My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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Yoshino curled his lips like a cat's sly smile and said in a sarcastic tone:

"So only your beloved girlfriend can call you that? Hehehe! You're so good at showing off!"

...By the way, she's the one in class who loves to joke about my relationship with Izana the most. Even though I've explained to her that we're just friends, the more I deny it, the more excited she gets, so I've given up.

"Fine, whatever... Just be careful not to get stabbed in the back by some guy who misunderstands you."

"Thanks for the advice~☆ Don't worry, I'm used to that kind of thing."

"—Hey! Except when you need to use the restroom, you're not allowed to stand up from your seat—!"

After being loudly warned by the teacher, Yoshino, kneeling on his seat and turning to look at us, said, "Yes—! I'm sorry—!" and then hid his face behind his pillow.

The thought of Isana being harassed by this guy for a whole year makes me feel endless sympathy for her hard work... But for Isana, she may have actually benefited a lot.

With that thought in mind, I glanced to the side, and just then, Izana gently rested her head on my shoulder.

"...Huff...Huff..."

Oh right, she rarely gets up this early; she looked like she was on the verge of collapse. This whole commotion made me forget.

We won't be able to sleep until night after we arrive in Okinawa, so let her catch up on her sleep now.

"........."

From a certain direction—specifically, from the direction of Nan's voice—in other words, from the direction where Yui was, there seemed to be a piercing gaze flying towards me, but I'll pretend I didn't notice it for now.

Irito Yume arrives in Okinawa

"It's so hot..."

Stepping out of the arrival hall at Naha Airport, a wave of heat instantly enveloped my entire body.

While the weather in Kyoto is usually quite cool at this time of year, here it's already sunny and blazing. The temperature is over 25 degrees Celsius, even approaching 30—I had expected a drier, hot day, but it's incredibly muggy.

The itinerary for the first day of the school trip stipulated that everyone must wear their uniforms until arriving at the hotel in the evening. Of course, the uniforms hadn't been changed for the season yet, so everyone wore long-sleeved shirts. Even the students from Rakuro, who were used to the hellish heat of Kyoto, were groaning as they rolled up their shirt sleeves as they stepped out of the automatic doors.

"Oh my god, it's so hot! Thank goodness I brought an electric fan!"

As Xiaoyue spoke, she used a mini electric fan to blow air onto her face.

"Yui, aren't you hot? Do you want to borrow my electric fan?"

"It's alright, I brought a hat. Actually, a parasol would be even better, but it takes up too much space..."

"A parasol! It looks perfect on you!"

As Xiaoyue's eyes lit up, Dongtou and Shuidou, looking exhausted, appeared from behind her.

"I just woke up and I already have to endure this temperature, I'm going to burn up..."

"Why didn't you prepare anything before going out... Anyway, have some water first."

Mizuto took meticulous care of Higashi-kun, even letting him sleep on his shoulder just now. No matter how much he claimed they weren't dating, no one would believe him. However, I've known Higashi-kun for a year now—I'm used to it—but as his official girlfriend, I should at least have the right to ask for compensation.

The question is, when will we be able to have time that's just for the two of us...?

"Team leaders, assemble!"

Upon hearing the teacher give the command, I, as the group leader, jogged over.

The teacher then distributed mobile phones to everyone for communication. The phones were flip-tops with many buttons, like those on a computer.

"Wow, my God! This is a traditional mobile phone? I think this is the first time I've ever seen one in person!"

Yoshino screamed next to me. Class 2-7 was divided into five groups, with five group leaders, and she was one of them.

She was wearing a rather expensive-looking watch, and while turning her phone on and off and pressing buttons repeatedly, she said:

"Teacher! Can I view Instagram through this?"

"You know it's impossible, otherwise why would we give you traditional cell phones? The phone, camera, and map functions are usable, so please make good use of them. These are rented, so please don't break them."

"No way~ What can a phone do if it can't even access Instagram and TikTok? You know what I mean, Yui?"

Being asked this question startled me slightly, but I smoothly gave a smile of agreement.

"Yeah, that's all I usually need."

"That's right! But well, at least I can take pictures!"

Yoshino changed his mind after only a few words and skipped back to his own group.

Yoshino has a completely different cheerful personality compared to Akatsuki. Her all-encompassing, indiscriminate way of getting close to me always intimidates me. Back in middle school, I would have kept my distance from this type of person, but I don't know if I've matured or if Yoshino is just too amazing, but even though we belong to different groups, we can still talk normally.

I returned to my group, and Xiaoyue immediately spotted the phone I was holding.

"Wow! A traditional mobile phone! This is the first time I've ever seen one! Can I borrow it and play with it?"

"Okay, but don't break it."

Xiaoyue and Chuanbo huddled together, curiously playing with a traditional mobile phone. Perhaps she unexpectedly had a liking for technological products?

Mizuto was still taking care of Higashito-kun. As for the last person—Asuhain-kun—he stayed a little further away, idly gazing at the blue sky of Okinawa.

Asuhain's seat on the plane was very close to mine, but we didn't exchange a single word. Regarding her confession to Mizuto… I wanted to subtly ask her about it, but I didn't even know how to start a conversation. The barriers she's built are so high; if someone hadn't told me beforehand, I would never have imagined she was in a relationship.

