My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 219

I quickly grabbed a piece of candied sweet potato from Isana's bento box and popped it into my mouth.

After swallowing the karaage chicken in her mouth, Isana grabbed my shoulder and said:

"I really like eating that!"

"I know."

"You did this on purpose, didn't you!"

"Trading something you like for something you love—isn't that an equal exchange?"

"Normally, we should choose the dish that Mizuto likes!"

"That's true, but I don't particularly like or dislike any particular food."

Food is good as long as it's edible. That's always been my philosophy my whole life.

Isana pouted angrily and said:

"Someone like Mizuto doesn't deserve to have someone cook for you."

"Do you have any plans to cook for me?"

"I just feel like I'm missing one strategy method."

"You don't need any strategy methods anymore, do you?"

"That's not how it works. I've been studying day and night how to make you pamper me even more."

"I truly admire your lofty aspirations."

"How about I draw you an H-picture?"

"How did this get onto that topic?"

"If you just have a poor appetite, try addressing your sexual desire—"

"...I'm afraid you'll become even more demanding if I ignore you, so I'll spoil you a little. Here, Karaage Chicken."

"Yay! Chew!"

As I fed her the second piece of karaage chicken with the affection of a parent feeding a bird, several girls, seeing our series of conversations, began to whisper among themselves.

"(No, I think they're definitely dating.)"

"(He fed me without any hesitation. It scared me to death.)"

"(But you wouldn't believe it, they're just friends.)"

"(That's for the best! Don't lie to me! You definitely live a decadent life on weekends!)"

"(In that case, Eri will have to put in a lot more effort.)"

at this time.

Kawanami Kogure, who had been lying silently on the ground, suddenly jumped up!

"Yaaaaah!"

Izana was startled and grabbed my shoulders tightly... Hey, you're not wearing a bra right now.

As I subtly avoided the frighteningly soft touch, Kawanami slowly shook his dusty head and looked towards Minami and the others.

"Just now...did someone say something extremely unpleasant...?"

"It's probably just your imagination. Here, take it."

Nan ignored Kawanami's voice, which sounded like it came from hell, and casually tossed him the remaining bread.

"I bought you lunch while I was at it. Aren't you going to be incredibly grateful?"

"Huh??"

Kawanami brushed the dust off the back of his head and stared at the bread she threw at him, looking rather unhappy.

"...I'd rather eat curry bread."

"I knew you'd say that, so I bought some. Here you go."

"Oh? Thanks."

He tossed another packaged loaf of bread to Kawabata, which immediately made him stop looking sour.

Seeing this, Sakamizu and Kanai started whispering to each other again.

"(No, I think these two are dating too.)"

"(Or perhaps, they might actually be married already?)"

"...I still feel like I heard something extremely unpleasant..."

"This time it might not be just your imagination."

Seriously, can't these people just sit still and eat properly?

"(Oops! ...I'm sorry, the tip is still a bit...)"

...You're one of them too.

Irito Yui ◆ Ex-boyfriend pink behind

"Huh? Irito's younger brother?"

"We were just having dinner with him, but he disappeared somewhere right after we finished eating."

"Yeah, yeah! They left with Dongtou! Judging from their behavior, they're definitely dating."

How many times do you need to say it?

As lunch break was about to end, I went back to the classroom to check, but the water dispenser was not there.

I was surprised that he had just eaten with Maki and Nasuka, but it seems that Akatsuki insisted on bringing them along. "I exchanged contact information with Higashito-chan." Hearing Nasuka say this, it seems that the meal was unexpectedly enjoyable.

As for Xiaoyue, she had already left because she had to participate in a cheering competition. Similarly, I didn't see Kawanami either; I wonder if she was with Mizuto and Higashito.

I originally wanted to say a few words to Mizuto before going back to work...

On my way back to prepare the tent, the cheering competition began.

"Go! Go! Red Team will win!"

Accompanied by the sound of taiko drums, the half-male and half-female cheering squad let out a powerful and majestic shout.

Xiaoyue was the most petite of the group. But her imposing posture and skillful movements exuded a strength that was in no way inferior to the other team members.

Near the school building, in an inconspicuous corner, a pair of eyes watched over her.

"Huh? Kawanami-kun?"

"ah."

As soon as I approached and called out to him, Kawanami immediately looked embarrassed.

Did he not want to be seen? He was watching over Xiaoyue from the side.

I found it very heartwarming and lovely, and chuckled softly, saying:

"You've got guts, haven't you? Xiaoyue, you've been practicing really hard."

"Hmm... well... for someone as short as me, I guess I've tried my best."

Kawanami said this while scratching his head to hide his embarrassment. Both of them were feeling really awkward.

"...Irito-san, please don't tell her. If she finds out, she'll definitely say something like, 'You think you're some kind of backstage boyfriend fan (Note: 'Backstage boyfriend' is a term used in idol fandom, referring to fans who quietly support female idols from the back of the audience, treating them like girlfriends)' and get all smug."

"Okay, got it."

After I finished speaking, something suddenly occurred to me.

"In exchange, may I ask you something?"

"Um?"

Where are Shuidou and Dongtou?

Upon hearing this, Kawanami grinned, revealing a mischievous smile.

"What? Are you bothered by this?"

"...Uh—because I'm a member of the student council, after all. I need to know which students are slacking off."

"Okay, let's just say that. It's not fun to just tell you like that... Oh well—it's already that guy's got it, so it doesn't really matter."

After muttering to himself, Kawanami pointed in the direction next to the playground.

"A corner of the tennis court. It's quiet there, a place to relax and unwind."

"Oh, I see... Thank you."

There's nothing I can do with that guy... He's a born social maladaptor.

I'm busy with work right now and don't have time. I'll find another opportunity to visit him later.

Mizuto Irito ◆ First Contact with a Nipples

When the afternoon's matches began, Izana and I had already returned to the tennis court.

"Haha... Finally, I can relax and rest..."

After all, we have a woman here who doesn't wear a bra. She can't stay in places where others are watching for too long.

"Isn't there any way to try and fix that bra?"

"Huh—? I'm not sure... I wonder if we could use a stapler or something to secure it?"

"How would I know? Or something more suitable, like tape or something."

"I didn't bring it—because we don't have class today."

"Should we borrow it from the teacher?"

"...Ugh—"

"You seem quite unhappy?"

"I just felt... I didn't want to waste time on such a small matter... or rather, I wanted to keep asking the teacher as a last resort..."

"Okay, I understand how you feel."

For people like us, asking others for help is always the last resort.

"It doesn't matter if only Mizuto sees it. It's much more comfortable without the constraints. And as long as I'm wearing a sports jacket, my nipples won't show."

"Don't keep talking about this kind of thing."

"Ouch! Hehehe."

I gave Isana a light chop to the neck, but she seemed quite happy and gave me a shy smile.

Then, she pulled the zipper of her tracksuit down slightly and peeked inside by tucking her chin in.

"Wow, that's surprising. I didn't expect the fabric of school gym uniforms to be so thin. The shape is quite clearly visible."

"Don't use this to chat with me."

"Look, look, it's protruding so fully..."

"Don't show it to me!"

"Hehehe, just kidding—Mizuto-kun, you're so cute, so innocent!"

"...Have you started to get carried away lately?"

"what?"

"It's good to build up your confidence... but maybe I should teach you a lesson and show you who's in charge..."

"Huh? Huh? Wait... what are you doing with your fist clenched—"

Just as my fist was about to strike Izana's temple, this happened.

Faint whispers could be heard coming from outside the tennis court.

"...Um, is it really not going to happen?"

"Don't worry..."

"Um……!"