บท 19: Chapter 19 : Public Shaming The Koishikawas
"Oh my. Arata-san."
"Arata!"
Midori whipped around in surprise when Chie's and Shuugo's voices contributed to the scene.
Another glance to the right granted her a glimpse of Akiyama and his parents. They were especially aghast to serve as witnesses for the drama unfolding before their eyes.
Arata nodded at his elder brother and sister-in-law as a sign of acknowledgment.
"Go on, Midori-chan," he then said. "Didn't you want to say something?"
Arata's sudden appearance numbed Midori's brain for a moment. She was momentarily unable to recall what she said before Madam Koishikawa moved to slap her.
Out of curiosity, Akiyama popped a question, "What happened after you met Hanae-san, then?"
Right.
Midori flashed Akiyama a smile brimming with gratitude.
"I confronted Hanae-san with my then-husband's spending record," Midori said. "I wanted her to explain the nature of her relationship with my husband, but then she said she had to leave for a while.
The last thing I recalled before I drifted to sleep was the thick incense smell that permeated the room.
When I woke up again, an unknown man was lying next to me. We were both naked."
At this point, Hanae was as pale as a blank sheet of paper.
"I ran out of the room before I even saw the man's face."
Madam Kinoshita pressed a hand against the lower part of her face.
"Dear gods!" She cried out. "That was horrible."
Tears gathered in Midori's eyes in a flash. She then put a hand against her belly. Choking with sobs, she continued telling her side of the story.
"Ten weeks later, I found out that I fell pregnant from that one encounter. I was kicked out of the Koishikawa house, and Madam Koishikawa personally handed me the divorce letter."
All eyes were directed at Madam Koishikawa. At the receiving end of so many unkind gazes, the woman cried out in panic.
"I didn't know!" She said in a feeble attempt to defend herself. "All I knew was that she fell pregnant while my son had been out of the house for months! She cheated, therefore... Besides, she did not tell me any of these before! Maybe she is making up the story!"
Midori let out a burst of cheerless laughter.
Typical of Madam Koishikawa. She could not feign regret, even if her life depended on it.
"Madam Koishikawa, had I told you the story, would you even believe me? You kicked me out of the house as soon as you found out that I was pregnant.
Your eyes have never held the same warmth for me as they do for your other daughters-in-law," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Since the day I crossed your doorstep, a silent disdain has hung between us, a barrier no amount of effort could penetrate.
While the first two daughters-in-law are adorned in exquisite silk gowns, soft to the touch and shimmering with intricate patterns, I'm left to scrounge for scraps and discarded remnants, piecing together garments that barely qualify as clothing."
"I... I..."
Madam Koishikawa ran out of excuses. Her elaborate facade crumbled, her hands trembling as she covered her face in shame. With a heavy heart, she moved to sit beside her husband, their silence speaking volumes of their humiliation.
Meanwhile, Midori's gaze swept across the room, her eyes taking in the rapt attention of the onlookers. The commotion had drawn in a crowd from the neighboring chambers, eager to witness the unfolding drama. Curiosity and excitement were clearly seen on their faces.
"I do not know the father of my baby," Midori announced dramatically. "Therefore my child will never get to know its biological father. And I have to endure the pain of having my honor trampled by the society. I was branded as the cheater, the loose woman who slept around while her husband was not around."
Midori shot Ryouichi, Hanae, and the Koishikawa couple bitter looks.
"And it is all thanks to the Koishikawa family and Hanae-san here. Hanae-san,"
Midori smiled sweetly at Hanae, who did not dare to raise her eyes.
"I can see that you will fit just fine within the Koishikawa family. Please let me extend my most sincere congratulations on your upcoming wedding."
After the last words left her lips, Midori gave her a perfunctory bow and left.
With a grace born of sorrow, she dipped into a deeper bow before the Kinoshitas, their eyes mirroring the profound empathy they felt for this young woman. Their hearts ached for her, an innocent victim of injustice and humiliation, her spirit bruised despite her unwavering virtue.
"Midori-chan."
Shuugo, her eldest brother wrapped her in a warm embrace. "Let's go home now. Kinoshita-san, Akiyama-san, I am so sorry. Let's redo the initial meeting another time."
Huddled next to Shuugo, Midori was led to the car, where Onizuka was waiting for them to return. When he saw the dried tears on Midori's face and the reddened eyes that made her look like a rabbit, his jaw fell open.
"Onizuka-san, please go back home first. Take Chie-san as well. I need to speak with Arata."
The car drove back to Oshima Town. Midori leaned against the window frame with a hand pressed against her lips to hide the smug smile beneath.
[Congratulations, Midori-san!!! You have successfully defended your honor before so many people! The crowd was impressed by your heartfelt, moving tale of subjugation and oppression!
+3 Charm Points have been added to your account for every person who got to listen to your story today!
+20 Creativity Points have been added to your account for your ingenuity in spinning the right tale in the right place and right time!
You have unlocked the title "Make Way For The Drama Queen".]
Midori could barely suppress a happy squeal from leaving her lips.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!!!
I want to check my Character Interface, NOW!
[Gladly~]
Time froze again, and Midori's Character Interface screen opened up in front of her.
"Yes!!!" She punched into the air when she read her current point stands.
Life Points : 120 Points.
Charm Points : 97 Points.
Creativity Points : 33 Points.
"Wait a moment," Midori furrowed her brows. She quickly launched into a protest. "How come I only have 97 Charm Points?"
[It's because only 23 people were impressed by Midori-san's speech today (≧▽≦)]
"No, no, no. You were mistaken. There were obviously more than 23 people who watched me today."
[Ah, naturally, no Charm Points were given for the bad interactions with the Koishikawas and Hanae-san...]
"Never mind," Midori quickly changed the topic before S-9898 decided to deduct points from her, courtesy of the four people whom she literally shamed in public today.
"By the way, what about the second mission? Did I pass or not?"
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