Chapter 29 : An Insincere Apology

The transmigrator Midori Takigawa learned English since she was but only a three-year-old child. It was thus not an exaggeration to say that her linguistic prowess far surpassed that of any ordinary individual.

While she initially lacked the patience required for effective instruction, the inherent gentleness and patience of the original host imbued her with the ability to navigate the role of teacher with remarkable success.

As the two-hour class neared its conclusion, a wave of contentment washed over the young ladies, their faces aglow with the satisfaction derived from Midori's exceptional teaching. One by one, they bid farewell to their esteemed instructor, their voices laced with gratitude and admiration.

However, amidst the dispersing crowd, three figures remained, their presence casting a shadow of intrigue. Fumiko, Shiori, and Himari deliberately lagged behind, their gazes fixed upon their new English teacher.

Fumiko, her eyes ablaze with simmering malice, rose from her seat, her movement echoing with a sense of impending confrontation. With a menacing scowl etched upon her face, she advanced toward Midori, her every step exuding an aura of pent-up resentment.

"Midori-san, why didn't you say anything about taking a teacher position at St. Anne's Academy?"

Midori, unfazed by Fumiko's accusatory tone, arched an eyebrow in a gesture of feigned surprise. Her gaze swept over Fumiko's form, her expression mirroring a puzzling perplexity.

"Fumiko-san, first of all, I am not required to report anything to you. Second of all, aren't you already quite well informed about my current circumstances? Yesterday, you even took care to turn it into a public announcement at the dining hall."

Fumiko's knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists, her teeth grinding together like gears caught in a relentless struggle.

Shiori and Himari were both cowards, but she, Fumiko Ito, was not.

She thus raised her arm and unleashed a forceful shove against Midori's left shoulder.

"Well, was I wrong? Are you not a divorcee? Are you not pregnant with an unknown man's baby???"

Midori, unfazed by Fumiko's tirade, cast a casual glance towards the clock adorning the opposite wall. "Is that all you can say?" she inquired, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "You keep repeating yourself like a broken record."

Fumiko's anger surged like a tempest, her cheeks burning with a crimson hue. "Don't you dare belittle me!" she roared, her voice echoing through the classroom. With a surge of adrenaline, she lunged towards Midori, her hands reaching out to push her to the ground.

Midori, far from being a helpless damsel in distress, was not a fool. 

She had no intention of allowing Fumiko to inflict any harm upon her. With a swift and agile movement, she evaded Fumiko's clumsy lunge, her body gracefully arching as she threw herself to the ground. As she descended, she instinctively shifted her weight to protect her abdomen, ensuring the safety of her unborn child.

And then, with a piercing cry that echoed through the classroom, Midori transformed herself into a picture of vulnerability, her voice trembling with feigned fear.

"Help!" she wailed, her eyes wide with exaggerated terror. "Help! Someone is bullying me!"

The three young ladies were shaken at first, but then Fumiko burst into laughter.

"No one is going to hear you," she said viciously. "Everyone has already left for the dining hall."

With an intimidating gait and eyes glowing like malevolent embers, Fumiko the bully advanced towards Midori.

Before she managed to do anything further to the pregnant woman on the floor, Arata Takigawa's cold voice made her freeze on the spot.

"Are you sure about that?"

The Takigawa brothers stood at the doorway, each having a complicated expression on their faces.

Satoru was horrified to find Midori on the floor.

"Midori-chan!" He quickly rushed over to help his twin sister back on her feet. "Are you hurt???"

Feigning tears, Midori started sobbing at Satoru's chest.

"Satoru-kun... She pushed me. She was so mean..."

Minato, Arata, and Shuugo quickly approached their little sister.

"Midori-san, do you feel any pain in the abdomen?" Minato asked.

"I don't know," Midori wailed. "Onii-chan, I am scared. What if I lose the baby? Wahhhhhh..."

"Let's go to my hospital," Minato said. He then glared at Fumiko and clicked with his tongue in distaste.

"Fumiko-san, really? You actually have the heart to attack my pregnant sister."

"We should go to the hospital first," Satoru insisted. "What if something happens to the baby?"

Arata smoothly lifted Midori's body off the floor.

Speechless from what he had just witnessed, Shuugo merely stared at Fumiko and the other two ladies.

Fumiko's face crumpled like she was about to cry.

"Shuugo-niisan, Minato-san, please, I can explain."

"You can explain all you want in the police station," Arata quipped.

"Police station? But... But that was only one push!!!"

"Only one push?"

A collective wave of disapproval washed over the four brothers as their eyes locked onto Fumiko, their gazes piercing like icy daggers.

"Fumiko-san, you are cruel," Satoru decided. "I cannot believe that Grandpa planned to wed Minato-niichan to you."

Minato scoffed.

"Consider the wedding arrangement to be over," he said coldly before turning to look at Midori and her three brothers. "Let's go."

"MINATO-SAN!!!"

Fumiko shouted after him, but Minato was already walking out with Arata, Midori, and Satoru in tow.

She then turned to Shuugo, who was the last to leave.

"Shuugo-niisan, please," she begged under tears. "I can explain, it was not as bad as you saw..."

Shuugo stared at her like he was looking at a monster.

"Fumiko-san, Midori-san just returned to our house," he said with a hollow voice. "She was kicked out of the Koishikawa family due to unjust circumstances. And she is pregnant, too.

Considering that you are Chie-san's sister and also betrothed to Minato-san, why couldn't you be nicer to Midori-san?"

"I..."

Fumiko bit into her lower lip.

"I am sorry," she forced herself to apologize, but Shuugo saw through her. There was no sincerity in her apology.

"You should apologize to Midori-san, not to me. Word of advice -- do practice beforehand."

After saying his piece, Shuugo then left without turning back.