"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 29
He bought me a lot of books, and now he’s casually carrying all of them while walking beside me.
I offered to carry them myself, but through ‘Thought Sharing,’ he simply said, ‘I am a soldier,’ and effortlessly took them away in a wrapped cloth.
So gentlemanly…!
He’s handsome, has a stable government job with a good income, comes from a good family, and even has a great personality. Isn’t that just too perfect?
Seeing him like this makes my heart tighten.
Is this what they call a heart-throbbing moment?
Lately, I’ve been feeling strange about all this.
My former fiancé had no interest in me from the start—not that I had any interest in him either—but we never even interacted at school, let alone went out together.
The moment our engagement was decided, he was already completely obsessed with a loose woman.
So now, standing beside a man who aligns with my heart’s gender and feeling comfortable…
This rapid heartbeat—it’s such a weird sensation.
Maybe it’s just a friendly feeling? Is that it?
“Kyaaahhh! A thief!”
“!!”
A scream came from the crowd on the left. When I looked over, I saw a man running toward us, holding a wrapped bundle.
An old lady had fallen behind him!
How dare he target an elderly woman with weak legs! What a scoundrel!
“Move—”
“Hey, you coward! How dare you do such a thing!”
“Huh!?”
He must have underestimated me because I’m a woman.
I was a latchkey kid and often stayed with my grandparents on my father’s side, so I grew up being close to my grandmother.
Whenever I see elderly women around the same age as her, I just want to talk to them.
That is why I absolutely cannot forgive someone who hurts an old lady!
With all my strength, I swung my small bag straight into the thief’s face.
The man, who had been running at full speed, lost his balance like a character in a comedy manga, slipped, and fell hard, spilling the contents of the stolen bundle everywhere.
Inside were vegetables, a small purse, and a few pieces of cloth.
Clearly, she had just finished shopping.
“Oww! You little—ahhh!?”
As he tried to get up, he suddenly froze in fear.
The tip of a sword was pressed right against his throat.
Only military personnel of the Tendo Kingdom and some high-ranking police officers are allowed to carry swords in public.
Kouga is a soldier of the Tendo Kingdom.
Not just any soldier—he is part of the elite extermination unit that constantly fights against supernatural creatures.
Since such creatures can appear even in the city, carrying a weapon is necessary.
And, as a soldier, he also has the right to make arrests.
“You are under arrest for robbery. Or would you like an additional charge for assaulting a woman?”
“H-Hiii… I-I’m sorry…”
How weak…
Well, I guess that’s normal when someone has a sword pointed at their throat.
A whistle sounded, and soon, police officers came running over.
Kouga briefly explained the situation, and with the old lady and other witnesses confirming the crime, the thief was immediately arrested and tied up.
The old lady bowed repeatedly, thanking us. I’m just glad her belongings were safe.
“Let’s head back to the carriage.”
“Ah, y-yes.”
Leaving the rest to the police, Kouga and I returned to the carriage stand.
Kouga handed some money to the waiting coachman, saying, “For your lunch.”
Then, we headed back to the Kujou main house.
Inside the carriage, there was an awkward silence.
W-What’s this? The atmosphere feels completely different from when we arrived—kind of tense.
‘You are quite brave… or rather, reckless. Did you not think about the consequences?’
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
He’s right.
Throwing a bag—especially a borrowed one—at a thief isn’t something a proper lady would do.
And on top of that, I instinctively used my natural way of speaking.
Oh no…!
Would this be enough for him to break off the engagement?
Cold sweat ran down my back.
I tensed up, unable to move, and lowered my head.
‘You don’t need to apologize, but you should avoid reckless actions. If someone inexperienced in fighting does such things, they could get hurt. Right now, I am responsible for your safety as you are entrusted to me from the Yuukizaka family. Honestly, it scared me. It is admirable to get angry and act for others, but such actions can sometimes cost you your life. If that happened, those who witnessed it would carry that pain forever. Please remember that.’
“…I truly apologize.”
His words carried a deep weight.
This was the voice of someone who had seen people die before his eyes.
If Kouga hadn’t been there, and if that thief had a knife…
I might have died.
The reality of that hit me, and I started to feel scared.
‘But… that unladylike speech and behavior—now that I think about it, they explain the odd feeling I’ve had about you since we met. Knowing that, I find it rather endearing. You don’t need to pretend in front of me.’
“Eh…?”
‘I, well… I have four older sisters, so I’m not very good with women. But with you, I don’t feel that usual discomfort. If the reason for that is your personality, then I’d rather you be yourself than try to hide it.’
The tension in my shoulders eased.
He saw the part of me I thought would never be accepted.
And instead of rejecting it, he embraced it.
Is it really okay for me to be… me?
I thought I had to live as a proper lady, as Yuukizaka Mai.
“I-I can’t change suddenly just because you said that, but…”
“I see.”
“But… hearing you say I can be myself… really makes me happy. Th-Thank you…”
When I nervously looked up at him, Kouga narrowed his eyes gently.
Ahh… my new fiancé…
He’s officially the most handsome man in the world!