One of the bullies pointed at me. “You’re dead, idiot!”
Ignoring his threats, I waited as the two remaining bullies charged at me. I aimed a light hook at the first one. To my surprise, my fist flew faster than expected, and the bully collapsed with a single punch.
“Huh?” I muttered, bewildered. “I barely even hit him…”
The second bully hesitated, glancing nervously between me and his fallen friend.
“You… you’re crazy!” he stammered. “I’ll get you next time!”
He turned tail and ran, dragging the injured bully along with him.
I sighed. “Seriously? That’s your big line?”
***
With the bullies gone, I turned to the woman they had harassed.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She lifted her head and smiled gratefully.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Her features were striking—blonde hair styled into elegant buns, eyes the color of lapis lazuli, and an aura of refined grace.
An unusual ornament adorned her head, adding to her charm.
It was Amelia Iori Lionheart—the main heroine of “To Love X Lady” and the winner of the popularity poll.
The text message from earlier flashed in my mind. There was no denying it now—I had been possessed by the world of “To Love X Lady”.
Amelia gave me a small, polite nod.
“My apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Amelia Iori Lionheart.”
“Oh… uh, nice to meet you.”
“I was in a bit of trouble earlier. How can I repay the favor?”
“Oh, no need. It was nothing.”
“Really? As a Lionheart, I can’t ignore a debt of gratitude! Have you eaten yet?”
Now that she mentioned it, I was still hungry.
“No, not yet.”
“Perfect! Allow me to treat you to a meal. Please, follow me!”
She pulled out her phone and made a quick call.
“Ed, I need you here immediately.”
She hung up and turned to me.
“Ed?” I asked.
“He’s my butler,” Amelia explained with a smile.
Right—Ed was the one who had taught Shingo Kurosawa everything he knew.
Amelia suddenly fell silent, as if at a loss for words. Up until now, she had been chatting non-stop, trying to fill the silence, even when there wasn’t much left to say.
“Come to think of it, how old are you?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.
“2… No, 15 years old.”
I almost slipped and revealed my real age by accident. But since the characters in the original story were supposed to be 15, I quickly corrected myself. It was the age when they would start high school.
“Oh, so we’re the same age?” Amelia’s face brightened.
“Really?”
“Can I speak casually with you then?” she asked, her tone filled with excitement.
“Sure… I guess.”
“Oh, I’ve been waiting to hear that! I get so tired of being formal all the time. I’m glad you’re okay with it. So, can I talk casually from now on?”
“Do what you want.”
I wasn’t exactly the most interesting conversationalist and didn’t trust myself to make small talk engaging.
Just then, an elderly man in a black tailcoat approached us, his steps steady and dignified.
“My apologies for the delay, Miss Amelia,” he said with a bow.
“You’re late, Ed!” Amelia puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance.
The butler glanced at me. “So, you’re the one who saved the young lady. Thank you.”
I scratched my head awkwardly. “Uh… it was nothing.”
“Come. Let’s get going.”
I followed Amelia into the car, trailing behind Ed, who walked with solemn precision.
But… how did they know I saved Amelia?
***
When we arrived at Amelia’s house in the limousine driven by Ed, I found myself staring at an enormous, palace-like mansion.
The sheer grandeur of the place made my jaw tighten. It was the kind of ultra-luxury estate that felt too extravagant to belong to the real world.
“Here we are!” Ed announced with a polite smile. “This is the Lionheart mansion, where Amelia lives.”
“I see,” I replied curtly.
Anyone else might have gasped in awe at the sight. But I chose not to react that way.
Kurosawa is Kurosawa, and I am me.
“Let’s go.”
With Ed leading the way, I entered the mansion, Amelia following closely behind.
wait a minute… this first meeting scene… Hayate the combat butler is that you?
Possibly…
No wonder I was getting a deja vu. So it was from hayate.