(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.

“Yoro-yoro, today!!”

Tachibana-san appeared at the meeting spot at the station, as bright and cheerful as always, like the sun. Her outfit matched her personality perfectly—casual yet stylish—with pants and a light beige coat draped over her shoulders.

“Oh, Kyoya-kun, you look refreshingly nice again today!”

“Thanks! Tachibana-san, you’re always beautiful, but today you look especially mature and elegant!”

“Wow, thanks, I’m so happy—”

That was the flattest delivery ever. She was definitely not happy.

Well, I couldn’t blame her. I had a bit of a “record” with Tachibana-san.

I’d accidentally saw her naked once, and although I’d apologized, I couldn’t blame her if she still secretly resented me.

What’s done was done, but I wanted to use this opportunity to redeem myself. I prepared meticulously this time and even had Shiraishi-sensei check my plans. I was completely ready for any Tachibana-san-related challenges!

“So, where are we going today?”

Originally, my plan was for us to have a date in our school uniforms. But for now…

“I was thinking we could go to the ocean!”

“Oh, the ocean sounds nice—and cold! Ah, is that why you’re wearing a mask?”

“Well, that’s part of it. I also have hay fever, after all.”

It was spring. Even after being reborn, I still had hay fever.

“I’m grateful for the mask too, so keep it on.”

“Wait, are you saying I’m unbearable to look at?”

If that were true, I’d be seriously crushed.

“Come on, I’m not that harsh—I’m not the teacher, so I won’t say something that mean… even if I’m thinking it.”

Tachibana-san chuckled mischievously, her laugh like that of a little devil. Wait, did that mean she actually thought that?

“…Ah, but I really don’t think that! In fact, I think Kyoya-kun has a nice, well-defined face!”

“Oh, uh, thank you…”

Getting complimented by Tachibana-san was rare, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit bashful.

“But you know, it would still be awkward if any of our classmates saw us and started weird rumors, right?”

Rumors, huh. Girls’ rumors did spread quickly, even in this world.

“That’s why I’m wearing a mask too, see? How do I look?”

With a little gesture, she pointed at her mask while speaking.

“You look cute even with a mask on.”

“Close! But it would’ve been even better if you added, ‘But you’re even cuter without it.'”

“That’s tough!”

“Haha, I’m kidding, but I’m happy to hear that.”

“Oh, well, I’m glad!”

She was probably joking, but I decided not to overthink it.

“Shall we hop on the train now?”

“Sure thing!”

After about an hour on the train, we arrived in Kanagawa. Our destination was one of Kanagawa’s most popular spots. Since it wasn’t summer, it didn’t seem too crowded.

“Wow, the ocean is so beautiful… though it looks a little cold.”

“It really is beautiful.”

The scenery outside the train window was bright and clear, with a perfect view of the blue sea.

If we tried hard enough, we might even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

“Have you ever been to Enoshima, Tachibana-san?”

“Enoshima, huh. I’ve seen it on TV a few times, but I’ve never actually been there.”

“Oh, perfect! It’s my first time too, so let’s enjoy it together!”

I was glad I decided on Enoshima. At first, I’d planned to take her somewhere closer, but my original idea was shot down.

“Yeah, I hope it’ll be fun.”

She sounded a little detached, but that was fine. Better than her looking bored or uninterested.

When we got off the train, the station had a unique look that seemed inspired by Okinawa. After walking a little further, we were greeted by a full view of the ocean.

“Wow, the wind is so strong!”

Tachibana-san looked around curiously, holding down her hair to keep it from flying all over the place.

“How’s your stomach? Are you hungry?”

“Hmm, I guess I am a little. But I’m the kind of person who eats whenever I feel like it, so I don’t really have set meal times.”

“…So, what does that mean?”

“It means I’m hungry!”

She gave me a bright, lively smile.

“I heard there’s a great burger place around here. Want to check it out?”

“Hamburgers?!”

Tachibana-san’s eyes sparkled brightly. Just as Shiraishi-sensei had advised.

“Do you like them?”

“Yeah! I actually love them! When I was little, I only got to eat hamburgers occasionally, but they were so delicious that I’ve loved them ever since!”

“Yeah, eating them once in a while makes them taste even better.”

“Right?! Let’s go already!”

