My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 328

"Is it done?"

"Now we just wait for it to solidify."

That's really efficient... It makes me realize that quite a few years have passed since I started receiving these handmade chocolates from this guy...

Nan leaned over and looked at my face, resting her hands on the sofa.

"Since we have nothing to do anyway, want to play some video games?"

"Oh...yes, sure."

"Still want to flirt?"

“Ugh!”

The nausea that was almost subsiding suddenly returned, and Nan grinned mischievously.

I let out a long sigh to calm myself down.

"...Don't try that on me..."

"You have to try exposure therapy sometimes."

"No, that's not what I meant... You'll make me so uncomfortable that I can't eat chocolate."

Upon hearing this, Nan's big eyes widened immediately.

Then he quickly narrowed his eyes, looking at me as if assessing my worth.

"Oh... really...?"

"What's going on?"

"I just thought, I didn't expect you to take this so seriously~"

"It's normal to think that way when you consider the time and effort involved."

"I really like your personality."

"Mmm! I already told you...!"

If I stay near her any longer, I'm really going to throw up!

I stood up, intending to run to my room, but...

"Hey! Don't run away!"

Just moments before that, Nan grabbed my arm and pulled hard.

"Ah, oh...!"

I lost my balance and fell to the side.

I turned around to try to regain my balance, but Nan's petite figure took up the space.

"Ah—"

A still-childish face drew closer.

I had barely thought that when my arms were already braced against the sofa chair.

A brightly colored ponytail was wrapped around my wrist.

For a time, Nan, who was covered by my shadow, simply stared intently at my face.

(Illustration 007)

Then, she used her thin lips to trace a sensual curve.

"Will you eat me before you eat the chocolate?"

My breathing stopped.

"Okay... Shall we start by recalling the body?"

With a slender tug, she loosened the ribbon around her neck. From the unbuttoned shirt collar, a glimpse of her fair neck could be seen. A small shadow formed in the hollow between her collarbones, and for some reason, my gaze was deeply drawn to that area.

The breath he held in came out with a gurgling sound through his throat.

at this time……

"—Hahaha!"

Nan suddenly burst out laughing, laughing heartily under my body.

"I was just kidding! You're taking it way too seriously!"

"...What...you...!"

My cheeks twitched as a girl loudly mocked me. This girl…!

Nan curled up like a baby, still giggling, and said:

"I think you're sexually frustrated, aren't you? Want me to take a selfie and send it to you?"

"...What kind of big talk do you have with your child-sized body, you idiot?"

"With your nostrils flared so wide, it's not convincing to say that, you lolicon."

"Ugh...

I couldn't continue. This was the only time I had no reply.

"Hehe, I'll let you off the hook for today!"

She dashed off the sofa, bobbing her head as she jogged to the kitchen. Then she opened the refrigerator, took things out, placed them on a silver tray, and brought them over.

"Here, please have some~ Here's a complimentary chocolate for you~"

Looking down at the bite-sized pudding-shaped chocolate on the table, I felt very strange.

"How did it solidify so quickly?"

"So didn't I say that this is a matter of principle?"

Nan took off her apron and placed it on the back of the sofa chair, then suddenly brought her mouth close to my ear.

"(Keep this in the kitchen; eat it after it solidifies.)"

I quickly covered my ears and distanced myself from Nan, only to see her smiling happily.

"Do you like obligatory chocolates? Your favorite chocolates? Or...♪"

Nan hooked her finger around the collar of her shirt that she had just loosened.

Don't think I'll fall for the same trick again.

I grabbed a chocolate from the tray and loudly declared my claim:

"Duty!"

Haba Jouji ◆ An ordinary girl

Before I knew it, only Hong and I were left in the student council room.

Asou said she had an appointment with Hoshibe-senpai and left early. Irito finished her work efficiently and went home as well. Only Asuhain stayed late, but Kurenai told her that they could handle the rest and left about five minutes ago.

The school closing time is fast approaching.

By February, it was already pitch black outside. The windows were as black as ink, and the student council room, illuminated only by artificial lights, appeared bright and clear as if emerging from the darkness.

The school building, which was bustling with activity during the day, was now eerily quiet, giving one the feeling of being abandoned. Moreover, with only Hong and me in this space, the arrangement was almost too perfect.

Yes—it's perfectly arranged.

I don't think I was slow to react. Rather, it was because I reacted too quickly that I ended up in this tricky situation.

"The school gates are about to close. Students who remain on campus, please..."

Even after the broadcasting club started broadcasting, Hong still seemed unwilling to pick up her schoolbag, which she had already packed.

Of course—because I haven't received it yet.

Hong is not the kind of person who goes back on their word.

"Ah-zhang."

When the broadcast ended and silence returned, Hong quietly came to me, who was standing there dumbfounded.

I couldn't help but feel wary.

Okay, what tricks will she come up with?

She made such a challenging declaration last time, so I wouldn't be surprised no matter what tricks she pulls out of the box. Even if she suddenly starts taking off her clothes and says something like "I am Valentine's Day chocolate," I would think that's just how Hong is.

Therefore, she will definitely come up with a way of giving gifts that a nobody like me could never even imagine—

"this."

The action is fast.

Without any elaborate design or flowery words, I was completely taken aback when I saw the heart-shaped box placed in front of me.

“…Huh?”

"What are you surprised about? Valentine's Day chocolates. Didn't I say I'd give you some?"

I accepted the chocolate wrapped in red paper, puzzled.

"Th-thank you..."

What a waste of time. Maybe what happened last time made her reflect on her actions and finally decide not to resort to overly direct seduction. If that's the case, that's great, but what does her claim of "pursuing you through legitimate means" even mean? Or is there some hidden mechanism that will pop out when this box is opened...?

If that's the case, opening it here isn't really suitable.

"Well... it's about time to go home. The school gates are about to close..."

I put the chocolate into my backpack and turned to face the door.

Although the prediction failed, it was much better than the usual forceful approach. If she's willing to spend Valentine's Day in a healthy way, I have nothing to complain about.

Hong has finally matured a bit... I'm definitely not disappointed.

"--Wait a minute."

Just as I was about to reach for the doorknob, she grabbed my arm tightly.

I could feel that hand—Hong's hand—hiding a stiff force, and somehow it gave me a tingling sensation all over my body.

I slowly—or rather, cautiously—turned to look at her.

Before me stood an ordinary girl whose shoulders were trembling with nervousness.

She was a far cry from being a genius—and certainly not perfect—she was just an ordinary girl.

"...Haha, sorry. It's not the first time—but when this moment comes, I don't know why I've become so nervous and uneasy."

I know.

Unnecessarily sharp reflexes point me to the commonalities between reality and memory.

I saw this while traveling in Kobe – my classmate, Asou.

At that time, she tried to tell Hoshibe what was in her heart—she had a lot in common with Akane at that time.

"Valentine's Day should be like this. So, I've decided to abandon my hastily devised tricks and refrain from resorting to any unsightly tactics."

I felt that her stiff hands were more like gripping herself than me.

Hong took a deep breath...

Then, with a resolute gleam in his eyes, he gazed at me.

"I like you, please go out with me."

Really.

Without any tricks—without any schemes—without any embellishment.

It was just a simple declaration of love.

I already knew that Hong seemed to have this intention.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken me into an empty classroom, pushed me down while wearing only her underwear, or dressed up as a bunny girl to meet me secretly—I know better than anyone that she wouldn't do those things if she had no feelings for someone.

However, I have never been able to genuinely believe in her feelings.

She just thought I was strange.