My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 131

I don't quite understand this example, but anyway, Shui Tou and the plush toy really don't go well together. If Dong Tou saw such a cute decoration in Shui Tou's room, he'd probably say, "Huh? Is this some kind of contrasting cuteness? Isn't that a bit too cheesy? This kind of old-fashioned joke is so outdated now."

Just as I was thinking this, I noticed that Takema was staring intently at the doll that Mizuto was holding in his arms.

Yes, it seems like they got this to avenge Takema?

But would a boy be happy to receive such a cute plush toy...?

"Um?"

Mizuto noticed his gaze and squinted to look at the doll's face again.

"Oh...that's it."

Then, after saying those words in a low voice...

"Um."

He then handed the doll to Takema.

Takema reflexively accepted the doll, blinked his big eyes, and looked up at Mizuto's face.

“Ah… uh…”

"I don't want it, you can take it."

Hearing him say such rude things, Takema hugged the doll tightly.

"Th-thank you..."

Hmm—they're a perfect match.

Takema is adorable, so he's a perfect match for the plush toy.

And seeing the slight smile on his lips, it's clear he really wanted it.

I secretly asked the water basin:

"(How did you know?)"

"(That plush toy is a video game character.)"

"(Huh? Is that so?)"

"(Pokémon. I've seen Takema playing it.)"

Yeah... I think I've seen it before.

I shifted my gaze from the cheerful Takema to my stepson, who had a stern face.

"(I didn't realize you cared about him so much. You haven't even spoken to him.)"

"(...I'm worried that with his personality, he might encounter some difficulties in life.)"

Shuidou is not afraid of strangers, but he is the type who cannot integrate into groups.

Just as I feel a sense of closeness to Takema, this guy probably cares about Takema too...

In that case, why not talk to him more?

I wonder what kind of expression this guy would have if he knew that Takema actually respected him a lot?

"(You're even terrible at being a big brother.)"

"(What do you mean by 'continuous'? When have I ever acted stupidly?)"

"(Now I definitely can't let you be my brother.)"

"(It's better than having you be the older sister.)"

He just loves to talk big. I really hope he can learn a little more from Zhu Zhen's honest personality.

Mizuto snorted unhappily through his nose, and as I looked at his profile, I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Around what time will the fireworks be set off?"

Later, my cousin Yuanxiang took us to visit various night stalls.

Needless to say, we ate takoyaki and marshmallows, played a goldfish scooping game, and even put our hands into an automatic palm-reading machine—a truly bizarre machine. They even spouted nonsense about how great my love life was; that machine was clearly a piece of junk.

Although I was walking slowly, I gradually approached the main hall of the shrine, and it seemed I could finally offer my prayers—though I still didn't need to ask the god of matchmaking for anything. In fact, I felt like punching him.

However, seeing such a huge crowd, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to see the whole fireworks display if I didn't get a good spot first, so I asked my cousin Yuanxiang.

"Hmm—I think it was from eight o'clock."

Cousin Yuanxiang said while licking the lollipop in small bites:

"I've already asked them to save me a seat, so don't worry."

"Please ask them?"

"Ah, Uncle and the others are over there."

My cousin Yuanxiang suddenly said that, so I followed her gaze.

In front of what looked like a community office building, Mom and Uncle Fengqiu were talking to a strange adult.

My mom and the others had clearly said they wanted a date where we wouldn't be disturbed...

"Who are they talking to?"

"That old lady, I've forgotten who she is—you see, our family used to be quite a local notable, so the adults had a lot of interaction with each other."

Perhaps Mom was greeting the other person? Or maybe they just happened to bump into each other and started chatting. Should I go over and say hello...?

"Ah, Yui! Mizuto!"

Mom noticed us and waved.

I casually let go of Mizuto's hand. Continuing like that in front of my mother and the others might cause trouble.

After we walked over to Mom's place with my cousin Yuanxiang and Zhuzhen...

"You've come at the perfect time! Madam Qidayuan, this is my daughter, Jienu."

"Oh my, what a lovely young lady. You look so good in a yukata. It's rare to see young people like you these days..."

"Thank you, Grandma. My name is Irito Yume..."

In the end, no one introduced her to me—she was an elegant elderly woman, seemingly from high society.

"I really envy you. You look like you're not afraid of not getting married. Unlike my granddaughter, who's almost thirty and still just drifting through life..."

"No way—thirty is still considered young these days! Don't worry, don't worry!"

My cousin Yuanxiang was just saying, "I forgot who it was—" but now she's boldly jumping into the conversation. To put it nicely, she's daring; to put it bluntly, she's thick-skinned. I really wish she could give me a bit of that personality.

"Mizuto, finally you have family members other than your father."

The elegant old lady looked at me with a gentle smile.

"Although it's not a family matter, I've been very worried ever since Natsume told me. You must be adjusting to your new living environment, but I'll still have to trouble you to take good care of Mizuto."

"……OK."

Although I nodded, I felt a little abrupt.

It's as if Mizutani is a pitiful creature that can't survive without the support of others.

As far as I know, Mizuto Irito, although he doesn't interact with others, is the type who can do everything well on his own.

I've never felt sorry for him in any way.

The more I listened, the more confused I became; it seemed like we weren't talking about the same person...

"I've found a spot where everyone in the Zhong family can clearly see the fireworks. I'll take you there."

"Thank you for taking care of me every year."

"Yui and Madoka, where are you? We still have a little time before the fireworks—"

I hesitated for a moment and looked back.

It was then that I realized...

The water bucket that was just beside me has long since drifted away without me even noticing...

Swiftly and silently—as if vanishing into the crowd, disappearing without a trace.

"……ah……"

It wasn't an escape.

It's not that I'm becoming distant from everyone.

It is true—it has vanished.

That's how it appears to me.

It was as if this person had never existed in the first place; Mizuto had vanished from the world.

"Ah...he ran away again."

My cousin Yuanxiang noticed later than I did that her eyebrows were drooping in distress.

"I don't know why... Every time it's almost time for the fireworks, my cousin Mizuto disappears by himself."

at this time.

The events of the past few days came flooding back into my mind all at once.

--Day 1.

When Mizuto left the banquet, Uncle Mineaki said "thank you".

I understand now. That sentence must mean, "Thank you for spending time with everyone."

Only his uncle, who was his biological father, knew that Mizuto was not happy at that banquet.

—The next day.

From beginning to end, Mizuto never took the initiative to participate in the barbecue party.

Instead, he remained completely absorbed in the world of the book, never even lifting his head.

He only reluctantly got up after I bothered him...

--The third day.

When Mizuto saw me talking to Takema, he became visibly unhappy.

It's like a child whose toy has been taken away.

However, he did not reject Takema. Because—

--Today.

Shui Dou did not ignore these relatives.

In fact, Mizuto pays close attention to Takema and cares about him a lot. If he were truly indifferent to him, he probably wouldn't have thought of giving him the doll.

And there are other things too.

—The empty expression on his face in front of his biological mother's Buddhist altar on Mother's Day.

What Dongtou fears most is losing his place in Shuidou's heart.

—The reason Shuidou left Dongtou was that "the seats are full."

then……

──Ayai.

--...No...

Actually, my phone was almost out of battery.

Imagine if, at that time, someone else was somewhere where their phone couldn't be charged...

I checked my phone.

August 12, 7:26 PM.

That's right.

That's right, that's right, that's right.

I didn't know. I didn't know back then.