My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 143

Pour the egg mixture into the pot in a circular motion, then sprinkle with chopped green onions as desired. The savory porridge is now ready.

Just as I was about to pick up the pot, Jie said, "Didn't you drop the kettle earlier?" and forcefully snatched the pot away... Well, she's right. I'm not fully recovered yet, and I might be even less able to exert myself than I thought. For safety reasons, I'll just have to trouble her.

I laid a trivet on the table, and Jie put the pot on it. Then she brought two rice bowls, and we sat down across the pot.

"Do you want some too?"

"I'd like to try it and see how well it's cooked."

It was still bright outside, but it was already 7 p.m., time for dinner. I felt that a healthy person wouldn't be full from just eating salty porridge for dinner—I think this woman was so busy taking care of me that she forgot to prepare dinner for herself.

Without asking my opinion, Jie served two bowls of savory porridge. Then she whispered, "Oh, I forgot to bring chopsticks... it would be better to use a spoon." She then ran off to get the spoons and brought them back, placing them in front of herself and me.

"I'm going to start eating."

Then, he respectfully put his hands together in prayer position and used a spoon to scoop up the yellow, salty porridge.

“Ah!”

She was so stupid as to put it directly into her mouth, so of course it burned her face and made her fall backward.

"Give it a blow..."

"It tastes better hot."

Despite his strong rebuttal, he still started blowing on the salty porridge to cool it down.

She was probably very hungry—I guessed that, but I couldn't think of anything further. The sight of a woman awkwardly cooking on an empty stomach was something I couldn't glean any meaning from, no matter how hard I tried.

Jie Nu slowly put the spoon into her mouth, puffing out her cheeks as she savored the salty porridge.

"So delicious..."

I blew on the steam from the savory porridge to cool it down, then put the spoon in my mouth. After chewing the rice grains coated in egg for a few seconds, I said:

"The rice is a little watery. Did you add too much water when cooking it?"

"Waaah!...I'm so sorry..."

"...Anyway, it's just porridge, so it doesn't matter if there's a little too much water."

I took a second bite. Fortunately, my appetite was even better than usual.

Seeing that I hadn't stopped using the spoon, Yui looked surprised... then gave a faint smile, as if she was finally relieved.

"Cooking together, eating together..."

As I was ladling the second bowl from the pot, Jie Nu suddenly uttered a nonsensical murmur.

"...Married life, perhaps, is like this feeling."

I stole a glance at her expression and said:

"It's not much different from now."

"Yeah?"

"We're already living together. And we even share the same last name."

"That makes sense... hmm?"

Jie Nu suddenly tilted her head.

"What you just did..."

"What's wrong?"

"No...it's just..."

Jie Nu blushed slightly and her gaze drifted to the table.

"What you just said... was based on the premise that I would marry you..."

"Hmm?... Ah."

My mind wasn't as clear as usual, and it was only then that I finally understood what I had said.

"...That's because it's just the two of us talking about this right now. If you have a problem with it, go find a boyfriend—"

"don't want."

Her swift denial left me speechless.

On the other side of the table, Yui stared at the empty bowl.

"I...don't want that."

"...You...you mean—"

"—Guess what I mean?"

She glanced at me slightly, her eyes seeming to be testing me.

I felt as if her gaze had pierced me, and something was stuck deep in my throat, leaving me speechless for a moment.

Jie chuckled softly, as if she was making fun of me.

"I see... I understand now."

"What do you understand...?"

"No, it's just that if you had a super handsome boyfriend in junior high, you'd feel like no other guy could compare."

"...Huh?"

"Just kidding."

She grinned, revealing a childlike smile of success in a prank.

Could it be that she was... teasing me just now?

This good-for-nothing who's good for nothing but grades, a high school graduate who's a complete idiot, has fooled me?

"Why don't you go take a nap after you finish eating? Your head still seems a bit foggy."

"...I will."

Yes. My head is still spinning. Once I get rid of the virus, I definitely won't let this woman's jokes fool me again.

