My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 301

...Oh, so innocent.

It's just a very simple, self-evident truth that many adults talk about.

So this is the foundation of trust that is more steadfast and reliable than anything else.

...I must be blind.

Upon closer reflection, Kawanami had already said the same thing.

The answer was already in my heart from the very beginning.

These aren't lovebirds, they're the bluebirds of happiness!

"—Respect..."

As if savoring its meaning, Jie Nu murmured.

"I also...respect you very much."

Thanks.

"I also...respect Dongtou-kun..."

"so?"

"I see."

It's as if a mystery that has been unsolvable for so long has now been solved.

The girl looked enlightened and then said:

"...Oh, I see..."

It seemed as if I had become carefree from the bottom of my heart, and I was all smiles.

And that's how we got the answer.

This is the answer.

We will certainly continue to think like this for the rest of our lives, constantly updating our answers.

"Yume".

"What's up?"

"I will probably go to Kyoto University."

"what?"

"I consulted Uncle Keikoin, and he said that as long as I have the ability, the higher I set my future career goals, the better. He said that this would give me more opportunities to meet talented people in various fields—which is the fastest way for me to achieve my goals."

"...I see. Then I—"

"Would you like to come with me?"

"No... I'll think about it after I become the student council president. I think my views will be different then."

"You're quite arrogant... But I think it's a good thing."

We will each go our own way.

Each of us spreads our wings and flies in the sky called life.

However, it is definitely more efficient for two people to go forward together than one alone.

That's all.

It's that simple.

"Then, this is for you."

"what?"

When I suddenly pulled a gift box out of my pocket, Jie Nu's eyes widened.

"This is what I gave you... Hmm? But the color..."

"I bought this yesterday."

"yesterday?"

I placed it in front of the girl.

The girl carefully reached out and touched the gift box.

"This, could it be...?"

He said it in a low voice.

Then, she looked at me, observing my expression, and mustered her courage to say:

"...May I open it?"

"Of course."

Do I need to explain what's inside?

It's a ring, of course—with wing carvings.

"Ugh, ah...! This, this is...!"

"I didn't expect it to be so expensive. I just bought books for Isana and I'm short on money. So I had to rely on my connections to find a part-time job."

Jie Nu stared at the ring placed in the gift box, her shoulders trembling.

I smiled at her, resting my chin on my hand, and threw out a sentence as a Christmas Eve retort.

"Would you like me to help you put it on?"

“Eh!”

Jie Nu suddenly looked up as if she had been sprung up, gazing at me with hopeful eyes.

however……

She slowly stopped her shoulders from trembling, and as her gaze gently lowered—with a gesture of cherishing something precious—she closed the gift box.

"...Not for now."

His voice was filled with determination.

"We'll wait until one day... and then we'll talk to our mom and the others before we wear them."

"……All right."

In that case, I'll keep my ring hidden in my desk drawer for now.

Until one day, I was able to wear it on my finger without having to worry about what anyone else thought.

"—However..."

"Um?"

His earnest and sincere eyes pierced through me.

"Perhaps I would like...some clear...words."

……Too.

Things always need to be resolved.

In order to end our past relationship and begin our future journey.

"Yume-"

"—Yui-onna! Mizuto—! Time to eat—!"

"........."

"........."

The sudden sound coming from the other end of the corridor made us look at each other in surprise.

The timing was terrible.

Well, there's nothing we can do about it.

Although we are birds flying wing to wing, we are still brothers and sisters in the end.

"Let's go then."

"it is good."

So we walked down the stairs leading to the living room together.

Irito Yume ◆ Her mind is made up

The year-end television specials are already gearing up for the upcoming New Year.

After dinner, I took a shower and then spent my time on various things, big and small. Before I knew it, it would be the new year in less than half an hour.

I sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the TV. I didn't crawl into the kotatsu (heated table) because I was afraid I'd fall asleep. Although I'd already taken a nap, so I wasn't too exhausted, my body automatically started preparing for bed after eating and showering.

Shuidou was also sitting next to me on the same sofa, about a person's distance between us, leaning lazily against the armrest.

The kotatsu table in front of the TV is now occupied by Mom and Uncle Fengqiu, who are being amused by the comedians' silly antics on TV.

In half an hour, this year will be over.

About a month ago, I made a vow to myself. I told myself that if Mizuto didn't confess to me this year, I would confess to him first.

This vow was not fulfilled.

I think we have reached a consensus.

Our hearts are already connected.

However, it was never put into words.

We should have learned our lesson and know that there are limits to presuming someone else's intentions. Therefore, it's necessary to speak up. It's necessary to use clear and unambiguous words to decide on our future relationship.

These thoughts haven't yet taken shape and are hanging in the air, with the New Year just around the corner.

Irito Mizuto ◆ A word is enough

I recalled the time when Yui Ayai gave me love letters.

In my memory, I've never been so nervous reading an article. But Ayai, who showed it to me, must have been even more nervous than I was. I can still recall in vivid detail how she became like a statue, her face as if she might die at any moment.

The tension I feel now is probably different from what I felt back then.

The tension that filled Ayai's heart back then must have stemmed from unease. But now, the tension weighing on my shoulders comes from a sense of responsibility.

Next, I will make a life-altering decision.

It's not just me. The decision I made may change the lives of three people: Jie Nu, my father, and Aunt Youren.

This weight, as the clock hands move forward, grows ever larger and larger...

The New Year's Eve bells echoed faintly from afar.

When I finish striking the 108th time, will I be able to be freed from worldly troubles?

Dispel confusion and realize the truth.

What an absurd delusion. After all 108 disappear, only the 109th will appear.

—Have you made up your mind?

I asked myself that question.

I refuse to answer this stupid question.

It's not because there's already a clear answer.

Rather, it is because the words I am about to utter are its answer.

Irito Yume ◆ I adjusted my breathing

Ladies and gentlemen! It will be New Year's Day in just one minute!

Irito Mizuto◆I adjusted my posture

"Ten seconds left!"

'—Nine!'

I reached out and placed my hand on top of the woman's hand.