But... timidity won't solve the problem. The school trip has already begun.

Even if it's a little reluctant, I'll find a chance to talk to her. I made up my mind and walked towards Asuhain-san.

"Asuhain-kun, aren't you hot? Did you bring a hat or something?"

Tomorrow, Ye Yuan glanced at my face briefly, then looked away and said:

"Please don't worry, I applied sunscreen."

"...I see..."

Conversation ends.

I had been thinking before that I really didn't have the talent to be a detective.

Irito Mizuto ◆ Imitation

After lunch, the bus took us to the Peace Memorial Park.

This place houses a museum about the Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific War, as well as a memorial stone inscribed with the names of those who died during the war. The entire facility is full of reasons why Okinawa was chosen as a destination for school trips.

Dozens of square memorial stones are arranged in neat radial patterns. Walking along the white paved path between them, even I, who am not easily moved by sentimentality, cannot help but be immersed in the solemnity of time.

Afterwards, everyone visited the museum and participated in a ceremony about how future masters of the world should behave. Then, they had to wait a while before the bus would depart.

While some of my classmates ran to the children's plaza near the parking lot, I avoided the sun and noise, boarded the bus first, and opened the paperback I had brought.

In such situations, those who rely on smartphones for entertainment are at a disadvantage. Schools may ban smartphone use, but rarely prohibit students from reading paper books.

...I also thought about whether I could take this opportunity to keep my promise from this morning and spend time with Jie, but she had already been taken away by Xiaoyue and the others to who-knows-where. Only at times like this do I can't help but feel that it would be more convenient to be an unnoticed person like I was in junior high school, where I would have much more freedom to act.

After reading for a while, another person boarded the bus, which was originally empty except for me.

I thought I didn't need to pay attention, so I continued reading the paperback, but then that person came over and sat in the seat next to me, making it impossible for me not to look up.

It's Asahi Yoin Ran.

All the other seats were empty. The girl who had specifically chosen the seat next to me had her face turned toward the headrest of the seat in front of her, and she placed her hands on her knees without saying a word.

She acted as if she had something to say, but gave off an atmosphere of not wanting to say anything.

I could easily continue ignoring her, but if I didn't properly understand her intentions, it might sow the seeds of future problems for Yuzuriha's relationships. Reluctantly, I closed the book with my fingers between the pages and spoke to Asuhain's profile:

"What do you want?"

"Can't I suddenly want to sit next to someone I like?"

It almost sounded like a pre-prepared excuse.

I suppressed the urge to sigh and said:

"Aren't you going to give up?"

"I think I've already said that."

"So, you're pursuing me now?"

"You could say that."

"...Fine, whatever you want."

I thought that seeing what she planned to do for the time being was a good idea, so I opened the paperback again.

For a while, all you could hear was the sound of pages turning.

"........."

"........."

Asahi no Ichiin showed absolutely no intention of initiating a conversation with me.

I glanced at her sideways; her eyes were darting around, and her body seemed stiff with nervousness. Seeing her like this, anyone could guess what was wrong.

"...If you don't know how to pursue a guy, just say so."

"...!..."

She looked embarrassed, and her ears turned slightly red.

From the time she confessed until now, this is probably the cutest reaction ever.

"Asukain, listen to me."

I said, staring intently at Asuhain's profile.

"Let me be frank, I didn't take your confession seriously at all, and I suspect you probably have some other purpose in doing so. If possible, I hope you can tell me the truth soon so I can focus on the school trip."

I had considered that we might have to play mind games for a while longer, but neither of us seems to be good at it. Since that's the case, I can only ask her directly.

About five seconds later, Asuka-in replied:

"What do you mean by 'I want to be honest'? I just like you and want to date you, that's all."

"That's too much of a stretch. When did you start liking me, and what is it about me that you like?"

"this……"

This time, she remained silent for about ten seconds.

"That's because... at least you're the most presentable."

"decent?"

"All the other boys look equally stupid... I really don't think I can get along with them. In that respect, you have the best grades among the boys, and you don't seem like the type to act without thinking."

"...So you're saying that if you want a boyfriend, you have no choice but me?"

"You could say that."

"That's strange. It sounds like you have a reason that forces you to have a boyfriend?"

Tomorrow Ye Yuan pursed her lips.

"Did your parents arrange your engagement? You want to annul the engagement, so you have to pretend to be in a relationship with someone else—if that's the case, I can help you."

"How could such a thing be possible? My family is just an ordinary family."

Asahi Yein answered my joke with a straight face, then glared back at me with a tough look.

"Am I really that unqualified? Please tell me, what exactly is wrong with me?"

"Didn't I tell you? I already have a boyfriend."

"You mean Dongtou? If it's her, I should be able to meet your needs too."

Asahi Yoin placed her hand on her chest, as if pressing against her ample breasts, and spoke.

I frowned and stared back at her big eyes.

I have three sentences to say to you.

"...What did you say?"

"First, Izana and I are just friends. Second, don't portray my friend as someone whose only redeeming quality is her breasts."

"...But doesn't she often say it herself?"

"Only she can say that."

"Thirdly—" I continued.