My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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Irito Mizuto ◆ The Twin Birds - Part 1

It is said that in old Japan, marriage was like the merger of two families.

At that time, the family system was prevalent. Simply put, the entire family was like a company with the father as the CEO. Therefore, marriage was an economic strategy to promote the close connection between different families (companies) and make both families grow stronger. So, the marriage partner was naturally decided by the father, which is why girls' schools solemnly taught students bridal training courses such as flower arranging and playing the piano.

Even though it was a brutal and heartless system from the perspective of the era of free love, it had a certain rationality from the perspective of the world situation at the time. In fact, couples who were united in this way could not divorce as easily as modern couples—even if they had some dissatisfaction with their partner, they would have no choice but to tolerate each other in every way, and with patience, they might have gradually developed a certain bond.

Can I say that would be better?

Compared to now, where I have to start from scratch based on my own will and personal judgment, would I dare say it would be better to let my family find a suitable partner for me without my consent, as was the case in the past?

...I don't know either. We'll only know when it actually happens.

At least in that situation, I had no freedom in my life. I could even leave major life events like marriage to others to figure out, so in the end, it was just trading freedom for ease.

Freedom is not easy.

I've been taking care of Isana Higashi, the freest person I know, so I know. She traded her freedom for the hardships that other high school students don't have to bear.

For example, during PE class, you might not be able to find someone to form a group, you might not be able to borrow homework to copy, or you might not have anyone to borrow a textbook from.

It would be easy to call her an outsider, but by omitting the aspect of interpersonal relationships, she acquired a talent that others lacked, and is now nurturing it. While not all outsiders can be like her, there's no doubt that she saved the resources that would otherwise be allocated to interpersonal relationships to invest in other things.

Everything is about weighing the pros and cons. You can't get anything without paying a price.

Pursuing freedom requires relative effort. It's easy to claim you're unbound and imprisoned by common sense and stereotypes. But can you, on your own, rebuild your own common sense from scratch, or reshape your stance and viewpoints unaffected by anything?

No one dares to make such a guarantee. Pioneers only receive praise when they succeed. Whether their achievements truly qualify as achievements remains to be seen, much in the future. Just as Christopher Columbus was a great explorer, but also one of the most ruthless killers.

You'll only know if you try.

Moreover, it requires the courage to try.

That is, to dispel confusion and realize the truth—to have enlightenment is not just about making verbal vows. It is not about rashly making promises with people that may not be kept.

Who can guarantee that if I'm with Jie Nu, we'll never break up?

They've already broken up once.

If it's the first time dating, there's nothing wrong with rashly promising to spend your life together. That's just naivety born of ignorance. But we already know.

Every relationship will eventually end.

Love will eventually cool down.

There is no such thing as eternal love.

I think there are probably no exceptions. It's impossible for two people who have been together for decades to never have disliked each other.

But I must say, even so...

Do you still dare to say that, Irito Mizuto?

Whether in health or sickness, joy or sorrow, rich or poor, are you willing to respect her, comfort and support her, for the rest of your life?

He's still just a high school student.

—Are you willing to swear to be faithful to her?

That's a really stupid question.

I've asked myself that question several times.

I've answered myself that question several times already.

Therefore, I can assert that this question is utterly stupid.

Stupid question.

Need I say more? Of course it's impossible.

Irito Yume ◆ The Two Winged Birds

Sixteen years.

Only sixteen years.

I was born into this world...

Mizuto was born into this world...

Only sixteen years have passed so far.

If we calculate from the time we met until now, it's been at most three years. Some couples have been dating for longer than us and still haven't gotten married. We've only spent three years together, how can we possibly commit to a lifetime together?

It's just talk.

It was just a temporary confusion.

I know very well that this is just my mood fluctuating with puberty.

If this were a romance novel, the ending would surely be beautiful. The two would be in love, vow to stay together forever, and the next page would jump directly to their wedding. The newlyweds would live happily ever after—congratulations!

Real life isn't like that.

On the contrary, it's quite obvious that love stories always end here. There's no more plot. There won't be any more heart-pounding romance, no more passionate love. Extremes meet. No one wants to see a once-intense and passionate love fizzle out and fade, so the story ends there.

