My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 196

Senior Sister Hong turned her head away, preventing me from seeing her face.

"...It's alright, don't worry about it. If anyone's to blame, it's us for hiding."

Then, in her usual tone, she said—but I noticed. I noticed that, just like Haba-senpai back then, her ears turned red.

"Let me make this clear! I wasn't originally such a promiscuous woman! ...It's all your fault for being so slow to react to my every move..."

...She's totally like a little girl...

No, that's true. Although that's how it is, I never expected that someone as smart as her, someone everyone calls a genius, would blush when faced with something embarrassing—or rather, she also felt that the interaction with Haba-senpai in that empty classroom was a very embarrassing thing.

...So, she only plays that kind of role in front of Haba-senpai?

"Um... if you don't mind, may I ask you a question?"

“…Huh?”

Why does my senior like Haba-senpai?

Hong, her face still slightly flushed, turned to face me.

"...When did I ever say I liked him?"

"Uh... Well then, I'd like to ask you about the opportunity that led you and your senior to get together."

No, you clearly said you "had a crush" on the senior in that empty classroom. But it's best not to ask again now.

In that empty classroom, she explained that it was some kind of ideal or something.

However, if that was a mask she used to face Haba-senpai... she should have a more convincing real reason.

Maybe I'm trying to escape reality... Now, I suddenly really want to hear other people's experiences like this.

The senior student shook the glass with the ice cubes almost melting.

"...There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about it. It was just that there was once an unremarkable boy. A girl happened to discover the boy's talent. This 'coincidence' captivated the heart of an immature and arrogant woman. That's all."

...Immature and arrogant.

It's practically describing me right now.

"I made a big mistake during junior high school because I mistakenly thought I was perfect and never made any mistakes. Anyway, it's just a common phenomenon of overconfidence during adolescence. So I've been looking for someone who can make up for this flaw. And then... a dark, marginalized person that I happened to care about a lot actually dared to say something to me like this."

—You're incredibly stupid. Everyone except you knows I'm someone you shouldn't mess with. You're so good at studying, how come you can't even figure out something this simple?

"I originally thought 'only I understand,' but he turned around and said 'only you don't understand.' That was a huge blow... More importantly, the fact that I was hurt was a huge blow in itself. It's like those words pierced the most tender part of my heart..."

"...But the senior still hasn't kept her distance from the senior?"

"Of course! How could I not be angry after being talked about like that! He can't even speak normally to others, yet he dares to go against me! ... But at the same time, I unfortunately discovered that this classmate is exactly the kind of person I've been searching for. So, whether it's seduction or whatever, I've made up my mind to get him..."

Hong Xuejie's eyes suddenly turned to the side.

The inconspicuous senior, Yuba, is easily lost in such large gatherings.

However, the senior student didn't hesitate. No need to search.

It seems like I've done it countless times before, and I can find him instantly.

Find that face that would never be confused even if there were hundreds or thousands of people present.

"...It's really infuriating. Only that guy in the world could be so oblivious to my gaze."

Hearing her angry words, I smiled slightly.

The girl in front of me wasn't a senior, nor a genius, but just a girl heartbroken over her first love.

"Ugh, really! Bringing up such an embarrassing topic in front of a junior!"

Faced with the senior student who started chugging her drink, I said:

"I don't think it's shameful. Everyone has this experience."

"...If that's the case, then I must express my utmost respect for all of humanity."

It's really frustrating.

Even someone as intelligent as me can't get what I want—I don't think there's anyone in this world who can perfectly manage this kind of emotion.

Even if the other person is someone you've dated before, this doesn't apply.

"Oh! Ready to begin—!"

Someone looked out the window and said something. This drew everyone to the window or made them quickly leave the meeting room.

The windows facing the playground were dimly lit, glowing red. The campfire had already been lit.

As I gazed in that direction, I said to my senior:

"Senpai, do you want to go with Haba-senpai too? Didn't you say he...'is actually afraid of being alone'?"

"...Miss Jie, why do I feel like you've suddenly started looking down on me?"

"I hope you can say that I'm starting to feel close to you."

"Sigh." The senior sighed and got up to leave her seat.

"Okay... having a junior like this might not be so bad."

"Um?"

"I didn't come to talk to you just to discuss topics that are similar to love stories."

My senior looked at me seriously as I sat there and told me:

"Yui-kun—as the next student council president, I have a favor to ask of you."

When I heard what she was "begging," I realized that my "fate" had already changed.

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

"Ooh ooh~..."

As soon as she stepped out of that door, Isana looked around and then gazed up at the night sky.

The autumn evening breeze blows quietly. In this place, the noise, lights, and human presence all seem far away.

We arrived at the top floor of the school building.

"This is my first time on the rooftop. I didn't know there was such a space!"