...What exactly is she trying to do? I'm serious.

She was neither as prickly as usual, nor did she show me the same affection she used to.

It's almost as if he's become a completely different person.

◆ Irito Yume ◆

"...Hoo──..."

After watching the sink go back to the second floor, I let out a long sigh and leaned back lazily in my chair.

This is probably the best I can do right now.

You can't express your true feelings without using jokes as a cover.

And...it's actually kind of fun too.

"...Hehe, heh..."

Just thinking that Mizuto must still be pondering the meaning behind my suggestive words and attitude makes me involuntarily smile.

This is what women are like. This is the joy of a mature woman.

I've definitely grown up and matured. Back in middle school, I could never have pulled off such sophisticated little tricks—

"Hehe...hehehe,hehehehehehehe--"

"Yui--? Why is she grinning like an idiot all by herself--?"

"Hoo-hoo-hoo!"

My mother, who had somehow returned home, suddenly spoke to me, which startled me so much that I jumped up.

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

"...I heard that if you infect someone else, you'll get better. Is that true?"

I had another dream.

I saw through her immediately. That woman... that idiot who only pretends to be smart, how could she possibly approach me with such a seductive smile... If she was trying to fool me, her method was too crude.

I let my consciousness surface, trying to shake off the approaching smile and lips.

Darkness gradually enveloped my vision, and after a while, I realized that it was my eyelids.

Honestly, I have to admit I was too naive. Just because she teased me, I had such a crude and ridiculous dream. That girl wouldn't dare sneak up on me while I was sleeping. Even when we were still dating, she rarely kissed me first—

I chuckled to myself as I slowly opened my eyes. It was probably late at night. I'd slept a lot during the day, and it would be hard to fall asleep again now. What should I do to pass the time? Oh right, I haven't read that book yet—

"........."

"……………………!"

Honestly, I thought I was still dreaming.

Because when I slightly opened my eyes, the face of the woman with her eyes still closed was really right in front of me.

I quickly held my breath.

The faint breath that escaped from the woman's lips touched mine.

The woman tucked a stray strand of hair behind her right ear, maintaining the position as she brought her face closer. If I turned my face away, she would know I was awake. So I could only open my eyes a crack, watching her movements.

That summer festival night in the countryside has come back to me.

Yes, that happened once. That was one of the few times this guy kissed me on his own initiative.

...No, that's not right. It's just that it lost its balance.

So what happened this time? Did she lose her balance again? What a coincidence? No way, you idiot! Calm down! What will happen if this keeps happening? Maybe I'll just let her be without thinking… and then half-heartedly give in… We live under the same roof, you know. In this environment, we can easily be alone together anytime! If it turns into that, everything will be—

"...Just kidding."

—The woman quickly turned her face away.

The oppressive feeling vanished instantly; I felt like I had been abandoned.

I peeked at her through a crack in my eye and saw that Jie was looking down at me. I quickly pretended to be asleep, and then I heard Jie chuckle softly, as if mocking herself.

"If it's so easy to get better by infecting others, who would be afraid of infectious diseases?"

After muttering something to herself to smooth things over, Jie quickly walked out of the room.

Once I could no longer hear her footsteps, I sat up abruptly.

The fever-reducing patch peeled off my forehead with a snap and fell onto the quilt.

For a long time, I stared at it in silence.

"........."

-- Just kidding.

Listen to what you're saying!

Who's that joke for?! Nobody's watching! Even the clown shuts up when he's alone!

“…Hmm…”

My body has almost fully recovered, except for a dry, sore throat. However, new symptoms have emerged. I feel dizzy.

Do not understand.

I really don't understand.

What should I do?

"Ah, Mizuto, you're awake."

The door opened, and Aunt Ren peeked in.

Aunt Ren entered the room and sat in the chair that Jie Nu had just sat in.

"Are you feeling much better?"

"Yes, that's right... I'm almost fully recovered."

"Youth is an asset. I originally wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity to be a mother, but it seems like I didn't get a chance to participate."