My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 257

"I think this kind of outfit would only work on girls who are usually more well-behaved and obedient, like—"

In an instant, all eyes were focused in the same direction.

"Huh?" "Ugh?"

The epitome of a pure and innocent girl—Yukiko—and the unassuming representative of girls—Isana-kun—both reacted with bewilderment and timidity.

"……oh."

"……I see?"

Ling Lili and Xiao Yueyue's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Hehehe... Sorry to keep you all waiting. Now, let's move on to the off-topic segment!

Mizuto Irito ◆ Most otaku have a prejudice against gyaru (prejudice)

Good afternoon! Do you live around here?

"No. Sorry, it's not convenient."

Senior Xingbian gently waved his hand, stopping and avoiding the woman who came over to chat him up with her voice an octave higher.

Since entering this shopping mall and splitting up with the girls, this is the second time I've encountered someone pursuing me. I only learned today that girls actually take the initiative to talk to guys, and I never expected to witness it twice in one day. It's truly amazing.

It's probably hard to ignore a man like that. For women, Hoshino's tall stature is incredibly striking. His masterful skill in pursuing women after initially discouraging them is the best proof of this.

"Sorry, senior, I'm leaving everything to you..."

Kawanami Kogure, who is usually the most talkative and seems to be the most fun-loving, has been hiding behind Hoshibe-senpai whenever a girl gets close. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but her complexion seems a bit off too.

"Huh—? Whatever. Let me play the big brother for a bit in a situation like this. Speaking of which, Kawanami, I really didn't expect that. Are you not good at being talked to by girls?"

"Uh, no, it's just that casual conversation won't cause any problems..."

After all, this guy always publicly declares that relationships are for looking at, not for talking about. Maybe he just finds being pursued by others incredibly troublesome.

If I had known this would happen, I probably shouldn't have split up with the girls' group. Even though they were a large group of six, it shouldn't have been so easy for them to approach me…

"Good afternoon... Good afternoon~..."

"You're so cute! Where do you live? Do you use LINE?"

I almost sighed when someone approached me from behind again.

Hey, a group just left. How did Kobe's security deteriorate to this extent?

I wanted to see which idiot was disturbing public order in Japan, so I turned around and looked behind me—

"Ah, aha... ahaha... hello~..."

"Isn't that Mizuto-kun?! You scared me! Do you use LINE?"

I was just wondering where this idiot came from, and I didn't expect it to be an idiot I know.

One is an idiot whose mental state can't keep up with his appearance, and the other is an idiot whose only pickup line is "Do you use LINE?"

Both women were dressed in low-cut tops and short skirts, abandoning their usual quiet and well-behaved demeanor. However, their timid attitude and absurdly wrong way of laughing and joking revealed that their true nature was hard to change.

Two pubic areas that resemble the appearance of a hot girl.

Irito Yume and Higashito Izana.

"What are you doing...?"

"Waaaaah...! You have no idea how terrible a girl's pranks can be if they go too far...!"

"Actually, it's not bad! It's almost like cosplay! I'm super excited to wear this!"

Some people seem to think that sexy girls always end their sentences with "bad".

Looking behind those two idiots, I saw a group of girls laughing so hard they were doubled over. I roughly understood the situation.

"...So? How will your punishment game end?"

"Actually, it's not a punishment game..."

"The moment Mizuto gives you a lecherous look, it's over! Hah!"

Accompanied by shouts that sounded like they were about to beat me up, Izana grabbed my arm.

A soft, easily deformable, and unfathomable sensation enveloped my entire arm as Isana rested her chin on my shoulder, giggling.

(Illustration 011)

"Hot girls don't keep their distance from people. They're not afraid even if their breasts touch."

"Don't spread this serious prejudice."

To be honest, you're no different from usual right now.

"Don't be shy, Ms. Yui, come on—"

"Hey! I want one too!"

"Be a total hottie! For this moment, let yourself be shameless!"

No, wait a minute. That's not a good idea!

"—I...I understand...!"

There wasn't even time to stop it.

With a determined look on her face, Yui hesitated for a moment before standing in the opposite position from Isana, grabbed my arm—with an attitude of "I don't care anymore!"—and hugged it with her whole body.

(Illustration 012)

In an instant, the sensation of the soft, elastic touch covering my entire upper arm—though not as deep as Isana's—made my mind race with a series of sparks.

The girl, so close that her breath touched my face, looked into my eyes as if pleading and said:

"……How about it?"

They actually... asked me... how... I was...?

"In short, all I can say is... this is very embarrassing."

That's not the kind of behavior you should do in public. I felt like everyone on the street was staring at us, which made me very agitated. But thankfully, it also prevented my head from exploding.

