft smile. I gently stroke her hair.

“Oh! On the closing-ceremony day, I’m getting a full makeover in the afternoon!”

She shoots her hand up, still basking in the head pats. Oh yeah—those soft, wavy curls!

“Wha—!? You’re dyeing it!?”

“Shi-chan, no, that hits my trauma button.”

“????”

“Ehehe, the day after the ceremony is our hot-pot party, right? I’ll unveil the new me then!”

“Nice! A Christmas surprise—I’m already excited.”

“Fufu, then tomorrow really will be farewell to the Mio we’ve known these past few years.”

“Can’t wait to see!”

“Mio-chan’s gonna get even cuter!? I’m super hyped!”

Everyone’s totally on board. I can’t wait to see what she’ll look like either.

***

“Hey, Akitani, Tennouji—got a sec?”

“Hm? What’s up, Momotani?”

“Momotani-kun?”

“I’ve got a little favor to ask you two~ Mind hearing me out?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Yep yep~”

“You’re lifesavers! So, I’ve got a girlfriend right now—”

“Ah, Kana-chan, right?”

“Akitani, are you psychic or something?”

“Nope! Kana-chan told me herself.”

“Oh, phew, you scared me. Anyway—about Kana. She says she wants me to pick out clothes for her, but even Kentarō admits my fashion sense is tragically bad, so I was hoping Akitani could help.”

“Aww! Kana-chan wants to wear the outfits you choose for her! Of course I’ll help!”

“And since you’re dating Tennouji, I thought—why not make it a double date?”

“Daiki-kun, what do you think?”

“I’m in. Sounds fun.”

“Tennouji, you’re a legend! I’ll treat you both to anything you want—”

“No need. Spend that money on your Kana-chan instead.”

“For real? Are you a god?”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Got it, Momotani-kun! I’ll totally help! Oh, but the Winter Cup is…”

“Yeah, exactly. Would after New Year’s work?”

“No problem. Let’s do it after the third.”

“You’re the best~! Oh, Tennouji, Akitani—mind adding me on POINE? Sweet, thanks! Alright, with this, Tennouji, Akitani, and I are soul bros now. I’ll message about the date—see ya, gotta run to practice!”

“He really is a walking hurricane.”

“Fufu, but he and Kana-chan make a great couple, don’t they? Right, Daiki-kun… hey, on that double date, could you dye my underwear too?”

“Roger that. The whole set…”

“Yep! Dye everything♪ I can’t wait~♪”

Picking out lingerie on a double date is insanely embarrassing… but whatever. I’m already looking forward to the new year.