My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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We just happen to get along well. He's humorous and considerate, and sometimes quite gentlemanly. But if those are enough to make someone like you, there are probably many other reasons.

But why Kawanami Kogure?

Exploring this question inevitably leads to the profound question, "Why do people fall in love with others?" In other words, no matter how much you think about it, you won't find the answer. It's more meaningful to get a job than to ponder such matters.

But why Kawanami Kogure?

I can't help but keep thinking about this question—it's pointless to not learn, and I can't let go.

I clearly don't have that qualification.

Volume Twelve: There Is Only One Man, Chapter One: Only the Morning Birds Know the Truth of That Night

Irito Mizuto ◆ In the Summer of Civilization

It is summer.

Listening to the deafening chirping of insects, I used the air conditioning to chase away the sweltering heat. This is the modern, civilized way of summer; going to the river to play or hiking is so outdated. Staying indoors is clearly the most comfortable; I don't understand why I should bother going out and expending energy. Since this morning, I've been mentally preparing myself with theories while trying to recover the energy I used up yesterday.

"……ah!"

Takema, who was sitting next to him, made a rather loud noise.

On the TV connected to the game console, his character was sent flying.

Looking at the battle results screen, Zhu Zhen seemed a little annoyed. I held up the controller and said to him:

"What about now?"

"...Let's have another match."

Let's continue with the same characters and fight again.

The Ghost Festival has arrived.

As is customary every year, I returned to my family home in the countryside to visit relatives. It had been a long time since I'd seen Zhuzhen; he'd grown quite a bit taller, but his introverted personality remained unchanged. He was incredibly dedicated to his interests and had a high sense of self-respect, which gave me a strange sense of closeness. But thinking about it carefully, we were relatives, essentially family.

Until last year, I couldn't have imagined that I would be playing video games with Takema... I never thought that the skills I had honed with Isana and Kawanami would come in handy in a place like this.

Sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat, enjoying the air conditioning, while playing video games with my relatives' kids – it was quite a pleasant time. I brought some books to kill time; I probably won't finish them this year.

I sent Takema's character flying out of the arena. How does he plan to get back? While thinking it over, I pressed my advantage. Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me:

"Ah, Mizuto, Takema, you're here."

""ah.""

My pursuit missed, and Takema's return move was also timed incorrectly.

We both fell, but I, being on lower ground, lost.

After a brief standoff, a head of long black hair pierced between me and Takema.

"Grandma Natsume says the watermelon is cut up, would you like some?"

Yui smiled and moved closer to my face. Behind her, I noticed Takema shyly pulling away slightly.

"Let's eat here. We're currently assessing the quality of men."

"What? You're talking like an old-fashioned person."

"My apologies, I should say I'm judging a person's level."

"You're worried about being politically incorrect?"

Yui smiled softly. Takema secretly stared at her, his expression showing a hint of confusion.

He may have already noticed the change in our relationship.

"Then come to the kitchen and get it. You can't expect a girl to serve you, can you?"

"That makes sense."

Just as I was about to stand up, my phone rang in my pocket.

Who is it?

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

I took out my phone, and the screen displayed the name of someone who doesn't call often.

"...Kawabata?"

It's normal for Kawanami Kogure to text me on LINE, but I don't recall him calling me often. What could be wrong?

I lightly touched the answer button and put the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

Then, a voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding as if squeezed from the depths of a throat, a voice filled with desperation:

"...Irito...! Help me...!"

Kawanami Kogure ◆ Boy's Memories

I could sense someone else's presence.

Unsure if it was breathing or the rustling of clothes, all I knew was that my hazy consciousness, just rising from the depths of sleep, was struck by a tiny, foreign object, like a pebble... Who was it? Mom was back? Or Dad...?

The footsteps faded into the distance; this time I definitely heard them. The person walked quickly, as if in a hurry to leave. Then came the sound of the door opening. Why leave without a word? They shouldn't have needed to go to the bedside to see me sleeping—

This small question made me slowly open my eyelids.

My vision was blurred, and my mind couldn't comprehend what was happening before me. I felt like an infant, with only moving objects remaining in my consciousness: a swaying ponytail and a flowing skirt.

The door was closed.

I stared blankly at the tightly closed door.

……South……?

A dozen seconds later, my brain finally caught up. That ponytail-wearing girl was Nan Xiaoyue, my incredibly troublesome childhood friend. How could she be in my room… when she hadn’t stayed overnight at my house recently?

As I pondered, my consciousness gradually returned. Then I realized that something was wrong with my body.

