My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 307

"You were the one who started this trouble, weren't you, Yui?"

"Mwah~~~~!!"

After a series of cat-like meows, Jie covered her ears and distanced herself from me.

Then, her breasts swelled up significantly—they really got bigger—and rose and fell slightly a few times.

"...Not bad either."

"Getting smug, huh?"

"And that's it!"

Anyway, it goes really well with glasses. Congratulations!

"So from now on I'll call you 'Mizuto-kun' — ah, or should I say?"

"Um?"

"Onii-chan"

The sweet voice pierced my heart.

"—Would it be better?"

As she said this, the woman stared at my face from below.

Faced with such an upward gaze, I naturally turned my head away.

"...Only occasionally is fine."

"Do you sometimes want to be called that, Onii-chan♪"

"I already said it's only occasional!"

"Aha!"

From the very first day we moved in together, our conversations have been this stupid. It's like we've gone back to when we first started dating—how can we possibly live a normal life like this?

"—Hey. You two—!"

Just as this unease began, the instructions arrived immediately.

"Intimacy is fine, but remember to keep it within limits! Okay?

From the couple's room deep in the corridor, my new mother, Aunt Irito Yoshihito, peeked out and said with a hint of helplessness.

I and Yui said, "I'm so sorry..." and "Yes..." and shrank back.

Yes—we told each other's parents about our relationship.

When this remarriage became clear, we immediately decided to "be honest." We felt bad about keeping family matters from our parents, and we didn't think we could continue living together while keeping it a secret—we felt that being honest from the beginning was the best option rather than letting things become more complicated and eventually come to light.

For example, if I had already broken up with Jie Nu, I probably would have kept it a secret forever.

In that situation, we wouldn't have any special relationship right now, and it would be awkward to tell our parents about it. They might not remarry to protect us—but if our current relationship goes smoothly, I feel like my parents wouldn't say something like, "Then let's not remarry."

In fact, although both my father and Aunt Yu-ren were amazed by this miraculous opportunity, they were also considering a suitable compromise for us.

Initially, they planned to discuss a remarriage but not cohabitation arrangement, but Jie objected. Her reason was that "a mother should always be there"—she didn't want her own situation to hinder her mother's remarriage.

Ultimately, although remarriage and cohabitation will take place, Yui will not be considered an adopted daughter, and her surname will remain unchanged. Initially, it seems that Yui also planned to change her surname like her mother, but Aunt Yu-jin suggested (in a joking manner) that "we can save it for when we get married later?", and so it became what it is now.

There's only one rule governing our cohabitation.

Maintain a sense of propriety.

This is a rule that has multiple layers of meaning. It means to give more consideration and consideration to living together, but also not to get too happy just because you're living together—and not to go overboard with intimacy.

Is it a punishment? A punishment for us who, despite having lived a year and a half, haven't yet crossed the decisive line.

Well, things like that aren't completely forbidden. We're high school students now, so if we're just going to use common sense as a guideline—

No, no, calm down. Calm down.

This is no longer youthful impetuosity. The longevity of this family is closely related to us. We must always remember this.

Even if a couple lives under the same roof all day long, it's unreasonable to talk about liberating adolescent desires.

"—Ah, Mizuto-dō...no..."

That night, after I had roughly arranged all the luggage I had brought, I hugged Yui from behind in the first-floor corridor.

The sound of a television and conversation could be heard coming from the nearby living room. My father and Aunt Yu-ren were chatting calmly.

Their conversation couldn't stay in my mind at all; just processing the sweetness and softness of the woman nestled in my arms was enough to keep my thoughts running at full speed. My brain was already operating at full capacity simply by processing the scent and softness of the woman held in my arms.

"...Is it really not possible?"

"Um……"

After whispering something in her ear, the girl shifted her body, feeling ticklish.

"It wouldn't be good if we were seen... so, just a little while."

I immediately pinned Yui against the wall and captured her, just as I was about to catch her, and took her lips.

"Hmm... Ha..."

We can't suddenly grow into adults just because we graduate from junior high school.

Their relationship had just begun to stabilize when they were introduced to the catalyst of cohabitation, making it impossible for them to tolerate each other.

Ugh, what a dreadful adolescence.

Until the very last moment before my father and the others came out of the living room, our kisses were just repeated over and over again.

———Representative of the new students, Asahi Yuuin Ran

Spring break ended, and we officially became students of the private Luolou High School.

"In the morning, I said, looking at Yui wearing her new uniform for the first time."

"It suits you quite well."

"In which aspects?"

The girl smiled and, as if deliberately, tossed her long hair.

After much agonizing, she decided to debut in high school, but it seems she ultimately opted for a compromise. She still wore glasses, but instead of braids, she sported long, flowing straight hair.

"The uniform, the hairstyle... how should I put it... it gives off a disciplinary committee vibe."

"What?"

The girl chuckled shyly. Even I wondered, wasn't there any other compliment I could offer?

That said, there's a noticeable change. Just by letting her hair down, she's shed a lot of her childishness, giving the impression of transforming from a "girl" into a "woman." The confidence she exudes is also a crucial factor. Before, she always seemed like a timid, hesitant child.

