My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 262

For the first few seconds, I was so relieved that I didn't notice anything amiss.

Then I realized that a chilling terror ran down my spine.

Not only that, but in the next moment...

I discovered that I could raise my arms above my shoulders—and it didn't hurt at all.

Ah.

It turns out it had already been cured.

The one who couldn't be cured was actually me.

I can't even be serious when facing myself.

Asou Aisa ◆ I dare not ask to be like Cinderella

After waiting in line for a while, the two of us went into the circular carriage to be alone.

By the time we were queuing, it was almost dark. The carriage doors closed, and the carriage swayed slightly as it slowly turned into the night sky.

"I remember you weren't afraid of the dark?"

The senior student sitting opposite me said.

"I'm not afraid at all. When I went to Tokyo, I even stood on the transparent floor of the Tokyo Skytree."

"Really? I'm not that brave..."

"Isn't the senior usually like he's always staying at a high place?"

"Nobody takes their own height into account."

I chuckled, just like any other day. So, my senior probably didn't notice the tension that filled my entire being.

I had already decided to choose this place in the end.

While choosing Kobe's night view might seem a bit overkill, it's precisely this classic, old-fashioned way that's romantic. I think this is a little joke, but it better expresses my feelings.

Ah, but—things don't always go as planned. I didn't expect to be this nervous. I don't think I can express myself well. The lines I've practiced hundreds of times seem to be falling further and further off the ground.

Senior.

Our relationship started off badly, right? No, probably more than that. We barely exchanged a few words back then. We were probably just not very interested in each other.

Senior.

We were clearly on bad terms back then, and I really admire how you could still put on airs and give me advice. People like you are called "instructionists," you know? Now you've learned your lesson, you know that meddling doesn't always end well, right? It's all your fault for doing that, that's why I'm bothering you like this now.

Senior.

I was surprised to learn you're quite the homebody. But actually, I'm a little happy because I can share things I like with you. I'm saying this without any ulterior motives. Yes, I'm that easy to please, like a vulnerable spot being gently treated by a hot girl. But please understand. When you discover you have something in common with someone you previously didn't know how to interact with, of course you'll feel close, and even stronger than usual, right?

Senior.

Senior.

Senior—

The train carriages gradually approached the sky. The cruise ship sailed on the sea. Buildings stretched all the way to the horizon. The Kobe night view, sparkling and dazzling like an overturned jewel box, expanded endlessly.

With such a beautiful night view, could it also make me beautiful?

Let the magic last only for this moment. I dare not ask to be like Cinderella. Just five minutes, no, three minutes. No, no, just this one moment is fine, please let me become the cutest girl in the world.

So that I can express my true feelings.

"Senior—"

Those lines are all left on the ground.

When the carriage was turned to the position closest to the night sky, the words naturally flowed out:

"I hope you can watch over me for the rest of your life."

Because it was the truth, there was no self-praise involved.

Wishes and desires are directly expressed in words.

"From now on, my life will only revolve around my senior."

The glow of the night view made the senior's eyes sparkle like a kaleidoscope.

"I like you—please, be my boyfriend."

As I uttered those decisive words, the carriage suddenly swayed slightly.

However, neither I nor my senior moved or made a sound.

The starlight and the beautiful night view transformed the narrow, dark interior of the train carriage into a stage-like setting.

This is something only we know, a spotlight illuminating the silence.

We were the only two people in the whole world standing on this stage.

"……call."

After standing there frozen for a long time, the senior student finally exhaled the breath he had been holding and sat back down in his seat.

Then, he looked at my face.

He wasn't slacking off or lazy. His serious expression didn't seem like someone who would take a nap at school.

"Ya Shuang, I—"

Then, my senior gave me his answer.

Irito Yume's reply

The setting sun in the sky heralds the arrival of winter.

I gently rubbed my shoulders. Before I knew it, it was already the season that made me want to put on a jacket. Wearing light clothes during the day was fine, but wearing autumn clothes after nightfall felt a bit chilly. Of course, the sexy outfits that my friend and I were encouraged to wear by the girls were definitely too much for fear of freezing us, so we changed back into our original clothes long ago.

"Eiza is so slow..."

The president looked at his phone and murmured softly.

We had already notified everyone of the meeting time via LINE. 4:30 PM, meet in front of the giraffe statue. True to our student council spirit, we arrived on time. A few girls naturally huddled together, looking towards Gaslamp Street, waiting for Senior Sister Ya Shuang to come from there.

Gas lamps with orange lights were spaced evenly along the walkway, creating a Christmas-like atmosphere where many couples strolled. We were waiting for Senior Sister Ya Shuang and Senior Brother Xing Bian to appear among the couples, walking side by side.

