My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 105

I didn't wear the glasses I miss today.

So I didn't think about the past, but I did think about the swimsuits I saw yesterday.

"……No."

I let my gaze fall on the book.

Where does the past end, and where does the present begin?

I don't understand, really... I can't stand it.

Volume 4: First Kiss Declares War, Ex-Girlfriend Gathers Information: "A Couple Living Together for Three Years...?"

RADWIMPS music was playing from the living room; it turned out that Mizuto was watching "Your Name" on TV.

My stepson was leaning back on the sofa, admiring the exceptionally beautifully painted Tokyo scenery. I spoke up behind him:

"What are you doing?"

"See a movie."

"That's really strange."

"It wasn't me who said I wanted to see it."

Not you?

It's as if there are other people here who want to see this—

"Excuse me, Ms. Jie—"

Suddenly, a sound came from an empty spot.

I was startled, and then I saw a hand silently extend from the inside of the sofa back and wave it lightly to the left and right twice.

I looked down along the arm and saw that it was Dongtou lying on the sofa.

He used the water bucket's thigh as a pillow.

"...East-head classmate, what are you doing?"

"See a movie."

No, that's not what I'm asking.

I'm asking you how you could so casually use someone's lap as a pillow.

"Because I couldn't believe that Mizuto-kun said he hadn't seen 'Your Name,' I'm making him take it again. It's a compulsory subject for all Japanese citizens, a compulsory subject!"

"Japan's current education policy has become really strange."

"After watching this, you should watch '5 Centimeters Per Second' next."

"Isn't it 'Weathering With You'?"

While chatting casually with her classmate Dongtou, Shuidou was also busy playing with her soft, flowing hair with her fingertips.

Their behavior clearly indicates they are either a couple or a dog and its owner.

A question flashed through my mind.

Accompanied by the prickly, thorny touch, questions that had been nagging at me repeatedly surfaced.

Am I just stumbling upon them having a date at home?

Could it be that they're just keeping it from us, and that these two are actually dating...?

Perhaps something happened after that confession we witnessed that led things in that direction, but they were too embarrassed to tell us, so they didn't say anything.

—So that's why he didn't kiss me last time?

"........."

—You! ...That was just now...!

—As you requested. I expressed my feelings through my actions.

I had a persistent, stinging, and unpleasant feeling in my chest—I wanted to get rid of it, so I plopped down next to the sink.

Shuidou glanced at me sideways and said:

"……What's wrong?"

"I want to see it too."

It wasn't just that we were lying on each other's laps or even just touching shoulders; I was sitting in a spot where I couldn't even reach out and touch him, and I stole a glance at the face of the classmate on the east side.

"The best part is that they don't even have to say anything directly, yet they turn into a bickering couple in less than two seconds—"

This is a good opportunity.

Just then, someone gave me a task.

The key is to carefully observe this girl who is leisurely chatting about anime and find out what her relationship with Mizuto really is—to uncover the truth behind it all.

"I'm asking you, I'm asking you, what's his relationship with Dongtou?"

The person who came to ask me this with great interest was not some gossip-loving classmate.

It is Irito Yoshihito.

That is, my biological mother.

During my free time this morning, I was using my phone to gather information about new books. Hearing this, I looked up and said:

"...Who?

"No, you see, she comes to play almost every day since summer vacation started, right? So I want to know, what is her relationship with Mizuto really like? Even if they've broken up, don't you think their relationship is a bit too good?"

Let's review.

Dongtou's slip of the tongue led Mom and Uncle Fengqiu to believe that she was Shuidou's ex-girlfriend.

The two seemed very interested in their son's romantic history, which had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Whenever Dongtou's classmate came to visit, he would grab her and not let go, which terrified her.

"...Okay, yes, I do think they have a very good relationship...to the point that it's a little unnatural."

"Right? Right! I was talking to Feng Qiu too—maybe they're just shy that they said they'd broken up!...So, Yui, could you go and check it out?"

"well?"

I nodded without thinking, but what did she just say? Investigate?

"Dongtou seems nervous around us, so I was thinking that if it were Yui, we could subtly probe her a bit—"

"Why...why do I have to do this...?"

"I bet Yui is also curious about their relationship, right?"

"...Well, a little bit."

"Please go! I'm counting on you!"

I was speechless when faced with such a one-sided demand.

How come I didn't inherit my mother's positive personality? I really want to complain about how genes work.

On television, the male and female leads are staging a romantic comedy.

