(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. - Chapter 12: Continuation: First Fiancée Family

“…So this incident was, well, just an accident, wasn’t it?”

Following the discussions during the ‘Continuation of the First Fiancée Family Meeting’, the final judgment was delivered by Judge Hosho.  

“That’s right. In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine a man going out of his way to see a woman naked, isn’t it? On the other hand, stories about women peeking at men’s bodies have become quite common these days.”  

About a hundred years ago, behaviors like men harassing women—such as groping—were common, but they had since been practically eradicated.

In contrast, incidents of women harassing men had seen an increase.  

Back in my original era, such things weren’t possible.  

These days, news often featured debates about such issues.  

Unlike my past life, men were now socially weaker in many ways.  

It was a matter of numbers—there was strength in numbers, and it seemed that fact continued to remain true.  

That was also why the idea of a man sexually harassing a woman was practically unheard of in today’s context.  

The situation surrounding me was quite rare.  

This was the kind of setup that, physically speaking, wouldn’t happen in one of those light novels from my previous life.  

“…That said, the fact remains that I accidentally saw her…”  

“I extend my deepest apologies. I’m truly sorry.”  

I bowed my head in genuine remorse.  

As someone raised with old values in my previous life, this weighed heavily on me.  

In the past, this might have been considered “lucky”, but now… 

“…Tachibana-san, what do you think? He seems genuinely sorry.”  

“…Yeah. Then just one thing, really—just tell me the truth.”  

“Hm?”  

What could it be?  

Was she going to ask if I did it on purpose or something?  

“Did you really not see anything?”  

“Yeah, I didn’t see anything. I turned away instantly and shut the door.”  

When I said this, Tachibana-san’s expression softened with relief.  

“Oh, good, good! So you didn’t see my sexy black panties, huh?”  

Wait, what?  

“Well, actually… weren’t they red…? Ah!”  

“Takeda-san?”  

“Sorry, it was just for a moment, but it was such a striking sight that… it stuck in my memory! I’ll erase it right now!”  

“For the record, I was topless too, by the way.”  

“No, I really didn’t notice anything from the waist up. My gaze didn’t go there!”  

“Well, okay then. Too bad you missed out on seeing me naked!”  

She teased with her usual mischievous grin.  

“And you’re okay with that?”  

“Yeah, it’s fine. He really didn’t seem to have seen anything.”  

“Except for the panties, right?”  

Ugh.

Akitsuki-san’s words hit me like a dagger.  

But, seriously, why did people get so hung up on mere pieces of fabric?  

“I’m truly sorry…”  

“It’s fine. It’s not like anything’s been taken from me, but since you’re feeling so guilty, maybe I should take a look at yours, Takeda-san?”  

“If that’s all it takes to make things even, feel free.”  

“Ugh…”  

“Ah…”  

I messed up.  

Due to my past-life sensibilities, I’d answered too casually. In this world—and even back then, honestly—that was not exactly normal behavior.  

“Well, I was just joking, you know?”  

“R-right?”  

An awkward silence filled the room.  

I definitely screwed up.  

“But at least we’ve clarified one thing and gotten some proof.”  

Akitsuki-san spoke, seemingly to shift the atmosphere.  

Maybe it was her teaching experience that made her good at navigating awkward social situations.  

Hosho-san was great at this too, honestly.  

…Wait, did that make me the useless one here?  

“…And what do you mean by that?”  

Speaking for everyone’s curiosity, Hosho-san asked the question.  

“It’s this.”  

“This?”  

“This?”  

Everyone, myself included, tilted their heads.  

“Well, it doesn’t exactly benefit any of us, but…”  

She prefaced her statement before continuing.  

“It proves that this guy really does like women.”  

The words from yesterday echoed in my mind.  

[I LOVE GIRLS!!! I REALLY LOVE THEM!!!”]

Thinking about it a day later, I was starting to realize just how over-the-top that was.  

The embarrassment hit me all over again, and the shame kept me from sleeping. This was the reason why I’d gone for a morning run!  

“He’s right. He blushed properly, and he didn’t come off as creepy or anything.”  

“…So that means I was used as proof… That’s so sneaky!”  

Hosho-san accepted the explanation, but Tachibana-san looked shocked.  

Wait, hold on a second.  

“It wasn’t intentional, I swear!”  

“…”  

Their stares bore into me.

“…Using this kind of method to prove your point, really? Surely, there are better ways! And you didn’t have to go to such extremes just to make it clear that women are your romantic preference.”

“…You’re right. Self-destruction as the first move is not the way.”  

“I’d like to think your brain isn’t that hopeless. I don’t want to believe it’s that bad… or rather, I hope it isn’t.”  

