Chapter 18 – The Apology Before Class
The morning sun was shining bright over the academy gates, casting golden light across the trimmed lawns and marble paths. A soft breeze brushed through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of sakura blossoms from the trees that lined the school walls. Students, mostly girls, were gathered near the entrance, whispering, laughing, and stealing glances toward the luxury black car that had just stopped in front of the campus.
The car door opened, and out stepped Haruya Takahara, dressed in his perfectly pressed uniform. His silver hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight, almost glowing, and his deep blue eyes looked calm and collected as ever. His presence alone was enough to make the crowd of girls pause mid-sentence, their hearts skipping a beat.
He didn't even notice the stares anymore. It had become a daily routine—every morning, the same quiet chaos of admiration, envy, and silent awe.
But today felt… different.
As Haruya walked through the main gates, he saw someone standing near the front fountain—a tall girl with long auburn hair and striking emerald eyes. Her hands were clutched nervously around a small, neatly wrapped box.
It was Reina Tachibana.
The same girl who, just yesterday, had treated him coldly and looked down on him like every other man she despised.
Now, she stood there with her head slightly bowed, her face unreadable but her body language stiff with hesitation.
Haruya blinked. "Reina?"
When she heard his voice, Reina's heart skipped. She straightened instantly, forcing a polite smile, though her eyes trembled slightly with embarrassment. Then, before he could say another word, she took a deep breath and bowed deeply.
"I'm… I'm sorry, Haruya." Her voice came out soft but firm, filled with guilt. "I want to sincerely apologize for how I behaved yesterday. I said things I shouldn't have. I… I misjudged you."
Haruya's expression softened in surprise. He hadn't expected that at all.
Before he could reply, Reina extended the box toward him with both hands. "Please accept this as a token of apology."
He looked down at the box, noticing the elegant golden logo embossed on top. It was from Amélie Paris—one of the most famous luxury cosmetic brands in this world.
For a moment, Haruya froze.
"Uh… Reina," he said slowly, his tone polite but slightly puzzled. "You… bought me cosmetics?"
Her cheeks flushed pink. "Y-Yes. It's a gesture of goodwill. I thought you might like it."
There was a long silence between them.
Haruya blinked again. Then the realization hit him, and he almost laughed at himself internally.
Wait a second... I forgot again. This is the reverse chastity world. Giving cosmetics to men is normal here. It's like giving chocolates or flowers back in my old world.
He sighed in relief and smiled faintly. "You really didn't have to do this. I understand your feelings, Reina. Everyone makes mistakes."
Reina looked up at him, startled by the gentleness in his tone.
He continued, "You can apologize without giving me anything. Thank you for the gift, but it's fine. I forgive you."
For a second, she just stared at him. The words didn't even register properly.
He refused…? He refused such an expensive gift?
In this world, boys never refused luxury gifts. Not even the simplest ones. Every man she'd ever known would have accepted it immediately—with arrogance, entitlement, or fake politeness.
But Haruya… just smiled and said it wasn't necessary.
Reina's heart pounded hard in her chest. Her throat went dry.
What kind of boy refuses gifts and still speaks so kindly? she thought, biting her lip. He's… different. Completely different from any boy I've ever met. It's like he's not even real—like he stepped straight out of some fantasy story.
Her fingers tightened around the box she was still holding. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she stared at his face—those calm blue eyes, that soft smile, the way his silver hair caught the sunlight.
Why… why is my heart beating so fast?
She quickly shook her head. No! Stop it, Reina! Focus!
You're a woman—you can't act nervous in front of a man! What will he think of you? You've trained your whole life not to get swayed like this…
But her thoughts were a mess.
Meanwhile, Haruya tilted his head slightly, noticing how red her face had become. "Reina, are you okay? You look kind of flushed. Do you need help?"
Reina almost jumped at his words. "Ah—y-yes! I'm fine! Totally fine, Haruya! Thank you for asking!"
Her voice cracked slightly, and she immediately looked away, mortified.
He asked about me…? A boy actually asked if I'm okay? That's… impossible.
In her world, women were always the protectors, the caretakers, the strong ones. Boys were supposed to be spoiled, fragile, and selfish. But here he was—genuinely concerned for her.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her heartbeat.
(Why is he so kind? Why does he look at people like that? It's like he actually cares… no, he does care. But how can that be? He's supposed to be like the rest…!)
Her mind screamed at her to stay calm, but her heart refused to listen.
Haruya smiled again, his tone light. "That's good. I was just worried. You don't seem like the type who gets nervous easily."
That sentence alone nearly melted her from the inside.
Worried… about me?
Reina bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling like a fool.
(He's too much… Haruya, you're too much for my heart to handle…)
Before she could say anything else, the school bell rang, echoing across the courtyard.
"Looks like class is about to start," Haruya said, glancing toward the building. "Shall we go?"
Reina nodded quickly. "Y-yes, let's go!"
As they walked side by side toward the classroom, students passing by whispered quietly among themselves.
"Wait… is that Reina Tachibana walking with Haruya-sama?"
"No way, right? She hated boys!"
"Maybe he forgave her?"
"Forgave her? It looks like she's ready to faint from happiness!"
"No way, why? Why more competition that's unfair"
Reina heard the whispers but didn't care. For the first time in years, she didn't feel angry or defensive when someone mentioned a boy. Instead, she felt something warm inside her chest.
When Haruya reached the classroom door, he stepped aside and held it open for her.
"After you," he said, smiling politely.
Reina blinked, confused for a moment. Her heart skipped as she stared at him.
Wait… what? He's letting me go first? she thought in disbelief. But boys are always the ones who go first. That's how it's always been. That's what every woman is taught — to protect them, to make way for them, to serve them.
Her breath caught slightly as she walked past him. Why does he act so differently? Why does it feel… nice?
For a brief second, she felt her cheeks warm up as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He's so strange… yet, so gentle.
She stepped into the classroom, her mind spinning. He's unreal. He's like the definition of how men used to be described in fairy tales… gentle, respectful, kind.
As Haruya took his seat, a few of the girls nearby immediately surrounded him, showering him with greetings and compliments. "Good morning, Haruya-sama!" "You look so handsome today!" "Did you sleep well?"
Reina sat at her desk, watching quietly. Normally, seeing other girls act like that toward a boy would make her scoff in disgust. But now, she found herself… oddly defensive.
One of the girls leaned too close to him, giggling. "Haruya-sama, if you ever need help with homework, I'd love to—"
Before she could finish, Reina's sharp voice interrupted. "He doesn't need help. He's perfectly capable."
The girl flinched and awkwardly backed away.
Reina blinked, realizing what she'd just done. Her face turned slightly pink. Wait—why did I say that?
Saeko, sitting nearby, watched the scene unfold with a tiny smile. "Looks like someone's starting to like him," she whispered teasingly.
Reina immediately turned red. "I-I'm just being polite! That's all!"
But Saeko only giggled quietly.
Meanwhile, Haruya, who hadn't heard the whispering, turned to Reina and smiled. "Thanks for standing up for me."
Her heart skipped. "It—it's nothing! Don't mention it."
But inside, her thoughts were swirling.
This boy… he's changing me. Piece by piece, moment by moment. The things I believed for years are starting to feel wrong.
As the teacher entered and class began, Reina rested her hand on her chest, feeling her heartbeat still racing.
What's happening to me… Haruya? Why do you make the world feel so different just by existing?
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To be continued…