My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 323

"You...you were waiting for me, right...?"

With a chuckle, Hong gave a meaningful laugh.

I found it strange. She was just drying herself, so why was she hanging the towel around her neck? Turns out she was waiting for me. She wanted to catch me after I'd turned down her invitation the other day.

But the fact that she chose to play the lucky pervert at this particular time shows that her "reference materials" still defy common sense.

Hong tucked her knee between my legs. Despite being much smaller and more petite than me, this one move made me feel as if I were being tightly entwined by the vines of a carnivorous plant.

Hong stared into my eyes and said:

"You dared to embarrass me last time."

I turned my face away from her eyes and groaned as I said:

"That...that time was...really..."

As if to interrupt me, Hong stroked my neck. The feeling of her slender fingers crawling on my skin was like waves crashing over my body, bringing waves of tingling numbness.

(Illustration 006)

My reaction seemed to amuse Hong. Although her expression remained a calm smile, her cheeks gradually flushed, and it was clear that she was becoming increasingly excited.

No, this is bad... We have to find a way to escape...!

"No...someone might come...! Quick, put on...the clothes...!"

"Since you're worried—then this time, you should at least come to my house, right?"

After saying that, Hong placed her fingers on the towel covering her chest.

"That way, you won't have to worry about being seen... You can play everything, right?"

Hong... never tells inappropriate jokes.

So I know she was never unserious. At first glance, it might seem like she was teasing me, but it was all a genuine pursuit.

It was me, who wanted to treat all of this as just a performance.

During that trip to Kobe, Hoshibe-senpai earnestly reciprocated Asou's feelings. But I only made excuses and refused to face Kurenai seriously. That's why Kurenai got anxious and started acting this way. I understand, I understand everything.

Because I have the best eye for people.

Because this is the only ability we have... with Hong as our guarantor.

Hong's fingers slowly pulled the towel aside. Her still-developing, childlike buds were gradually exposed. If I continued to remain silent, if I refused to look at her directly, I might eventually see everything. Would that be considered lucky? No, not at all. That, that, that would be—

"—Red Student!"

Before the towel was removed, I hugged Hong's body.

He pressed his body against Hong's, covering everything.

"Ouch!" Hong let out a small scream.

She was so petite, so slender, so captivating—and so I…

"...Please...don't do it this way."

I can only speak my true feelings now.

"Since it has to be this way, I... hope I can do it properly and in order."

"what?"

Hong cried out in surprise.

But in the end, she leaned closer to look at my face and sensed my nervousness from my hands, and couldn't help but smile slightly, as if to say, "I can't do anything with you."

I guess I've been completely exposed. Hong must have already noticed that I don't have the courage to look her in the eye yet. That's why she's deliberately avoiding eye contact with me.

"What order?"

They clearly knew everything, but they deliberately made trouble for me.

As I recalled my trip to Kobe, I spoke haltingly:

"...For example...let's go out and play together."

"Haven't we been there several times already?"

"Or should we hold hands...?"

"That's already been done."

"Then, let's hug..."

"We're doing it now."

Ugh, my head is a mess, I'm starting to lose my bearings.

If there's anything I haven't done yet, it's only—

"—Or... a kiss...?"

She only kissed my cheek... of course, never on the lips.

In my arms, Hong swayed slightly. Although she didn't make a sound, I knew she was laughing.

"Uncle, do you want to kiss me?"

"It's not that I want to or don't want to... it's just that generally speaking..."

"understood."

Hong wrapped her arms around my back and hugged me tightly as if she didn't want to let go.

"I'm sorry, I was a bit too hasty. I'll be more methodical and pursue you through legitimate means. Yes—after all, Valentine's Day is just a month away."

……Valentine's Day.

"And then another month later—on White Valentine's Day, you'll definitely find yourself desperately wanting to kiss me. So—"

Without warning, Hong slipped out of my arms.

Then, she turned her back to me—and with one movement, pulled the towel off her neck.

"—Let's leave the rest for later."

Hong was shirtless, but I could only see her from behind. She turned around and smiled mischievously over my shoulder.

I immediately slid down the wall and collapsed to the ground. Looking at my classmate Hong with my petite back, I no longer seemed to be bewitching, but rather displaying unwavering courage.

...Postponed.

...for a full two months.

I was the one who stopped her, but as soon as she said that, I immediately started to feel reluctant to let her go. I'm so useless.

As if she could read my mind, Hong laughed heartily.

"────────"

"──, ────"

"────"

...Oh no, this is bad.

"Hong, Hong!"

"Hmm? What's wrong? Still can't hold back—"

"I heard voices...! They're coming!"

In an instant, Hong hurriedly grabbed all her uniforms and rushed into the adjacent archives room.

