My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 255

"President... Good morning..."

"You're the first one up. Do you usually get up this early?"

"Well……"

I glanced at the clock in the room; it was about seven in the morning.

"Yes... I usually get up at this time."

"Having a regular lifestyle is a good thing. Would you like a cup of black tea?"

"Ah... okay. I'll have some too."

I got out of bed, walked through the other girls who were still asleep, and came to the corridor where the student council president was sitting. As I moved, I first used my hands to tidy up my messy hair a little.

When I sat down facing the president, a steaming teacup was already placed in front of me.

"Thank you, Chairman."

Taking a sip, the warmth of the tea circulates in my brain, bringing a feeling of my brain circuits gradually opening up.

I let out a soft breath, temporarily set down my teacup, and asked the chairman sitting across from me:

"Around what time did the president get up?"

"Hmm? It's about five o'clock. I haven't slept this soundly in a long time."

She said five o'clock.

I remember everyone went to bed around midnight... which means she only slept for five hours? But she didn't look tired at all. Turns out she really is a short sleeper...

In contrast—I looked around the room again at its terrible state.

"...This really doesn't look good..."

I couldn't help but smile wryly. Everyone's sleeping postures were just too exaggerated.

It's admirable that Asuhain is still soundly asleep in her blankets (so cute!), but the other three are quite something.

Xiaoyue's entire body was outside the covers, Dongtou's yukata was so messy that her chest almost fell out, and Yashuang even hugged her quilt tightly as a pillow, showing off her underwear to everyone.

"This absolutely cannot be seen by boys..."

"Was it the right decision to sleep in separate rooms?"

"Yes."

Furthermore, none of these three girls, who have such poor sleeping habits, are wearing bras. Xiaoyue and Yashuang are... well, they're quite slim, so it's understandable. But Dongtou... doesn't she find it difficult to turn over in bed? She mentioned that her mother usually forces her to wear one, but she really doesn't want to sleep in one. Although I can understand how she feels.

"What are Yui-kun's plans for today?"

Caught off guard by this question, I hesitated for a moment before saying, "Uh..."

"I remember today... we're all going to the seaside amusement park together, right?"

"Hmm. But we haven't decided how to group them yet."

The president smiled meaningfully.

"So, I wanted to ask if you have anyone you'd like to go shopping with?"

“Eh…”

She...she really knew...?

I really wanted to go shopping with Mizuto, but he has to take care of Higashito-kun... Besides, what happened at the foot bath yesterday...

Ugh—how annoying! I only touched your hand! Why do I have to feel like I did something really wrong?! It made me run away without thinking last night! It's all because we talked about some sensitive topics at the hot springs before that…!

"...And what about you, President?"

I changed the subject to hide my shyness.

"The student council president probably wants to go shopping with Hanba-senpai, just the two of them, right?"

"Hmm? Ah──..."

……Ouch?

It's rare to see the chairman speak so unclearly. I think something's up!

"Now that we've opened up, let's not hide anything from each other, shall we? Maybe there's something we can do to help each other out."

"...It feels like they're digging up embarrassing things about me, which isn't very comfortable."

"I feel embarrassed too, we're in the same boat!"

And so, I, who had made the initial suggestion, took the initiative.

I told her that when I was soaking my feet in the hot spring yesterday, I couldn't help but touch the sink's hand in a slightly wicked way.

"……that's all?"

For some reason, the president's reaction was very indifferent.

Seeing the president slightly tilt his head in a daze, I inexplicably rushed to explain myself:

"No, it's not just touching. How should I put it? It's like running your fingertips between his fingers or somewhere else, like you're teasing him...!"

"……Oh."

"Did you laugh at me? You just laughed at me, didn't you!"

"Sorry, I was rude... I just thought you were really cute..."

What... what's going on? She's so calm... or rather, so aloof... could it be that something happened between her and Haba-senpai?

"Actually, it's like this, last night..."

President Hong made no attempt to hide her sense of superiority and began to recount what had happened between her and senior Yuba the previous night.

She said that after being forced to wear a bunny girl outfit during a punishment game, she went straight to see Haba-senpai—although she successfully flirted with him, she came back without doing anything.

