My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 155

"He's the one who's the problem! That guy always puts on a smiling face and tries to evade responsibility whenever something goes wrong!"

I'm really upset that my girlfriend was taken away by my classmate Irito.

And to make matters worse, she chose me as her confidant; it was pure hell.

But... if Yui were like this, confiding her secrets only to me, I think that might not be so bad.

Volume 5: The One and Only You in the World - A Commemorative Photo of Boys and Girls: "...Could we take a picture together as a trio...?"

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

As summer vacation draws to a close, it forces me to recall that day.

August 27th, two years ago.

That was the first time in my life I had ever received a love letter.

At that time, I still held some hope for love, leaving behind foolish but blissful memories.

This year, I also remembered another day.

August 27th of last year.

On that day when I didn't receive a single message on LINE, I realized that what happened on the same day last year had become a nostalgic memory. I felt neither heartache nor sadness, but rather found that this day had become a day spent immersing myself in a faint warmth of past emotions with an empty heart.

We should have celebrated together.

This day should become a memorial day.

But we were too naive; we didn't even qualify to celebrate the anniversary.

In terms of the profound realization of this truth, August 27th is not a memorial day for me, but a day of death.

Those were the days when I woke up from the temporary confusion of being in love.

That was the day my love died.

◆ Irito Yume ◆

8 month 27 day.

As summer vacation draws to a close, this date is fast approaching. As I look at the calendar on my calendar app, I simultaneously recall the happiest and most bittersweet memories of my life.

Two years ago on this day, I successfully confessed my feelings for the first time in my life; last year, however, became an empty period that I could only vaguely recall.

However, this year is different.

That cowardly woman who only hoped for miracles is gone. Now I understand the concept of taking initiative. I will no longer wait for others to help me; I can take action myself.

Two years have passed since the anniversary.

There couldn't be a better opportunity—to take that lazy man out of the house and make him temporarily forget his position as a stepbrother or stepsister. There couldn't be a better opportunity!

"...Where should we go?..."

I opened my phone's browser and searched for places suitable for a getaway—no, I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore—for a date. Although I actually had a pretty good time at the aquarium last time, even if I suggested, "Let's go to the amusement park!" I knew he'd just say, "Huh? No way." I needed to find a place that would at least be of interest to him, and that we could actually date…

...On another note, was he free that day?

I inadvertently assumed he had no plans for any of the 365 days in a year, but that guy already has a boyfriend. Unlike back in middle school, when he didn't even have acquaintances, let alone friends. It was only when I considered the possibility of him rejecting me that I finally realized this.

I should have asked him if he had any plans first.

With that thought in mind, I opened LINE and started chatting with Mizuto.

We agreed not to come to his door if we needed to meet in the evening, but to contact each other via LINE. Besides, if I specifically went to his room to ask, "Are you free on August 27th?", all my ulterior motives would be exposed…

After carefully considering the message, I wrote:

"Hey, are you going out anytime soon?"

...Wouldn't that be a little strange? Oh well, whatever, let's send it.

A few seconds later, the message showed as read, and a reply was received shortly afterward:

Huh?

My heart skipped a beat, and I typed nervously:

<27th. 〉

Just as I was feeling dizzy, the water bucket sent me a message.

Dongtou invited me to see a movie.

Movie!

It could pique Mizuto's interest in a way that also felt like a date spot...! Oh, I didn't know there was such a trick...!

No, I accidentally admired him too much... Oh, I see. I've been beaten to it.

So... he didn't make time for me that day.

"I see... Ah..."

I feel so sad, and so lonely—oh, I get it. This must be what "heartache" is.

For Shuidou—for us—August 27th is no longer a special day.

Of course. They've already broken up, why would they celebrate the day they started dating?

He had no obligation to make time for me that day.

I don't know how much time I spent trying to understand this fact, which I realized too late.

During that time, I did not send any reply. This unnatural gap may have already conveyed my state of mind to Mizuto.

Because it's only in these moments that he's truly adept at understanding other people's thoughts.

Should I reveal that sky?

The moment I saw this message, a surge of anger rushed to my head.

Why ask me?

Almost automatically, his fingers transformed his anger into words.

I don't know why I'm so angry.

But I just can't forgive him. I can't forgive Mizuto for becoming that kind of man—disregarding his promise to his current best friend for the sake of a mere ex-girlfriend.