A few minutes later, when Hong appeared in front of the student council members, she looked calm and composed, but the ribbon around her neck was slightly crooked.

Kawanami Kogure ◆ Always slow to realize

—This makes me feel so sad that I can only find happiness in romantic relationships.

About two weeks into the third semester, something Nan had said to me a few days earlier unexpectedly came back to mind.

I don't really empathize with that statement. I just think other people's romantic relationships are sacred and precious, and there's nothing sad about them. To be honest, those who lavish praise on YouTubers, idol stars, or video game characters are no different from me—it's true that being a creator like Dongtou is impressive, but I don't think there's a hierarchy between the two.

However, her words felt like a thorn stuck in my heart... I think it's probably because I lack self-confidence.

I wasn't born a dating fan. It was because I suffered in past relationships that I changed my mind. To put it another way, I was a total loser—okay, maybe that's too harsh, but anyway, this interest definitely started for negative reasons.

Thinking about this, those people who seem to be born that way, who naturally encounter the people and things they like, and who pour their enthusiasm into things as if it were arranged by fate... yes, it does make me lose a little confidence.

They were dazzling. Their pure passion was dazzling.

Seeing other people around me in relationships also gives me this feeling. The incident with Hoshibe-senpai during our trip to Kobe also made me feel like I can no longer be so pure—a feeling of resignation mixed with envy flashes deep within my chest, making me impatient with myself.

...Sigh, it's just like a pseudo-social butterfly who envies otaku but is afraid of being alone.

The reason I have such a big problem in my life is all because of that woman. I really want her to take responsibility for solving it, but she would definitely be happy to help me find a solution, so in the end, I guess I still have to use my own brain—at least I have to take care of my own life.

"Oh, hi hi~"

I was engaging in philosophical reflection, which was unusual for me, when I happened to encounter the face that had been on my mind while strolling through the campus after school.

It's Nan Xiaoyue. I don't know why, but her small body is wearing a basketball jersey.

"Hi. Why are you dressed like that?"

"I was called in to make up the numbers. It's halftime now."

After saying that, Nan walked over to the water dispenser, lifted her hair, and brought her mouth to the spraying water.

After gulping down a few mouthfuls, she exhaled and lifted her face.

Then he grabbed the hem of his vest and lifted it up, wiping his mouth.

This action unexpectedly revealed my fair abdomen and the bottom edge of my blue bra, which startled me.

I wanted to remind her, but if I said something like, "Aren't you afraid of being seen?" it would make it seem like I was so possessive that I couldn't hide it, which made me feel uncomfortable. But if I looked away and pretended not to see her, it would seem like I was paying attention to her, which also made me feel uncomfortable.

"...It's already mid-January, aren't you cold?"

So in the end, I could only use roundabout ways of speaking to get by.

Nan loosened the hem of her vest and said:

"It won't happen when you're exercising."

"Oh, really..."

I've been wondering for a long time, why do basketball jerseys have so many gaps? They're like loose tank vests; if you bend over even slightly, you can see what's underneath. At least wear a sports uniform underneath!

"Can someone your size even perform on the court? If someone tries to steal the ball from you, you probably can't reach it, right?"

"You know, you make up for it with jumping ability. That's what's called a 'Little Giant'."

"Like a frog."

"Why don't you say it's an antelope? An antelope... Achoo!"

Nan suddenly sneezed, her bare shoulders trembling twice. Looks like she's getting cold. There's just no way to deal with her. I took off the vest I was wearing over my uniform and draped it over Nan's shoulders.

"Thanks, and could you give me a tissue?"

"Take it."

I handed Nan a pack of tissues, and *poof*—she blew her nose forcefully.

"However..."

Nan crumpled the tissue into a ball and continued speaking with a nasal tone.

"I still can't beat the regular players. At best, I can only run around and disrupt the opposing players. I guess with my skills, I'm only good enough to make up the numbers."

His tone was indifferent, without a trace of annoyance.

Although Nan would help out in various sports clubs, she never seriously practiced any particular sport. It was said that she had excellent athletic ability, so she could quickly grasp the knack of any sport and play it very well, but she never seemed to have enough enthusiasm to make her want to strive to climb higher.

"Let me ask you, out of all the club activities you've participated in, which one are you best at?"

I suddenly felt curious, so I asked. Nan glanced at my eyes, then looked up and thought for a moment.

"Which one is it? I feel like none of them really suit me."

"But aren't a bunch of clubs vying for you?"

"That's just because I'm good at mastering the tricks. In the end, it turns out that tall people have an advantage in most sports. Even in running, people with longer strides are faster, right? Although I'm light, my explosive power should be pretty good."