My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 148

"What is it—?"

Dongtou had already finished her oyako-don. She licked the rice grains stuck to her lips.

Aunt Nagi looked at the east side and pointed at me, saying:

"Think of a way to seduce this guy."

"Huh? If I could do it, I would have done it already."

"What did you say? What do you think I created you with such big breasts for? To use you, of course."

"Mom, you have no idea how detached and abstinent Mizuto is to say something like that."

"It's obvious he's just putting on a brave face, okay? Stupid."

"Huh?!"

"There are other people at his house, aren't there? I'll go out for a bit and leave you two alone. If you don't have the guts to make a move, I'll kill you."

"Ugh, ugh~"

Dongtou groaned in annoyance.

I think this is all insane. I really admire this mother and daughter for saying such things to my face. It feels like I've been reincarnated into a different world with different common sense.

Aunt Nagi stood up from the sofa and said:

"Alright, little brother Shuidou, you can sit here slowly. The walls here are very thick, so it won't matter if you make a little noise."

"...You don't need to worry about it."

"Don't make me repeat myself, I will definitely treat you well."

Aunt Nagira grinned, and then actually went out.

Left alone, the two of us could only pass the time by eating cookies. Dongtou, perhaps mindful of my feelings, didn't lie down on my lap as usual.

"...Ah—Mizuto-kun."

Dongtou seemed to hesitate, then said timidly:

"It's okay if you don't take what Mom said seriously, alright?"

"I know."

"She makes decisions very quickly. She's always ordering me around."

"Um."

"...Um...would you like to go back to your room?"

I glanced to my side and saw Dongtou looking up at my expression.

Besides the white of the T-shirt and the skin tone on the chest, there seemed to be a light blue fabric in the lower half of my field of vision.

"……Too."

—It's obvious he's just putting on a brave face, okay? Stupid.

She was right.

I dumped you not because you weren't attractive to me.

I should seriously reflect on the situation at that time.

It was when Dongtou confessed her feelings to me, and I rejected her. That was the situation at the time.

"I'm sorry, Dongtou, I can't let you be my girlfriend."

After hearing my answer, Dongtou stood silently in place for quite some time.

I couldn't say anything to her, nor could I just turn around and leave. At that moment, I felt that the only thing I could do was stay by her side and watch over her.

Actually, deep down, I had already prepared myself mentally.

I know that Dongtou and I may not be able to be friends forever.

Just like my relationship with Ayai back in junior high, perhaps my relationship with her will take things a step further.

By then... the choice I make will definitely make Dongtou hate me.

Because, although I'm very happy that she likes me so much... I don't want to give up that seat to anyone right now.

Undoubtedly, it was a choice and a trade-off.

To prevent the guy who's been clinging to my heart from crying, I choose to—make Dongtou cry.

Even though doing this would make me utterly despise myself, it's the only choice I can allow myself to make.

however……

She...didn't cry.

She stood there blankly with her head down for a while—and then, when she looked up…

A silly smile had appeared on his face.

—Thank you for listening to my confession… Let’s go home, Mizuto.

Just like usual.

When I saw that Dongtou was speaking in exactly the same way as yesterday, I was stunned for a moment.

—Are you... alright?

Upon hearing my silly question, Dongtou gave a self-deprecating smile.

She gripped her right elbow with her left hand, as if to protect herself...

--Oh no, so... if I were left alone now, it would scare me a little.

That was the first time I saw Higashito Izana injured.

If someone else hurt her, I will never let that person get away with it. No matter what means I have to use, I will make that person pay for their actions and regret their foolishness.

Therefore, similarly...

The thought that I was the one who hurt her immediately made me feel that I had to be punished.

I feel I must take responsibility for leaving Dongtou behind.

So even though she confessed her feelings to me and got dumped, she immediately said she wanted to go home with me, and I could only accept this strange request.

That day, Dongtou and I walked out of the school gate together.

As usual, we strolled into the bookstore, chatting about which new book we wanted or which series we were interested in—just some mundane topics.

Because I believe that would be the greatest comfort to her.

Then, as we were getting ready to go home, Dongtou said:

—Well then… thank you so much for today.

It was at that moment.

At that moment, I heard for the first time... Dongtou's voice was trembling.

It was very subtle. Just a slight tremor.

But that's enough for me.

When Dongtou walked with me on our way to school, he was choosing light novels. He was trying so hard to comfort himself and to salvage our relationship—that slight tremor in his voice was enough for me to know all of this.

Perhaps it's just my personality.

Perhaps it's just my temperament.

She rarely interacts with others, and her facial muscles are not very flexible. Perhaps it's just this small reason that prevents her emotions from showing on her face.

But—don't you think she's very strong?

Unlike me, who throws tantrums over the smallest things. Completely unlike me, who clearly longs to go back to the past with the girl I like, yet makes no effort whatsoever.

She looked so delicate, but in my eyes, she shone brightly and captivated me.

In my eyes, it is a precious thing that must be protected with all efforts despite all difficulties.

So—before the person at the east end turned their back to me…

Before she dejectedly embarked on her lonely journey home...

I grabbed her arm.

--Huh?

Dongtou looked up at my face in surprise.

The unshed tears lingered in her eyes, shimmering slightly.

To prevent it from spilling out, I told her:

-- ...What's wrong with being friends?

Anyway, couples usually break up after a few years. After starting university, they might completely lose contact. Rather than that...

—It would be much better to just be friends, wouldn't it?

Perhaps I'm just making excuses.

Perhaps this is just an exaggerated denigration of romantic relationships and an overestimation of friendship, a foolish and utterly worthless glib talk.

But I still need to find a reason.

Find a reason so that Dongtou won't have to cry.

—Although I won't kiss you... I can put my arm around your shoulder.

Even if you forget to put on makeup or your clothes aren't cute, I won't be angry. You don't need any qualifications or effort to stay by my side.

So...

I couldn't finish the story.

Before I could finish speaking, Dongtou lowered his head and tightly gripped the uniform on my chest.

Please stop talking...

Saying things like that to me... will make me like you even more...!

I neither refused nor affirmed.

Whether or not one can allow oneself to accept it depends on Dongtou's own decision.

I just made a promise with her.

—I will always be the person you know.

Even if I receive your confession, I will not become a different person.

Even if I dump you, I won't become a different person.

Because this is the only way for me to be worthy of your strength.

A few seconds later... first, a hissing sound was heard as someone sniffed, and then Dongtou raised his face.

Her face wore a smile that seemed to have cast aside her worries, as if the image she had just had was merely a dream.

—That's settled then. I look forward to your continued guidance in the future!

Uh, no way.

Even I was taken aback by how quickly her mood changed...

Although I have some doubts, I wonder if she's just forcing herself...

But watching her cheerful waving goodbye and hurrying home, I realized that this was Higashito Izana.

As I watched her retreating figure, I must have squinted my eyes.

Like looking at something dazzling.

Yes, that's right. I won't mince words on this.

Because this is by no means a temporary confusion.

--I believe in Higashito Izana.

This is not love, it is faith.