The person Mizuto cares about is his ex-girlfriend named Ayai Yume, not me.

After launching into a lengthy, one-sided accusation, Shuidou responded a few minutes later:

You're right. I'm sorry.

The message was simple, but I felt it contained profound reflection.

"Phew..." I sighed, trying to calm my mind.

...Perhaps I missed the opportunity.

Maybe if I just ask, Mizuta will clear the day. Wasn't that my original plan? To use an anniversary as an excuse for a date?

No... that kind of thinking is cowardly in itself.

I've vowed to surpass my past self. Deep down, I hope he'll like me as I am now more than he would like Ayai Yume. So how can I continue to rely on past anniversaries?

I should actually be happy that Mizuto is willing to schedule other activities on our anniversary—because it means that I wasn't as prominent in his life before.

...Even so, I still feel a little unwilling.

"Let's go see a movie..."

That's a great idea. No, given Dongtou's personality, he probably doesn't see this as a date—it's probably just a movie he really wants to see.

The question is, have these two people ever had a proper date?

Although they seem to be always together, they only chat in the library, walk home together after school, or hang out at each other's houses. I don't think they've ever actually gone anywhere together...

I opened my LINE chat with Dongtou.

After all, this is her first date. As someone who has helped her in the past, of course I want to cheer her on. I solemnly declare that it's absolutely not because I'm the only one feeling resentful about being completely excluded!

While making up these excuses, I sent a message to my classmate in Dongtou:

I heard you're going to the movies with Mizuto. Good luck!

Look how calm and composed I am.

That little brat who nags endlessly just because his boyfriend is with a girl, he should learn from him.

Not long after, a classmate from the east end sent word:

Yeah~

After she replied in this way—

Then this message was sent:

"Should our female classmate come along too?"

"........."

I'm not that kind of person.

Even though neither of them meant it, I'm not going to be so inconsiderate as to stand in on someone's first date and become a third wheel.

"Since we have this opportunity, let's go together!"

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

I looked up at the blue sky.

Cars passed by me frequently in the shadow cast by the small roof. I was sitting on a bench at a bus stop very close to my home.

I'm waiting for someone.

This wasn't originally planned. I intended to just meet Dongtou somewhere near the movie theater. However, things changed. For some reason, Jie suddenly joined us, invited Dongtou to our house, and kicked me out.

Honestly, I don't understand why.

I certainly remember what day it is today. However, I am no longer obligated to treat it as a special holiday. That's why I accepted Dongtou's invitation.

But unexpectedly, Dongtou actually came to find that woman.

Not only that, the woman actually agreed.

I asked her and found out that the woman had made plans with Dongtou right after chatting with me on LINE. Didn't she know the idiom "shameless"? She was the one who told me to prioritize Dongtou—okay, Dongtou was the one who said it, so neither I nor Jie Nu wronged anyone.

Taking two girls to the movies...

Although one was a friend and the other was family, I never imagined this would happen to me six months ago.

Okay, actually I went home right after the movie. Maybe there's no need to be so dramatic.

"Sorry for the wait."

Hearing the sound, I turned around and saw two girls looking down at me sitting on the bench.

One of them—Yui—was unusually dressed in trousers, with her long black hair tied in a ponytail. Her top was also a short-sleeved style that exposed her upper arms, making her look more mature than usual.

As for Dongtou's outfit, I've seen it before—a loose green top paired with a loose beige skirt, giving off a simple, rustic vibe like something out of a fantasy novel. Lately, I've mostly seen her wearing hoodies and pants, or baggy T-shirts—outfits that have absolutely no fashion sense. It's refreshing to see her dressed like this, looking quite presentable.

When I saw that Dongtou's eyes had become brighter and more spirited than usual, and his lips were also glossy, I suddenly realized what was going on.

"So that's why they kicked me out—to check what I was wearing on the east side."

"Yeah. Because if I don't keep an eye on Dongtou, she might go out wearing her usual hoodie."

"It's nothing serious—it's just watching a movie, right?"

"No way! I won't nag you at home, but you have to dress presentably when you're out!"

"This is so troublesome..."

Dongtou looked dejected and said wearily, "Girls really have it tough, I feel so sorry for her. If Dongtou were a boy, no one would say anything if she wore the same clothes at home and when she went out."

"I'm talking about you."

Just as I was observing from the sidelines, seemingly unconcerned, Jie turned and glared at me.