(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 147.2 - Sisters' Conversation

Because she has a surprisingly strong sense of responsibility.

“…Even so, what happened has happened, right~ I don’t feel any resentment toward Kazari-san for that~ I didn’t even know I had a sister, and besides, Kazari-san went to NAZ Agency to help our family, so blaming you would be misguided, I think. I at least have that much sense~ And Kazari-san went to NAZ Agency when she was even smaller, like just starting elementary school, right? Considering that too, asking you to think about the family left behind would be impossible~”

It was easy to imagine how difficult it was for Kazari-san at NAZ Agency.

No matter how smart Kazari-san was, she must have still been very young.

What she could do for a family whose legal ties had been severed would be limited. Being able to say definitively that she couldn’t blame her for that felt like it was because Tachibana-san was kind. Emotions that came precisely from understanding various things, from being able to read people’s subtleties. Words that came from being able to compare and consider her own emotions with the other person and the situation.

“But… that’s just an excuse.”

I understood both their positions.

So Kazari-san would continue apologizing, and Tachibana-san would similarly continue saying not to worry.

While pondering with an “hmm,” Tachibana-san slowly expressed her thoughts.

“Like I said yesterday, actually, you know? When I was being disciplined by Father and Mother… it hurt and I was scared. If anything, I’d even given up about that part~ …But it wasn’t always like that, there were fun times too of course, and I was happy when I was praised~”

The reason Tachibana-san could think of Karen-san as parent and child was probably because there wasn’t just pain, there were certainly bonds too. Even if we might think they were distorted.

Karen-san certainly became strange regarding Tachibana Hirotaka’s matter.

But that doesn’t mean it was always like that. We don’t know, don’t understand, but if asked whether she didn’t love her daughter, she’d answer that she loved her, and Tachibana-san should answer the same.

There was just also the aspect of abuse.

…Though the content is far too heavy for “just.”

And there was Eucharis who accelerated it.

“In terms of time spent with Mother, I’ve definitely spent way more than Kazari-san~ So I got the time Kazari-san couldn’t have… yeah, so thank you! Because Kazari-san went to NAZ Agency—I don’t know if that’s the right way to say it… but if you hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have gotten it, and not just my parents, I couldn’t have met my best friend either. I think my life would have been different. Thinking back now, it wasn’t all good things~ …but well, it wasn’t all bad things either, and I got to meet various people. And now I’m in a warm place… so thank you.”

At Tachibana-san’s words of gratitude, Kazari-san’s eyes widened in surprise, apparently not having expected this.

“I’m not someone who deserves gratitude… I thought it wouldn’t be strange to be cursed at…”

“Cursed at…”

Tachibana-san smiled wryly at Kazari-san’s response.

“I wouldn’t do that. That kind of stress, you know… I already talked about it a lot before Kazari-san came… so it’s fine.”

“…I see.”

But Kazari-san still didn’t seem convinced.

“Then let’s put the past aside for now. Why don’t we talk about the future? About a bright future.”

There was no good in being trapped in the past forever.

Because the relationship between Tachibana-san and Kazari-san would continue from now on.

“That’s right, let’s talk about the future!”

“…The future… yes, indeed.”

Tachibana-san spoke brightly while Kazari-san made a slightly troubled face.

Did Tachibana-san notice that?

“…The past can’t be changed but the future can be changed, apparently… well, this is mostly borrowed wisdom though. Words I was told when I was lectured by someone impatient, direct, with blonde short hair.”

What a typically terrible way of putting it from Tachibana-san.

If Aoyama-san heard that, she’d definitely snap back.

“Aoyama-san… is it?”

“You could say that, I guess? …In the end, we have something in common~”

“Something in common… you say?”

“Yeah, something in common! Like, family gatherings? We’ve both been distant from such things, haven’t we? Kazari-san went to NAZ Agency so I could stay with my family, and worked hard, so you couldn’t be with family, right? …I haven’t experienced much family togetherness either~”

“That’s… I’m sorry.”

“No, no, I’m not trying to blame you.”

Taking a breath, Tachibana-san began speaking.

“…Um, you know? What I want to say is… yeah, from now on, I’d like to do things together with Kazari-san that we couldn’t do until now, learn things we couldn’t know together… that’s what I think, but how about you? …As blood-related sisters.”

Tachibana-san glanced at Kazari-san’s expression.

Meanwhile, Kazari-san had her usual cool expression. But I could tell—she was very confused.

“H-however, I don’t have the qualifications—”

“—There’s no such thing as qualifications~ Since we’ve come together, I just thought I’d like to get along~”

Kazari-san looked at my face in confusion. There might be various conflicts.

“…In any case, isn’t it a good thing if sisters get along well?”

There might be various problems. But in the end, I felt like that was the fundamental point.

“Kazari-san, you don’t want to get along…?”

Tachibana-san’s face looked a bit lonely.

She peered up at Kazari-san’s face from below.

“That’s not true. There’s no way it would be.”

“…Meaning?”

“…Yes, that’s right. I’d like to spend time together as much as possible.”

“I’m glad!”

She stuck out her tongue and laughed like a little devil.

Apparently that earlier face was an act.

Kazari-san smiled faintly in confusion, and Tachibana-san beamed happily.

“…Um, I don’t really feel it’s real so can I ask just to be sure?”

“…Yes, if it’s something I can answer.”

“U-um, Kazari-san is… really my onee-chan… right?”

Tachibana-san asked while observing Kazari-san’s reaction. She was apparently still worried.

“…Yes. It’s complicated because of NAZ Agency matters, but by blood we’re real family.”

“R-right? Well, somehow… it doesn’t feel real yet…”

“I think that’s natural for you. It’s not common for your fiancé’s maid to be a blood relative.”

No, you’re talking like it’s someone else’s business, but you’re in this position as a result of Kazari-san working incredibly hard, right?

“Th-then… should I call you onee-chan after all…?”

“…You don’t need to force yourself. I think relationships should be built slowly, slowly. We built our relationship with Kyoya-sama that way too.”

It really was difficult at first.

“Slowly, huh?”

“Yes. But please promise me one thing.”

“…A promise?”

“Yes… ‘If something unpleasant happens, please tell me. I’ll surely help Mizuri.'”

Kazari-san smiled awkwardly.

Seeing that, Tachibana-san looked surprised and dazed.

“Th-those words…”

“…Yes? I don’t think I said anything particularly strange. Was it odd, Kyoya-sama?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

What’s wrong?

But Tachibana-san alone went from a dazed face to a soft laugh.

“It wasn’t… a dream.”

She murmured that.

“Eh?”

“Never mind what I said before. The family feeling… might be coming to me.”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, why?

Both Kazari-san and I floated question marks above our heads, not understanding.

“Hehe, I won’t tell~”

Tachibana-san laughed cheerfully.