My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 238

I don't have much time to waste. My girlfriend already told me she hopes I can ask her out today.

But I'm a girl, after all. Asking a guy to go on a trip with me seems like I have ulterior motives. And a hot spring too?! It's practically saying, "We'll be inseparable from morning till night, even sweethearts while showering!" How did Yui even manage to get a date with Irito-kun?!

Am I overthinking this? It's not just the two of us; Irito-san and Higashi-goo-san, and other acquaintances will be there too. My nervous way of asking might make me seem like I have ulterior motives—

-- *kiss*

My phone beeped, and I instinctively picked it up.

Have you eaten yet?

I was so scared that I shuddered and then my whole body stiffened.

It's a message from Kawabata.

If we haven't eaten yet, let's go to a family-run restaurant.

I paused for a while, but since the message had already been read, I had to reply quickly and naturally, otherwise it would arouse his suspicion.

If you say you'd cook for me, I might consider it?

This guy is really something. He clearly has that kind of constitution, so why does he have to say such provocative things?

If you want to fight, then come at me. I typed a counterattack message:

If you can't fake it, don't fake it.

Seeing the message with the vomiting emoji attached, I slightly pouted. If I just show my true skills, is pretending to be cute really that hard for me?

But then again, if it's so obviously a joke, wouldn't this guy be okay with it? But thinking about it, if even this doesn't work, it would affect his daily life.

"...Ah, I've got it."

All you have to do is make the whole thing a joke.

"Sorry to keep you waiting♪"

"Oh... -- Oh?"

Kawanami met me in the apartment's entrance lobby, and as soon as he turned around and saw me, he gave me a look as if he had seen a rare and exotic animal.

At that time, I made a big change to myself.

A women's blouse with lots of ruffles, paired with a skirt she rarely wears. Her hairstyle isn't a ponytail, but rather long hair flowing down. Her shoes are round-toed loafers that exude femininity, making her a "standard girl" who can be presentable anywhere, from head to toe.

Kawanami froze for a moment, then his lips twitched as he said:

Just how unwilling you are to admit defeat...?

"Does it look good?"

I pretended not to hear and moved closer to look at him with my big, bright eyes.

"Is it nice to look at?"

"Ah...it looks so good! With your height, you really suit clothes that lolicon would love."

"Hehehehehe."

Are you looking for death?

Is this supposed to be a cosplay of "a woman trying to take home innocent freshmen at a university orientation event"?

I perfectly concealed my murderous intent and walked over with cute little steps, taking my place next to Kawabata.

"Well then, let's go!"

"Are you going to keep playing? I mean, why do you keep drawing out the end of your sentences? You're paying too much attention to detail."

"(The feeling it evokes is also important, isn't it?)"

"That's enough, that's enough! Stop whispering!"

I deliberately kept my distance from him, maintaining a distance where I could only feel a slight warmth from his body, and walked towards the family restaurant.

well.

If this pattern continues, he won't take anything I do seriously. It also makes bringing up travel plans much easier. I'm a genius!

We went into our usual family restaurant and asked the staff to show us to a table. I naturally sat down at a table against the wall, picked up the menu, and with a soft "Hmm—" I tilted my head and said:

"Roasted Cheese Chicken".

"A woman dressed like you is better suited to eat this kind of food."

"Why? Cheese is so cute!"

"I think you just think that as long as you add 'cute,' you can make it look real, right?"

Got caught.

It's okay, a lower resolution is more effective. Kawabata ordered a hamburger steak and white rice, and I started scrolling through my phone.

I quickly scrolled through the accumulated notifications while replying to messages in several group chats in turn. According to Jie Nu, chatting in multiple groups simultaneously like this seems like a "miracle skill," but I'm already used to it. Missing any topic would make me restless, and I couldn't help but reply.

Kawanami, sitting across from me, was doing the same, smoothly scrolling through his phone screen while drinking water. Little did he know that our personalities were almost complete opposites when we were in elementary school; it just goes to show that environment really does shape a person.

