After that, without any major problems, I went on dates with Yuki and even took steps into adulthood, and sometimes the three of us went out together, learning how to behave appropriately for our age and gaining common sense about society as we spent our days peacefully.

~About 2 years later~

'Soon, Karuizawa’s bullying will escalate and Ichinose’s mother will be hospitalized. There’s no option but to save the painful pasts of my two future wives when I have the means to do so. I know the location of Karuizawa’s middle school from when we were dating but I don’t know about Ichinose. In that case I’ll have to rely on him.'

With that, I made a call to Ayanokouji Atsuomi.

Atsuomi: "I don’t think there’s any need to prepare enrollment documents yet so why the sudden call?"

Kiyotaka: "That’s your first line after two years talking to your son?"

Atsuomi: "You’re no different."

'Can’t really argue with that.'

Kiyotaka: "When a single mother with two daughters named Ichinose gets hospitalized, I want you to identify her location and inform me."

Atsuomi: "What’s your objective?"

Kiyotaka: "I want to earn a favor from the daughter."

Atsuomi: "What benefit is there for me to do that?"

Kiyotaka: "If you accomplish something, then after I graduate university I’ll obey your orders for the rest of my life."

Atsuomi: "What did you say?"

Kiyotaka: "Are you going to do it or not?"

Atsuomi: "First, let me hear the details."

Kiyotaka: "One is to carry out what I just requested. The other is to make polygamy legal in Japan."

Atsuomi: "...What are you talking about?"

Kiyotaka: "Didn’t you hear me? Polygamy."

Atsuomi: "Fine, I’ll do it." 'Who do you take after anyway'

Kiyotaka: "Of course, if I achieve it myself in the future this deal becomes void. You’ve got 10 years until I gain eligibility to run for office so do your best." 'Though it’s probably impossible anyway.'

Atsuomi: "Don’t just—"

Kiyotaka: "I’m hanging up."

'For now, the easier Ichinose matter will probably bring information as soon as she’s hospitalized. Then I’ll deal with Karuizawa first.'

Thinking that, I booked lodging near her school and waited for the day.

* * *

~A few days later~

Kiyotaka: "Alright, I’m heading out for an overnight trip now."

Yuki: "Geez, if you’d told me I would’ve come with you~"

Shirou: "Well, Kiyotaka probably just wanted to try traveling alone." 'Definitely for a different reason than me though…'

Kiyotaka: "That’s right. Let’s go on a trip together another time."

Yuki: "If that’s the case, have a good trip!"

Shirou: "Enjoy it."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I’m off."

'I feel a bit bad for misleading them but later I’ll just tell them I met and helped someone who was being bullied.'

* * *

~At the destination~

'I’ve arrived. It should be around here.'

I opened the map on my phone and entered the school’s name.

'This school. At this time classes are probably still in session. The back of the school building where it’s less visible should have a higher chance of an encounter. I’ll wait here until after school.'

As I was killing time waiting, unexpectedly I got a call from my father.

Kiyotaka: "What is it?"

Atsuomi: "What do you mean, what is it? It’s about what you asked for."

Kiyotaka: "You already got the information?"

Atsuomi: "Yes. Room ◯◯◯ at ◯◯ Clinic. I’ll send the hospital’s location now."

Kiyotaka: "Confirm the name of the daughter, the eldest. Knowing you, you’ve looked that up too."

Atsuomi: "Ichinose Honami."

Kiyotaka: "That’s fine. See you."

Atsuomi: "Don’t break the promise."

Kiyotaka: "No need to worry. As long as you don’t break yours to me I won’t break mine. I’m looking forward to that law."

'Ichinose’s mother’s hospital isn’t far from here. Once I finish this matter I’ll head there right away.'

Just then, a group of girls came out surrounding one girl.

'Is that Karuizawa?'

Though I still had doubts, I couldn’t miss the chance for evidence so I immediately started recording.

Bullied girl: "Ah!"

Bully A: "Don’t act like the victim!"

Bully B: "You piss me off!"

