My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

—Xiaoxiao, I still like you just the same as before.

How much of it is the truth?

Where do we begin to tell the truth?

Is she just teasing me again? Or is she really sincere? That guy's actions are always a mix of truth and deception; I can't figure anything out anymore.

She said she still likes me?

Well, I guess I still liked her to some extent. Because I was the one who dumped her back then. Ever since I developed this condition, I know she's been hiding her feelings because of my situation. I know better than anyone that she's not smart enough to completely let go of her feelings in just a few months.

I'm... just like her.

I've had enough, and I really hope she can let me go. These are all facts, all the truth.

However, I did indeed have feelings for her.

If that guy hadn't been that kind of monster, I'd probably still be dating her. I'd probably have told my parents by now, and we'd probably be showing off our relationship at school. I can say that with certainty because I genuinely liked her back then.

That being the case.

Her personality has changed a lot now, so...

Such assumptions are completely useless. Such imagination is meaningless.

Because I've become someone who can't fall in love.

It's beyond redemption—they can't accept other people's affections.

—I'll help you cure this ailment.

What will I become next?

If this constitution is truly cured—what will I do then?

"Good morning."

The sight that rushed into my field of vision the moment I opened my eyes made me freeze.

What... how could this be?

I think I slept in the boys' room yesterday...! How did this guy end up here?

Seeing that I was startled awake and frozen in place, Xiaoyue slowly reached out her hand toward my face.

Then, like lovingly stroking a cat, it stroked my cheek and chuckled affectionately.

"You...the expression you make when you're sleeping is actually quite cute, isn't it?"

I was suddenly terrified! A chill ran through my entire body.

I was trembling all over in bed. The way my hands moved, the expression on my face... it was like how someone would treat a small bird, tenderly watching over something fragile and in need of protection from outside the cage—

(Illustration 010)

Suddenly, Xiaoyue pressed down on me.

She was as light as a doll, not like a person of flesh and blood. Yet, she possessed the warmth and softness of a living person. My heart pounded, a mixture of excitement and fear. This woman is someone I will never forget. Whether it's a woman's gentle tenderness or her terrifying cunning, it's all fused together and imprinted on my heart.

A sweet, yet icy whisper:

"(Everyone's watching. Be patient ♥)"

Only then did I finally turn my attention to my surroundings.

Our roommates, Hoshino and Haba-senpai, were both looking at us with curiosity. Only Irito was yawning listlessly, but she was right; those who didn't know the situation were watching us.

I endured the chill, suppressed the shivering that ran through my body, and pushed the unpleasant memories and images back into the depths of my mind.

I can't let anyone see... my pathetic physical condition.

"(You did a great job! You're the best! ♥)"

After whispering sweet nothings in her voice, Xiaoyue finally left me.

"Hurry up and get dressed—don't keep everyone waiting too long!"

After saying that, Xiaoyue flicked the hem of her bathrobe and walked out of the room, shaking her head.

After watching her leave, Xing Ge kept his eyes fixed on the doorway and whispered:

"So you two... are dating after all."

"...What do you mean by 'as expected'..."

For a moment, I couldn't get out of bed. Xiaoyue's remaining weight and body temperature, as if etched into my skin, still lingered there.

Have you ever heard of exposure therapy?

How could I not have heard of it? It's not like I haven't thought about whether there's a way to cure this condition.

This means deliberately engaging with the source of psychological trauma in order to gradually overcome psychological barriers.

Could it be that she intends to do that?

Starting today? All day today?

Is she planning to act like we did when we first started dating, from morning till night?

Asahi Aisa ◆ Equipment should be chosen based on suitability

"Please! Help me pick out an outfit for my date with my senior!"

A few hours later, after asking everyone for help, we arrived at the shopping center of Kobe Rinkai Land.

Naturally, everyone in the facility split into male and female groups. Our group's destination was the area that combined fashion and boutique items. That's right, I had already made plans with my senior to go out and play together starting at noon! To prepare for this boss battle, our equipment had to be absolutely perfect.

You should have bought your date outfit in advance, right?

I knew there would be voices like that. In fact, some people actually said that to me. Lanlan lectured me directly, saying, "Why didn't you buy it beforehand?" My reply was as follows:

Don't think these principles will work on me!

Look at this! My casual outfit! Wrinkles! Ruffles! This kind of outfit is so bad it almost looks like children's clothing! I love this kind of thing! I only know how to pick this kind of thing! I don't really know how to distinguish between casual clothes and cosplay outfits! But I do know that I can't wear this kind of outfit to a crucial date!

From the past until now, it's not that I haven't gone out with my seniors.

In the past, I always wore the clothes I liked. Every time my senior saw me, he would look a little disgusted, but I actually found his reaction quite amusing.

But today is different.

This is because today—I'm going to confess my feelings to my senior.

