(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 141.2 - Tachibana Mizuri's Circumstances - SIDE Tachibana Mizuri - Part 3

Kirigakure-sensei and father were chatting harmoniously, and I walked behind them.

The teacher saw father and me off to the school gate.

Me, or rather, the teacher’s target was surely…

“Well then, see you at school, father, Tachibana-san.”

“Thank you, sensei.”

I’m led along by father.

My hands that held the buckets are numb and I can’t feel much.

No, it’s not just my hands that can’t feel—my heart too.

“Punishment later, okay?”

Father’s words whispered in my ear.

When I left here today, I thought a bright future was spreading out.

But in the end, the outcome was even worse.

I even think it would have been better not to act at all.

No, there’s no point saying such things now. I don’t care anymore.

Praying that discipline at home would become lighter, I tried to head home—

“Mizuri! Together… eh?”

I was called out in front of the school gate.

Haruko has a confused expression.

“…Haruko.”

“Why is Mizuri… with your father?”

“I at least pick up and drop off, because I’m a parent, right? I’m raising her with proper love… it’s late at night now, so you should go home too.”

After father says just that to Haruko, he pulls my hand.

“Mizuri!”

Haruko grabs my hand, trying not to let me go.

“!”

Seeing me grimace in pain, she lets go of my hand.

“Ah…”

Just from that, Haruko might have realized something.

She didn’t say anything more after that.

“Let’s go… Mizuri.”

“…Yeah.”

“S-sorry Mizuri, I…”

She had an indescribable expression.

“She’s transferring… one last word… is that okay?”

“Ah.”

Getting father’s permission, I turn toward Haruko.

“…Mizuri.”

She had an expression full of anguish, as if chewing on something.

Not like the usual Haruko.

“Hey Haruko.”

“…?”

“You shouldn’t intrude into other people’s family matters so carelessly, right? I’m fine with it but… I’ll forget everything about this time. So Haruko should forget everything too. You didn’t see anything and nothing happened. Of course this conversation didn’t happen either.”

“That means… such a thing…”

“Goodbye… my former best friend. You shouldn’t meet with me anymore. You’ll become unhappy. Do well in your new place. That’s how Haruko can be happy.”

That would be for Haruko’s benefit.

Saying just that, I didn’t look back anymore.

The face of Haruko I saw as I left seemed distorted.

“Let’s go, Mizuri.”

As I walked with father, I felt like Haruko shouted something, but that voice no longer reached my ears.

I won’t believe in friends or adults anymore.

I thought that while being led by father’s hand.

“This is my past… the result of believing in my best friend.”

“Such a thing…”

Setsuna in front of me has an expression full of anguish.

It’s still too early to be surprised.

“It’s not over yet.”

“Eh?”

The worst part is from here.

In the end, my discipline only ended when father died.

I didn’t receive discipline after he left, but even then there were times I couldn’t escape occasionally… well, that’s fine.

“Actually, when father died in that car accident, he wasn’t alone…”

“Eh, that couldn’t mean…”

From the flow of the story, Setsuna seems to have figured it out.

Next to him was one woman riding along.

“The passenger’s name was Kirigakure Junko.”

The name of the woman who was our homeroom teacher.

“I found out later, but our consultation was what created the relationship between father and Kirigakure-sensei. Kirigakure-sensei apparently contacted him occasionally, but that incident was the trigger for them to become romantically involved. Father said he would start over with a new person and left home, and mother broke down… I’m like, instead of Cupid of love, I’m the grim reaper of love. Of course mother would resent me. So it’s natural to receive discipline. They say the opposite of love is indifference, right? The fact that she’s disciplining me means she has expectations for me, and that means she loves me.”

“Such a thing…”

“Do you remember what I said at the beginning? It’s my fault that my family was destroyed. It’s my fault that father disappeared and had to leave home, so the reason mother became like she is now is also my fault when you trace it back. Do you understand the meaning of these words? So don’t casually say—rely on people, okay? Setsuna.”

I won’t believe in anyone anymore.

“So… I think there’s still time now. To avoid destroying family harmony twice, won’t you hold me?… Kyo-kun?”

Behind Setsuna, a boy in bandages was standing.