Bully C: "Say something!"

Bullied girl: "S-sorry…"

'That voice is definitely Karuizawa. I’ll help her now.'

Kiyotaka: "That’s enough."

Bully A: "Tch, who are you!?"

Kiyotaka: "No obligation to answer. Besides, when asking someone’s name you should introduce yourself first."

Bully B: "You’re the outsider here!"

Kiyotaka: "Not an outsider. I’m a witness holding important evidence of bullying."

When I showed them the video I had just recorded, the three of them quickly turned pale.

'So this is the face criminals make when cornered. I should remember to be cautious if I see this expression in the future.'

Bullies ABC: "Give it here!"

Kiyotaka: "That’s not happening."

Bully C: "Don’t get cocky!"

Kiyotaka: "Are you sure? I’m still recording. You’ll just be adding to your crimes."

Bully A: "We’ll take it and delete it!"

Kiyotaka: "Foolish."

'They wouldn’t listen so I ended up putting them to sleep. Well, I have grounds for self-defense so it should be fine. More importantly, Karuizawa.'

Kiyotaka: "Are you okay? Any injuries?"

Kei: "It hurts a bit but I’m okay since you helped me."

Kiyotaka: "No lasting marks?"

Kei: "They target just before crossing that line. It’s nasty."

'Good. It seems they hadn’t left the stomach scar yet. It’s better to minimize things that could trigger trauma.'

Kiyotaka: "I’m Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. If they attack you again, mention this video and that my father, Atsuomi, is a politician. They’ll be too scared to approach. If you don’t mind, can you tell me your name?"

Kei: "I’m Karuizawa Kei. Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun!"

Kiyotaka: "You don’t have to act strong. If your heart is hurting you can cry. You did well, Kei."

When I patted her head, Kei clung to me and began crying.

'It would be better if she cried out loud to release it but this is still school so it can’t be helped.'

After a while, once she stopped crying, Kei stood up, her eyes red and swollen.

Kei: "You saw an embarrassing side of me."

Kiyotaka: "I don’t think crying when you’re in pain is anything to be embarrassed about."

Kei: "I see. By the way…"

Kiyotaka: "What?"

Kei: "You called me by my name earlier, right?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

Kei: "Then can I call you Kiyotaka too… just kidding."

Kiyotaka: "Go ahead, Kei."

Kei: "K-Kiyotaka, thank you."

Kiyotaka: "We should leave before they wake up."

Kei: "Yeah."

Kiyotaka: "I’ll walk you home."

Kei: "Eh, is that okay?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, we don’t know when they’ll wake up."

'I adjusted it so they wouldn’t wake for two hours but still…'

Kiyotaka: "Also, I want to give you this video."

Kei: "Aren’t you going to hand it to the police right away?"

Kiyotaka: "Cornered people are dangerous. If you just show them the evidence they’ll cling to a fragile peace and behave."

Kei: "I see."

As we headed back, she asked something.

Kei: "Which school do you go to?"

Kiyotaka: "Due to family circumstances I don’t attend middle school. For high school I plan to go to Advanced Nurturing High School starting next year."

Kei: "Huh, that’s unusual. But that’s kind of cool."

Kiyotaka: "Is it?"

As we continued chatting, we arrived at Kei’s house.

Kei: "This is my house. Thanks for walking me here."

Kiyotaka: "Don’t worry about it. I’ll send you the video so bring your phone."

Kei: "Okay."

By the time I thought to say "no need to rush," Kei had already dashed inside.

About five minutes later, she came back holding a gift box.

Kei: "Here, take this."

Kiyotaka: "First, let me send the data."

Kei: "Okay."

After sending it, Kei tried to give me the gift again.

Kiyotaka: "It’s not necessary. Just show me that you’re doing well next time."

Kei: "Eh, but…"

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, I have something to do now. See you."

Ignoring Kei trying to stop me, I ran off.

'Not accepting the gift increases the chances she’ll come to Advanced Nurturing High School to see me. I feel bad leaving her unsettled but it’s necessary.'