My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 15

"...Nan-kun, huh? The two of them even cooked savory porridge together..."

"........."

I spent a little time thinking about it.

"...Just to be on the safe side, let me ask you this: do you mean 'It makes me really unhappy that a boring guy like you dares to get close to my best friend'?"

"........."

Jie Nu paused for a moment, as if taking time to think.

"...Yes, that's right."

"Really? Then let me tell you, the reason I seem to be on good terms with Nan is because of her excellent social skills. You know, a true social expert can make anyone seem like they're on good terms with them."

"It's almost like they're saying I'm a fake..."

"It's not just a suggestion, that's exactly what I mean, debuting in high school."

"I didn't debut in high school..."

The voice that answered was weak and listless.

Eating seems to have replenished my energy, but it seems like I'm still a long way from fully recovering.

"Go to sleep. Getting plenty of sleep is the best way to treat a cold."

"...You're going to...run away again?"

"No, I'll stay home today."

"You lied to me... You went back last time..."

The girl's voice sounded sleepy, gradually becoming light and soft. Perhaps she was getting drowsy?

"...When was the last time?"

"Last time... I clearly asked you to hold my hand... but when I woke up you were gone..."

...Oh, I get it.

The year before last, when winter was gradually approaching.

When I visited this guy back then, I once...

"...It's so dark at home...I'm so lonely..."

At that time, I didn't know when Aunt Yu-ren would come back. I should say, I thought that as long as I held her hand until she fell asleep, that would be enough. I didn't do anything wrong.

……but……

I was on my way home when I brushed past Aunt Yu-Jin—but Yu-Nu said her house was too dark, so she must have woken up as soon as I left. The moment her hands lost my warmth, she…

...Really.

Does this woman's cold have symptoms that cause memory to regress by several years? It's a really strange illness.

"…………Here you go."

I stretched my hand out to the woman.

"This time I won't run away. I'll hold on tight, so... go to sleep."

"……Um……"

Just like when she woke up, a relieved smile appeared on Jie Nu's face.

She used both hands to apply slight pressure and grasped my outstretched hand.

"...Thank you, Irito-san..."

And then—she just pulled my hands into her arms.

"you……!"

"Hmm..."

With a satisfied smile on her cheeks, Jie began to snore softly.

With each rise and fall of her full breasts, the soft yet sticky touch stimulated the back of my hand.

If this continues, I'll be charged with sexually harassing a sick sister! How despicable…! Even when she's suffering from a virus, this woman is trying to frame me!

...I've already promised to hold her hand, so I can't let go.

I was careful not to wake Jie Nu, and quietly moved my hand away.

I finally managed to move to a safe and secure location, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I wonder what would have happened if Nan had seen what happened...

……what?

By the way, why is Nan so slow?

After Yui fell asleep, Minami returned immediately.

"Oops—excuse me, I was on the phone just now—"

It sounded like her family called. She said it was almost time to go back, so I walked her to the door.

Of course, I had to let go when Nan returned to her room, and I couldn't possibly keep holding her hand until I saw her to the door. Even Ayai from two years ago probably wouldn't hold such a small thing against me.

"Hey, Irito-san. Before we go back, I have a question I'd like to ask you..."

"Um?"

Nan suddenly turned around at the door and said in her usual tone:

"Yui and Irito-san—they're just siblings, right?"

These words came at me like a spear, striking unexpectedly.

It pierced my heart, creating a brief moment of silence in the conversation.

Even so—it only lasted for a moment.

In just a moment, I regained my composure.

"—They are indeed siblings. However, they are step-relatives."

Nan looked up at me and exclaimed, "Ah—!" as if suddenly realizing something.

"They're step-relatives! They're definitely not ordinary siblings! I'd forgotten, I'd forgotten!"

Nan left me—our home—with light, graceful steps.

"Well then, I'll take my leave—! Take care—!"

Then, she said a mundane goodbye and left my house.

The ponytail at the back of her head swayed from side to side until the very end.

◆

later.

My dad contacted me and Aunt Yu-ren, saying they would be back late, which left me with a belly full of anger as I continued to take care of Yu-nu.

"I want to drink 'Dynamic Elements'."

"Be careful not to spill it."

"Buy me some ice."

"...Which one do you want?"

"I want to buy books. Give me the money."

"Who would give it to you!"

After waking from her dozing, the girl became very willful, and I, poor me, became her errand boy. Even so, she was still a patient, and I couldn't bear to blame her.

"...Hand. Shake hands with me again."

"...Okay, okay."

So even if it's something like this, I have to accept it willingly. I'm not like her usual ruthless self, I won't coldly refuse a patient's request.

however……

"Hey. It's about time to take your temperature."

“…Huh?”

"If your fever doesn't go down after a day in bed, it might be a symptom of a serious illness. If it's still 38 degrees Celsius, go to the hospital—"

"No, no need... I'm fine! I'm perfectly alright!"

"We need to take your temperature to make sure you're okay. Okay, put this under your armpit."

"No—don't—!"

For some reason, the girl resisted fiercely, so I half-forced her to put the thermometer under her armpit.

Then a few seconds later, the number displayed on the thermometer shocked me.

"...36.5 degrees."

It's a perfectly normal body temperature.

"........."

"........."

I shifted my gaze from the thermometer to the woman's face, but she immediately looked away.

"...You bastard...when did you get better?"

"No comment..."

"Could it be that Nan-kun will be better by the time he goes back...? Or is he pretending to be sick and making me work like a slave even though he's already better?!"

"No comment!"

"...Strange? In that case, why did you ask me to hold your hand earlier..."

"~ ...

Jie Nu let out a near scream and hid under the covers.

"Hey, get out here! Where do you think you're going, you healthy baby!"

"No, no! I don't want to! Just to be on the safe side, I'll stay in bed all day!"

"Have you had enough sleep?! How dare you take advantage of someone's kindness!"

“Ahhhhh!”

I pulled back the covers and let Jie roll off the bed.

Looking down at her face, which had completely recovered from the fever, I said something to her:

"Shouldn't you say something?"

"……Well……"

"Or do I have to shake your hand again before you'll tell me?"

For reasons other than fever, Jie Nu's face turned as red as a traffic light.

"...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pretended to be sick..."

"very good."

I crouched down and helped the woman who had fallen to the floor up.

She was sweating profusely.

"Alright... since you've just recovered from your illness, I won't hold it against you. Anyway, change your clothes, have some food, and go to bed early tonight."

"...It's disgusting how gentle you are to me."

"It's an honor to receive your praise, my dear friend Yui, who needs me to hold her hand to fall asleep."

“…………!”

Jie Nu rushed back to the bed and covered her head with the quilt.

"I didn't hear you! I don't remember anything! I need to change my clothes, you perverted brother, get out of here!"