My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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She was just making fun of me.

I know perfectly well that she's not that kind of person, but I just can't shake this thought.

Because someone as insignificant as me could never possibly fathom the thoughts of a genius like Hong.

but.

However, this confession—everyone who hears it will understand it.

It's even easier to understand than elementary school textbooks.

So, I think this is the first time I've finally understood it.

Hong Lingli is serious.

The girl in front of me—she has fallen in love with me seriously and sincerely.

"........."

My mind is in complete turmoil.

This is not lust. It's not the kind of emotion that's easy to understand.

In the past, no matter how wildly my heart pounded, a certain part of my soul would always remain undisturbed, allowing me to maintain my sense of self. But now, it was churning violently like a turbulent sea.

It has no shape, no rules, and no name.

She even claimed to have quick reflexes.

I simply know nothing. Just as someone who is just getting used to something might fall into the illusion of being omnipotent, I fall into the illusion of being omniscient simply because I know nothing.

It's so easy to understand other people's affairs.

When it comes to his own affairs, he doesn't understand anything about them.

"—One more month."

Hong spoke to me, who was speechless and had no idea what to say.

"You can take your time to consider your response before White Day. But—"

She blushed so much, she must have tried her best not to let others see it.

Even so, Hong did not avoid my gaze and told me:

"I have already bravely confessed my feelings. I only hope you understand this."

Then, she abruptly let go of my arm, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and quickly left the student council room.

I was left standing motionless in the brightly lit room, like a lost child.

I am someone who has no presence.

I just want to be a background character for the main characters.

I'm not qualified to stand next to a protagonist like Hong Tongxue.

—I like you, please go out with me.

But... just now, Hong...

"........."

There's still... one month left.

There's only one month left...

Irito Mizuto◆Honming

"Here you go, Mizuto."

After dinner, she casually handed it to me.

It was four small chocolate cookies in a clear plastic bag—you could tell without even looking that it wasn't her favorite chocolate. That's because, just seconds before, she had given her dad the same thing.

It's not even a duty chocolate, it's just family chocolate.

In terms of type, it was exactly the same as the chocolates my mother gave me. In Japan, this thing probably belongs to the lowest social class for Valentine's Day, and it was the chocolate I received from my girlfriend after waiting all day.

"Ah...oh, thank you..."

After a moment of blankness, I managed to squeeze out a thank you and accepted it.

"What's wrong, Mizuto? Are you really touched by the first time you received chocolate from a girl?"

"That's right, there were only boys in Mizuto's family before."

"Wait a minute, that's not right. Shouldn't Dongtou's classmate have given you one this year too?"

While I barely managed to dodge my parents' warm, smiling sarcastic remarks, I was completely overwhelmed by the unexpected situation.

Is this all there is...?

No, no, no, that's impossible. After nine months of twists and turns, we finally got back together, and now it's Valentine's Day? They can't possibly just give me some chocolates that my dad gave me...

However, my guess—or rather, my expectation—was not met. Even after I had taken a shower, and it was late at night, Yui still didn't seem to be going to give me my special chocolate.

"I'm going to sleep now."

As it approached midnight—the time when Valentine's Day was about to end—Yin finally said those words and prepared to go back to her room.

I felt a little flustered, but I pretended to be calm and stood up, saying, "Then I'm going to sleep too."

I climbed the stairs as if following behind Yui, and Yui turned around after walking into the corridor.

"Good night."

She said it.

Really... that's it?

Once we all go back to our rooms—will this year's Valentine's Day really be over?

But I can't bring myself to ask her for my favorite chocolate; I can't do something so pathetic.

"...Okay, goodnight."

That was all I could do to answer, and then I watched with resentment as Jie walked into her room from behind.

...Is this all there is to it?

Perhaps I've romanticized Valentine's Day during our previous relationship. Back then, we were both experiencing our first love, and being inexperienced middle school students, we treated every little thing as a major event. However, two years later, after living together for ten and a half months, our relationship had developed to a stage more mature than that of any other cohabiting couple.

Thinking about it this way, it's just Valentine's Day, and that's about it.

...I feel a bit annoyed. It's like I'm falling behind the times compared to Yui.

With a heavy heart, I opened the door to my room and went inside.

At this time.

I found a small, unseen bag on the desk.

"…………ah."

Before I could even think, I had already walked straight to my desk.

The bag, tied with a cute ribbon, contained a large heart-shaped chocolate with "Happy Valentine" written on it in white chocolate.

Just then—a presence came from behind.

Someone appeared at the slightly ajar doorway and, with a volume and speed so low it was easily missed, whispered a declaration:

"──My destiny."

Then, when I turned around, the person had already slammed the door shut and fled to their own room.

"...I lost to her."

As I muttered to myself, a smile crept onto my face.

She managed to fool me completely—she's really improved a lot in the last two years.

I pulled out a chair, carefully untied the ribbon binding the bag, and ate the chocolate, which tasted even sweeter than it actually did.

the next morning.

When I encountered Jie in the living room, I said it openly and honestly:

"Thank you for the chocolate, it was delicious."

My dad and Aunt Youren were both in the living room.

However, I can say it openly without fear of being overheard by anyone—because it's common knowledge that I received chocolate from Yui.

It's just a difference in understanding regarding one's destiny or principles.

The woman smiled with a hint of satisfaction and said:

You're welcome, I look forward to your return gift!

"Okay, I'll think about it for a bit."

Neither Dad nor Aunt Youren showed the slightest suspicion.

After confirming that the two of them hadn't suspected anything, Jie and I secretly exchanged glances and chuckled together.

Volume Ten: Things you can grasp as long as you reach out are there; dazzling illusions.

Haba Jouji◆ You found him at dusk

I wonder if other people, even if only once, have ever truly appreciated a part of themselves?

I have it. There's only one part.

Let's join a club together!

--Okay! ...Ah, but I'm on duty --Strange?

I've already done all the unnecessary work like wiping the blackboard or taking out the trash.

No one but me noticed who did it. Everyone was baffled and went back to where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to be doing.

Even a constitution like mine has its uses.

No matter how I help anyone, I will never be noticed by anyone. No matter whose life it is, I will never be counted as a character. I can remain unknown, as naturally as a phenomenon, diligently playing a minor role offstage.

This one thing—it's the only part of me that I think is great.

I don't have any special abilities.

He has poor motor skills, isn't very good at studying, and has absolutely no artistic talent.

The only talent I have is that no one will pity or worry about me for these things.

In that case, isn't my life path essentially set?

Leave all the unnecessary things to me.

Capable people should spend their time on worthwhile work. Leave the extra work to incompetent juniors like me; you should do what only you are capable of.

Being someone who knows nothing, I'm responsible for tasks that anyone could do.

This is the only thing I'm proud of—

—Haba-kun.

Until that evening.

They saw me carrying a trash bag and called out to me...

Until the moment she appeared.

—Haba Jouji, there's one thing only you can do.

Irito Mizuto: Mutual comfort and support

Amidst the chimes of the clock, the quiet sound of writing occasionally broke the silence.

Interspersed throughout were the rustling sounds of paper rubbing together. That was the sound of me turning the pages of my textbook.

"You two—I'm about to go to sleep—"

Aunt Ren said this as she walked towards the door leading to the corridor.

"Don't push yourself too hard—keep going!"

"Okay, goodnight—"