My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 223

"One more question... it's okay if you don't want to answer, senior."

"Little Yuuko? What do you want to ask...? Little Yuuko is so big... She's only in first grade, why...?"

"No, um... does Hoshibe-senpai know about this...?"

"........."

Senior Sister Ya Shuang silently looked away.

Asuhain, nestled on her lap, frowned in disbelief.

"Can't you even tell how unnatural it is? Are all men idiots?"

"Asuhain-kun... I'm such an idiot for saying that..."

"My apologies. But even someone as outstanding as the former president couldn't see it. Girls and boys really do see the world differently."

"Well, maybe so..."

Thinking they understood each other but finding out they didn't... there are countless similar situations. However, just like how I, as a woman, didn't discover the truth about Senior Sister A Shuang, I think this kind of situation doesn't only happen between men and women.

I wonder if I've conveyed my feelings to Shuidou correctly today...?

"...Little Yuuko...you absolutely, absolutely cannot tell anyone..."

For some reason, Senior Sister Ya Shuang patted Asahihain's head while speaking in a gloomy tone.

"Absolutely, absolutely, you have to keep this a secret... If you tell anyone... I really, really will resent you..."

"Senior, if you just go and confess, everything will be fine—ouch!"

"Don't talk to me like that, junior. Or I might grope your breasts."

"The roots...they're already being kneaded!"

And so, my first sports festival after joining the student council came to an end.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

I walked out of the student council room alone and saw that the sky outside the window was gradually turning red.

Not long ago it was still summer, but the days have gradually become shorter. Especially since the cultural festival period, time seems to have flown by so quickly that I can hardly keep up.

This is the complete opposite of what happened six months ago—when I first started living under the same roof as Mizuto and felt that time was passing very slowly every day.

The blending of my accustomed daily life with unprecedented, stimulating experiences accelerated the passage of time for me...

Even so, I can't let myself drift through life aimlessly. In a few days, it'll be exam week, then midterms. And then, in a few days after that—

I changed into loafers in the shoe locker area and walked towards the school gate.

Most students should have already gone home. I'm the only one walking on the road to the school gate.

So—I discovered it immediately.

I spotted a familiar-looking boy standing by the pillar at the school gate.

"Strange...? A water bucket?"

"........."

As I approached, Shuidou also moved away from the pillar he was leaning against and came toward me.

He's already changed out of his gym clothes for his uniform. The uniform definitely suits him better.

I thought this to myself, and at the same time said to the water bucket that had stopped in front of me:

"What are you doing here? Waiting for Dongtou?"

"...Izana went back first."

"what?"

Then why...?

I tilted my head, puzzled, while Shuidou awkwardly looked away and hesitated slightly before speaking:

"...Until I get home, it's all considered a sports festival."

"…………?"

That's referring to hiking, isn't it?

Faced with my unromantic thoughts, Mizuta said gruffly:

"Didn't you... want to reach the finish line with me?"

……ah.

what……

Aaaaaaahh ...

—What's with this stepson? Isn't he a little too cute?

Was he simply respecting my request, or was he trying to tease me? Or was he rewarding me for my hard work in the student council?

I'm not that narcissistic to think that saying a few sweet words will win him over.

But even though it was only a little, even though it was only a part... I did convey my feelings to him.

We do indeed live in the same world.

"...What are you doing? Silently laughing without saying anything. That's disgusting."

"Hmm? No, you know what I mean?"

I bent down slightly and looked up at Shuidou's face.

Playing the little devil now is definitely a good idea.

"I just feel like you're actually quite fond of your younger sister... right?"

"What did you say?"

"Then I'll be your little sister for today, okay, brother?"

"That's enough. That's so cheesy."

"Brother~ Brother♪"

"I've said enough!"

Mizuto said impatiently, but did not run away.

He kept pace with me as we walked through the school gate.

There, the finish line banner had not yet been raised.

Even if I go home, even if today ends, there will be nowhere to put up that banner.

Even so, I still want to reach the destination with you.

Not with anyone else, but with you, to cross that finish line that we don't know where it is.

Volume 7: I hope this temporary pause is because you are here to protect me.

Irito Yume: Repaying Respect with Respect

"Starting tomorrow, student council activities will be suspended for one week."

In late October, with only one week left until the midterm exams of the next semester, the student council president of Honglingli made this announcement.

