(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.

Her complexion was better than during class, maybe due to makeup, and lipstick was applied, making her lips glossy.

The faintly fragrant perfume smelled better than during class time.

It was like she was about to go on a date or something.

It’s Friday, so maybe she’s going out somewhere after this.

“Sensei, I’m sorry for taking up your time.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Listening to students’ consultations is also part of our job as teachers. Being consulted is what makes teaching worthwhile.”

“Is… that so?”

Maybe trying to reassure me, Kirigakure-sensei acts brighter than usual.

It feels somewhat artificial and I can’t help feeling uneasy, but I guess that’s just how it is.

“Yes, yes, that’s right! …So, may I get straight to the point?”

“Y-yes.”

Here it comes.

“I heard from Akaumi-san. The story was that Tachibana-san receives strict discipline from your parents… is that correct? According to Akaumi-san, it looked like DV.”

“Yes, I don’t know if it’s DV… but I do receive discipline.”

“I think discipline exists in every household… could you tell me specifically what kinds of things are done to you at what times?”

Specifically, huh.

“When I get bad grades on tests, or when father is in a bad mood.”

“What kind of things are done to you at those times? …You don’t have to say if you don’t want to remember.”

“…No, it’s okay. I’m put in the closet and encouraged to reflect, or made to stand for an hour, or have meals taken away… and sometimes I’m… hit too.”

“…I see.”

Kirigakure-sensei nods with a serious expression.

What kind of reaction is this? She’s not indignant like Haruko was.

“U-um, sensei. What should I do?”

“What should you do… hmm.”

Kirigakure-sensei puts her index finger to her chin in thought.

“What do you want to do, Tachibana-san?”

“I… don’t like pain. Haruko told me that such things are wrong. She said there are different ways to scold or discipline. Even when I do something wrong, I think I’d like to be scolded in a different way…”

“I see… understood. Then let me say something from the teacher’s perspective first, okay?”

From the teacher’s perspective?

Even though there’s no one else here?

“Tachibana-san.”

“Yes.”

“It’s awkward for me to say this from my position as a teacher, but… even when it comes to discipline, each household has its own methods. It just happens that Akaumi-san’s household has different policies from Tachibana-san’s household. The point that both show love to their children doesn’t change.”

Showing love…?

Different for each household.

“But I don’t like pain—”

“—That’s right, you don’t like pain, so to avoid that you studied harder, didn’t you? That’s why Tachibana-san has better grades than Akaumi-san. In that sense, Tachibana-san’s household shows results. I think it’s the fruit of your father’s education.”

“Eh? Doesn’t that mean the pain is unavoidable, that father’s actions weren’t wrong…”

I somehow didn’t like that.

But the teacher’s words were merciless.

“There’s no right or wrong in education. Koudai-san’s… ah, I mean, your father’s actions aren’t wrong from a teacher’s perspective either.”

Father isn’t wrong?

Using violence against mother isn’t wrong either?

“Rather, what’s not good is Akaumi-san’s behavior.”

“H-Haruko’s?”

Why is Haruko becoming the bad one?

“Yes, I’ll say this because she’s transferring… Akaumi-san was a child with a strong sense of justice. Of course that’s a virtue, but even when what she believes is justice might be wrong, she has the dangerous tendency to impose it on others. She’s also persuasive, so you end up believing her. Even though what Akaumi-san thinks isn’t always right. …Besides, actions change from household to household. What’s the right way in Akaumi-san’s house might not be right in other houses… a smart girl like Tachibana-san would understand, right?”

The teacher’s gentle face is the same as before.

But her eyes weren’t smiling.

“Well, let’s set aside Akaumi-san for now… what I can say is that as education, it’s not wrong. This is my personal opinion, and normally schools shouldn’t interfere that much… so the rest should be discussed at home, about misunderstandings in intention. Then it’s a problem that can be solved… please come in.”

Click.

There was a sound behind me, but for some reason I couldn’t take my eyes off the teacher.

“Well, what I want to say is that your education isn’t wrong… I think.”

Your?

The teacher looks away from me toward the back.

Even though there shouldn’t be anyone there.

“Y-your… who are you talking to… eh?”

When I turn around… there was someone in front of the door connecting to the faculty room.

Someone I know well. Someone who shouldn’t be here.

“Thank you, I’m happy to hear you say that… Junko-sensei?”

Father’s figure smiling at Kirigakure-sensei with a gentle smile.

As if they were acquaintances.