My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 289

I slammed my fist hard on the bed.

This doesn't change anything.

Volume 9: A Proposal Isn't Enough, Chapter 4: Farewell to the Past

Star-Edge Remote Guide: Determination and Courage

I used to think that Christmas was something that other people celebrated.

To put it bluntly, it's a religion that has nothing to do with me, and the birthday of a great person I have no connection with, so it's not wrong to say that someone else is celebrating it—in short, for me, it's a strange day where people with partners are excited and restless, while people without partners are arguing about something.

Until a month ago, I never dreamed that I would be shopping with my girlfriend on Christmas Day.

People's opinions really do change all the time. Last year, I felt it was none of my business, but this year I feel like this day exists just for us.

"Sigh... It's completely dark now."

Aisha looked up at the night sky and said.

It's already deep winter. It must have gotten dark a few hours ago, but I didn't have time to look at the sky while I was looking at the lights or eating.

Because of this girl, Asou Aisha, she just really catches my eye.

However, that's all for today. It's not too late yet, I should take her home as soon as possible. Although I thought this, I didn't say a word.

Am I reluctant to leave? That's too much sentimentality, not suitable for a big guy like me.

No matter how reluctant we are to part, it's no use; the trip is over. We've done everything we were supposed to do for Christmas. If we need to find something else to do—

"...Senior, let me tell you something."

Aisha gently tugged at our hands.

"I want to...go somewhere."

now?

As I was about to ask that question, I glanced to the side and saw the girl covering her mouth with her scarf, her face flushed with embarrassment.

All her thoughts were hidden in that expression.

It is determination and courage.

"—Could you... let me... try again?"

Irito Yume ◆ Christmas Girls' Party

As I imagined, Chairman Hong's house was the kind of luxurious mansion you'd see on TV.

It's a three-story building, with a garage that can fit three cars, and...

"The house belongs to my parents, not me. What's so great about it... But the good thing is that the living room is really big."

The living room is so big that it's impossible to tell how many square meters it is.

Having lived in apartments my entire life, I experienced a slight culture shock when I moved into the Irito family home. But this is on a completely different level. Categorically, it should be classified as an LDK (LDK) house, but the L, D, and K are all at least twice the size of the Irito family home—I reckon it could easily accommodate twenty-odd people for a party.

No wonder she told us that it was okay to bring friends.

"Hahaha! It's so big it's hilarious!"

"It's America...this is practically America!"

"What do you take America for?"

Xiaoyue laughed and joked excitedly, Mashi was stunned, and Nasuka complained to her.

I felt bad that they prioritized the student council even for Christmas, so I invited my usual girlfriends to come along. I was worried that inviting three people at once might be too much, but it turned out I was worrying for nothing.

In this spacious living room, just like the one Maki described, resembling an American family home, were several female friends of either President Hong or Senior Ya Shuang. Besides being shocked that Senior Ya Shuang had female friends, what was even more astonishing was how many friends President Hong had. Six? Seven? Eight? Some were also high school students, while others were older, like university students, and some of the girls even looked like foreigners.

Among them, a petite girl seemed uneasy.

Goodnight, Asahi-no-in.

"Ah, Irito-san... Goodnight."

When Asahiko saw me, she looked slightly relieved.

She felt embarrassed to bother the president, who was busy greeting the invited friends, but she didn't know anyone else, so she must have felt very insecure.

From this perspective, we are in the same grade, and she has already met Xiaoyue, so it should be relatively easy for her to adapt.

"Where's Senior Ya Shuang? I haven't seen her..."

"I think I overslept. I don't know if I can make it in time."

"oversleep……"

But it's already evening. What time did she go to sleep?

"Ah, Asuha-in-san, let me introduce you. She is—"

I introduced Asuhain to Maki and Nasuka. Maki looked at Asuhain's chest and said, "Does Irito have the qualities that attract big breasts?" But they are both very easygoing, and even though Asuhain is a bit picky, I think we will get along well.

Just as we were getting into a good chat with Asuhain, I suddenly felt a heavy weight in my heart.

Please think about it too...!

This is my first time...

This is the first time I've seen Shuidou throw a tantrum in such a submissive way.

To me, he has always been my ideal boyfriend, my mortal enemy, and a responsible family member.

I have never seen him yell like a child before.

It's clear that he... is really troubled.

So stressed that I can no longer maintain my poker face, which I'm usually so good at, or my usual relaxed attitude.

