My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 265

The next morning, it was the third and final day of the trip.

After checking out of the hotel and sending our luggage back home, we walked to the station at our destination.

It's called a station—but it's not a tram station.

It's an aerial cable car.

There's an aerial cable car from Arima Onsen that goes directly to the summit of Mount Rokko. Today's itinerary is to take that cable car to see the view from the top, then take a ground cable car down to the foot of the mountain from another station, and finally take a train back to Kyoto from the nearest station.

"I originally wanted to visit the Takeda Castle Ruins, but it's too far from here and would take several tens of minutes to climb the mountain. There were too many people this time, so I gave up on it."

This is what the planner, Hong, said.

Then she said to me, "How about the two of us come together next time?" I replied first, "I can carry your luggage if you want." -- Casually refusing her might actually ignite her motivation.

From the air, Mount Rokko is ablaze with a deep, fiery red in autumn. The unique experience of walking amidst a raging inferno makes the trip worthwhile.

If everything had gone smoothly, Ya Shuang should already be clinging to Xing Bian, excitedly making a ruckus.

However, in reality, the two of them were looking down at the mountains below from different windows. Asou not only didn't make a fuss, but she even waited for Irito or Minami to speak before replying with a word or two.

I don't need to come and see; everyone knows what's going on.

According to Ya Shuang's plan, today was supposed to be their first date after becoming a couple. So the more beautiful the scenery, the more likely another possible scenario would flash through her mind, preventing her from simply appreciating the view.

On the other hand, there is another couple that bothers me.

That is, Kawanami, who is talking to Hoshibe-senpai, and Minami, who is talking to Asou.

These two haven't spoken a single word since this morning—or rather, it seems to me that Kawanami is unilaterally avoiding Minami.

"........."

I held back my sigh.

Although I had a feeling this trip wouldn't be easy, I didn't expect my prediction to be so accurate.

The so-called men and women, it's true that nothing good ever comes of them acting together.

Irito Yume ◆ What she really wanted to touch was something else.

Stroking and kneading.

Senior Sister Ya Shuang was intently stroking and rubbing the sheep's wool.

After arriving at Rokko Hill Station by cable car, we explored the surrounding exotic areas, souvenir shops, and terraces with beautiful views.

She had bought all the souvenirs for Sakamizu and her friends, as well as for her mother, and had a very fruitful shopping experience, but Asou-senpai was still as listless as ever...

After leaving the terrace that offered a panoramic view of Kobe, the senior student slowly said:

"I want to go to the ranch."

There is a ranch on Mount Rokko, which can be reached by bus in about 20 minutes from the nearby bus stop. This ranch, which is well-maintained and decorated like a theme park, has fenced-off pastures everywhere, where sheep, goats, dairy cows and other animals live freely.

I've heard that when someone is on the verge of a breakdown, they seek healing from animals.

As soon as Senior Sister Ya Shuang saw the sheep strutting around in the pasture, she was drawn over and began to stroke their wool without stopping.

"Hehehe... You're so soft... Unlike me, I'm such a skinny guy..."

Despite being healed, Senior Sister Ya Shuang let out a strange, eerie laugh.

It's not just sheep.

She saw the Dutch dairy cow squat down beside it and said:

"Hehehe... Your breasts are so big... If I were like you, maybe I wouldn't be in such a bad situation...?"

Upon seeing the cute rabbits, he squinted his eyes and looked at them, saying:

"Hehehe... I wish I were as cute as you guys..."

It's simply unbearable to look at.

How could a combination of an animal and a high school girl be so heartbreaking?

Senior Sister Ya Shuang chuckled as she stroked the round Angora rabbit.

"Ah...so soft...so warm...I'm starting to want a pet...please, Mom, let me get a cat..."

"Absolutely not!"

I've heard that too! I heard that once someone starts keeping a pet, they'll never be able to get married!

Ignoring the unanimous complaints from me, Xiaoyue, and the student council president, Senior Yashuang just kept chuckling and stroking the rabbit. The condition is really serious…

"...Aisa".

Just like announcing layoffs to employees, the president put her hand on senior sister Ya Shuang's shoulder.

"We've discussed this before and made a decision. Would you mind telling me about it?"

"Huh? What is it...?"

"We'll go back to the station for lunch later. Then we'll take the cable car down the mountain and head straight back to Kyoto. But in between, we're adding another activity to our itinerary."

Our reckless intervention will only complicate the situation further.

All we outsiders can do to help her is prepare time...

