A few minutes later.

Hurried footsteps echoed through the mansion's corridors.

Mom's home—

"Rei-kun! What are you saying!!"
"Guh!"

As if the room door had just opened, Mom, with tears faintly welling in the corners of her eyes, threw herself at me at full speed.

I was about to be pushed over by the sheer momentum, but... thanks to the results of my daily strength training.

I lightly put my hands around Mom's waist and braced myself, avoiding the fall.

After taking a breath, I spoke to Mom.

"Mom? What's wrong as soon as you get home?"
"Ehehe~, Rei-kun hugged me! Before, when I tried to hug you, you'd yell and hate it, but now... ehehe~"
"Um, Mom?"

Mom, who had looked like she was about to cry just a moment ago, was now smiling with her cheeks flushed, grinning.

Mom, with her loosely waved long black hair and a well-defined figure, looked no older than her early twenties.

But after all, she's my mother.
And the villain's mother, at that.

I think she's beautiful, but I can't let myself get flustered.

"Mom, Kyoko and Naoko are here too, so please calm down."

With those calm words, I glanced at the corner of the room.

Kyoko-san, with her cool expression, and Naoko-chan, looking slightly surprised, were standing there.

"Oh, you two, welcome back~. Thank you for always taking care of Rei-kun~."
"The pleasure is ours, Madam. Thank you for hiring my sister, Naoko, this time as well."
"Ah, thank you...!"

As Mom moved away from me and smiled gracefully, Kyoko-san and Naoko-chan bowed their heads.

Mom seems to behave quite properly in front of them.
Well, it's only natural to maintain some semblance of order.

"So, Mom? What was the reason for your hurried return? Could it be that you wanted to hear directly about what we discussed on the phone earlier?"
"Yes, that's right. Can I... ask Rei-kun one more time? What was Rei-kun trying to tell Mom?"

Mom, her expression now serious, looked intently at me.

"Actually, there's something I want to buy, and I want to get a part-time job to earn money for it. Is that okay?"

My words echoed clearly in the quiet room.

This time, there were no radio wave issues, so Mom should have heard every word.

"..."

Yet, Mom froze as if she couldn't understand my words.

"Rei-kun... do you have a fever?"
"No. In fact, I'm super healthy."

Moderate exercise, delicious food, and a comfortable space to sleep soundly.

It would be harder to get sick in this environment.

However, seeing her face-to-face like this, I understood why Mom had seemed so strange.

Mom is surprised by my statement.

It's no wonder she's surprised.
Her son, who had been spoiled and indulged his every whim, suddenly declared he wanted to get a part-time job.
It's like her brain can't keep up.

"By the way, can I ask what it is you want to buy?"
"A smartphone. It's convenient to have."

Mom then shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "Oh, that's all."

"I see. Rei-kun is a high school student, so you need a smartphone. I'll buy you a smartphone. ...Although, I might tweak the settings a bit."

I didn't hear what Mom muttered at the end, but...
It seems I can get it if I ask Mom.

I want a smartphone.
Mom said she'll buy it for me.

In my previous life, the conversation would have ended here...

But it can't end like this now.

I've been reincarnated as a villain.

This time, I can't just be complacent with the ordinary environment.

"No, that won't do."
"...Won't do?"

Mom stopped moving and stared at me intently.

"I want to work and earn money myself to buy a smartphone. Also, seeing Kyoko and Naoko working so hard, I realized I can't just keep relying on Mom."

Yes, I want to buy a smartphone with my own earnings and show Mom that I'm becoming a little more independent...

More importantly, I've been watching Kyoko-san and Naoko-chan working as maids for the family.

It's inspiring.

"Rei-kun..."

Mom's eyes widened, and then... she smiled softly.

"I'm happy that Rei-kun feels that way, Mom."
"Th-then...!"
"But, Rei-kun, is that okay?"

Mom took a breath and continued.

"It's natural for children to rely on their parents. You don't have to worry about money, you know? Mom can do anything for Rei-kun."

Mom wasn't scolding me... her eyes were very gentle.

It's not her usual overprotectiveness.

This must be Mom's true feelings.

Come to think of it, my mother in my previous life was the same.
She always thought about me, no matter what.
She always acted cheerful so I wouldn't worry.

But...

