My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

"That is quite right. You have my gratitude, Ms Larson, as a fellow educator whose concerns lie deeply with the future of our society. Please do not take my previous statement as criticism towards the school; I merely expressed my opinion on those who clearly don't understand the importance of childhood."

Smiling, she fortunately didn't seem to take any offence to my statement.

I only said such a thing in the first place because I believe it befits the disposition of the individual known as Leander Herington, a powerful and distant, yet noble and benevolent man of the modern social aristocracy, but it seems to have resonated personally with her as well.

Seeing as how Stella Larson didn't seem to particularly disagree with my words, however, I am beginning to see what kind of person this woman is.

"I apologise for my ignorance, Mr Leander, but I wasn't aware you performed as an educator as well?"

"Yes, though it isn't official. Much of my time is taken up with miscellaneous matters, so I tend to focus only on those closest within my reach. I place great trust in our future generations, you see."

Patting the two twins' heads as I admitted this, Stella Larson nodded warmly.

From what the girls have told me at home, she is an amiable person and a good teacher, and I certainly cannot claim that to be false from the behaviours I've witnessed thus far.

Of course, asking whether that is her true personality returns a similar thought.

The twins have brought Stella Larson's name up on more than one occasion and, in all cases, in a positive sense.

On numerous occasions, they seem to enjoy pestering me to brag about whatever small feat they may have accomplished in class, such as learning a new set of vocabulary or a particular formula to figuring out a tricky equation.

"Here is the entrance to the main building, Mr Leander."

Soon, we arrived at the entrance to the main building.

Upon entering the main building of the school, Stella Larson walked us through the surprisingly lively halls.

Despite not being in the dormitory building, there were still a good number of students roaming around the place and of various ages, too.

Since they were the occupants of this place, and there were quite a lot of such students, I suppose it was only natural. Even if it wasn't the dormitory, the entire school grounds were their abode, after all.

I felt the piercing stares of dozens of pairs of eyes upon my body.

"Look..."

"Is he..."

"The Ice Twins..."

Numerous gossiping whispers entered my ears from the crowds watching us in the hallway.

Among them, the phrases 'Ice Twins', 'in trouble' and 'refrozen' were strangely common.

Ice Twins obviously referred to Sana and Sona, so were the others simply not aware of the parent-teacher conference taking place, leading them to think the two were in trouble?

Whatever the case, I didn't take it as something important and ignored it.

Those weren't the only utterances to tickle my ears, however.

"He's young..."

"Handsome..."

"Who is he..."

Particularly among the older students--those whose ages fared not far from my own--I picked up on many opinions about my appearance, their faces slightly flushed with a hint of rose.

Well, that was to be expected.

As someone who has experienced adolescence all the same as any other boy, it is impossible for me to be unaware of my looks.

I am not ignorant of my attractiveness, and on the contrary, there have been many a time when such a genetic lottery has come in my favour.

Adding the fact that the Mochizuki mansion's maids have worked exceedingly hard preparing me to look my absolute best for today's occasion, it is nothing more than an inevitability that these girls would fall in love with my appearance.

My hair, though usually unkempt due to my own not bothering to look after it, is now practically alive, shining in the best state it's ever been in. Likewise, my skin is breathing, smooth and well-moisturised, and this bespoke black suit fits my lean body like a specially-tailored glove.

The thin layer of make-up cautiously applied by the maids only served to further enhance this noble visage I am trying to portray, and thanks to their efforts, the carefully-curated mien of a cool and intelligent nobleman is one I am able to successfully pull off.

Unfortunately, if there were to be one caveat, it would be that I and the twins don't look related.

Of course, it could simply be due to their young age, but the fact remains that we are not related by blood in the slightest, and their appearances reflect that.

Not to mention their snow-white hair, which could either be the product of immense stress or some sort of genetic condition, their facial structure and ruby-like eyes are to be taken into account.

As a result of this, it would not be out of the question for someone to claim they are not my real children, but that's a nonissue.

It's not uncommon for children, especially those of the opposite sex, to look unlike one of their parents. Such slander can be easily disregarded by simply stating that the twins take after their mother more than myself.

After all, said mother obviously does not exist, so how can it be disproven?

There is the fact that taking a blood sample would show the truth, but what does it matter? No one is going to go that far just to prove that the twins are not my biological children.

One can take a single look at the twins' countenance and facial expressions, or should I say lack thereof, and realise they are my children.

Frankly, it doesn't matter if we look alike or not, because facial expressions are what is most important for communicating and are thus what people notice the most when looking at someone.

Both I and the twins tend to be inexpressive in our day-to-day, them more than I of course, but anyway, that's how it is.

Before long, after walking through progressively less dense halls with fewer and fewer students, passing corridors lined with classrooms and educational facilities, we arrived at what was ostensibly Stella Larson's office.

Honestly, though it took longer than expected, I was impressed.

Sacchim Girls' Private School was a vast, commodious institution, and despite the walk from one end to the other being enough to render someone out of breath, that only demonstrated its grandeur.

On the other hand, I would call such a thing inconvenient.

In the end, the matter of 'keeping up appearances' is exhausting for everyone, whether it's a school trying to look good for rich parents... Or me.

The magnificent office was as you might expect from the teacher of a prestigious academy, with not much to pick out other than that there were many tomes filling the bookcases that lined the walls.

"Apologies for the lengthy walk, but welcome to my office. Please, take a seat."

I followed Stella Larson's words to her gesture and took my place on the long sofa enough to comfortably fit five people, following which the twins sat on either side of me.

She imitated and sat on an identical piece of furniture facing us and picked up a thin folder that lay as if waiting for us upon the splendid coffee table which stood betwixt.

"So. Let us begin."

Opening the folder that seemed to contain all the details on the twins and whatever topics would be brought up today, Stella Larson declared the beginning of the parent-teacher conference with a clearing of her throat.

"Mr Leander, as I'm sure you are no less than aware, Miss Sana and Miss Sona have not been with us for long, and therefore today's discussion will be rather brief."

I listened quietly to her words and nodded.

"First of all, you will be pleased to hear that there is not much to comment on regarding the girls' behaviour. Delinquency has been a thus nonexistent issue with the two, and on the contrary, many students and teachers alike have expressed their satisfaction with them regarding this."

I nodded.

"As it should be."

Were the twins to suddenly act as if they owned the world and start doing whatever they pleased, then I would be more than just a little surprised and disappointed.

If that were the case, punishment would be in order, but it seems yet unnecessary.

Although I thought this, Stella Larson's next words almost caused a drop of cold sweat to form on my brow.

"However..."

Her expression hardened as she repeatedly scanned the documents in hand, her glance flickering between the folder, the twins, and me, their father.

"There is one thing to be noted regarding the girls' conduct, and I had hoped that you would be of help in this matter, Mr Leander..."

Oh, no.

Stiffening my facial muscles so as to not show my inner thoughts, I inquired.

"What seems to be the matter, Ms Larson? My girls haven't done something necessitating behavioural correction, have they?"

Don't tell me they've done something stupid like beat some old politician's kid up.

Or, even worse, expose their Supernatural Abilities.

I have warned them to not do such things multiple times, and they should be aware of such a simple rule, but I would also not be surprised for children such as them to be overtaken by the urge to show off their talents to the other kids.

For better or for worse, the teacher in front of me waved her hands with a smile and rectified my misunderstanding.

"Oh, goodness, not at all! No, it's not that they've done anything bad, per se."

Then, what was it?

Folding my arms, I waited for her response in silence. What came of it was not at all what I had expected.

"Sana and Sona appear to have... Amassed an entourage of devotees among the student population, Mr Leander."

...Excuse me?