The last page of a story is like a photograph in an album. Preserved in its beautiful form, it is gradually left behind by the passage of time.

Nothing in this world lasts forever.

I'm sure there's only constant change.

Only those who can overcome all changes can live a happy life.

The more I think about it, the more arduous this path seems. In truth, I should observe the essence of things more carefully. I should spend far more time racking my brains to figure out how to safely traverse this perilous road of life.

Sixteen years is too short; it's not enough.

In just three years, it has provided absolutely no help.

I think many elders would say the same thing: "You should think about it more. You're still a student; it's not too late to consider it after you enter the workforce." Every elder would offer this advice based on my limited understanding.

If I could simply ignore these grand principles, I don't know how much easier it would be.

If I could immerse myself in the emotions of the moment, and be overwhelmed by the extraordinary atmosphere...

Yes, just like that Christmas Eve—if only we could act impulsively like that.

You'll probably feel incredibly happy.

But it's all fake. Vows made under the guise of a special atmosphere like Christmas or a romantic restaurant at night can't last.

What we need...

It is in the most natural state of ordinary, everyday life—

Even so, it still has to be done.

—With this mindset, I made up my mind.

Therefore, I did not schedule a date for this crucial day.

What I want is not a piece of beautiful memory that has been cut off.

It is the other wing that allows you to continue soaring even after the last page is finished.

Irito Mizuto ◆ The Lovebirds, Part Three

There is a creature called the lovebird.

This bird, with only one wing, requires a male and female to be paired up in order to finally be able to fly side by side.

The conclusion is, am I really a pair of lovebirds?

I never thought that way; I always believed I could live on my own.

But if that's the case...

Why did I burst into tears when I watched fireworks with Yui?

I still don't quite understand my state of mind at that time. Were I crying tears of joy? Or tears of relief? I can only be sure that it wasn't from a negative emotion, but I can't properly analyze my psychology at that moment.

If you ask the woman who is in love—would she understand?

If you ask me, "Did I kiss my lover when I was crying?"

Humans actually understand themselves less than they realize. Even someone like Uncle Keikoin didn't know his own nature before his child was born.

I have decided on my direction in life.

However, I cannot look back and dwell on the path I've taken.

Unless—someone is watching over me.

Is this considered dependency? Like an outdated family system, do I want to build a family with myself at the center?

No.

I know. I know what kind of person Jie is.

I know her from the past, when she couldn't have a normal conversation with people, and I also know her now, as a competent student council member.

She can't just be a virtuous wife and loving mother.

It wasn't for me, nor for Yume.

It was for the two of us.

I think we really need a pair of wings.

Irito Yume◆Come, my mind is made up.

I woke up.

Irito Mizuto ◆ It's time for our conversation

I closed the book.

Irito Yume ◆ Brothers and Sisters Meeting - Introduction

The clock hand points to five o'clock in the afternoon.

When I woke up from my afternoon nap, I untied my hair and combed it neatly. I combed it carefully again and again, making sure there were no knots.

As I was combing my hair, someone knocked on the door.

"coming."

I put down the comb and opened the door from inside the house.

Sure enough, Shuidou was waiting for me to open the door in the hallway.

Shuidou looked at my face with an observant expression—

"Is now a convenient time?"

That's what I said.

I gently straightened my bangs.

"Yes, I'm awake now."

That's how you answer.

Then, I peeked behind the sink—at the other end of the hallway. My mom and the others probably hadn't seen me.

"Come in."

As I spoke, I made way for Shuidou and let him into the room, then closed the door.

Mizuta walked steadily into the room and sat down at the carpeted coffee table. I had originally intended to sit there too…

"ah."

"Um?"

The water bucket turned to look at me. I said to him:

"May I get some tea first? I feel thirsty after waking up."

"Hmm...it does make my mouth dry. Could you get this for me while you're at it?"

So I left the room and went down to the first floor.

Mom and Uncle Fengqiu were relaxing at the kotatsu in the living room, not paying much attention to me. Taking advantage of the situation, I quickly grabbed two cups and took out the brewed roasted tea from the refrigerator.

I carried these things in both hands and went back to my room on the second floor.