That's why I'm enduring this humiliation and asking for your help!

"Although your inexplicably arrogant attitude bothers me a little, well, this is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for friends, and I won't hesitate to offer my help," Ling Lili said. "Besides, I've felt for a long time that your fashion sense needs to be improved."

"Do you have a problem with that?! Landmine-type characters are just so cute!"

"Then wear it on your date."

Ugh... You all love to preach so much. That's just how rigid student councils are.

"Okay, okay, this is a great opportunity! It's much more fun to browse with a purpose than just looking around without buying anything!"

Xiao Yueyue, who wasn't part of the student council, kindly offered her advice.

"I was thinking before, 'This senior has a supermodel figure, why does she always wear such childish clothes?' Now I can finally improve that!"

"Why do I feel like you're being sarcastic towards me, Little Yueyue?"

Let me make this clear first: you guys have already made enemies of the entire world's landmine enthusiast community.

"Senior Ya Shuang is tall and slender, she should look great in cool-style clothes."

"But if it's for a date, then there might be a different standard, Irito-san."

Only my two junior classmates, Xiaojie and Lanlan, were genuinely trying to help me. Another junior—Izana—was inexplicably taking pictures everywhere with her phone. She looked like an indoor type, yet her clothes were surprisingly stylish. Where did she learn to dress so well? Was it in compulsory education?

"First, we need to establish a strategy," Rin said. "Since we're choosing clothes to wear with Hoshibe-senpai, it's important to match his attire. Today, Hoshibe-senpai is wearing—"

"A jacket paired with jeans, the color scheme is cool tones—" Xiaoyueyue said. "It's a very ordinary outfit, but someone as tall as him looks good in anything. So sly~"

"That's exactly what I meant!"

Seriously, my senior is that tall! A full 187 centimeters! He looks handsome in everything he wears, it's so annoying!

"Aisa, it's too early for you to act like a girlfriend."

"At least wait until after you've confessed before you set it up, senior."

"……sorry."

My emotions were so high they were off the charts in a strange way. It seems that welcoming this day, the biggest turning point in my life, has made it impossible for me to remain calm.

Ling Lili and the others continued to exchange various opinions.

"Since Senior Xingbian's clothing colors tend to be more conservative, perhaps we can choose brighter colors."

"Great! Although it's already winter, so I can't choose overly vibrant colors!"

"Pants or a skirt?"

"I feel like when people talk about date outfits, they always think of dresses..."

"It's rare to see such beautiful legs on a senior like you; it would be a shame not to show them off!"

"That's right. In any case, the bra pads definitely need to be removed—"

"Wait, wait a minute! If I take it off, my bra size will be...!"

"Let's take this opportunity to buy another one."

"But I specifically wore my signature lingerie here..."

They walked toward the shops they could see, arguing and chattering all the while.

Then, after picking and choosing a bunch of clothes and accessories, I took them all into the fitting room.

"Okay, I'm all dressed—how does it look?"

Upon seeing me pull back the curtain and appear, several indescribable sounds overlapped.

What everyone presented to me as the original design was a women's blouse with a relatively open neckline and a pleated skirt that fell below the knee. It seemed like they wanted to create a uniform-like outfit.

result……

"this……"

How should I describe it...?

"...She looks like a hot girl."

"Yeah, she's a hot girl."

She dressed like a hot girl.

Then, simply wear some jingling jewelry around your neck or wrists, and tie a sweater around your waist for a perfect look.

Lanlan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"It suits you perfectly, senior. It's like it was designed just for you...hehehe...!"

"Hey, what's so funny about that?! How dare you call me, a proper otaku, a promiscuous slut?! You have some nerve!"

"To be honest, I'm more like a gentle and glamorous girl who's kind to otaku! Besides, a real glamorous girl wouldn't wear long, flowing twin tails. So, Dongtou-kun? Please give your opinion on behalf of the otaku!"

"what?"

When Xiaoyueyue suddenly asked me about it, Izana, the junior, looked at me standing in the fitting room and, for some reason, turned her phone camera towards me and said:

"Well... I'd like this girl to come over and chat with me, pretending to be familiar with me, while I'm pretending to be asleep during my lunch break..."

"Look, senior! It's getting rave reviews!"

Hmm... I'm a homebody too, I know what she means!

"Hmm...but then again, I feel..."

"What are you dissatisfied with now?"

"How should I put it? I wanted to show my seriousness through my outfit. I wanted my senior to think, 'She looks different today.' But you know, I'm usually the assertive, pushy type..."

"So, does that mean the senior wants a bigger contrast?"

"Yes! That's exactly what you said!"

Throughout history and across cultures, contrasts always manage to strike a chord deep within a person! It's like using my ordinary self as a foreshadowing! Any guy would fall for this! Even that seemingly wooden senior wouldn't be an exception, probably!