My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 166

I told you, you're anything but ordinary.

"........."

I woke up.

It was just a dream.

Moreover, it was a nightmare.

I didn't want to go back to sleep, and I didn't want to have that dream again, so I got up.

That's very much like Mizuto's style.

It seems like something that would make me happy.

That kind of happy ending might actually be possible.

Mizuto came to find me fearlessly, causing everyone to scream in surprise. We, however, completely forgot about those people—

That's so cool!

If I could do it, I would like to do it too.

But—

You need to have the same personality as Mizuto to do that.

"—Izana! Get up right now!"

"Oh my! I'm already up! I'm already up—!"

I will still go to school as usual today.

I just went to school normally.

The lunch break ended peacefully, and the afternoon classes were over.

...I'm not going to the library today, just like before.

Actually, I only went there once because I couldn't resist. But Mizuto didn't show up at that usual spot.

...Actually, you don't need to work so hard, it's okay.

Now, nobody cares about us anymore. So there's no need to keep our distance anymore... But for some reason, Mizuto is still behaving himself, trying to fulfill the trivial wish I mentioned on my phone.

I understand. Because we are friends.

Actually, that incident could have been ignored, just pretended not to hear it, and we could have continued chatting in the library like before, visiting each other's homes during holidays... I'd be perfectly content with that. It's okay; last time was just a provocation and a way of retaliating...

I secretly took out my tablet from my bag and looked at the drawing of the water bucket I made last time.

I drew this picture when my classmate Shuidou came to my house.

The person in the painting is naked, and their muscles are more muscular than the real person's... I've thought about adding erotic parts several times, but each time a feeling of disgust and guilt washes over me, so I give up.

Every time I see this picture, I feel a deep sense of regret.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry, I said something strange in a moment of excitement. Please don't take it to heart, just laugh it off and don't take it seriously.

Since I'm so bad at reading people's expressions, then you don't have to read mine either.

I am already very satisfied.

I don't need your attention, and you don't need to have me in your heart. I'm content just to have a one-sided love for you.

"…………call."

I sighed softly, pulling my thoughts back from the brink of negativity.

I turned off the drawing, put away the tablet, and zipped up my backpack.

Alright—so let's do the same thing today, go home early.

You could stop by a bookstore on your way home. Maybe some new books will be available early.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out in the classroom.

I wondered what was going on, but anyway, it had nothing to do with me.

"East end".

Just then—a sound came from very close to me.

Huh?

Could it be that the nightmare I had this morning is still lingering in my mind? To actually hallucinate and hear Mizuto's voice, my condition must be really serious.

"East end. Did you hear that?"

--Hmm?

Could it be... that I didn't mishear?

I raised my head tremblingly.

I thought this was just my imagination.

But you wouldn't believe it, this is actually the reality.

The real Mizuto is standing right in front of my seat.

"........."

My throat is dry.

This is not a dream.

That is the reality.

It's a true story.

"Why...why...?"

Why did you come?

In this situation where everyone is watching, I am fearless.

Didn't you say you were going to prove it to me?

Isn't it to prove... that you're the same as me?

Then why—do you have to act so handsome?

Don't you know that treating me like this makes me realize how shallow I am?

"........."

Mizuto has always remained consistent.

He's still as handsome as ever.

It's still so strange.

Just like the promise I made to him—he appeared before me.

……So this is ah.

...Just as I thought.

Mizuto is a liar.

But... I like Mizuto so much, so I forgive you.

Correct.

Because I simply love Mizuto-kun like this—

"...Here you go."

"what?"

My classmate, Shuidou, gently placed a few folded sheets of loose-leaf paper on my desk.

strange?

Why didn't you say "I've come to find you"?

Why didn't they say "Don't worry"?

Shouldn't you say something cool... to make the girls in the class swoon?

"Then I'm leaving."

After saying this in a low voice, Mizuto hurriedly left the classroom.

It's like trying to escape the gaze that's piercing your skin.

It was nothing like the nightmare I had this morning...

Although the classmates in the classroom all looked surprised, they quickly went back to their conversation.

As if nothing had happened.

Only on my desk were a few mysterious loose-leaf papers left.

...Is this...his method of proof?

For a whole week, they haven't shown me any kindness... What can these few pieces of paper prove?

I cautiously unfolded the folded paper—

—Then, I began to read the article written on paper.

"……………………………………………………Pfft!"

I kept reading...

"Ha! Aha..."

Read carefully...

"Aha! -- Hahaha!"

Read it all...

"Aha! Haha ...

When I came to my senses, I realized that I was laughing out loud.

The classroom fell silent instantly, and countless questioning eyes turned to me.

Oh dear, I've embarrassed myself. Oh right, this is a classroom.

But—oh well, whatever.

Once my breathing had calmed down, I held the loose-leaf paper to my chest, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and stood up from my seat.

I left the classroom.

I ran quickly down the corridor.

The destination is—where Mizuto is.

The classroom of Class 7, Grade 1.

Without hesitation, I stepped through the open door.

There were still many people in the classroom.

But I don't care.

Of all of them, only Mizuto, who was still sitting in his seat, was the only one I cared about.

"Dongtou classmate—?"

Although I heard the girl's voice, I asked her to wait a moment.

I walked through the crowd and stood in front of Shuidou's seat.

Just like what Mizuto did just now.

"Mizuto-kun."

When I called his name, Mizuto looked up at my face.

His cute face, which seemed to be pretending to be nonchalant... only made me find it funnier.