I... didn't think about anything.

Just like a middle school student, I long for the romances that others around me are in, and I'm blinded by my dream relationship...

Mizuto is right—if we weren't family, there wouldn't be so many problems.

Just like a typical high school romance.

Perhaps I've been subconsciously escaping this reality.

However, a corner of my heart had already sensed it.

Otherwise—

—I wish this moment could linger.

—How could I possibly pray like that?

Useless excuses to delay.

A despicable suspension measure.

I knew perfectly well what was going on, but I never thought about how to make this suspension last forever.

I wanted to leave it to Mizuta to think about.

But compared to making excuses to delay, compared to temporarily shelving... this is the most despicable behavior.

"Ah! I'm so sorry I'm late!"

Just as everyone was about to raise their glasses in celebration, Senior Sister Ya Shuang finally appeared.

But what's wrong with her? Her voice sounds...

I walked up to Senior Sister Ya Shuang and asked her:

"Senior, what's wrong? Your voice is so hoarse..."

"Ah~ Yuuko... well, don't worry about it... we just went a little too wild..."

Did you sing karaoke all night?

Then Chairman Hong slipped away from his group of friends and said:

"Hi, Aisha. I heard you slept until just now? People sleep all day during the New Year, but you slept all day on Christmas. That's really something."

"I didn't get enough sleep last night... I took a nap and ended up sleeping so late..."

"Oh?"

Xiaoyue appeared behind me without my noticing, revealing a vulgar smile and her eyes shining.

"What did you say? Didn't get enough sleep? On Christmas Eve? Oh my god, I see..."

--Huh.

Could it be...

President Hong and I looked at Senior Sister Ya Shuang at the same time.

"W-What are you doing? Ugh..."

Senior Sister Ya Shuang seemed to be unable to withstand the pressure and took a step back. At the same time, the president and I could both see clearly that Senior Sister pressed down on the collar of her shirt and casually made a gesture to cover her neck.

The president calmly revealed a faint smile.

"You seemed to have a lot of fun last night?"

"...Oh well, it's alright."

Senior Sister Ya Shuang seemed to have given up resisting, revealing a shy and bashful smile.

Then──

"It was so hard to find a place! I didn't expect love hotels to be so packed on Christmas Eve! But it was really fun, with so many things that regular hotels don't have! You guys definitely have to check it out!"

He started to boast and brag eloquently.

The student council president lightly poked her forehead to stop her, and I smiled knowingly and let it go. It seems that even though she's grown up now, Senior Sister Ya Shuang is still the same old Ya Shuang.

But so that's how it is... Last night...

When I showed my underwear to Mizuto, my senior and Hoshinobe had already finished making love until their voices were hoarse...

...Waaaaah~ Waaaaah~!

An indescribable mix of shyness and frustration washed over me at the same time, leaving my mind in a complete mess. Then, as if the aftereffects were kicking in—if Senior Sister Ya Shuang could do it so smoothly, why couldn't I do it well?—the thought sent my spirits plummeting to rock bottom.

"...Kiyoko? Kiyoko?"

When I came to my senses, I realized that Senior Sister Ya Shuang's cute face was right in front of me, and I leaned back in alarm.

"What's wrong? You look preoccupied."

"...Uh, I..."

Seeing that I couldn't answer, Senior Sister Ya Shuang seemed to immediately see through the situation.

She quickly moved closer to me and whispered:

"(Could it be that...failed, the one we talked about last time?)"

"(……Um.)"

I nodded hesitantly, and Senior Sister Ya Shuang sighed, "I see..." and then said:

"(Oh, it's okay, it's okay!)"

She hugged my shoulders tightly and said cheerfully:

"(It's not like anyone's going to die from failing to seduce someone once or twice! Look at that genius girl over there! Do you know how many times that girl offered herself up and was rejected by Uncle?)"

........................

"(That makes sense...)"

"(Is it? Is it?)"

"...Why does it feel like I just overheard an extremely unpleasant conversation?"

The president, who was chatting with other friends, frowned and turned around.

"Oh no!" Senior Sister Ya Shuang muttered to herself, then said "No, no" to cover it up.

"(Like me, I didn't get any response for over a year! Then there was a stunning reversal, and then yesterday... yesterday... hehehe...)"

Senior Sister Ya Shuang let out a sly laugh that sounded exactly like Dong Tou's.