"Please study hard and achieve results worthy of the Student Council's name. By the way, this Student Council room can be used as a study room by applying to the advisor. It's a small privilege for Student Council members."

Sitting lazily in the corner of the student council room, advisor Mr. Arakusa said, "Don't come here all the time, it's too much trouble for me." Mr. Arakusa rarely showed his face in the student council room unless absolutely necessary. His explanation seemed to be, "There's no salary for being an advisor, I'm too lazy to do it." But that's what he said…

"Hey, Alexa! Can I come over during my lunch break?!"

"If you can find me. Also, my name is Arakusa."

In this way, there was never any distance between him and the students (especially senior student Ya Shuang). Perhaps it was because he was in this prestigious school with strict rules, yet he was only willing to do what he was paid for and spoke his mind, which made him popular with the students.

"...Hmm♪ Since that's how it is~...♪"

Having received verbal consent from Teacher Huangcao, Senior Sister Yashuang walked over to Senior Brother Xingbian, who was sitting on the sofa in the meeting room scrolling through his phone, as usual, and sat down next to him without saying a word.

"Senior? I'd like to ask you to teach me how to prepare for the exam again—♪"

As Senior Sister Ya Shuang nuzzled against him shoulder to shoulder, Senior Brother Xing Bian glanced at her and said:

"Huh? Didn't I teach you the method last time? Just use it as is."

The senior student put away his phone, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and said:

"I'm off then. Good luck on your exam!"

After saying that, he left the student council room on his own.

Senior Sister Ya Shuang was left alone on the sofa, maintaining a posture of clinging to the air...

"...Would it kill you to have even a hint of evil thought?!"

Facing the doorway where Xingbian's tall figure had disappeared, he roared a cry from his very soul.

Even after all this, he's still not discouraged; Master truly lives up to his masterly nature.

Tomorrow Ye Yuan sighed in disbelief, while President Hong lightly placed her hand on Master Ya Shuang's shoulder.

"How about I teach you to read, Aisha?"

Senior Sister Ya Shuang turned to look at her with a sullen expression.

"No. Rinri is too smart, I can't understand what you're saying."

"But when I taught you last time, didn't you improve by an average of fifteen points?"

"I've made myself clear! I hate your attitude, so I don't want to!"

The president shrugged with a wry smile. "They say truly intelligent people are also good at teaching others. I'd like to ask the president to teach me a little something too."

While I was thinking, I noticed that Mingri Yeyuan was fidgeting and kept glancing at President Hong.

I thought it was cute, so I said:

"Asuhain-kun, if you'd like the student council president to teach you, please take a look."

"Huh!...No, no, it's only meaningful to work hard yourself."

President Hong turned around and said:

"But I think daring to ask questions is also a strength. Look, Aisha makes a living solely based on this ability."

"Who are you calling a parasitic flower girl who can do nothing but live off others?!"

"Is this how ordinary people usually talk about you?"

Even so, Asuhain's large eyes still darted around, hesitant and uncertain. However, her gaze gradually regained its composure, and finally she resolutely closed her eyes, then opened them again.

"...No. I'll read it myself."

Then, she stared intently at me, who was sitting opposite her.

"And this time...! Irito-san—I will definitely surpass you."

Her eyes shone with a serious, fighting spirit. They were eyes filled with a passion that refused to lose, a determination to never compromise on this matter.

I must have looked at Shuidou with that kind of gaze in the past.

Normally, I would have given a plausible, unambiguous answer. But this is a battle where Asuha-in is risking her pride. With that in mind, I know I shouldn't have given a casual reply.

So this is the first time I've faced her fighting spirit head-on.

"Yes. I'd be happy to accept your challenge."

Irito Yume ◆ Remote Book Club

That being said, I actually have a major advantage.

This advantage is that my rival for the top spot in the grade lives under the same roof as me.

In the past, we were always competitive and each studied our own books. Apart from the time when Dongtou and Chuanbo were teaching each other, we never studied together.

But things are different now!

I remember. I remember the book clubs we had together when we were still dating—those sweet times. I remember how we could use the excuse of looking closely at our textbooks or notes to let our shoulders touch or our hands rest on our knees, enjoying the pleasure of light physical contact—those wonderful times!

Of course, the grades have declined.