It should be over by now.

Although we hadn't asked about the detailed plans, everyone had originally planned to return to the hotel around this time. So—Ayasou-senpai's confession should be over.

It's almost 5 p.m.

The senior students were a full half hour late, but we didn't complain at all; we just waited for them to show up.

“—Ah.”

The president let out a soft gasp.

I was a little slower than her, but I saw it too. I saw a figure in the crowd that was a head taller than everyone else.

It's Senior Xingbian!

Beside him—Senior Sister Ya Shuang walked over, wearing the date outfits that we all picked out that morning.

"……call."

The president's lips loosened, and he exhaled a small breath.

My heart leaped with excitement. The two of us, walking under the gaslight, didn't create any awkwardness. We walked within arm's reach, and even compared to other couples around us, we hardly seemed out of place.

"Senior!"

We waved gently to welcome the two people who were walking towards us.

Senior Xingbian glanced at us and then silently walked towards the boys, including Shuidou.

……strangeness?

Something seemed off... It was only then that I finally noticed something was wrong.

"Senior Sister—"

I looked at Senior Sister Ya Shuang's face.

The senior student looked at each of our faces...

He frowned... and then smiled.

Thank you.

It was a crying face shaped like a smiley face.

Without anyone telling us, her expression already spoke volumes.

(Illustration 013)

Volume 8: It's time to show me your full power! Let me show you your full power!

Irito Yume ◆ A single sentence can turn love into a curse

"Waaaaahh ...

Senior Sister Ya Shuang was sobbing uncontrollably.

At the same time, while soaking in the hot spring, he vigorously rubbed Asuhain's breasts.

"I got dumped! Waaah! Why?!"

I was about to ask "why" about the current situation, but seeing Senior Sister Asahi crying her heart out, I couldn't bring myself to complain. Asuha-in, who was being rubbed, probably felt sorry for her, and nestled obediently in Senior Sister's arms, occasionally making ticklish sounds like "ee-ooh" or "mmm".

"I thought I was sure I'd succeed! That idiot senior!"

Despite her appearance, Senior Sister Ya Shuang held back her tears throughout the not-so-short journey back. After all, there were outsiders watching, and besides, she certainly didn't want Senior Brother Xing Bian to see her tears.

However, after she slipped into the women's bathhouse, she immediately turned into this.

I haven't seen anyone cry like that in a long time—seeing this scene really makes me wonder how Higashito Isana could be like that.

Heartbreak is something that should make a person this sad.

The more serious you are about a relationship, the more you get hurt... The everyday life before yesterday will become unattainable.

My heartbreak had a much longer preparation period than my senior's, so I couldn't ramble on... However, the sight of my usually reliable senior crying (even while she was rubbing someone else's breasts) still deeply moved me...

"That's really strange..."

The president narrowed his eyes with a hint of heartache as he spoke.

"They're usually so close, yet he says he doesn't want her as his girlfriend. Men's hearts are truly unpredictable. I really don't know what he's dissatisfied with about Aisha?"

"How should I know?! Ugh... I said, 'Please be my boyfriend,' and he said... *hugs*, 'Sorry, I can't be your boyfriend'... Waaaaah!"

"Ouch! S-senpai, stop! Don't be so rough... Ah!"

The rubbing motions on Asuhain's body became more intense. It seemed that only the touch of her favorite junior's breasts could comfort her now.

The president frowned, looking somewhat displeased.

"I can't be your boyfriend, right? Seriously, Hoshibe-senpai, if you didn't have those feelings from the beginning, couldn't you have been clearer about it?"

"But if we're being honest, it's actually Senior Asou who's always hinting at something..."

"How lame! What a waste that I played the little devil so convincingly!"

It was truly so embarrassing that I wanted to disappear. If it were me, I would never dare to face Xingbian again...

The president moved through the hot spring with a splashing sound, gently putting her arm around Senior Sister Ya Shuang's shoulder.

"Crying too much can cause dehydration. I'll listen to your troubles, please stop crying."

"Waaah... Waaah..."

"—Oh my! Hey, don't do that! Don't rub my thing too!"

I smiled wryly as I looked at Senior Sister Ya Shuang, who was flanked by two women. If I were to approach her now, I might suffer the same fate.

"...I feel like I've heard this somewhere before..."

As he watched, the student next to him, Dongtou, murmured with deep feeling.

"Whether it's reliable or not is really unreliable... In the end, you'll just feel ashamed and think, 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have thought there was hope...'"

"Dongtou, classmate..."