The store was a Hawaiian-style restaurant located along the shore. Being a weekday, it wasn’t crowded, so we were able to get in without waiting.

There were so many types of hamburgers on the menu, and we both spent time agonizing over what to choose.

I decided on my order first, and as I glanced at the seriously pondering Tachibana-san across from me, I couldn’t help but think…

…This felt really couple-like. Like the lost youth I never had.

The hamburgers were brought to our table soon after we ordered.

They were served with fries on the side and looked absolutely delicious.

I ordered a classic burger.

Tachibana-san, on the other hand, ordered the Giga Melt-Down Burger.

“Let’s dig in!”

“L-Let’s eat!”

Her Giga Melt-Down Burger was practically drowning in cheese. Just looking at it made my stomach feel heavy.

But Tachibana-san didn’t seem to mind at all as she enthusiastically bit into her burger.

“This is sooo good!!”

With a beaming smile, she continued devouring her burger. I was amazed as the towering burger disappeared bite after bite.

“Why are you staring at me so much? Oh, do you want some of my burger? Too bad, I’m not giving you any!”

She protectively pulled her Giga Melt-Down Burger closer to her, shielding it with her body.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to take it.”

“Really?”

Even as she asked, she continued eating while staying on guard, as if protecting her meal.

“Really, I promise.”

Just how much of a food thief did she think I was? I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“The view of the ocean is nice, too.”

“Oh, it really is!”

I was certain Tachibana-san had been so focused on her burger that she hadn’t even noticed the view outside.

We continued eating, quickly finishing our meals.

“Phew, I’m so full!”

My classic burger, juicy and flavorful, left me feeling stuffed too.

“Eh, I’d say I’m about 70% full.”

“What?!”

Tachibana-san had eaten the Giga Melt-Down Burger.

That enormous thing, and she was only 70% full? Seriously?

“I’m not eating anymore, but hey, let’s check out the ocean! Can we go?”

“I wanted to see it too! Let’s go.”

We headed toward a sandy beach nearby and walked together.

I was glad I’d looked up the area in advance.

If I hadn’t, I probably would’ve panicked trying to figure out how to get to the ocean.

The beach was mostly empty, probably because it was still spring and the sea breeze felt chilly.

We stood at the shore, gazing at the water.

Wait, wasn’t the beach supposed to be more lively? You know, splashing water at each other and laughing?

Wasn’t it supposed to be more exciting than this quiet, contemplative mood?

Though, to be fair, throwing water in this cold wouldn’t be fun. Maybe throwing sand at each other would be better… No, scratch that.

Getting sand thrown at me would just be unpleasant.

While I was stuck in my silly thoughts, Tachibana-san suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, did you know? They say the ocean is the origin of life.”

“I feel like we learned something like that in school.”

“I don’t know much about it either, though.”

Even as she spoke, her eyes stayed focused on a single spot in the ocean.

“Why do you think life was born, though?”

“…Why, huh.”

I mean, I’d even gone through reincarnation, so I guess I was a bit of an exception.

Still, I’d never really thought about why life existed in the first place.

“I don’t know either. I’ve never really thought about it deeply. But, you know, when I used to look at the ocean, I’d think this…”

This was probably one of the rare moments where she was sharing something honest.

Which meant that what she was about to say was likely—

“I’d think, ‘Maybe it would’ve been better if humans were never born’… No, more like, ‘I wish I wasn’t born a human. I’d rather have been born a bird, so I could fly freely.’”

Her words were much heavier than I’d expected.

“…Huh?”

After a brief silence, she stopped staring at the ocean and turned to me with a smile.

“Just kidding! That was a joke. It’s gotten a bit cold, hasn’t it? Let’s head somewhere warm.”

With that, Tachibana-san began walking toward the road. I hurried to catch up with her.

…She wished she wasn’t born a human, huh.

That had surprised me a little. But I started to understand what Shiraishi-sensei meant when she’d said, “That girl isn’t easy.”

Well, she didn’t seem like she wanted me to dig any deeper, and I didn’t feel like she was open to letting me press further, so I kept quiet.

“…Hey, why are you just standing there?”

“Ah, sorry, coming!”

Tachibana-san, who had gone a little ahead, turned to call out to me.

“So, where are we headed next, my dear fiancé?”