"Hehe, for Yui-chan, who screams at the mere thought of touching a hand, this topic might be a bit too stimulating..."

"...Um, President?"

"What's wrong?"

"The whole thing sounds like... the student council president finally had a chance to win over the senior, but backed out at the last minute, right?"

"........."

"You're scared, aren't you? You're usually so proactive, but you got scared at the crucial moment, right? In other words, the student council president, hailed as the greatest genius in the school's history, actually ran away in fear, right?"

"...You're so noisy! I just think the location is inappropriate! If you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want to lose your virginity next to a vending machine where strangers might come at any time, would you?"

"It was you, student council president, who was the one seducing guys in that kind of place!"

"You, who flirt with men on the street, have no right to talk about me!"

Waaah! That hit a nerve...!

I took a deep breath... Speaking of which, something came to mind. The student council president seems to really enjoy seducing Haba-senpai, but...

I first made sure everyone was still asleep, then lowered my voice and asked:

"President... there's something that's been bothering me..."

"……What's up?"

"President, you often find opportunities to seduce Haba-senpai... But, if things really get into that situation, should I say preparation beforehand... or a protective charm... have you prepared those items?"

"........."

The president remained silent.

From this perspective...

"You weren't prepared, were you...?"

"It's so indecent for a girl to carry that kind of thing on her body..."

"No, I think you just lack the resolve, right? You're just convinced that Haba-senpai would never touch you, aren't you?"

"Don't tell the truth! How dare you be so arrogant, especially as a junior!"

The president always softens her tone whenever this topic comes up, which makes me unable to resist teasing her too much.

However, this is the only thing I might need to explain to her properly.

"But honestly, I think it's better to prepare... now that we know Haba-senpai sometimes has those kinds of feelings..."

"Tell me...where should I put it?"

"Well... I'm not really sure either, what about in your wallet or something...?"

"No, no, but I think those things should be prepared by boys..."

"President, you always launch such sudden attacks; how can anyone have any extra time to prepare!"

"Ugh...!"

The student council president let out a painful groan, her face flushed with embarrassment. I could understand her hesitation, but if the student council president got pregnant during the school year, it was no joke.

"Yes, I understand... I'll prepare it... another day."

"When is 'another day'?"

"Another day is another day!"

Just as the president raised his voice and shouted, a cute moan was heard, "Hmm..."

We were startled and turned to look, only to see Mingri Ye wriggling in bed, turning to face us.

She woke up.

He opened his eyes a slit, still half-asleep, and looked at us.

...Did she hear what I just said?

"...Kakuan..."

The voice was dazed, clearly indicating that the person had just woken up.

However, we still proceeded with extreme caution, asking cautiously:

"Good morning, Asuka-in-law... Did you hear what we just said?"

"Huh? What did you say...?"

"We were just discussing our planned itinerary for today! We were wondering if there are any places you'd like to visit!"

Hearing the president's beautifully fabricated lie, Tomorrow Ye Yuan rubbed his eyes and said:

"Hoo...yes. I don't particularly want to go anywhere..."

I quickly exchanged a glance with the president.

It seems... we passed safely!

"Oh, I see! That's alright then!"

"Then let's ask the others! You and I will wake everyone up together!"

"Oh, okay."

Phew...that was close. If Asuhain, who is serious, dislikes boys, and idolizes the student council president, had overheard the conversation just now, I wonder what the consequences would have been.

Thinking about it calmly, it's really inappropriate to talk about this kind of topic so early in the morning. But this is something that needs to be clarified...

...Should I also start preparing?

No, no need... I don't think Mizuto would act impulsively and attack without warning... To be honest, I'm not as direct as the student council president! ...Besides, I need to practice talking to him normally first, instead of always running away...

As I pondered these thoughts, I woke up Dongtou and Xiaoyue, who were disheveled, and helped them get dressed. How can one sleep with their belt so loose...?

And so, all six of them got up and were checking their schedules for the day while getting ready when the situation arose.

Senior Sister Ya Shuang said with a determined expression:

"I have something I'd like to ask of everyone."

Kawanami Kogure ◆ Opening Declaration

You might think it doesn't matter.

But what if a girl likes you?