The next morning. I woke up refreshed before my alarm clock even went off.

After some light stretching, I felt fully awake and ready to go, both mentally and physically.

Why was I so fired up?

The answer was simple: today was the entrance ceremony at Soutei Academy, the school I would be attending.

My school life as a reincarnated villain was about to begin.

This world seemed to be a modern romantic comedy setting, so classes and school events probably wouldn't be that different from my previous life.

It was a bit reassuring to have some things remain constant.

After changing into my uniform, I styled my hair in front of the large mirror. Today, I even tried using some hair wax.

Even if I was the villain, I wanted to at least look like a “refreshing” type of guy to make a slightly better impression.

“Hair’s good! Now I'm all set. All that's left is… to wait for Mom. I wonder if Kyoko’s looking after Naoko right now.”

That's right, Kyoko, who always took care of me, had the morning off and wasn't by my side.

Or rather, I had specifically told her to take the time off.

If I recall correctly, the conversation went something like this…

“‘While you are my personal maid until the entrance ceremony… you don’t need to attend to me that day. Go to Naoko… your sister, without hesitation. You've been working hard for her, haven't you? So there's nothing more important than seeing her at the entrance ceremony with your own eyes.’”

“‘…Young master, are you sure?’”

“‘Of course. Besides, prioritizing your family is also one of your important duties.’”

I'd insisted, more or less.

Kyoko was dedicated to her work. I’d heard that Reito’s mother herself had appointed her as head maid. That was probably why she had such a strong sense of responsibility. She continued to serve me, even though she disliked me, without quitting.

But conversely, that meant she was hesitant to do anything outside of her duties.

Let alone spend time with her family.

Perhaps part of the reason was that the original Reito had caused so much trouble for everyone, forcing Kyoko into a position where she had to constantly deal with the aftermath.

That's why I needed to encourage her, even if it meant being a bit forceful, to prioritize Naoko.

There was nothing more important to prioritize than an entrance ceremony!

Normally, if Kyoko was absent, another maid would take care of me and handle things like transportation…

But I repeat, today was the entrance ceremony.

Even Reito's mother, usually busy with work, would be there today.

Or rather…

“‘Rei-kun! Mama will absolutely be at your entrance ceremony. Even if the shop goes bankrupt, even if our clients cancel their contracts, even if the economy collapses, I’ll be there!’”

That’s what she’d said over the phone yesterday.

No, no, none of those are acceptable! Well, it just showed how much she cherished her son.

“I need to start showing her some filial piety, little by little.”

The original Reito had apparently been cold to his mother.

I mean, she’d burst into tears just from being called “Mom.” Seriously, how terribly had he treated his own mother…?

I suppose crying out of happiness was fine. But today was the entrance ceremony… Would Mom burst into tears again? No, there was a chance she’d cry the moment she saw me in my uniform. Maybe I should bring a couple of extra handkerchiefs.

"Before the ceremony, I'll spend some time with Mom. I need to have a proper conversation with her, too."

…Just a few hours ago, I was feeling so calm and peaceful.

“Hey, Mom? I have a question… what is all of this?”

Walking across the vast grounds of Soutei Academy, I stopped and asked my mother.

Or rather, I had to ask.

Because… because…

More than a dozen of the mansion’s maids, excluding Kyoko and Naoko, were following behind my mother and me.

And that wasn't all…

“No hazardous objects in the passageway.”

“No issues with the surroundings or students here.”

At the front were two tall women in sharp suits and sunglasses, looking like bodyguards, cautiously scanning the surroundings.

I completely stood out.

Or rather, it was more accurate to say I was attracting a lot of attention.

“That’s the seventh time you’ve called me ‘Mom’ today! Kyaa!”

“No, no, I’ll be calling you that many more times, so please don’t get excited every time. And please stop writing things in your notepad? Just listen to what I’m saying first?”

“Is that a proposal?”

“No, it’s not. Please just listen to me, Mom?”

Huh? Was Reito's mother always like this?

Oh no, I was starting to get sidetracked, too.

“Why are all these people around me? Is it normal to bring all the maids? When did you hire those bodyguards in front? Aren’t we supposed to go to the entrance ceremony just the two of us?”

I couldn’t help but bombard her with questions.

“Rei-kun, I understand you might be uncomfortable surrounded by so many women, but today is your entrance ceremony, a once-in-a-lifetime event, right? So, I have to provide proper support~”

Mom said this with a natural, bright smile, but… this was way beyond the scope of support.

This was a parade! A daimyo procession!

Now that I thought about it, I had sensed an overprotective vibe from Reito's mother since our first meeting.

Well, it wasn't normal for a villain's mother to be normal, was it?

“It’s true! There’s actually a male student at Soutei Academy this year!”

“He’s so handsome and well-dressed, unlike other boys~”

“My, my. What a fine young man~”

“Getting a little brother now… wouldn’t be so bad…”

“I’m ready for grandchildren…”

The stares from the other new students and their guardians were more than just uncomfortable.

I could tell everyone was pointing at me and whispering.

With this much attention, I didn’t even want to imagine what they were saying.

As long as it wasn’t insults, I guess!

“Mom… are we going to stay like this until we reach the gymnasium?”

“Of course~”

Of course? What was “of course”?

“I just want to attend the entrance ceremony normally…”

“No way! Rei-kun’s so handsome, you’d be targeted without guards!”

Wait, targeted?

Did that many people hate me?

But one thing had become clear.

My school life, starting today…

It wouldn't be calm, quiet, or inconspicuous. And it certainly wouldn't be ordinary.

As we approached the gymnasium, the entrance ceremony venue, the number of new students around us increased.

“Ah, he looked this way!”

“Don’t be silly. He looked at me.”

Everywhere I looked to the right, girls.

“He definitely looked at me just now! It must be fate!”

“He’s my prince.”

Everywhere I looked to the left, girls.

In front, behind… only female students.

Hmm? Wasn’t the ratio of girls… abnormally high?