My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 314

Looking back, I realize I should have just said it directly at that point.

Actually, Yui and I are sworn siblings.

However, by skipping this step, I chose the foolish option of procrastination.

"Is it the neighbor's? They're probably broadcasting someone's live stream outside."

"Is that so? The tone sounds quite natural..."

"Even managers talk in everyday situations, right?"

"Who would be so serious about doing a live stream in broad daylight?"

This is just pure prejudice.

"Hmm... Well, that's true. It's impossible for Mizuto to bring two girls home at once..."

"Of course."

"Even if there were, it would probably just be me and Yui-chan..."

"Then you can't be there."

"Could it be that Mizuto... has a third woman?!"

"Where did the second one come from?"

It seems they managed to keep it a secret.

"Okay, enough joking around. I'd like to visit Mizuto-kun's house sometime. I'm really curious about the lineup on his bookshelf."

"Yes. That way I won't have to keep running back and forth in front of the bookshelves..."

No, wait a minute.

"Mizuto-kun, what's wrong?"

"...No," I hesitated for a moment, "Wouldn't it be okay if Yui was also present at the same time?"

"Huh, why?"

"I couldn't possibly let you come alone. I do have a girlfriend, for one."

"Ah, I see. I forgot about that. Come to think of it, I'm a girl."

Hehehe, Dongtou chuckled shyly. I breathed a sigh of relief.

That should solve the problem.

Well, in the worst-case scenario, being exposed to the East Head is still acceptable—the trouble is with Asuhain-kun.

If my relationship with her were even slightly better, it would be easier to talk to Jie Nu—at least I don't want to see any trouble happen.

I was walking back from the convenience store towards the restroom to wash my hands.

Living under the same roof as a woman your own age may be the dream of many, but there are also many things to be aware of.

Especially when it comes to things related to showering, to avoid accidentally finding yourself naked like in a comic book, you need to come up with a solution. Hang a sign on the door of the changing room in the bathroom, and just flip it to the "showering" side when you're taking a shower.

Even though it was already evening, I wasn't going to let my guard down. After carefully confirming that the sign on this side didn't say "Taking a Shower," I opened the door to the changing room.

Then I saw two completely naked women.

“…Huh?”

"Eh?"

With her long, wet hair, the woman turned her head.

Although her body appeared exceptionally petite due to the misty atmosphere, her feminine voluptuousness was in no way diminished. The curves from her waist to her hips, as well as the fullness of her breasts, were all above average, making her physical beauty all the more striking against the backdrop of her elementary school-like physique.

Tomorrow's Leaf Garden - Orchid.

The two girls stared wide-eyed, as if time had stood still. Despite holding towels, they were completely exposed. Their chests, abdomens, buttocks—even their private parts—were clearly visible.

The brain is frozen.

Memories from just seconds ago flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern. The sign—it wasn't the "Taking a Shower" side. Yes. That's right. But why—

In the frozen world, the pink flowers blooming atop the bowl-shaped ginkgo nuts were imprinted in my vision.

This is the first time in my life I've seen a woman naked.

"—Asuhain-kun—! It's about time for him to appear—wait!?"

The woman who came down the steps was taken aback when she saw me.

Then—whoosh, a loud crash.

Asuhain's body lost its power.

"Wow! Asuhain-kun!"

Asahi-no-Yuan fell backward with a thud, completely unprepared, while Yui-no-Yu rushed over in a panic.

I finally came to my senses and closed the door to the changing room.

"Huh? Huh? What's going on? Mizuto-kun, what's going on!?"

The woman asked from the other side of the door, and I sighed deeply.

"The sign... wasn't flipped over. I assumed no one was inside..."

"Huh? The brand—oh! I forgot to mention it..."

According to Yui, it seems that she spilled the juice on Asuhain-kun.

Since the clothes were taken to be washed, I suggested that she take a shower in the meantime.

"I'm so sorry...! It's all my fault for not explaining clearly..."

"If you want to apologize, go apologize to her..."

Sigh, I sighed.

Unexpectedly, this accident didn't happen to Yui, who had always lived with her, but to her friend...

I staggered away from the scene and went up the stairs.