“So… you didn’t plan this out, huh?”  

Each of them offered their own evaluation.  

Even Kurokawa-san weighed in.  

“I don’t believe it was intentional. Given my work, I’ve developed a decent ability to detect lies, and I didn’t see any signs of deception here. If he were capable of fooling me, he wouldn’t make a blunder this obvious.”  

…Wait. Did butlers’ jobs involve detecting lies?  

Was that part of their work? …Huh?  

Well, whatever. I shouldn’t think too hard about that right now. For now, I should just apologize properly.  

“Yes, it was a complete accident—an unfortunate incident. I deeply apologize for what happened.”  

“Oh, is that so? Well, I guess it can’t be helped then. Sorry for startling everyone so early in the morning! I was just so surprised, you know?”  

Tachibana-san brought her hands together in an apologetic gesture, bowing slightly.  

“No, please, lift your head. Even if it was an accident, you’re the victim here and have no reason to apologize.”  

“Ahaha~ Thanks, Hosho-san!”  

“Well then, shall we call it a day for now?”  

“I think that’s fine~”  

“Sure thing!”  

“Time for a second nap—”  

“…Right now? It’s already 10 a.m.…”  

“Working adults sleep whenever they have the chance, you know?”  

With comments like that, everyone began heading back to their rooms.  

Everyone except Tachibana-san, who stayed behind.  

“Huh? Do you need something?”  

“Hey.”  

Her face no longer carried the cheerful smile from earlier.  

“Did you really not see anything?”  

Her eyes held no light in them; they were pitch black, like an endless abyss.  

“…You mean… your body?”  

“Yes.”  

“…I didn’t see anything… except for the panties.”  

Though her presence was intimidating, I managed to squeeze out a response.  

What was with this sudden atmosphere?  

She seemed satisfied with my answer, as her demeanor shifted instantly.  

“Oh, okay then! That’s all I needed to know—sorry for asking! See you later~”  

The tense air vanished, replaced by her usual friendly smile.  

By the time I recovered from the rapid change, she had already gone upstairs.  

Once again, I was the only one left in the room.  

“What on earth was that about?”  

A lingering sense of discomfort remained.  

Of course, I felt sorry for what had happened, but there was something else—a sense of unease.  

It wasn’t just her being manipulative… it was like seeing two completely different sides of her.  

Still, I couldn’t figure out what triggered it.  

“…Man, that was scary, wasn’t it?”  

“Whoa! Jeez, you scared me!”  

“I was waiting here specifically to startle you.”  

Kazari-san appeared, casually standing as if nothing had happened.  

“Good morning.”  

“Good morning to you, too.”  

“When did you wake up?”  

“Oh, I was up by 8:30.”  

“Even after hearing that scream?”  

“Of course. I pride myself on being able to sleep through anything.”  

“I see… even during your master’s emergencies?”  

“They say lions push their cubs off cliffs to make them stronger. This situation is no different. Since you brought this upon yourself, it’s only right for you to climb back up on your own.”  

Well, it was my fault this time, so there was no arguing with that.  

But still… There was something about her reasoning that felt off.  

“Oh well, I guess. More importantly…”  

“Something feels off, right?”  

“Yes, even though I was at fault, her reaction was surprisingly extreme, especially given current societal norms.”  

“So you noticed it too, huh?”  

“Maybe you saw something you weren’t supposed to? You know, like in those detective stories—because you saw it, you had to die, kind of thing? I’ve seen that happen a lot with Konasu-kun.”  (T/N: Detective Conan)

“Why do I have to be the victim in your analogy?!”  

“Don’t worry. As the brilliant detective Kazarin, I’ll solve the case!”  

She clenched her fist dramatically to show her determination.  

“Could you maybe work on preventing incidents instead?”  

“Ah, how tragic. Without incidents, there would be no detectives—a harsh reality of this world…”  

“Why are you acting like Sherlock Holmes all of a sudden?”  

“I thought it might suit me. Well, maybe you saw something besides her red panties?”  

“I only got a glimpse, so I can’t think of anything that stood out…”  

“It might not have mattered to you, but perhaps something insignificant to you was significant to Tachibana-san. People have different sensitivities, after all.”  

“True. If I can figure out what, though… For now…”  

“For now?”  

“I should go buy her an apology gift.”  

“That sounds like the right move. That makes me happy too!”  

“Happy? Why would that make you happy, Kazari-san?”  

“Ah~ Well, because I’ll be going with you, right? And since we’re already there, maybe you’ll get me something too?”  

“…Is this maid actually asking her master for stuff?”  

“I’m a maid, so it’s totally fine!”  

Apparently, this was what a modern maid looked like.