My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 163

However, I met my classmate, Mizuto.

Only Mizuto didn't scold me.

They didn't tell me to read the atmosphere or ask me to use common sense to think.

When I do something strange, he will tell me what's strange.

What he said was even stranger than what I said.

And he said... he's willing to be with me.

So—yes, so…

I unfortunately discovered it.

I realized that I couldn't let my insignificant self bother Shui Dou.

"Dongtou-kun, I heard you arranged to meet Irito-kun in the library yesterday?"

"It's so sweet!"

The next day during lunch break, the same girls came to chat with me again.

I'm so glad they were willing to talk to me. I'm really happy.

But... I have my priorities.

"Okay, let's go have lunch. Tell us about it—"

"Um, that!"

After I mustered up the courage to speak loudly, everyone immediately fell silent and looked at me.

I... couldn't help but lower my head, but still... said what I had to say.

"I...I'm not dating...Mizuto-kun."

I said it.

I told them.

This is the truth. I'm not Mizuto's girlfriend. Not only am I not, but I'm also a girl who got rejected outright after confessing my feelings.

So please... leave Mizuto alone, and leave us alone.

They fell into a brief silence.

That silence was as if they couldn't fathom my thoughts.

Then, the classmate who is usually more considerate of my privacy said:

"That would be great! Don't be shy, it's okay!"

As she said this, she gently placed her hand on my shoulder.

I don't think she meant any harm.

If I had to say something, I think I should blame myself for not knowing how to express myself.

But there's nothing I can do about it.

This is the only way I know how to do it.

"—I'm serious!"

My voice is louder than I imagined.

The classroom fell silent instantly, and I felt many suspicious gazes directed at me.

I... I didn't mean to yell at them.

I...but...no...that's not what I meant...

I am sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

“…S-Sorry…”

I murmured softly, expressing a small part of the feelings swirling in my heart.

I don't know if they heard me. I have no idea how loud I need to be to be clearly heard.

"Oh, no..."

The hand awkwardly left my shoulder.

"...Uh...I'm sorry?"

After I finished speaking, several female classmates left my side and began to whisper among themselves.

I guess... it's another instance of them saying I don't know how to read the room.

"……call."

I sighed.

It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off my shoulders.

After that, I refused to receive any information from my surroundings and left the classroom.

Today, Mom didn't make me a lunchbox.

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

"...Hasn't she arrived yet?"

I arrived at the library as usual, but I still hadn't seen anyone at the east end.

I put my belongings on the air conditioner by the window and took out the half-read notebook. I wondered if class had been extended or if they were cleaning the classroom. Oh well, they'd probably be here soon.

Then—I finished reading the book.

Ok?

I tilted my head slightly. What time is it? I put the book I had finished reading back into my bag and took out my phone.

...5 PM?

At least an hour has passed since I arrived at the library—whether it was teaching or cleaning, it should have been over long ago.

The east end is slow to arrive.

I checked LINE, but she hasn't contacted me. What's wrong with her? Is she taking sick leave because of a cold?

In the quiet library, the sound of the librarian turning pages behind the counter could be heard.

...Quietly?

I only just noticed.

Those people who were watching us yesterday have all disappeared.

Have you finally gotten tired of it? So fast? If that's the case, then that's something to be happy about, but—

Unintentionally, the words that Dongtou whispered yesterday came back to my mind.

—You haven't seen what I look like in the classroom...

I've never seen... anything like that in the East.

That's not... the Dongtou I know.

Just then, with a thud, the phone that I had been holding in my hand for a long time emitted a notification sound.

The previously static chat window suddenly responded.

I'm sorry, I won't be going today.

It was a belated message from the east.

I immediately typed a reply:

What's wrong? Have you caught a cold?

The message has been read.

After a short gap...

Something came up. Sorry.

I feel like something's not right.

How could it take so long to reply to such a short message?

Why was your tone so cold? Normally you would have replied with something like, "So, are you going to take care of me?"

And—most importantly…

Why does she keep apologizing?

What happened in class?

There was another gap.

I just think it's better to avoid meeting for a while.

I frowned when I saw the two messages that came in one after another.

Did someone say anything to you?

This isn't like you. Don't worry about what others say.

After I eagerly sent the message, I received a reply immediately this time:

This is me.

I'm so sorry.

I sent another message, but never received a reply.

I lay on the sofa in the living room, looking up at the ceiling.

I'm not in the mood to read.

The cold words, "I'm so sorry," are etched in my mind and will never leave my memory. Even when I open a book, those five words appear on the pages, making it impossible for me to concentrate on reading.

So I just stared at the ceiling.

All I could see was the message, "I'm so sorry," coming from the east side and appearing on the ceiling...

"...Hey, are you alright?"

At that moment, Jie Nu's face appeared in front of me, blocking those words.

Jie Nu leaned over the back of the chair, lifted her long hair, and looked at my face.

"Now even the fact that you helped her put on her socks has gotten out? Try to be a little more discreet. In that corner of the library, anyone who wants to see can—"

"—Why should I?"

“Wow!”

I sat up abruptly, and Jie Nu cried out and turned her face away.

I got really angry.

Everything made me furious. I was utterly disgusted with the whole world.

"Dongtou and I have been chatting there for a long time—why should we hide from others? Why should we avoid being seen? Tell me!"

"W-What are you doing... What's wrong?"

I noticed that Jie looked at me with a slightly confused expression... and that's when I realized I had been too excited.

I let out a long breath and slowly shook my head. Although my mind had calmed down a bit... the boiling anger in my chest still hadn't subsided.

"……Feel sorry."

"It's okay, it's just..."

The girl stared intently at my face.

Then she suddenly said:

"Move over there a little."