My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 96

The moon, so beautiful it seemed like a dream, dazzled me.

◆ Irito Yume ◆

Attending summer festivals reminds me of my first date.

I got lost in the crowd, talked pessimistically... and then, that man found me.

Yes, he found me—before that, I always thought no one in the world would even glance at me, that I had no value. So, at that moment, I felt that someone had truly found me.

So, around that time, I stopped trying to maintain an image. I stopped trying to be a better version of myself. He and I became the simple Ayai Yume and Irido Mizuto.

Even so, the longer we maintained this boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, the more attached I became to the title of "couple," wanting to be a "normal couple"—and the less I could be myself.

—Sigh, thinking about that…

Maintaining a natural, family-like relationship for several years is incredibly difficult.

Childhood sweethearts—isn't it a miracle that this kind of relationship can be maintained?

"Ah! Let's begin, Yui!"

Xiaoyue pointed ahead. A man dressed in a ritual robe stood on the cement pier, and at his feet was a large fire tube lying horizontally facing the surface of Lake Biwa.

Whoosh! Countless dazzling sparks burst forth, flying towards the lake's surface. The person clad in a magical robe picked up the fire tube, and sparks shot into the night sky like a fountain.

"Oh oh──"

Xiaoyue exclaimed with emotion, and I glanced at her sideways.

Xiaoyue is my good friend, and I hope we can continue to stay in touch after we graduate from high school. I don't think it will be difficult, and I'm sure Xiaoyue feels the same way.

But I understand even more clearly that I cannot take that place.

Just like the man's place in my heart, and in the hearts of the students in Dongtou—for Xiaoyue, "that place" had already been taken long ago.

Because—Xiaoyue will only ever speak ill of him.

Bang! The sparks that shot into the sky exploded with a huge sound, then faded into the darkness.

After the light faded, darkness returned, and for a moment I could see nothing and no one except myself.

Just then, someone tugged at my shirt sleeve.

I don't know why, but I know who it is without even turning my head. Perhaps it's because, unfortunately, no one is better at finding me than that guy.

"────, ──────"

The voice whispered to me.

I laughed.

Because I couldn't help but feel a little envious of Xiaoyue.

◆ Nan Xiaoyue ◆

After the second handheld firework was lit, the light danced once again in the dark night sky.

I listened to the crackling of the fire fountain, while stealing a glance at the woman beside me. Her delicate face was illuminated by the fireworks, casting sharp shadows.

I don't know myself why I like Yui so much.

Perhaps it's because she's adorable, or perhaps it's because she's gentle. The only thing I'm certain of is that whenever I examine myself standing beside her, I feel a sense of redemption.

I know I'm wrong and I can correct it.

This time I wasn't so self-centered; I learned to consider the other person's feelings. Without any prejudice or preconceived notions, I saw the real Yui. Okay, although I accidentally made a mistake in April, it was just a brief moment of indulging in fantasy, and it didn't cause any real harm to Yui, so I got through it safely.

It's alright. Nothing will go wrong this time—I can do it if I'm determined.

This time I won't... ruin those happy days again.

"Huh... That's strange? Irito-san?"

I stumbled upon something. I hadn't noticed it before because it was hidden in the shadows, but Irito was standing right next to Yui. Wasn't she supposed to be somewhere else with that guy?

I saw their shoulders slightly touching. Instantly, a burning jealousy ignited in my chest, which I quickly suppressed. Self-respect, self-respect; remember not to go too far.

"What's wrong? You've suddenly become someone who wants to hang out with girls? How sneaky!"

I said this half-jokingly, while pulling the girl's arm towards me. That was all I did.

At this level, it shouldn't feel too heavy—I think.

At this level, I doubt the girl would refuse me.

—But my expectations were not met.

"Xiaoyue, I'm sorry."

The woman's arm gently slipped out of my embrace...

With very light force, she gently pushed my shoulder away.

"Huh...? Yume...?"

"If you have any complaints, I'll listen to you all the time next time."

The girl clearly distanced herself from me—but she smiled gently on her face, as if to encourage me.

"This time, you go and try it out on your own first."

Someone grabbed my hand from behind and pulled me over forcefully.

I don't know who that person is.