I watched this movie a long time ago, I remember it was when I was about to start dating the guy sitting next to me. But watching it again now, how should I put it? There are some parts that I can relate to... like the part where the female lead tries to pair the male lead with other girls.

I peeked to the side and saw that Shuidou and Dongtou were both staring at the screen with blank expressions, I wondered what they were thinking.

Some might think they're bored, but these two, though sometimes appearing expressionless, are actually on the verge of shouting "Absolutely amazing! Incredibly incredible!!" They're really evenly matched...

"Mmm... It's so hot..."

On Shuidou's lap, Dongtou writhed and muttered to himself.

Dongtou used to wear outfits that Xiaoyue and I picked out for her when she came to our house, but lately she seems to have started to feel more at home and comes to Yilihu's house in her pajamas. Today was no exception; she was wearing jeans on the bottom and a short-sleeved hoodie on top.

The air conditioner is set quite high; it might feel hot even with a jacket on. I wanted to turn the temperature down, and while I was looking for the remote...

--Sizzle...

Dongtou had already unzipped his hoodie.

"Hoo—"

Dongtou let out a comfortable sigh and turned his attention back to the screen.

However, I wasn't in the mood to continue watching the movie.

Of course it's cool. You can imagine how cool it is.

—Because under the hoodie, he was wearing a tank top that was practically underwear.

I told Xiaoyue to wear this before, and she said it was practically the same as what a female pervert would wear. The tank top clung to her skin, clearly showing the shape of her full breasts. It also unabashedly exposed her I-shaped cleavage, the true proof of her large breasts. And the bra straps were slightly slipped to the side, revealing her bra straps!

I was utterly shocked and stared at her intently, but Mizuto, who was right next to her, calmly continued watching the movie. I didn't want to disturb him, so I couldn't remind Higashito about his shocking behavior.

What...? What's going on...? Am I the only one who thinks this is weird...? Why didn't you zip up the hoodie all the way? Why did you leave it at the point where your chest is exposed? Is there a reason...? Or is it just because you think it's too much trouble to zip it up later...?

Leaving my anxious mind aside, the movie was about halfway through, and the story became even more gripping.

Just as Shuidou's eyes became increasingly glued to the screen, a second shock unexpectedly struck me.

"...Mmm...it's so itchy..."

After muttering to himself, Dongtou twisted his body and put his hands behind his back.

She scratched her back, and I was thinking, "Oh, her back is itchy, isn't it?" But Higashito Izana always manages to surprise people.

I saw her twisting and squeezing...

She started putting her hands into her half-off hoodie—no, she actually reached into her tank top underneath.

Huh? What? What's going on here?!

With my mind in complete disarray, the answer I received was a tiny voice.

-- *snap*.

This sound—no, every girl hears this sound in her daily life.

No way.

Even if it's Dongtou's classmate, Mizuto is right next to him, so it's unlikely he would—

However, my pleading thoughts were easily disappointed.

One block.

Dongtou reached his hand into his clothes—no, he stuffed it into his bra—from his chest area.

She slipped her hand into the gap created by unbuttoning the back of her shirt, squeezing it directly into what looked like her lower breast area, and began scratching itchyly. She was scratching quite vigorously.

No, actually I know, right? It'll be very stuffy there, I know, I know. Sometimes I do want to grab it.

But who would actually do that?

To do that in front of a boy—or rather, in front of strangers! I wouldn't even feel comfortable doing that in front of my family! I can't believe it…!

"Hoo-ee—"

Dongtou looked like he'd had his fill of grabbing, pulled his hand away from the chest area, and casually fastened his bra again.

I'm sorry to spoil your pleasant mood after you finished playing, but I can't help but say a few words to you.

I must talk to her about it later. I also need to report it to Xiaoyue.

Xiaoyue would definitely not approve of such a sloppy outfit with her bra showing in front of boys. Even in front of close friends, she wouldn't flaunt herself in just an oversized T-shirt. Someone's on my side; Dongtou is the heretic. I'm going to get Xiaoyue to give you a good talking to!

"...I'll go get a drink."

"Um."

"Okay—"

I gently supported my head and stood up from the sofa.

The difference in perspectives is driving me crazy... How much more indiscriminate do we have to be to end up like that? Shuidou isn't much better, how come he doesn't seem to mind at all?

They're not even boyfriend and girlfriend anymore.

cohabitation.

They were a couple who had been living together for three years.