(Chastity Reversed) The Legitimate Wife War: How I, a Harem-Hater, Ended Up Creating an Ultra-Eccentric Harem with a Villainess, a Sadistic Beauty Teacher, a Scheming Classmate... etc.

“I am this child’s mother, Tachibana Karen. I hope we can have a long and pleasant relationship.”

Karen-san smiled gently and bowed politely.

In complete contrast to her rather flashy makeup, her manner of speaking gave off a calm atmosphere.

“Sorry for the late introduction—I’m Takeda Kyoya. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh no, no, I always hear such enjoyable stories about you all from this child. How about it—this child isn’t causing you any trouble, is she?”

Karen-san gently placed her hand on Mizuri-san’s shoulder.

The moment her hand touched, Mizuri-san trembled and startled as if surprised.

Had she just been surprised by the suddenness?

Today Mizuri-san was in her school uniform.

However, her hairstyle was more subdued than usual, without her usual outward curls, giving her a truly demure appearance.

“…Oh my, what’s wrong with this child? Is she nervous? I suppose it’s because she’s in front of someone she likes.”

“S-stop it, Mom.”

Mizuri-san squirmed her body slightly in embarrassment.

“Oh my, oh my, getting all shy… I’m sorry about this child, aren’t I?”

Karen-san laughed while covering her mouth with her hand.

Both of them were smiling, but…

But how should I put it.

She really felt different from the usual Mizuri-san.

How should I say this—I got the impression that she was putting on an act.

At home, she seemed much more lively.

…Well, but that’s normal, isn’t it.

The atmosphere and face you show in front of your parents versus in front of friends are different.

“Not at all, I’m happy to see a side of Mizuri-san that I don’t usually get to see.”

“Oh really? On the contrary, I’m curious about what kind of behavior this child shows at home.”

“Well, for example, in the living room she—”

“—K-Kyo-kun, you stop it too!”

Tachibana-san flustered about.

Since I was always teasing her, this felt refreshing.

“Oh my, oh my, this child is really hopeless.”

“Should we stop then?”

“Please do!”

Mizuri-san was already on the verge of tears from embarrassment.

“Really, I wish my husband could have come today too, but he just couldn’t manage it. I’m sorry he couldn’t come.”

That person really is hopeless, she said apologetically, but there was something like affection that could be felt there too.

“Not at all, please don’t worry about it. Is he at work or something today?”

“Yes, that’s right. He went somewhere quite far away.”

Karen-san looked off into the distance.

From this behavior, it seemed like she hadn’t been able to see her husband much due to work?

Back in the old days—or rather, in my previous life—this had been common, hadn’t it? Like when the husband was on a work assignment alone and they couldn’t see each other much.

Well, in afternoon dramas, that would usually be followed by an affair or something, but in this society with few men, that probably wouldn’t happen.

“T-today is about us, isn’t it?”

“You’re right, I’m sorry, I got carried away.”

“Really, Mom.”

Karen-san and Tachibana-san laughed while bringing tea to their lips.

“How is she actually at home? I hope this child isn’t causing trouble?”

“Not at all. Thanks to Mizuri-san’s brightness, the house is always lively!”

In fact, She had been the first one to properly talk to me, no exaggeration.

After all, the other two had been far too hostile.

“Is that so? Well, I was worried. After all, this child is our only daughter, you know? We spoiled her growing up. I was worried whether she could do housework and cooking—the things men expect.”

“She’s been a great help. Well, as for housework, perhaps because of the fiancée system, there’s someone who takes care of all the general housework, so even if she couldn’t do it, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Is that so? What a wonderful system they have~ If such a thing existed in my time, perhaps I… no, never mind.”

Hm? In your time too?

“No, it’s nothing. More importantly, please tell me about you too. It’s the fiancée system, but the other two are a bit older, right? Is that area okay? Do you not get along well with them or anything?”

Karen-san had started to say something but then stopped.

Still, the topic of those two, huh.

Hmm…

“N-no, while I was confused at first, we’ve gradually started to get along well. Of course, with Tachibana-san too. After all, we’re living together, so we get to know various aspects of each other.”

I had learned that Hosho-san was actually weak in the mornings, and that Akizuki-san, despite her sharp appearance, was actually an M—things like that.

I had ended up learning things I never would have imagined when I first met them… really. Well, I ended up having to learn them, I guess.

“Is that so? That’s not what I meant. You see, didn’t Kyoya-san add one more fiancée? So my earlier question was also wondering if there was some shortcoming in my daughter, or if it was about someone else, maybe I could help with advice—that’s what I was thinking.”

The fourth person—that was definitely about Shiraishi-san.

“There are no shortcomings at all. She’s been a great help.”

“Then why did you add one more person?”

Karen-san looked straight at me and asked. Her eyes were black, not letting me read the emotions within them.

Why… when you put it that way, it had been to help Shiraishi-san.

That had been the biggest reason, but I certainly couldn’t honestly tell her that there had been government complications and that was the only way to help her.

Which meant…

“There were some complicated circumstances involved. But of course, I’m not neglecting the original fiancées. Of course, I’m not neglecting the new person either, but… this is difficult, how should I put it, equality… I want you to feel at ease, or rather…”

“Hehe, you’re quite confused, aren’t you~”

Karen-san watched my behavior with amusement.

“I’m a little relieved. I understand there are circumstances you can’t talk about. I was thinking… no, let me stop there.”

Karen-san gave me a clearly meaningful look.

“M-Mom, don’t make too many sharp comments, okay? Okay?”