My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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The girl who was walking behind me at a slight distance suddenly spoke.

Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?

I glanced back at her.

Jie looked up at my face, as if she was expecting something.

Why are you suddenly asking this?

"Didn't Dad ask me that just now? So, I want to hear your answer too."

I turned my gaze to the side and then looked up at the night sky.

The breath he exhaled was somewhat cold and whitish.

"I have no idea."

As I looked up, watching the white aura gradually melt into the night air, I spoke.

"To be honest, I'm so engrossed in what I'm doing right now that I don't care what the future holds."

"...What are you doing right now?"

"To cultivate Isana's talent."

I told the truth without any concealment, as if my hesitation until now was just an illusion.

"That girl is really talented. She's only been seriously drawing for two weeks, but she's really getting better and better. She's gradually gained a reputation online. This has brought me a lot of joy and fun."

Seeing that she has gradually gained a regular following on illustration social media, I have created a Twitter account for her.

Although the number of followers is still small, it is increasing every day, and the first illustration has already received more than a hundred likes.

These clearly visible results gave me a distinct sense of accomplishment and excitement.

"This is the first time I've had such a strong desire to actively 'invest' in something."

I have always felt like I am searching for myself through reading.

However, no matter how much I absorb from other people's lives, nothing ever comes of itself within me.

For the first time in my life, I had a wish.

How far can Higashito Isana grow? — My heart screamed with the answer.

"So—although I haven't made a decision yet—if there's another path that can help me achieve this goal, I might not go to Kyoto University."

I'll try to make it sound as lighthearted as possible.

"You'll be going to Peking University after high school, right? You're studying at Rakuten University, you're the top student in your grade, and you're a student council member, so this path is practically set. Maybe we'll end up going to different universities—finally, our goal has been achieved."

I smiled, finding it somewhat ironic.

I initially applied to this high school because I wanted to attend a different school than my daughter. But because we both had the same intentions, things have turned out this way.

This time, because we have different intentions, we certainly won't attend the same school.

Although that's two years away in the distant future.

She, who explores endless possibilities, and I, who have already set my goals, can never walk the same path.

-- Sigh.

I was forced to understand this situation.

I just accepted it, I just understood it. I know in my heart that there's nothing I can do about it.

This sensible and resigned attitude proves that Uncle Keikoin was right.

I have already determined my definition of happiness.

I have long carried a mission on my shoulders.

I do like Yui, but I lack the motivation to build a happy family with her.

I hope this moment can be paused for a while.

Now I know why I prayed that way so naturally.

Because if I keep going, I'll find that I can't make Yui happy.

The frozen atmosphere melted into the air.

At the same time, childhood dreams also vanished.

The trap set by God has us completely bewildered.

But at this moment, I finally understood.

We are not destined to be together.

"No."

Someone grabbed my right hand.

Her slender, frozen fingers gripped my hand tightly, like a child's.

"No. I...I don't want that."

It sounded like a child's innocent words.

It was a clear statement.

The woman stared into my eyes with a reckless expression.

"I...don't want you to leave me."

"……you……"

This is the decisive statement.

This statement has given decisive significance to those behaviors that are still disguised as jokes and used subtle provocation as a cover.

However, the girl shook her head weakly.

"I won't say it, I just won't say it. This time... I'm going to make you speak first."

Because last time, you were the one who spoke first.

"so……"

Jie hugged my arm tightly with all her might, as if trying to infuse my body with her icy breath, and leaned close to say to me:

"I absolutely...won't let you escape."

Volume 9: The Proposal Isn't Enough, Chapter 3: The War of Evil Thoughts

Asou Aisa ◆ was already mentally prepared

The operation was a success.

Every time I meet with my senior, I gradually reduce the number of bra pads I use, and today I finally got them all down to zero.

However, I still wore a bra that lifted and boosted my bust to make it appear larger.

In short, to this day, my senior has not questioned my bra size.

And then... when the date ended—

The moment of destiny has finally arrived.

"...Would you like to come to my house?"

He spoke clumsily and rudely, but he clearly had ulterior motives.

I have no right to criticize him. Because I have the same thoughts in my head.

"...Then I'll take my leave."

I was invited into the room by my senior, and to my surprise, it was surprisingly clean.

Before we started dating, I saw his room once, and I remember it was a bit messier than it is now... I guess he cleaned it especially for me.

"It looks so clean! That's rare."

"It's none of your business."

I mocked him as usual, he brushed me off as usual, and I chuckled to myself as usual.

Creating that kind of atmosphere as soon as we walked in would make us seem too eager or too shy. So my senior and I both tried our best to maintain a normal attitude.

I glanced at the bookshelf, then at the desk, and paced around the room. I casually sat on the edge of the bed, and we both looked at the same phone, watching the same video…

Gradually, the distance between us slowly closed.

My senior's large hand overlapped mine, which was resting on the bed.

"……ah."

My heart pounded violently.

Listening to my heart pounding as if it were about to explode, I mustered my courage and gently leaned on my senior's shoulder.

Then, my senior gently grabbed my shoulder.

I looked up in response, and our eyes met for a moment—

—As if they were groping each other, their lips slowly overlapped.

"……Um……"

My first kiss was on our first date after we started dating.

That happened before I discussed the plan to reduce breast padding with Rin and the others.

I was joking with him as usual when he suddenly silenced me with a forceful kiss. Even after our lips parted, I was still stunned. He said, "You like this kind of thing, don't you?" His eyes darted around shyly. Senior, you really understand me. Including my own innocent, yet somewhat timid, side, I grew to like him even more, to the point of almost going crazy.

This kiss marks the next stage.

It's a ritual that allows each other to touch, a sign of recognition and acceptance...

The end of a long kiss is a sign that you're mentally prepared.

"........."

"........."

In the silence where only the sound of my heartbeat could be heard, I glanced left and right, and then with my tense and stiff hands, I finally managed to unbutton the top button of the girl's shirt.

Then lower your hands and give your body to your senior.

The senior understood what I meant and slowly unbuttoned my clothes with his well-defined knuckles.

When the front of my shirt opened, exposing my upper body, which was only covered by a bra, to my senior, my brain started to burn.

In my senior's hands, the protective clothing was removed piece by piece. It felt like some kind of sacred ritual, a step that bound me to him...

The process culminated in the sound of the bra clasp popping open.

The bra strap slipped off my shoulder, down my upper arm and elbow. I took a deep breath and then lowered my trembling hand that was clutching the cups.

The bra that had been taken off made a soft sound as it fell onto the bed.

The senior student stared wide-eyed and gasped.

My senior saw me completely naked and without any cover.

"...Um, senior..."

Even at this point, I still stubbornly refuse to admit it and continue to make excuses.

"My breasts... my breasts look smaller when I take off my bra... so..."

"no."

The senior seemed eager to deny it, then looked away as if trying to escape.

"...I think you're very beautiful, but I'm afraid that saying it will make me look like a bad guy...I'm sorry."

—Ugh, this guy is really something.

Despite his tall stature, it seems like one or two women are nothing to him, yet he is a genuine virgin.

No matter how much I like him, I can't match his charm.

"...Senior?"

I regained my composure a little and laughed mischievously.