Nothing has changed on my end; in fact, I feel a little embarrassed about it now. But even though I'm now a high school student, I have no intention of changing myself—luckily, Yui seems to like me quite a bit now, so I have no reason to drastically change my image.

Perhaps it was thanks to the slight change in her appearance, but after the entrance ceremony and when meeting her classmates, Yui chatted enthusiastically with several girls. While she wasn't extremely popular, at least she wouldn't be troubled by not being able to make friends like she was in middle school. By the way, I'm in the same class too.

Since I didn't plan on making friends, I yawned and read the paperback. Today was just a simple orientation session; I should be able to go home by noon. After getting home, I'll have lunch and then take a short nap.

— Just as I was thinking this, a message from Yui appeared on my phone with a ding.

Well, I guess that's how it is. I replied with "Okay."

Come to think of it, even though there was no prior arrangement, we just naturally wanted to go home together.

I smiled slightly when I noticed this.

Continuing from junior high, we kept our relationship a secret at school. And this time, it wasn't just a romantic relationship. Our family ties were also a secret.

It was fortunate that Yui kept her surname in the end. Thanks to this, the fact that she had a godparent among her classmates—something that piques the most interest of adolescence—was kept from her classmates' knowledge. If it had been exposed, who knows what kind of teasing she would have received.

After that, I met with the homeroom teacher. After the usual self-introductions, the orientation activity ended, and I picked up my bag and got up from my seat. Leaving behind my classmates who were trying hard to integrate into the group, I left the classroom behind.

Just as he was about to leave the classroom, he turned around for a fleeting moment and his eyes met those of the girl.

Jie looked at me and smiled, seemingly troubled.

———You haven't changed at all, Irito-kun.

That smile, in the end, probably meant just that.

I'm not entirely unchanged, though. Before meeting that person, I would never look back before leaving the classroom.

So, what should we do next?

Although I could eat at home, I wasn't that hungry...

As I wandered aimlessly down the hallway, I brushed past a petite girl. She had a serious expression and a short haircut that gave her an unapproachable aura. While I usually wouldn't pay attention to girls I didn't recognize, I vaguely remembered this one.

I remember it was the freshman representative...

Besides me, other students also noticed the short girl—similar to the old Yui-chan?—but no one went up to talk to her. Her domineering aura, incongruous with her petite frame, acted like a barrier, preventing anyone from getting close.

...If the woman with her hair down is like a disciplinary committee member, then that child is like the head of the disciplinary committee. And we should also add the words "Iron" before that.

While thinking about meaningless things, I watched that small figure disappear into the distance, and when I heard about the committee member's words—I made a completely unrelated connection.

What's it like to visit this school's library?

A fairly impressive collection of books.

Although my junior high school library wasn't bad either—it was a top-tier school, so the collection was exceptionally large. The word "library" usually conjures up images of only serious books, but the sheer volume of entertainment books and light novels filling the shelves truly amazed me. Even historically significant works, rarely seen even in secondhand bookstores, were readily available; it seems I won't have to worry about finding books for now.

I recommend this place to Yui too. Maybe she should check out some mystery books.

As I wandered among the bookshelves with these thoughts in mind, I naturally forgot to pay attention to what was in front of me.

Suddenly feeling myself lightly bump into someone, I hurriedly pulled away.

"Feel sorry"

“…………”

After subconsciously apologizing, the girl opposite him also gently lowered her head.

She was a girl with shoulder-length short hair, a hunched back, and who seemed very shy. She hugged the book as if she wanted to bury it in her ample bosom, and hurriedly left my side.

That book... is a light novel that I vaguely remember.

A girl who reads light novels? That's quite rare. And in the school library no less—judging by the color of her tie, she's probably a first-year high school student like me. She was in the library on our very first day of school; she seems like the kind of person I could really get along with.

Thinking back to what happened when I met Yume, if it were me back then, I probably would have gone to talk to her—

But now, I have a girlfriend.

You should be cautious about striking up conversations with girls you've only lightly bumped into.

Back home, after eating the fried rice Aunt Ren made for me, I sprawled out on the sofa in the living room and leisurely started reading a novel.

As I expected, becoming a high school student hasn't brought me much change. If I had to pinpoint any change—

"--I'm back--"

Hearing the words that came along with the sound of the entryway door opening, I left the living room with the book in one hand.

Welcome home

Then, she spoke to Yui, who was taking off her shoes in the entryway and was dressed in a uniform.

The girl turned her head and stared at my face through her glasses for a while.

"...Hehe"

He then gave an embarrassed and shy smile.

I silently smiled. The thought of welcoming Yui home in her high school uniform was something I would never have imagined before.

"How was the social gathering?"

"I have to admit it's a top-tier high school. I feel like I have a lot of classmates I can really chat with."

Although she's improved a lot, her nature is hard to change. I was worried that she might make a big mistake because of the anxiety and fear of being in a new environment—it seems I was overthinking it.

After taking off her shoes and standing up, Jie looked at my face and gently tilted her head forward.

"I didn't pay much attention to you at school, but I'll make up for it at home, okay?"

Faced with that devilish smile, I also put on a fearless smile in response.

"You've worked so hard at school, I'll make sure you're well taken care of at home."