My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 378

The last time I saw my cousin Yuanxiang was at the cultural festival, but without much explanation, she already saw through our relationship. I don't know if Jie had informed her beforehand, or if her intuition is just naturally sharp...

"Okay, jokes aside, but I still advise you to be mindful of how others perceive you. People can tell when a boy and a girl cross boundaries."

"You don't need to tell us, we've been paying attention..."

"You're kidding me—especially Yui, her eyes are always glaring at you like she's in heat."

"I'm getting... I'm getting hot..."

I think so too.

"I understand that you're happy to have just learned to do this, but you need to be more restrained than ordinary couples."

"...It can't be said that I just learned it..."

"Oh? It's been like this for months?"

"...I dare not speak anymore..."

The defeated woman hung her head low. I also think it was a wise choice. In terms of experience, my cousin Yuanxiang is far more knowledgeable than us when it comes to this kind of topic.

Cousin Yuanxiang rested her elbows on her knees, propped her cheeks up, and said:

"I feel so nostalgic! It was like this in high school too—unlike now, it's hard to create an atmosphere without alcohol. Last time it was really ridiculous; when I came to my senses I was already at my boyfriend's house, and I couldn't remember anything. It was so funny!"

I really didn't want to hear my relatives talk about these things... That was my initial thought, but then I remembered that I had just heard something similar recently.

"Would you know if you encountered that situation? You mean even if you don't remember, you know it was because you drank too much."

When I asked her casually, my cousin Yuanxiang replied, "I can tell."

"If you drink until you black out, you'll almost always have a hangover the next day. Oh, but I have a friend who can't drink at all. She only has one drink and she'll have amnesia, but she doesn't feel uncomfortable at all the next day. I think she gets all of this from her drinking buddies, or from the taste left in her mouth."

(Illustration 006)

"……smell……?"

The woman pondered the word repeatedly, as if something was amiss. I also had doubts about the same part.

This coincides with what I've heard recently.

"I wonder what you guys will be like after you drink alcohol. It's a bit hard to imagine."

"...I bet Yui can really drink. She ate cake with alcohol on it before and wasn't drunk at all. Aunt Yui also has a huge capacity for alcohol."

"Ah~ that should be true. It's not easy to drink with those heavy drinkers in our family~ In that respect, Mizuto might inherit his good drinking capacity... but if he drinks too much, he might become more affectionate."

"Hehe...that must be very interesting."

My cousin Yuanxiang and Jienu stared at my face with sly smiles. Ugh...

"Then let's all step aside and go back to the adults' banquet~"

Cousin Yuanxiang stood up, supporting herself on her knees.

"Have fun! ...Oh, wait, don't get too carried away!"

She simply waved goodbye, took the wine in one hand, and went back to meet up with the adults who were in high spirits.

The sky was gradually tinged with the colors of the setting sun. I didn't check the time, but judging from the current time, it should be past six o'clock.

I had completely forgotten about the phone call I received this morning, but the topic we just discussed has made me pay attention again.

"Hey, Yume, isn't it about time we exposed what happened between Kawanami and the others?"

"That's true... Xiaoyue's offensive should come to an end now. Ah, but don't tell him that Xiaoyue did it on purpose."

"I'll just state my opinion, like I don't think he caused any trouble. Is that okay?"

"Yes, please."

I took out my phone from my hoodie pocket and called Kawabata.

Nan Xiaoyue◆ Happiness is just a fleeting dream

Goodbye everyone~ See you tomorrow~

See you tomorrow!

After returning from Ichijoji by bus, everyone dispersed.

That left Kawanami and me. Kawanami walked towards the bicycle parking lot. Seeing him push his bicycle out, I said this:

"Hey, give me a ride."

"Won't you get caught? You ride a bike too, don't you?"

Wow, so calm. I thought the reaction would be much stronger.

I also parked my bicycle here, so I went to pay and get it. This parking lot is free for the first three hours, and even after that, it only charges an extra 100 yen. I usually park here. After all, cycling is the most efficient mode of transportation in Kyoto.

Kawanami and I set off on our bicycles, one in front of the other. The bustling atmosphere of Kawaramachi was instantly left behind, replaced by the calm and composed atmosphere of a commercial district.

The real show is yet to come.

I can use either my house or Kawabata's house, right? I'll find an excuse to break into one of our houses and unleash the pent-up desires of the day. This time, I really have to go out with my junior high classmates with memories of the nighttime sports meet, but that makes it even more exciting.

I'm totally excited!

Back at the apartment, we parked our bicycles in our designated spots in the parking lot, and then took the elevator together.

They looked at each other speechlessly.

But this actually created a more atmospheric feeling, and my heart was pounding.

My bra passed, my underwear passed... Yesterday, things probably happened suddenly, and I wore a sports bra that wasn't sexy at all, but today I'm absolutely perfect. Today I'm... pretty sexy!

The elevator doors opened, and the two of us walked down the silent corridor.

Finally, we arrived at the two adjacent doors. Seeing that I couldn't miss the opportunity, I tugged at Xiaoxiao's sleeve with a cute and coquettish expression.