"Mom, I appreciate your feelings, and I'm always grateful. But I have my own reasons. I can't just keep being doted on by my parents forever. I can't just rely on this environment I've been given. From now on, I want to do things that can help Mom. This might be a small step, but... I want to be allowed to work part-time."
"Rei-kun..."

Mom nodded occasionally as I spoke.
She was listening to my opinion.

However, I didn't think she would agree to the part-time job coming from her mouth.

It seems Mom also has something she can't yield on.

And I, for one, can't back down this time.

However... I hesitated on my next words.

How can I persuade Mom...?

"—Madam. Forgive my presumption, but... why not listen to the young master's wishes this time?"

In the silence of the room... Kyoko-san's voice echoed.

"K-Kyoko..."

I never expected Kyoko-san to say something that would support me...

Mom's eyes widened in surprise, but her expression quickly changed.

"Kyoko-chan, you agree with Rei-kun getting a part-time job? Even if... he's a boy?"
"Yes."
"I see... Then, Naoko-chan, do you think so too?"
"I, I..."

When Mom asked for her opinion, Naoko-chan flinched in surprise, but it was only for a moment.

"Yes. Like my sister, I also agree with Reito-sama getting a part-time job. I was surprised at first... but I understood after hearing the reason. Besides, I... I understand Reito-sama's feelings all too well. I don't want to just be spoiled; I want to be of help to my mother. I want to be of help to my sister. That's why I'm happy to be working as a maid now."

Naoko-chan said, clenching her small fists.

"Children don't just stay spoiled forever. It's because they're grateful to their family that they want to help. They want to become independent, even just a little."
"Naoko-chan..."

After a moment of silence at Naoko-chan's words... Mom slowly nodded.

"Alright. I'll allow Rei-kun to work part-time."
"!! Really!?"
"Yes. If the three of you... especially the children, say so, I have no choice but to allow it, don't I?"

Hearing those words, I turned to look at Kyoko-san and Naoko-chan.

Kyoko-san smiled. Naoko-chan beamed with a bright smile.
They both seem happy that I can work part-time.

But when I turned back to Mom... she smiled meaningfully.

"Rei-kun said you wanted to work part-time, right?"
"? Ah, yes."
"But you didn't say how many days you would work, did you?"
"Ah..."

Indeed, I didn't.
I didn't say if it was for a month, or half a year... how long I would work part-time.

"Therefore, I will permit you to work part-time for just today... no, for only half a day!"

Mom said clearly, as if it were a decided matter.

"What!? Half a day of work won't be enough to buy a smartphone!?"
"That's right. So, while I'll cover Rei-kun's wages for half a day's work... I'll pay the remaining amount. Then you can buy the smartphone."
"Isn't that just you buying it for me in the end...?"
"Hehe, yes. But what's most important is for Rei-kun to experience working. If you work for half a day and feel it suits you, you can work again when you want something else."

Mom said that and smiled at me.

In other words... I don't need to rush?

"Understood, Mom."

Given that, I couldn't argue back.

It seems that no matter what, Mom always thinks about her child.

"...Well, to be honest, if Rei-kun were to work long-term part-time, he'd become prey for those carnivorous girls, but..."

I thought I heard Mom mutter something, but... oh well.

"Well then, Mom. I'll go look for a place to work."
"Ah, there's no problem with that. I have just the thing."
"Just the thing?"

When I tilted my head and asked, Mom nodded vigorously.

"Rei-kun, do you have time now?"
"Ah, yes, but..."

Perhaps I'll start working today?

I'd be happy if I could start working soon, but...
I'm the type to act as soon as I decide on something.

"Actually, one of the shops Mom is involved with is having an event to celebrate its 5th anniversary today. I'm scheduled to help out from the afternoon onwards...

Having said that much, Mom stared intently at me.

"...Rei-kun, do you really want to work part-time? Do you want to go out and work?"
"Of course."
"Really, really, really?"
"Yes, really, really, really."

Seeing my serious gaze, Mom thought for a moment and then... smiled.

I see. So, it means helping out at that shop.

Thinking about it, I didn't know what kind of shops Mom invested in, and this might be a chance to learn a new side of her.

"Then, I might have Rei-kun come to the shop with Mom. There, you might become the signboardson, you know?"
"Signboard son?"

At that word, I couldn't help but tilt my head.

Isn't that something like a signboard girl?