◆ Irito Yume ◆

The shirt I lent her bulged out from the inside.

Nevertheless, since it's not exactly an ill-fitting size, it's still a really exaggerated figure. It seems like finding the right bra size must be quite difficult.

Asahi-no-Yuan sat upright in my room, clenching his fists and pressing them hard on his knees.

"A major blunder in my life... How could I be so careless in a house with a man in it..."

"No, no... It was my fault for forgetting to tell you about the brand..."

Asahi-no-Yuan just woke up, and I've already given her a thorough apology.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of situation that men find repulsive...

Faced with such a long-awaited and devastating defeat, I was utterly dejected. However, since Asuha-in suffered an even greater blow, I couldn't just remain depressed like this.

"I'll give Mizuto a proper talking-to later, okay?"

"No...it's not like that. More than being seen naked...I can't forgive myself. Why was I so careless...? I should have sensed someone getting close, but why...!"

Asahi-no-Yuan's eyes were brimming with tears, and her body was trembling uncontrollably. This was the first time I'd ever seen someone so self-reproachful. I never imagined this would be the first time I'd witnessed such a situation.

If Mizuto and I were just siblings, I might jokingly say something like, "Let Mizuto take responsibility!" But coincidentally, he's my boyfriend.

He was my boyfriend, but he saw my friend naked.

I feel like I'm getting a little too angry.

However, since it was originally my mistake, I can't really get angry.

"Ahhh...why...ahh ...

Asuhain covered her face and collapsed to the side, lifeless. Just like me when I'm awkward talking to people. This was the first time I'd ever seen Asuhain like this, and I couldn't help but find her somewhat adorable.

"How should I put it... I don't really have anything to say..."

I sat down next to Asuhain and gently placed my hand on her shoulder.

"If you don't mind, feel free to say anything... Please complain to me!"

This is the only way I can extinguish the feeling of self-blame.

Because even I feel helpless about my own clumsiness...

Asahi-no-Yuan's expression gradually calmed down, and he glanced up at my face.

Then, his blank gaze turned to the underside of the table, and he muttered something.

"...Boys should just disappear from this world..."

"Haha. That way, such accidents wouldn't happen."

"Yes... Boys are so stupid and pathetic... They're the ones who are 'promiscuous'... I'm not like that at all..."

Speaking of which, Asuha-in doesn't like being called by his full name. (Translator's note: This is explained in volume seven.)

The last character of a surname combined with a given name can create a laughingstock.

"...Asuha-in-san is so cute...she must have a crush on you!"

"If I were to be bullied like that, I wouldn't need to be cute or anything like that."

Although it's a luxury, it must be a very profound experience for Asuhain.

"It would be best if all the boys disappeared...that way there would be world peace..."

While I really want to say that there are good guys out there, that's not the kind of thing Asuhain wants to hear right now.

So I could only remain silent, gently comforting her and staying by her side.

I hope she will understand someday.

I can't bring myself to say something like "Go fall in love"... but I know there are many things in this world that are gentler than I can imagine...

Just as I was pondering this, a weak knock came at the door.

Who could it be? Could it be...?

I stood up and opened the door. And just as I expected, standing outside was Mizuto.

"Mizuto-kun?...Could it be that you've come to apologize?"

"That's about right."

I glanced at Asuhain-kun behind me.

"Excuse me, it's best not to disturb her right now..."

"I know. Just give this to her for me."

As Shuidou said this, he stuffed a nylon bag into my hand.

I glanced inside and saw a few convenience store desserts.

"This is……"

"The compensation for emotional distress is a bit cheap... but it's better than doing nothing, right?"

I took the nylon bag, and Shuidou hurriedly left through the doorway.

"I'm so sorry... I won't be leaving the room today, so don't worry about running into me again."

After saying that, he returned to his room next door.

I closed the door, looked at the contents of the bag, and a smile gradually appeared on my face.

As expected of my boyfriend. Although, considering the price of seeing him naked, it was definitely a bargain for him.

"To Asuhain-kun.

I placed the nylon bag on the table and said to Asuhain.

"I heard it's as an apology. From Mizuto-kun."

"……apologize……?"

Asuhain stared at the nylon bag with an incredulous look.