(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 15: A Woman’s Heart and the Spring Sky

“…I’m sorry about yesterday. I know this isn’t much, but consider it a small apology…”

The next evening

I took the opportunity to hand the item to Tachibana-san as she passed through the living room.  

It was always better to handle things like this sooner rather than later, right?  

“What’s this, a bribe?”  

“What would I even need to bribe you for? Though… I guess in a sense, you’re not entirely wrong. It’s an apology for the other morning. I’m really sorry about that.”  

“Oh, the morning thing? Pfft, I told you it’s fine. But thanks anyway~! I’ll take this off your hands.”  

Even though she had told me she wasn’t interested in me when we’d first met, she was still willing to accept something like this.  

Well… I guess ‘not interested’ just meant she neither liked nor disliked me. That was fine. If she was indifferent, I guess I just needed to get her to take an interest.  

“…Can I see what’s inside?”  

“Of course! It’s nothing fancy, though—sorry about that.”  

With a faintly excited expression, she opened the package.  

“Wow, it’s full of different snacks! Let me try one real quick.”  

Without hesitation, she opened one and popped it into her mouth.  

She chewed, closed her eyes, and fell silent for a while.  

“…So? Is it okay? I mean, I’m pretty sure it tastes fine, but…”  

The silence dragged on so long that I couldn’t help but ask.  

“…It’s amazing.”  

The words escaped her lips in a soft murmur of admiration.  

When she opened her eyes again, they sparkled as she stared at the assortment of snacks.  

“This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted! It’s so delicious I feel like I’m melting… I’m so happy~!”  

She savored each bite, her expression youthful and full of joy.  

There was something undeniably cute about her in that moment—perfectly fitting for her age.  

“…Why are you staring at me like that? Don’t even think about taking these, okay? This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”  

Apparently, I’d been staring too much, because she immediately grew suspicious.  

Like I could actually tell her I was almost captivated by her expression.  

“No, no, nothing like that. Those are yours. Enjoy them as much as you’d like.”  

“Of course I will! …Still, I can’t believe snacks this good even exist. There are so many amazing things in the world, huh~”  

“Really?”  

Was the shop’s stuff actually that good? I mean, I had a sample, and it was tasty, sure…  

“This is revolutionary! Honestly, I think this should just become a staple food. I wonder if there are even better ones out there? I’m curious now!”  

“Maybe? I feel like you’d know better than me, though. What’s popular with high school girls these days?”  

At my question, she hesitated slightly, her expression turning sheepish.  

“…Well, um, probably maritozzo…? That was pretty good. Oh, and maybe Starbuffs?”  

“Starbuffs, huh? I go there sometimes too. Their toppings feel like magic spells to me, though.”  

“Right? It took me forever to memorize them all!”  

“So even girls have trouble with that, huh?”  

With so many topping options, it was no surprise.  

“If you ever get a chance, I’d love it if you could show me some trendy spots that girls like. If you have time, of course.”  

There was a brief pause before she responded, hesitantly,  

“…Ahhh…”  

Her tone shifted as she continued.  

“Sorry, but that’s probably not possible.”  

“…Huh?”  

“I’d rather not be seen going to places like that with a guy. People would give me weird looks, you know? Besides, I don’t really want to take that risk for something that’s only going to last a month. There’s no point, since this’ll just end up as if it never happened. Sorry. I don’t mind hanging out at home, though.”  

With that, she waved goodbye and disappeared into her room.  

Leaving me to stand there, alone.  

“…What?”  

Girls were way too complicated.  

****

“Ah, they say ‘a woman is as fickle as autumn weather’ Kyo-sama.”

“…”  

“By the way, did you know? This phrase was coined in the Edo period and was originally part of a poem by Kobayashi Issa. Back then, it was actually a comparison to ‘a man’s heart’. Oh, but of course, it’s spring right now.”  

“…”  

“Don’t be so down! Your adorable, adorable maid is here to cheer you up.”  

“…”  

“Wanna squeeze my boobs?”  

“…”  

“Oh no, the ‘Saint of Boob’s, Kyo-sama, isn’t even reacting! This must be serious—you usually snap out of it right away when I say that.”  

Clearly troubled, Kazari-san rested her head in her hands. Then, as if a flash of inspiration struck her, she clapped her hands together.  

“…Wanna suck my boobs?”  

Her suggestion was completely out of the left field.  

“…Suck?”  

“Oh, he’s back!”  

Kazari-san clapped and cheered enthusiastically.  

“Wait, hold on! What do you even mean by ‘drink’? I was so shocked that I snapped out of it!”  

“Well, I guess that’s a good outcome.”  

“…Still, where did I go wrong? I don’t think I said anything weird…”  

I’d only gone along with the flow of the conversation, hoping we could get a little closer as we talked.  

We’d been getting along fine up to that point, so I thought it’d be okay to push a little further.  

“I don’t think there was anything particularly strange about the flow of the conversation. Honestly, most women probably wouldn’t have turned you down.”  

“But she did.”  

In my previous life, this would’ve been one thing. But in today’s world, where men were scarce, getting rejected wasn’t something I’d expected.  

Looks like I’d been letting my confidence get to my head.  

“…I got so full of myself. Ugh, how embarrassing.”

“Well, not everyone is like that. Keep in mind, this is just a general observation.”  

“…Ah, I see.”  

“Yes. The women you’re dealing with aren’t ‘ordinary’. Each of them has a strong personality, with quirks that make them stand out.”  

“So… you’re saying it’s not going to be easy?”  

“Exactly. Besides, they say one success comes after a hundred failures. Compared to being outright dismissed, being told ‘not interested’ is progress. Personally, I have a feeling there’s more to her as well.”  

“…‘More’? What do you mean?”  

“Yes,” she said assuredly, nodding with full confidence.  

If she said so, then it must be true.  

“Oh, that reminds me.”  

“What is it?”  

“Speaking of Tachibana-sama, you’ll be going to school tomorrow.”  

…School?  

“Huh? Why? It’s still March—it’s spring break.”  

She gave me a flat look that said, Are you serious?

…Did I forget something?  

“…I told you before, didn’t I? You need to visit the school to finalize your transfer paperwork.”  

“…Oh?”  

Crap. I had no memory of that.  

When did she tell me?  

“It was when you were wallowing in defeat after the matchmaking meeting.”  

Seriously? That was when I was too devastated to think straight!  

Who paid attention to future plans when they were sulking?  

“Well, don’t worry. Anticipating this, I’ve already prepared all the necessary documents. So tomorrow morning, we’ll head to school.”  

“I see… Got it.”  

“Now that you’ve calmed down, Kyo-sama, you should turn in early for the sake of your health… Besides, I’m feeling sleepy myself, so I’ll take my leave. Goodnight!”  

With that, Kazari-san turned off my room’s lights and headed off to her own room.  

“…Huh?”  

What about the boobs?

(T/N: Made a mistake earlier, Kurokawa is a woman. I have edited all the chapters accordingly. Sorry about this)