"Sigh, there's no one home anyway..."

As I made sure the sound coming from my throat was cute enough, I said this:

"Shall we... talk some more?"

Done! No man could resist!

Come on, I'm sorry for teasing you so many times during the day, but once you step into the entryway, you don't have to hold back anymore! I should say, I couldn't control myself!

Anticipating the moment his tiny nostrils flared slightly and he nodded, I raised my gaze and stared at his face—

But my expectations were dashed.

"snort."

Xiao Xiao snorted through her nose, as if she thought I was an idiot.

"Sorry, my parents will be back today. Bye."

*Clap*

Before she could say anything, Xiaoxiao had already disappeared behind the door.

……strangeness?

Something's not right. What went wrong? Could it be that today is the wrong day?

Why would someone abandon me?

I opened my front door in confusion, and the cold air from the empty house mercilessly blew away my feverish body.

--How could this happen!

He was clearly so bothered by my actions! I was teasing him so much! How could he suddenly calm down like that!

Should I get him even more excited? Should I be more blatantly seductive? Isn't it exciting enough? Do you need me to be direct for you to understand?

I'll make you want to sleep with me right now!

The embers of excitement and rage fueled my drive. I stormed into the room, stripping off my clothes and snapping a bunch of erotic selfies. Wearing only underwear, sexy enough. Completely naked, sexy enough. Wait, wearing clothes makes me even sexier? Skirt, get the skirt, I'll put it on and lift it up to show him!

My mind gradually cooled down after I revisited the pornographic selfies that filled up my phone's storage space.

What am I doing?

If this little bit of eroticism could bring us back to our old relationship, I wouldn't have spent so much time on it. It's precisely because I don't want to repeat the chaotic scenes from middle school that I've taken things so slowly, right?

Sigh──

Once I regained my senses, I started to feel that everything was meaningless. I didn't understand what I was just euphoric about. I wish there were such a thing as a world where all problems could be solved without anyone noticing. Yesterday was the same; anyway, nothing really happened. Although I don't know why Kawabata suddenly became calm…

"...Let's pack the clothes away..."

I walked out of the room. The living room floor was covered with the clothes I had just taken off and left lying around.

I bent down to pick up the women's shirt from the floor. Come to think of it, I was also picking up clothes from all over the living room this morning—

“…Huh?”

At that very moment, I...

I'm thinking about everything that happened last night.

Irito Mizuto ◆ The Source of Abruptness

On the other side of the dark night, the endless chorus of frogs could be heard.

I've taken a bath; now it's time to calm my mind. This must be what they call Chill. Under the light illuminating the old tatami room, I quietly turn the pages of a book.

I share a room with my dad, but the elders are still drinking and chatting in the living room. Mixed in with the chorus of frogs and unrestrained laughter, it's quite a soundscape. Being in the same space would be noisy, but being so far apart, it's actually a perfect ambient sound.

With that background sound effect, a series of footsteps slowly approached me.

"Mizuto, are you there?"

The moonlight cast the silhouette of the maiden onto the sliding door.

"I am here."

Hearing my reply, Jie quietly opened the sliding door. She was wearing the pajamas I was familiar with; she had probably just taken a shower, her skin was slightly flushed, and her long black hair shone with a delicate luster.

"Can you help me blow-dry my hair? My mom and cousin Yuanxiang aren't home."

"Okay, come over here."

Seeing me put the book I was reading halfway through on the bedding, Jie smiled shyly. Then she closed the sliding door tightly, came over to me, and handed me the hair dryer.

The woman was sitting with her back to me. I plugged the hair dryer into the socket next to me and turned it on.

Under the hot wind, Yui's smooth and shiny hair swayed like willow branches.

I ran my fingers through the gushing strands of hair, gently loosening a few knots. The touch, softer than silk, naturally calmed my mind.

This feeling is really great.

Last year, I was constantly restless. Now, quite the opposite, I feel a sense of security, like a tree firmly rooted in the earth. With Jie Nu by my side, this sense of security is even more pronounced, though it can still make my heart race at times. It's arguably the most ideal state I've ever been in.

The chorus of frogs once again filled the surface of my consciousness. The ancient Japanese-style room was filled with a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Yui and I no longer needed to fear silence.

Finally, I turned off the hairdryer and said to the girl's crown:

"Is it okay to blow it like this?"

"Let me see... Hmm, not bad."

The girl touched her hair to make sure it was dry enough, then suddenly leaned against me. I caught her slender body and her long hair, which was still warm.

"Is it warm?"

"It's very warm."

I reached out and hugged Yui's waist. Yui leaned against me as if using my shoulder as a neck pillow. Her soft, warm hair brushed against my cheek.

I tightened my grip around her waist, holding her even closer. Then I brought my cheek to hers, tilting my neck slightly to kiss her lips.

"...Have you forgotten your cousin Yuanxiang's advice?"

Jie Nu looked at me with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

"I know how to exercise restraint."

"Really... yeah!"

This time, I gently bit the tip of my ear that peeked out from between my hair with my lips. Jie Nu squirmed as if she was ticklish.

What are your impressions of visiting Zhongli's home for the second time?