My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 123

"I was wondering before, Dongtou, is your mother a bit of a free spirit?"

What parent in the world would say to their daughter, "Your existence is only about having big breasts"?

"Haha—I did five push-ups! That's enough for today."

"Even I would do it a few more times, okay...?"

"What does my female classmate want with me?"

It was skipped.

As I gazed up at the summer sky from the veranda, I took a moment to consider how to begin.

"...No, I just suddenly wanted to know what you were doing. You see, after all, that swimsuit incident happened yesterday."

"I don't want to think about that anymore."

"You usually act so boldly in front of me, but it turns out you still care about the things you care about."

"Because it's really embarrassing! The words 'Dongtou' are written all over the front of your chest! It's so childish!"

"...Wait a minute. What's on your mind?"

"Huh? What else could it be?"

No, no, no.

And what about the breasts that might overflow at any time, or the area around the thigh joints where the swimsuit has sunk in?

"It seems like even if Mizuto saw Higashitou naked, he wouldn't care... although you blushed last time when his underwear was seen..."

"No, no, no, I'd still feel shy about being naked."

"Oh, you still do?"

"When I'm on a school trip or something, I never shower."

"...Oh, so neither same-sex nor opposite-sex relationships will work, that's for sure."

So it wasn't because she was afraid of being seen by the water tanker or boys.

"If it's taking a bath with my classmate Yui, it's worth considering... She's got curves in all the right places, a standard beautiful girl figure... Hehehe."

"That's a bit nasty, Dongtou."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry."

"...My figure is nothing special."

As I felt a dark emotion welling up inside me, I muttered something to myself.

"I only look thin because I haven't built up any muscle. My chest and stuff aren't the result of hard work."

"If Nan hears that, she'll kill you."

"Ah! That was close."

After chasing away the water bucket and saying goodbye to Takema... he was alone...

Why...why did I call Dongtou's classmate?

Could it be because I think she can understand how I feel?

I believe that she, who likes Mizuto, can empathize with my pathetic, lingering feelings...

"...I am currently at my old home in the countryside of Irito."

"Yes, I know—are there any strange customs there? Or perhaps some kind of dangerous counting song that has been passed down from ancient times?"

Unfortunately, neither.

Although I did have some expectations.

"The Irito family... a lot of relatives from my father's side have come."

Yes, yes.

"Actually, among them... there was a very beautiful college student."

"oh oh?"

This reaction is a bit strange.

It was neither surprise nor unease.

"Could she be Mizuto's first love?"

"...Maybe."

"Oh...oh!"

"Hey, what do you mean by that reaction?"

"Because Mizuto was absolutely adorable when he was little. I really like the combination of an older sister and a young boy."

"Um……???"

I couldn't quite understand what she was saying.

"Mizuto, who's already adorable, will definitely be even cuter after shrinking! And if that super cute Mizuto gets taken care of by a beautiful older sister, that would be... so cool! Absolutely amazing!"

I can't understand...

What is this girl so excited about...?

"Aren't you hurt...? Mizuto used to have someone he liked?"

"Why should I be upset? That aloof Mizuto-kun, who used to harbor a subtle affection for the older woman next to him, actually makes my heart flutter."

"Yes, that's how it's explained..."

Well... should I say it's a difference in views on love or values? I just can't understand it at all...

"Girl, you..."

In a flat tone—the classmate from the east end suddenly said to me:

What kind of reaction would you like to hear from me?

“…Huh?”

My heart skipped a beat.

It was as if... she had seen right through me.

"No, no... I just felt that you've been giving off an air of wanting something but not being able to get it. If I misunderstood, I apologize!"

Wanting something—but not getting it.

……ah……

It turns out that I... wanted to lick each other's wounds.

I want my classmate from Dongtou to feel the same way I do now.

I want to hurt her.

I wanted to make her sad.

—Do I want her to pity me?

How could I be so superficial?

"...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that...I just wanted to chat with you."

"Oh, that's good then."

"—Isana—! Are you really working out seriously—!"

"Yaaaaaah!"

First, someone's voice suddenly came from a distance, then the student from the east end made strange noises and thumping sounds.

"W-What happened? Are you alright?"

"My mom's on patrol...! Oh, sorry, classmate! I still have to keep up my work maintaining my breast elasticity...!"

"Ah, um, okay. Good luck...?"

"I'll hang up now!"

The phone hangs up.

...Could Dongtou's strange personality be inherited from his mother?

"Have you finished the call?"

"Yawoowa!"

A sound suddenly came from above, making me shout out a sound similar to that of my classmate from the east.

Looking up, I saw my cousin Yuanxiang staring at my face with her mischievous eyes behind her glasses.

"Yay! Wow! So cute!♪"

"Is...is there something you need, Cousin Yuanxiang...?"

To be honest, I don't really want to talk to her right now...

Cousin Yuanxiang continued standing and said:

"I told you we were going to the festival tomorrow, right?"

"Ah, yes..."

I heard that a large summer festival will be held in the city near the station tomorrow.

We plan to go back the next day—that is, the day after tomorrow—so that will be our last activity here.

...But given my current state, I'm afraid I won't be in the mood to play...

"Aunt Natsume will lend us yukatas tomorrow~"

"I see."

"Yeah, yeah! So let's go pick out some yukatas together!"

"Okay, sure."

……Um?

I answered reflexively without thinking.

But you have to go with your cousin Yuanxiang?

Now?

...Just the two of us?

"Okay—! Let's go!"

Before I could even realize how big a mistake I had made, my cousin Yuanxiang pulled me by the hand and led me forward.

"There are plenty of yukatas available, so please choose whichever you like—"

After saying that, Granny Natsume closed the paper door.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

After calling out to the closed paper door, Cousin Yuanxiang put her hands on her hips and said, "Okay!"

In front of her were several neatly folded yukatas.

It looks colorful, and normally I might feel excited and thrilled, but right now I have absolutely no extra energy.

"What kind of look do you like, Yui? You're slim and have long hair, so you should look good in any kind of kimono, right?"

"I……"

I remember last time... I was wearing a dark blue yukata.

It was already awkward enough, but thinking about that incident made me even more depressed.

The last time I wore a yukata was during last summer vacation.

We had a fight and stopped contacting each other. Summer vacation came, but we couldn't even get together to hang out... Even so, I still secretly hoped that he would come to the summer festival on his own, but then...

"Yume".