My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 109

"She learned her dialect from her father. My father is a native of Kyoto."

As my mother and the others were talking about these things, I noticed the house had a veranda facing the courtyard, and I couldn't help but feel a little moved. Although the Irito family also has a courtyard, this was the first time I'd ever seen such a standard veranda, the kind you only see in dramas. It reminds me of the Inugami family's house…

"We're over there, you two sleep in the next room."

"Okay—"

"After putting down our luggage, we'll go to the Buddhist altar."

"Okay, okay—"

Perhaps out of consideration for me and Shuidou, I shared a room with my mother, while Shuidou shared a room with my uncle.

As I walked into the tatami-floored Japanese-style room and took out a change of clothes from my suitcase, my mother sighed deeply.

"Luckily, Fengqiu's mother is very kind. I was worried about what would happen if she were a strict mother-in-law..."

"Has Mom never seen her before?"

"I did make a phone call, but that's about it."

"I see."

"This is so great~..."

My mother was completely paralyzed with fear; she seemed quite nervous. It's easy to imagine how crucial it is to gain acceptance from your future spouse's family.

To be honest, we are outsiders in this family.

I came with a relaxed attitude without thinking too much about it, but I don't know if it will turn out well...?

"There will be a lot of relatives coming to this house for a gathering, right? Approximately how many people will come?"

"Hmm—? I think it was said that mainly the Tanari family would be coming."

"Inside the seed?"

"Fengqiu's mother's original surname. I heard that her mother has an older brother, and her son, grandson, and granddaughter will be coming over."

My mother's mother-in-law's brother—that is, my grandmother's brother. How should I address him? Then there's his son, and his grandchildren—grandchildren, huh? As for our relationship, I think we're cousins? I wonder if we're close in age…

"Yujin—Yin-chan—is going to the Buddhist altar—"

"They're here—! Let's go, Yui!"

We opened the paper door and met up with Shuidou and Uncle.

Mizuto was still the same, with a dazed expression, seemingly looking away, just following his uncle... It seems like this guy hasn't said a single word since he came to this house?

We walked down the creaking corridor again and arrived at the room where the Buddhist altar was set up.

Now that it's Bon-kyu (a holiday in Japan), there should be a chance to visit the graves. However, Mizuto's mother's grave isn't here, so I might go there separately when I get back.

"This is it."

Uncle Fengqiu stopped and reached for the sliding door.

But just then, the sliding door opened automatically.

"ah."

A young woman appeared behind the sliding door.

She was a girl wearing red-rimmed glasses, about ten centimeters taller than me. She was probably a college student. Her overall demeanor was that of a bookstore clerk or librarian.

I sensed a similar aura about her, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness, but in the next moment...

"Isn't this my cousin Mizuto?! Long time no see—!"

She let out a joyful cry and hugged the water bucket tightly.

...Hmm? Oh!

My brain can't keep up with the sudden situation.

The initial impression of her as a bookstore clerk or librarian vanished instantly. Her shout was the kind of reaction only a party animal would have…! It was like multiplying Xiaoyue by three; her sunny aura was blinding!

Most importantly, the physical contact was excessive.

This is the first time I've ever seen someone greet another person with a hug. An American? An American?

"Oh, it's Yuanxiang! Long time no see."

"Uncle Fengqiu too, it's been a long time!"

The young lady, called Yuanxiang, continued to hold Mizuto in her arms and answered Uncle Fengqiu's question in a friendly manner.

...How long does she intend to keep hugging the water bucket? They seem to be relatives, but this man hates it when people get close to him. Let alone hugging him; if I did that, I'd definitely be met with silent rejection and complete indifference—

"Long time no see, Cousin Yuanxiang."

He spoke!

Hearing him being held still, and hearing him say those words in a rude but undeniable tone, I turned around in astonishment.

He hasn't made a sound since he came into this house!

"Hehe, I'm relieved. You're still as aloof as ever this year! I was worried about what would happen if you changed your attitude while in high school~?"

"High school is not a place worth changing careers in."

"Wow! That's sharp!"

He replied normally!

And aren't you secretly being sarcastic towards me?

"Um?"

Miss Yuanxiang (?) put down the water tap and turned her gaze to me and my mother.

"Uncle, could these two be...?"