Why does it feel cool?

The soft, plush texture of the blanket caressed my skin. Yes, my skin. Direct contact, not through the fabric.

I lifted the blanket.

All I could see was a pair of underwear.

I fell asleep wearing only a pair of boxer briefs.

It's August now, summer vacation is halfway over, and Kyoto summers are unbearably hot, so is that why I sleep naked? Or did I take my clothes off in the middle of the night? No, to be honest—

What time did I go to sleep last night, and how did I fall asleep?

Listening to the distant chirping of cicadas and the calls of birds in the morning, I sat up in bed, pressing my hands against my forehead and searching my memory.

I do not remember.

Last night's memory is completely fragmented—on the contrary, a lingering sense of languor remains deep in my chest, like a clump of mud that I can't shake off.

The memory of last night has vanished.

I wasn't wearing any clothes.

Nan appeared in my room for some reason.

The conclusion drawn from these clues is—

"...Hmm, is that okay...?"

"Ha... um... little one...!"

"……………………!"

It was the height of summer, yet I felt a chill creeping up my body.

No, it's too early to despair.

Soaked in cold sweat, I grabbed a towel to dry myself. First, I needed to change into my pajamas. I put on a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, and while I was at it, I folded up my pajamas, which were inexplicably scattered on the floor, and stuffed them into the closet.

At that moment, I noticed the trash can next to the bed.

What if something truly horrible had happened last night...

I cautiously peered into the trash can. A convenience store receipt, a ramen noodle lid, and a crumpled wad of toilet paper—I picked up the top wad to examine it. It must have been for blowing my nose; I swear there wasn't anything awful inside.

The trash cans are as usual...

Although I can't be completely at ease, it's more important to recall what happened last night.

I left my room and went into the living room.

A single cup and plate were borrowed.

The table was covered with empty plates that hadn't been cleared away, and open, unsealed snacks were also left lying around unattended. My parents are both busy with work, so I'm basically living alone, which isn't surprising given the mess the living room is in... but this scene couldn't possibly be my doing alone, could it?

"...Ah, I remember now. Makoto and the others came by."

Memories slowly returned.

If I remember correctly, I had a small reunion with a few close junior high school classmates yesterday. There's a junior high school reunion tomorrow, and most of my classmates will be attending, so this felt a bit like a rehearsal for the official reunion.

I picked up the empty snack bags as I walked, then moved to the kitchen. The sink was piled high with cups, plates, and dishes, looking like a garbage dump. I need to put them in the dishwasher—that's what I thought as I tossed the snack crumbs into the recycling bag in front of the counter.

At that moment, I suddenly noticed—

An unfamiliar empty can was mixed in with the recycling bins. I took it out and frowned as I examined it closely.

It's a beer can.

My parents sometimes enjoy a drink at home, so it's not uncommon to find empty liquor cans in the house. But these aren't the same brands of beer we usually keep on hand.

"Hey...no way..."

A lingering sense of languor settled in my chest... the vanished memories of last night...

Although I often give off a frivolous impression, at least I haven't gone astray. Moreover, the private Luolou High School I attend is an incredibly prestigious and renowned school. Even during summer vacation, if I'm caught drinking to the point of a hangover, I might be suspended.

"Did they bring it...?"

I put the empty can back into the recycling bag.

I might have to ask them directly...

I turned around and went back to my room, searching everywhere for my phone, but it was gone. Then I remembered that I usually put it next to my pillow when I slept, but I didn't see it today. I tilted my head and went back to the living room, finally finding it on the carpet that had been there since winter.

"I've got it! I've got it!"

How could it have fallen here? I picked my phone up from the carpet. There was a light-colored stain on the carpet. It was filthy; did someone spill a drink?

In short, let's check the phone first. I remember I created a LINE group.

I'm almost there.

The last message was displayed at 1:42 PM yesterday. I remember now, we agreed to meet at my house at 2 PM...

After thinking for a moment, I sent out a message:

Hi, did you get home safely yesterday?

I asked this because if they stayed at my house until midnight and went home drunk, they might get arrested and questioned by the police.

After waiting a while, the message status showed "Read 1". Immediately, someone replied:

Whether there is peace or not depends on how you interpret it.

No need for all that rambling.

You're all high school students, please don't expose your lower body in the street...

Wait, "it wasn't like I actually drank anything"?

"Didn't we drink? Did you bring some alcohol?"

So you gave up? So you didn't drink it in the end? And I didn't drink it either?

In this case……