"Near the garden terrace where we just strolled, there's a rather beautiful tower, which serves as an observation deck for people to enjoy the view from the mountain. The space at the top of the tower isn't very large, so it can't accommodate too many people."

"Huh? Uh... what does that mean?"

"Why don't you go together with Senior Xingbian?"

"……well?"

Senior Sister Ya Shuang let out a strange, off-key scream, her eyes wide with shock.

"I'll help you with what Xingbian said. Anyway, just go to the top of that tower. Ask him what you want to know there."

"The things I wanted to ask... he dumped me!"

The senior's loud voice scared the rabbit away.

"I don't dare face him... I don't know what to say to him... At this point, what's the point of asking...!"

"But weren't you constantly asking 'why' before?"

Asuha-in's words seemed to be forcing her to confront the problem.

"You must really want to know, right? Even if you can't be together—you'd at least want to know what Hoshibe-senpai thinks."

"This...is...not...wrong..."

Even if we can't be together.

What he was thinking was—that clarifying this little thing wouldn't hurt to consider it a parting gift.

"Now that things have come to this, let's not hold back anymore, Asahi."

The president grabbed Senior Sister Ya Shuang's shoulder tightly.

"If a senior would dislike you over something so trivial, you would have been disliked long ago. Am I wrong?"

"……No……"

"The guy you like isn't some spineless coward who can't even give a reason for dumping a girl. Am I wrong?"

"…………No…………!"

"Okay, even if you or we're both wrong..."

The president chuckled as usual and said:

"At least I'll clean up the mess for you. You can touch Lan's breasts as much as you want."

"Huh! The student council president!"

We all burst out laughing.

That's right. It's just a breakup, it won't kill you.

After a breakup and heartbreak, a different kind of smile should bloom.

"...Ugh...!"

Tears welled up in Senior Sister Ya Shuang's eyes.

"Can I...do this...? Can I really...struggle one more time...?"

"You're so naive. Didn't I just say that?"

The president gently poked Senior Sister Ya Shuang's forehead.

"From the very beginning, no one has ever given you special permission to pester me."

So you don't need to think so much, and you don't need to be afraid of anything.

Because this courage—had already existed in the senior's heart.

Kawamura Kogure◆Kai

"well……"

The air on the mountain was so fresh and pleasant, yet my sighs felt incredibly heavy.

Irito, who was walking next to me, glanced at me... but said nothing and continued on his way.

"Hey, at least say something, little brother Irito."

"What do you want me to say?"

"You clearly noticed! You could tell I'm really upset! As a friend, you couldn't even offer a word of concern!"

"Won't."

"So heartless!"

What an ungrateful guy. He's so overprotective of Dongtou.

Well, if he really cares about me, I have nothing to say in return.

At most, I could only reply with "It's nothing." If it were me, I'd be furious to be answered like that by someone whose face screams "I don't know what I'm doing." I'd think, "Then don't be so obvious."

To be honest, there's really no way to discuss this kind of thing with anyone.

I hate that I can't help but think of my childhood friend as a woman—I don't think anyone will understand how I feel, no matter how much I talk to them. Even if I told them about what happened at the hot spring last night, they would just think I was showing off my relationship. But if they only pretend to empathize or sympathize with me, I might just have an emotional outburst on the spot.

Irito probably chose to remain silent because he was considering my feelings—let's just assume that's the case.

...Now that I think about it, I really never discussed my troubles with anyone.

I only listen to others confide their troubles, but never speak up myself—does this mean I'm withdrawn? Do I pretend to be friendly and approachable on the surface, but actually always keep my distance from others?

In this respect, Xiaoyue might be quite similar to me.

I can't even imagine what it would be like for that person to confide in someone. In fact, she probably hasn't even mentioned my physical condition to anyone.

They were more like siblings than childhood sweethearts.

Thinking about it this way, I realize that my feelings are actually quite reasonable. If someone discovered that they would feel excited about their older or younger sister, of course they would feel disgusted with themselves.

There's only one difference between us and our siblings...

There was a period when I was excited about that guy and had no doubts about him.

And I once ignored this fact, unilaterally berated that guy, and dumped her harshly.

"...Senior, may I bother you for a moment?"

At this moment, the student council president went to talk to Xing Ge, who was standing a little further away.

The girls used to always go out in groups, but now she's all alone. I wonder what happened?

I was puzzled, but the next sentence cleared up my doubts.

"Aisha has something she wants me to convey."

Oh... I see.

Senior Sister Ya Shuang, you still haven't given up.

She said, "I'm waiting for you at the 'Watchtower.' Please come."

for sure.