More heartbreaking than this was the sight of Yui disappearing into the crowd—

I saw fireworks rise into the sky.

Dazzling light casts deep shadows.

The pitch-black darkness swallowed me whole.

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

"Thank you."

Hearing this, Jie Nu replied with her usual barbed tone:

"Why are you thanking me? Didn't Kawanami-kun ask you to do it?"

"...I said it without thinking much about it."

Bang! As I watched the handheld firework explode, I remembered the words I had just murmured:

—Kawaba has something to say to Minami.

"...I really admire you; you understood it just by listening to that."

"Sigh, I guessed it without much thought."

"You guessed it without much thought, didn't you...?"

Where exactly do people's true feelings lie?

We often say that a person has role traits, a public image, or a mask, as if that person has a real personality. But when exactly is this real personality used? When contemplating alone? Isn't that the "role trait of contemplating alone"?

True feelings, true self, and the core principles of being a person. That's the part that most desperately needs others to understand, yet it's something you can never find on your own...

If such a part truly exists, then it—

"—Perhaps it's not within myself."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, just thinking about philosophy."

The woman smiled slightly, her face illuminated by the moonlight, a hint of disdain in her expression.

"You're a bit... well, you know. Like what Dongtou said about you... having chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)?"

"Someone who used David Bowie as their phone ringtone in junior high has no right to criticize me."

"That...that's clearly the theme song from the movie you recommended I watch!"

Well, anyway, it all depends on the parties involved now.

I am a Read Only Member.

They will only remain silent and observe how things develop.

--Hmm?

We seemed to be talking about our middle school days quite naturally just now.

I looked back and saw only unfamiliar faces among the crowd.

"...Hey, where did Dongtou go?"

"what?"

Jie Nu turned around and looked back, then froze.

...I see. I see, I see.

"Looks like I was born to search for people at summer festivals..."

"Okay, okay, sorry! Are you satisfied now?"

◆ Kawamura Kogure ◆

We've been dreaming.

I fantasize that we understand each other better than anyone else, that we're charming, willing to give, and that we can laugh at everything the other says together.

—There's no such thing as someone who's tailor-made for themselves.

How many years have I been friends with that girl? I don't remember how we met, but we've known each other for almost ten years. We're even called childhood sweethearts. What do I really know about her?

Did I understand her cuteness? Her willingness to give? Her smiles towards me? These were all just outward appearances and personality traits. Just the superficial aspects that made things convenient for me! I... merely extracted the parts of her that suited my own desires and indulged in a beautiful dream.

By the time I realized it, it was too late.

A lovely smile, and a controlling nature that was always willing to give. She was pretty much the same as my childhood friend, but she gradually became someone I didn't recognize.

No, she hasn't changed.

He didn't reveal his true face beneath the mask, and became a different person.

That guy was that kind of person from the very beginning. It's just that I was ignorant.

I simply woke up from my self-delusional dream and came to a clearer view of reality.

...Ah, but that's clearly how it is...

The lights on the streets at night, blending into the darkness, flashed before my eyes one by one.

That night's adventure, the night sky I gazed at, the beautiful moon—all vanished before my eyes like fleeting rays of light.

Failed.

I genuinely feel like a failure.

I truly have no lingering regrets. The passion that blossomed that night has vanished without a trace, leaving only emptiness and loneliness. In its place lies endless regret.

So, I can say it as many times as you want.

Childhood sweethearts are probably out of the question. If something were to happen, there would be nowhere to escape.

Childhood sweethearts? Forget it. There are too few secrets between them.

Only childhood sweethearts are off-limits.

Unlike dreams, which can be forgotten easily.

◆ Nan Xiaoyue ◆

After being pulled away from the crowd, I finally saw who had grabbed my hand.

Kawanami Kogure stood in the deep darkness, a flippant smirk on his face as always.

I couldn't help but look away, avoiding the face that was about thirty centimeters taller than me. Why? I don't know. Maybe it was because I felt unworthy.

I tried to shake off his hand. His hand was much bigger than mine. The feeling of him completely enveloping me, though fondly remembered, is something I can't recall now.

However, Kawanami refused to let go of the hand he was holding.

Instead, he gripped it even tighter—yet he said casually: