(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.

“Sorry, Hosho-san. I’m late because… huh?”

As I walked back, I noticed Hosho-san and Kurokawa-san being confronted by two men.

Wait—Kurokawa-san? Why was she here?

Well, I guess that didn’t matter right now.

From a distance, it was obvious how tense the situation had become.

In that case…

“Hey, officer! Over here! There’s a fight happening!”

For the first time in a while, I raised my voice.

Of course, there weren’t actually any police officers nearby. I was just copying something I’d seen on TV dramas.

To make it more believable, I pulled up a police siren sound on a video site and played it.

Did that add a bit of credibility?

I hoped this would work. Hearing the siren sound, the two men started to panic.

“Tch, let’s retreat for now,” one muttered.

“Y-yeah,” the other agreed.

The two quickly exchanged a few words before scrambling to a nearby car and driving off.

They reminded me of criminals fleeing a failed kidnapping attempt. Well, they weren’t wearing ski masks, at least.

“Hah,” Hosho-san sighed.

“Milady, we should leave this place too,” Kurokawa urged, suggesting they vacate the area.

But Hosho-san stopped her, perhaps recognizing that I was standing there.

“Are you alright, Hosho-san? Kurokawa-san?”

Judging from their appearances, it didn’t seem like they’d been physically harmed. That was a relief.

“Yes, we’re fine,” Hosho-san said.

“Kyoya-sama? My apologies for not recognizing you earlier,” Kurokawa added.

Both of their shoulders seemed to relax slightly. Only slightly, though.

“For now, let’s move to a different location. We seem to have drawn a bit too much attention,” Hosho-san said.

Even though it was a park, there were enough bystanders around, many of whom were glancing in our direction. I supposed that was inevitable, given that there had been three men, after all.

“Agreed. Shall we return to the car, Milady?” Kurokawa suggested.

“Yes. And you—are you fine with that as well?” she asked, directing the question at me.

“Y-yeah,” I replied.

After such an incident, it didn’t make sense to suggest going out for a meal. On the way back, Kurokawa took the wheel, replacing Hosho-san, who had driven earlier. Both she and I sat in the back seat.

As we rode, Hosho-san rested her elbow on the window edge and gazed outside, looking deep in thought.

For my part, I didn’t have anything specific to talk about. Asking about what had just happened didn’t feel right; it seemed like she wasn’t in the mood to explain.

If anything, the psychological distance between us felt wider than it had been back at the art museum.

Ugh, this was so awkward.

I had tried to ask Kurokawa earlier about the situation, but she had told me to wait until things settled down before bringing it up again. That left me with nothing to say. Bringing up something trivial like, “Hey, the art museum was great, wasn’t it?” would only make me look tone-deaf.

What stood out to me was Hosho-san’s demeanor. It wasn’t that she ignored me when I’d asked if she was okay—she did respond with “I’m fine,” but it felt strangely stiff.

By the time I’d finished aimlessly cycling through these thoughts, we’d arrived at home. The car pulled up as the sun began to set.

Kurokawa stepped out, saying she would park the car in the garage, leaving me and Hosho-san outside.

As I moved to enter the house, I noticed she hadn’t followed me inside.

“…Huh? Aren’t you coming in?”

“I am, but…”

She hesitated, clearly struggling to find the right words. Then, lifting her head, she said firmly, “I sincerely apologize for today.”

She bowed deeply, her movements graceful—befitting someone of her upbringing. It was a level of elegance that seemed ingrained in her noble character.

Though that wasn’t the point.

“…Huh? No, wait—what are you apologizing for?”

I couldn’t fathom why she was apologizing.

Sure, the day had ended on a strange note, but everything leading up to that had been incredibly enjoyable. I’d learned so much and had a great time.

“It’s about today. Although it wasn’t my intention, because of my personal circumstances, our outing ended in such an incomplete manner. Furthermore, I tested you, which was very disrespectful of me.”

Her unwavering gaze met mine as she explained her reasoning.

“No, seriously, it’s fine. I had so much fun today. And besides, didn’t we already settle that issue?”

I smiled, doing my best to convey through my expression that I genuinely didn’t mind any of it.

“I should be the one thanking you. You showed me so many wonderful places today. Thank you,” I added, bowing my head in gratitude.

“I don’t deserve your gratitude. I’m the one who needs to apologize.”

Yet her tone remained unchanged.

Rather, it felt as if she was building a wall around her heart.

“No, no, that’s not true. There’s nothing you need to apologize for. I don’t know exactly what the last part was about, but surely there was some kind of reason, right?”

“…It’s just a trivial grudge from the past.”

A grudge, huh.

Considering her past, could it be related to her broken engagements?

Should I press her on this? This would undoubtedly touch on a wound of hers.

And a person’s wounds were not something one should tread upon so lightly.

I knew full well how horrid it felt to have someone step clumsily and uninvited into such matters.

That’s why I hesitated. And just as I was about to open my mouth, she cut me off.

“…Whether there was a reason or not isn’t relevant to you, is it? What matters is the fact that you were inconvenienced because of me. Therefore, I must apologize. And, of course, I won’t let it end with just words—I’ll send you something at a later date.”

“No, that’s really not necessary.”

“But wouldn’t that be inappropriate? You sent something to Tachibana-san the other day, didn’t you? It’s the same principle.”

We were at a stalemate.

Her determination not to yield came across loud and clear.

It seemed that she wanted to end this matter here and now, even if it meant silencing me with a gesture like this.

And because of that—

I knew what an idiotic and despicable act this was going to be.

But despite knowing, I decided to step in.

Because I thought this might be her wound.

And unless I understood that wound, I wouldn’t be able to reach her.

Things had been going well earlier.

Up until those two men showed up, she had even started addressing me by my last name.

But since then, she’d only referred to me as ‘you’.

It was clear that, in her mind, a line—a wall—had been drawn.

If things had continued as they were earlier, I might not have had to touch on such things. Or, if I did, I could have done so gently and carefully later.

Ah, those men. I’ll say it plainly—I hated them.

“…Then, I’d like to make two requests.”

“I was planning to send you something, though…”

“I don’t need anything material. I just want you to grant me two requests.”

“If it’s unreasonable, it’s not happening. And two? Aren’t you a bit greedy?”

She looked at me suspiciously.

“You’ve got to ask when you have the chance, right?”

“…The fault lies with me, so go ahead.”

“First, I’d like to continue today’s date another time.”

My request visibly surprised her.

For once, Hosho-san widened her eyes in astonishment.

“…You’re quite peculiar, aren’t you? Very well, when the opportunity arises… What’s the other request?”