"Oh, let me introduce you. She is my second husband, Yui, and then there is her daughter, Yui. They both have the surname Irito."

"Hello, I'm Yoshihito Irito~"

"I...I am Yui."

"Oh... um... ..."

Behind those red-rimmed glasses, I heard a judgmental look. And it wasn't directed at my mother, it was at me. What...?

"And then, here is..."

Uncle Fengqiu gestured towards Cousin Yuanxiang and said:

"My uncle's grandson and granddaughter—who is related to Yui as a cousin, right?—Tanori Madoka, and Tanori Takema."

Huh?

Just as I was surprised by the sudden appearance of a second name, a small head timidly peeked out from behind my cousin, Zhongli Yuanxiang.

At first glance, I thought it was a girl, but since they mentioned "grandson and granddaughter" earlier, it must be a boy.

He was probably in the upper grades of elementary school—a boy with slender features, like a miniature version of a water bucket, with eyes that wandered around beneath his long bangs.

The boy—Zhu Zhenyi—made eye contact with me and then quickly hid behind my sister.

Judging from his reaction, he's clearly a shy kid.

This time it was definitely right; I felt a genuine sense of closeness.

I used to be like him, always hiding behind my mother.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. He's just a bit shy around strangers."

"No, no—Yui was like this not long ago too. Right?"

"...Mom, don't tell others about this without my permission."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

Why do parents always casually reveal their children's private information?

I went around behind my cousin Yuanxiang and squatted down in front of Zhuzhen, who was hiding there, so that my line of sight was at the same level as his.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Takema. My name is Irito Yume. Nice to meet you."

I spoke as softly as I could... but Zhu Zhen blushed, her delicate and lovely face turning red, and she ran off to the other end of the corridor.

I scared him away...

"Hmm—I see, I see..."

My cousin Yuanxiang once again looked me up and down with a judgmental gaze.

"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with...?"

"No, no... I just feel that I can see the signs of hard work."

"what?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't teasing you. I was just worried about what would happen if my cousin Mizuto's sister turned out to be a hot girl. But now I'm relieved—thankfully it's someone like you, Yui! Let's maintain a good family relationship!"

My cousin Yuanxiang held my hand unilaterally.

Hmm... Hmm-hmm?

This is a compliment... right?

The emphasis on "relatives" doesn't imply anything else, right?

Are they trying to restrain me?

"I should say, Yui, your clothing preferences are quite similar to mine, aren't they? I feel like we have a lot in common."

“Eh…”

I took another look at my cousin Yuanxiang's clothes.

The overall color scheme is light, with a full, long skirt. The top is a large, long-sleeved blouse, loosely tucked into the skirt and slightly pulled out. It's the same style of outfit we bought for Dongtou before.

It was only when I thought about this that I realized for the first time... this girl has a really good figure.

She's tall, so she looks thinner and longer than Dongtou, but her chest is probably about the same size as Dongtou's...?

Looking at it from very close range, I could almost see the cleavage from the deep V-neck, which made my heart race a little.

"Indeed...now that you mention it, it does look somewhat similar."

"That's right! I've always liked dressing like this! Although my college friends said it was a bit childish, I always felt that girls should dress in a light and flowing style. I think Yui feels the same way, right?"

"Yes...yes. I think it's cute."

However, I just made it to suit the taste of the man next to me.

…………Um?

I thought about it.

Cousin Yuanxiang said she "has always liked to dress like this"—in other words, she has long chosen this more conservative, socialite-style outfit.

As for Shuidou, who is related to her, she must have watched him grow up from childhood.

—And then, they want me to wear clothes like that too.

Hmm? Hmm hmm hmm hmm? ? ?

I initially thought that Mizuto's preference for clean and innocent outfits was influenced by light novels or something... Could it be... the real reason is...?

"We seem to get along really well, that's great! No, it's just that none of our relatives are young women. We should get along well, Yui."

"...Ah, okay. Of course..."

Oh, right, I've heard of it.

I've heard that most boys' first love is an older woman who lives nearby.

As evening approached, some of the relatives' uncles and aunts arrived one after another, and a banquet was held at the house.

Of course, the main guests are my mother and me, who became new members of the family this year.

"How are you getting along with Mizuto? That kid has a strange personality; he must be very difficult to get along with!"

"No, no, actually they get along surprisingly well."

"That's right! We're all very relieved!"