Perhaps she understood what I meant. Jie Nu blushed rapidly and said:

"You're...you're right! I'm sorry...!"

Thank you for letting go immediately.

While feeling relieved, he also felt a little lonely with his right arm, which had lost the warmth of the woman's body.

As for Izana, who was clinging to my left arm, she giggled and said:

"Looks like my hot girl charm has the edge. Hot girls don't have the common sense or shame to care about what others think!"

"You should let go of me now. And stop spreading prejudice."

“Ah!”

I used my freed right hand to push Izana away, and easily pulled her off me. I think most gyaucasians probably know more common sense than you do.

I let out a sigh, using it to cool down my brain.

Seriously... compared to the relatively well-behaved boys' group, the girls on this tour really went too far.

I stole a glance at the girl, whose outfit was a complete 180-degree turn from her usual conservative style.

—Will we be returning to the same home tomorrow?

Even if I can control myself now... who knows what will happen tomorrow? You idiot.

Higashito Isana◆ This trend is unavoidable

"Mmm~..."

I feel like something's really weird.

As I slurped the udon noodles into my mouth, I observed the atmosphere at the table.

My friend Mizuto was still quietly putting his fried noodles into his mouth as usual, but I felt that he was turning his eyes to face us less often than usual. In front of him... there's no need to hide it, Yui was sitting in a spot where Mizuto wasn't looking, and she also hardly spoke to him, only chatting with Minami sitting next to her.

I feel there seems to be a distance between the two of them today.

When I sat down here, I was actually being polite and wanted to leave the seat next to Mizuto empty, but Yui didn't even look at me and just sat down in front of him.

Okay, maybe sitting in front is better than sitting to the side, but as far as I can vaguely remember, didn't she insist on making room for Shuidou to sit next to her while she was soaking her feet in the hot spring?

Mizuto, too, it's rare for him to go on a trip with Yui, but he doesn't seem to have any intention of making a move on her. I'm glad he's willing to take care of me, but I'm not a child anymore, I don't need to be watched 24/7.

In contrast, I truly respect that senior's positive attitude.

She had just put on the date outfit everyone had helped her choose and went to her date. That determined look on her back was like that of a warrior. I thought to myself with immense admiration: So that's what the back of a girl determined to confess her feelings looks like.

...Oh, I sound like I'm talking about something that doesn't concern me. I almost forgot, I also confessed to Mizuto-kun. I wonder if I looked like that upperclassman back then?

However, considering the situation between Mizuto and Yui, they've essentially reconciled, so things might not be as simple as they seem. Besides, they still live under the same roof—becoming just ordinary friends like I am might not be so easy.

Even if I were to take it personally, if it weren't a rejection after confessing my feelings, but rather a breakup after dating for some reason—well… I'd still feel awkward, wouldn't I?

I must say, I really admire them for being able to be step-siblings.

If it were me, I would definitely stay in my room and refuse to come out, or I would be living a decadent life driven by lust. I'm sure of that.

Before we knew it, lunch was over, and we all left the food street together.

"Xiaoyue, where are you going this afternoon?"

"Oh, sorry, I have my own plans this afternoon."

"what?"

Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn.

Nan quickly grabbed the arm of the thug (I'm referring to Kawanami), and openly announced:

"Well, we're off on our date now! See you all this evening—!"

"Huh? No, wait a minute!"

Pulling along the bewildered-looking thug, Nan disappeared into the sea of ​​people.

My classmate and I could only stand there, mouths agape, watching them leave.

"I've had my suspicions ever since I heard they were childhood sweethearts, but I never expected..."

"When...when did they...?"

Turns out that guy was clearly flirting with Nan, but he called himself a "love ROM specialist." I knew that guy was unforgivable. That scoundrel must die.

"...I don't understand what they're trying to do."

Only Mizuto looked somewhat suspicious.

Four out of ten people skipped the trip, citing dates as an excuse. It's unbelievable that discipline on a student council-organized trip could be so poor. At this point, not going on the dates seems rather strange—

"Hmm."

I've got a great idea!

All you have to do is jump on the bandwagon.

"Mizuto-kun."

"Um?"

I tugged at Shuidou's sleeve and said it.

"Let's go on a date too!"

"...Huh?"

"Together with my classmate Yui, the other two!"

"...Huh?"

Starry Sky Distant Guide ◆ All-Out Attire

In front of the colossal giraffe statue she had designated as our meeting place, the guy waited for me, fidgeting with his bangs.

Seeing her completely different appearance from before, I was puzzled for a moment.

A loose-fitting knit sweater paired with a knee-length pencil skirt—perhaps because she was feeling the cold, she was wearing tights. This outfit was completely different from her usual childlike style, appearing more mature and composed.