"I heard it's usually closed, but executive committee members are currently being given special permission to come and go. I just happened to come over this morning and thought I could see the campfire from here."

Approaching the iron netting that prevents falls, you can overlook the large bonfire set up in the center of the playground.

Just then, the campfire was lit. It crackled and popped, and the flames flickered red in the stacked wood.

"It may be smaller than it looks up close, but it's nice to be here in peace and quiet, isn't it? And we don't have to worry about being targeted and having rumors spread."

"You're right—I also feel more at peace here. Hmph! Look at those people, they're like trash!"

"You're really excited."

It was quiet, which was nice, but the only downside was that it was a bit chilly. I said "Here you go," and handed the hot milk tea I'd bought from the vending machine to Isana. Isana said, "Thank you," and pulled the tab. She cupped the can in her hand and sipped it slowly.

I opened my can of coffee and sipped it while looking down at the campus. A crowd had formed around the campfire... I wouldn't say it looked like a junkyard, but from here it was impossible to tell who was who.

"The cultural festival was quite fun. This might be the first time I've truly enjoyed it."

"Do you mean you truly enjoy it?"

"How should I put it? Don't you think this atmosphere is quite enjoyable just to watch from the outside? Even if you didn't participate in setting up the stalls."

"...We really get along."

Me too. As long as I'm not forced to conform to everyone else, I don't dislike the atmosphere of the school festival. Watching the school become excited and restless in this unusual atmosphere is actually quite interesting. It's just that my gaze is somewhat like that of an observer, or rather, like watching animal behavior, which isn't commendable from a social perspective.

"How did you spend your school festivals when you were in junior high school?"

"They mostly read light novels in the classroom. What about you, Mizuto-kun?"

"I was also reading a novel in the classroom. I think it was Yumeno Kyusaku."

"Last year, I read the non-book version of 'Let's Become a Novelist'."

"So you categorize that as a light novel too."

"Yeah—when it's time for the school festival, I feel like rereading my favorite novels instead of starting a new one. I don't know why."

"...I don't know either. Maybe it's because I'm in a cultural festival environment, and I want to maintain myself in this way."

"And I'd like to see some sharp, niche works. Why do you think that is?"

"How would I know? That's just your own little self-assertion, isn't it?"

"But if I read online novels on my phone, no one will know what I'm doing, and I don't even understand what I'm thinking..."

I'm digging into my past memories. In which cultural festival did I read Yumeno Kyusaku's work?

Not last year. Because the author's name is considered unlucky.

Under those circumstances... I didn't even want to think about the word "dream," which is pronounced "yume."

So, yes, it was the year before last.

When I was in the second year of junior high school—that was when I had just started dating that girl.

We decided not to let others know that we were dating, and of course, we never thought about going to the cultural festival together.

But... it would be a lie to say that I never looked forward to spending the cultural festival with my girlfriend.

Deep down, I must have had my own dreams.

So perhaps... that's just a small act of self-assertion.

He deliberately opened the book with the words "Yumeno Kyusaku" printed on the cover in front of everyone—

"—Speaking of which, Mizuto-kun."

Izana's voice and gaze interrupted my thoughts. She said:

"When will Yui-chan be coming?"

The ensuing questions sent a chill down my spine.

I don't know why... Oh, right, I get it. This isn't a strange question for Isana at all; I never said it was just the two of us. The three of us went to the school festival together before, so of course she would assume Yui would be with us.

Why do I feel like my sore spot has been hit?

"...I forgot to mention. That guy isn't coming because he's attending the executive committee's victory celebration banquet."

"I see... um──..."

Isana looked down at the milk tea can, hesitated for a moment as if she wanted to say something... but then fell silent.

I know perfectly well what she swallowed back.

"Were you just... trying to ask me why I didn't go to the victory celebration?"

"That's true... but then I think if I were Mizuto, I wouldn't go either. There probably wouldn't be much fun there."

...This guy really understands me best.

I am truly grateful for her existence. Having someone like Isana in this school, someone I met despite being in a different class, is the greatest stroke of luck I could ever have—

"……But……"

—But at the same time…

"Doesn't Yui-chan feel lonely?"

It is also the greatest test.

Because only she, who understands me better than anyone else and can resonate with me more than anyone else... can easily uncover the truth that I've been deceiving and hiding from myself.

Until recently, she probably wouldn't have interfered with my privacy like this.

But just recently, I proved myself to you. I proved that I am no different from you, so you don't need to be polite to me.

"Given Yui's personality, she must get along well with everyone on the executive committee. So even if she goes to the celebration party, she'll probably have a lot of fun... But, since the person she really wants to be with isn't around, she'll definitely feel lonely."

"...Are you saying that person is me?"

"You should know it yourself, right? You just don't want to admit it."

Perhaps that's the case.

Or perhaps that's not the case.