"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 1

Something smells bad.

A filthy, messy room for someone living alone.

As I sleep on my perpetually unkempt futon, a strange smell and an unusual brightness wake me up.

When I open my eyes, flames surround me.

I am just a lowly corporate slave, and it seems I fell asleep while reading a so-called “women’s revenge” manga on my smartphone.

The main character is a modern working housewife. Her husband pretends to work late but is actually cheating on her.

The mistress gets pregnant, and unaware of the alimony laws, the husband divorces his wife and remarries the mistress.

After the mistress gives birth, the ex-wife gathers evidence and demands alimony in front of a large crowd.

I’ve read a few of these stories, but the husbands and mistresses are always ridiculously stupid!

There’s no way such dumb men and typical homewreckers exist in real life.

I’ve never met anyone this idiotic in my life.

—Or so I laughed, but in reality, I was even dumber than the husbands in those stories.

The tangled mess of power cords and the dust I had neglected to clean had reached a critical point.

I see the back of my TV engulfed in flames and realize what’s happening.

I try to get up and escape, but an overwhelming nausea, dizziness, and headache paralyze me.

This is bad. This is really bad. I vomited while I was asleep.

I can’t breathe properly because of the vomit and the heat.

I’m dying. No, I don’t want to die. It’s too hot. This is terrible—too terrible.

Do I really deserve such a horrible death…?

Snap.

After that sound, the unbearable heat suddenly disappears.

Ah… I understand now. I’m dead.

Immediately after, transparent branches extend from below and wrap around my body.

What is this? A tree branch? It’s glowing faintly white?

I’m pulled with a strong force, and though I can’t make a sound, I scream inside.

What is this thing? Where is it taking me?!

My body—it’s dissolving like mist…!!

Seventeen years later.

“Yuukizaka Mai! I cannot marry a woman with no sense of chastity! I am breaking off our engagement today!”

“I’m sorry, Yuukizaka-sama. But Arisugawa Kaname-sama prefers virtuous ladies… so please give up.”

“………………!”

This world—Bansei, an eastern island nation called Tendou.

At a dance hall in the southern part of Outo, the sealed capital located at the center of the Dragon Veins, my fiancé Arisugawa Kaname’s birthday party was being held when it happened.

My name is Yuukizaka Mai.

My family is a branch of the Kujou Clan, while Arisugawa Kaname, who just broke off our engagement, belongs to a branch of the Juujou Clan.

Our main families hold the same social status, but Arisugawa’s family has a small domain, making them a minor noble house. So in terms of power, that idiot’s family ranks higher than mine.

And that idiot is standing next to a cute girl pretending to sob—Shirakubo Yuuna. She has no land, no main house like mine or the Arisugawa family, and among the “Ouzoku” nobility, she’s just a nobody…!!

Wait a minute, this situation…? A noble lady from a lower-ranked house getting her engagement broken off by a cheating fiancé at a party—this is just like one of those reincarnation manga I read in my past life!!

“Why are you still standing there silently? So pathetic! A nasty, unfaithful woman like you doesn’t belong at my birthday party! Go back to your countryside, to that shabby home of yours!”

“Oh, Kaname-sama, you’re being too harsh… Isn’t it cruel to tell the truth so bluntly? Giggle…”

I’M SO ANGRY!!

But if I raise my voice and argue here, it’ll seem like I’m jealous of that idiot.

Fine, if they want him, they can have him! I’ll even gift-wrap him and send him as a summer present!

“Understood. I will take my leave for today. Farewell.”

“Hmph, acting all composed. A frog’s child is just a frog.”

“…!”

After saying the formal farewell and bowing, I exit the venue.

Several of my classmates from noble families rush after me, calling out.

“Please wait, Yuukizaka-sama.”

“Are you alright?”

“I can’t believe he did that in front of everyone. And he openly held Shirakubo-sama’s shoulder…”

“I never imagined Arisugawa-sama would be so rude.”

“Everyone… thank you.”

The girls from my high school all speak in anger. So cute.

In my past life, I never had female friends, but noble girls are the definition of elegance.

Since childhood, I’ve been trained in proper manners and noble customs.

Things taught in modern middle schools were covered in elementary school here, and by middle school, we learned this country’s history, the responsibilities of noblewomen, and the duties of a wife.

So naturally, all these girls are very refined.

“Please don’t worry, Yuukizaka-sama. No one believes those ridiculous accusations.”

“Yes! We could see through their lies!”

“What is Shirakubo-sama up to? She’s been getting close to Rokujou Sayuri-sama’s fiancé, Shijou Taiki-sama, too.”

“That’s right. I saw them at the theater the other day.”

“She’s the one frequently meeting men. Can’t they see it…?!”

The girls get more and more heated in their elegant way.

Two more noble ladies join, making six in total, all subtly and politely gossiping about Shirakubo Yuina.

“Thank you all for being angry on my behalf. But I must report the broken engagement to my parents, so I should be going…”

“Ah, you’re right. Please don’t be too upset.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll find someone far better than Arisugawa-sama!”

“Absolutely! Yuukizaka-sama is skilled in handling spiritual power! Perhaps a head or heir from the ‘Shugo Jukkai’ main families will take interest in you!”

“Ah… thank you.”