When I'm with Jie and the others, I'll be on my phone but I won't stop chatting. I feel like every minute and second is precious.

However, we mostly remained silent when we were with this guy. Neither of us felt awkward about it; we both took it for granted.

They look like a couple on the verge of breaking up... or a family?

I couldn't help but think, if we can each do whatever we want, why do we have to eat together? There's no need to contact each other or arrange meetings; we can go to a family-run restaurant if we like, and it won't be a problem. Why are we sitting at the same table as if it's perfectly natural?

That was because we were neighbors.

Later, it was because we were a couple.

what about now?

The childhood sweetheart relationship vanished long ago with the breakdown of our romance. Now we are former childhood sweethearts and former lovers—in other words, merely remnants of our past relationship.

Like cicada shells falling to the ground in autumn, we have no intrinsic connection now.

This metaphor that flashed through my mind made me think of something unexpected...

Speaking of which, when did cicada shells begin to disappear?

The season has already entered November...

"It's about time to bring out the winter clothes."

Kawanami looked at his phone and muttered to himself.

"It's not just about feeling cool anymore. Lately, I've even started to feel grateful when I take a bath."

An afterimage will not remain forever.

All that's left are scars. Only I inflicted the damage on this guy.

I can no longer be so shameless as to feel happy about such things.

Although I don't want to go back to the past, nor do I want to move forward.

But I really want to make it up to him.

"—Since that's the case..."

I don't know any way.

One thing is certain: this cannot continue.

"Want to come with me to the hot springs?"

Kawanami looked at my face and curled his lips in a mocking smile.

That's right.

To make it up to him, I'll play the clown for as long as I want.

Irito Yume ◆ Ask Yourself

"Yui-! That matter is all settled!"

Xiaoyue told me this at school, and I happily clasped my hands together.

"You actually got a date with him! As expected of Xiaoyue, you're so decisive!"

"It's just a matter of asking them out, it won't take much time~"

"........."

That's what I mean.

It doesn't require any time or cosplay, right?

"On another note, there are so many people on this tour group!"

As Xiaoyue spoke, she counted on her fingers one by one, saying:

"There are ten people in total, right? It's basically a school trip."

"Hmm. But the president said it's not good to shop around with so many people, so we'll split into groups and do our own thing once we get there... Shouldn't we arrange some time for you two to be alone together?"

"That's what I wanted to say, okay!"

Xiaoyue first mocked me like this, "However..." Then her gaze drifted slightly to the side.

"Maybe—I really will have to ask you for a favor."

In front of her, Kawanami was talking to Mizuto.

I suddenly realized what was happening and said:

"Really...really?"

"Um."

The smile on Xiaoyue's face made her look somewhat mature.

"This time—maybe I'm a little serious."

She didn't ask me directly.

I think Xiaoyue probably didn't even have that kind of thought.

But I naturally thought of:

—Have I taken this matter seriously?

Without realizing it, I touched my lips.

Touch the part of the shrine where no one passes by, illuminated by fireworks, where determination meets.

Have I taken this matter seriously?

Are you seriously considering changing the relationship to something else?

Volume 8: Let Me Show You Your Full Power - Exotic Parallel Dating

Haba Joji ◆ A Dim and Dull Wish

I have accepted living in the background since I was born.

I don't need to blend into the crowd or hide among the masses. My appearance or temperament alone is enough to exclude me from other people's consciousness. This constitution, which can only be explained by an innate aura, may sometimes cause trouble, but it has never bothered me.

It's just right for a nobody like me.

This kind of blind spot, where no one can see it or what everyone else is in, is the most comfortable place for someone like me who has no redeeming qualities—you could even say that it is my only and greatest redeeming quality.

I don't need spotlights.

Because there are many other outstanding people (actors) in this world.

For example, someone who has a superior ability to gain the trust of others.

For example, people who never give up on facing their own shortcomings.

For example, people who take hard work and striving for success for granted.

For example—a person with innate leadership charisma who captivates everyone.

The spotlight exists for them. The more light shines on them, the more their innate brilliance is highlighted.