Chapter 329: I Am Proud of My Daughter
After praising Aimi, Akina Izumi requested to see the surveillance footage.
She said calmly, "The school hallways should all have surveillance cameras. When I walked past the stairwell earlier, I saw cameras at every corner. I trust my daughter wouldn't attack someone without reason. But clearly, this woman doesn't believe that. The quickest way to settle this is to check the footage. Who started it, and who is truly at fault? The answer will be obvious once we watch it."
"Who are you calling a 'woman'?!" the fierce mother snapped, but after a single cold glance from Kotomi Izumi, she didn't dare say another word.
Akina stood her ground, her voice steady and composed, shielding Kotomi, Aimi, and Iroha behind her. In contrast, the other mother flailed about like a wild, screeching animal shedding its fur all over the place.
The teachers who had been trying to mediate earlier looked exhausted. Ever since the injured girl's mother arrived, she had done nothing but cause a scene, refusing to listen to any explanation. She was determined to blame Iroha and Aimi for everything and was clearly trying to extort a hefty sum for "medical expenses." Because of this, the issue had yet to be resolved.
Just then, the discipline director arrived with a laptop connected to the surveillance footage.
Akina sat down, her legs crossed elegantly, exuding a quiet yet firm aura. Since getting married, she had softened from her once icy demeanor, embodying the warmth and resilience of a mother and wife.
The footage showed the injured girl approaching Iroha first, aggressively blocking her way. Though there was no audio, it was clear she was saying something nasty.
Iroha tried to walk past her, unwilling to engage. However, after the girl shouted something, Iroha's expression darkened. Even then, she didn't retaliate and instead chose to step around her and head for the stairs.
The girl, enraged at being ignored, suddenly shoved Iroha down the stairs. As Iroha stumbled, she grabbed her hair and slapped her across the face.
Moments later, Aimi arrived. Without hesitation, she stopped the attacker.
The footage showed the girl walking down the stairs, still cursing, and just as she reached the bottom, Aimi called out to her. Instinctively, she turned—only to be met with a slap so powerful that it sent her flying.
The once fiery and aggressive mother went silent. She hadn't expected the footage to reveal that her daughter was the one who started the fight.
Akina smirked slightly, her gaze carrying an undeniable pressure as she looked at the mother and daughter pair.
"How ironic. The real instigator is always the loudest."
"I only insulted Isshiki Iroha because it's true! She's the daughter of a murderer, and she's also a freak! She likes girls!"
Unable to withstand the judgmental stares from everyone around her, the girl screamed out her accusation. Then, she pointed at Kotomi, who stood a short distance away.
"On Saturday, I saw Iroha and Aimi's sister hanging out at Enoshima! They looked way too close!"
The room fell into an awkward silence.
For several seconds, no one spoke. The teachers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond.
Iroha, stunned, turned to look at Kotomi. She hadn't expected that their outing on Saturday had been seen by this girl.
The girl's mother, meanwhile, gagged dramatically a few times before shooting a disgusted look at Kotomi and Iroha. She shrieked,
"Oh my god! No wonder that white-haired brat looked familiar—I saw them together at Enoshima on Saturday!
Ugh! I knew something was off! Two girls walking so close together—how shameless! I even warned my daughter to stay away from people like that! And to think they're classmates?! That's it! I'm transferring my daughter to another class!"
Aimi, who had been listening in stunned silence, glanced between Iroha and her sister. It felt like something inside her had just been upended.
Iroha was about to speak when Akina casually raised her hand to silence them. She then said,
"What's wrong with liking girls? Anyone with an ounce of education should understand that it's not some abnormality.
Some people are left-handed—does that mean they're inferior to those who write with their right hand?
Some people prefer potatoes, while others like green peppers. You don't have to agree with it, and you don't have to accept it, but you do not have the right to insult people just because they're different from you."
The fierce woman, thinking she had finally found a way to counter Akina, shouted,
"Your daughter isn't just dating too early—she's dating a girl! And not just any girl, but the daughter of a murderer! Don't you feel ashamed?!"
Akina Izumi looked at Kotomi Izumi and smiled gently:
"Ashamed? Why should I feel ashamed? My daughter dares to pursue her own feelings without hesitation, without feeling any shame for being different. She does not hide in fear, wavering and uncertain about the woman she loves.
"If she had acted that way and I found out, I'd scold her for being such a coward!
"But she didn't. She faces her emotions openly, has the courage to go on dates with the girl she likes, and isn't afraid to show their closeness in public—just like any other couple.
"Knowing this, I don't feel ashamed at all. I feel proud. Love is love. There has never been a right or wrong to it.
"As for Iroha? If her relationship with my daughter goes well and she wants to marry into the Izumi family in the future, I'd fully support it. Since she's dating my eldest daughter, I'll treat her as my 'daughter-in-law.'"
As Akina spoke, her words were clear and logical. Every syllable carried the confidence of someone well-educated and deeply self-assured.
"Y-you… you…" The fierce woman was completely speechless, unable to find a retort. She turned instead to the homeroom teacher and shouted,
"A murderer's daughter, a girl who likes girls, and she's in a relationship?! How can your school even accept students like this?!"
At this moment, Hiragi Kawano stepped forward and replied firmly,
"Iroha Isshiki ranks among the top twenty students in the grade. She excels academically, is well-rounded in morals, intellect, physical education, aesthetics, and labor studies. Why shouldn't we accept a student like her?
"On the other hand, your daughter has failed several subjects in past exams."
"She's dating too early! And with another girl! Shouldn't your school just expel her?!"
At this point, the discipline director had had enough. Adjusting his glasses, he spoke sternly:
"Madam, please watch your words. While our school does not encourage students to date, we cannot deny that all forms of love are equal and should not be discriminated against simply for being different.
"As for your repeated claim that Iroha is the daughter of a murderer—let me ask you, since when has the law stated that she has done anything wrong?
"If you and your daughter cannot accept this, then perhaps you should consider transferring to another school."
After that, the discipline director shot a sharp glare at the teacher who had deliberately ignored Iroha in class the day before. He slammed his palm on the desk and rebuked:
"As teachers at Chiba City Private Middle School, we are expected to treat every student fairly. This is not just a rule of our school—it is a fundamental principle of this noble profession!
"Discriminating against students based on rumors is unacceptable. I have been in education for decades, and I will never allow such behavior to occur in my school! A teacher like that has no place here!"
The teacher bowed her head in shame, realizing that she was about to be dismissed.
The mother and daughter, upon hearing the discipline director's words, finally panicked.
They had used countless connections just to get the girl into Chiba City Private Middle School. If they were forced to leave now, there was no telling whether she could get into another prestigious school—especially with entrance exams just around the corner. Transferring now would be a disastrous loss of time, something they could not afford.
"O-okay… okay… We'll stay away from you all from now on. We won't cause trouble anymore."
The girl and her mother hurriedly apologized.
Some people will never truly respect others—only when their own interests are threatened do they learn when to back down.
With the matter finally resolved, the teachers in the office collectively let out a sigh of relief.
Handling something like this was even more exhausting than teaching three consecutive lessons!
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