My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Instead, I heard a soft, peaceful snore in my ear.

"……call……"

My consciousness surfaced from sleep, hazy and groggy, and I reflexively looked in the direction of the sound.

A lovely girl with long, tightly closed eyelashes is right in front of me.

...I don't know how long it's been since I've seen your face this close.

You've always only had exceptionally well-proportioned features, like your eyes and nose... No matter how many times I tell you, you just won't believe me... I never imagined you'd start acting like a perfect, talented, and handsome superman... Ugh, I'm totally defeated by you...

I used my fingers to gently push her bangs to one side.

So that I can see her face more clearly.

...Let me take a good look at your face, is that alright? Ayai...

Warm, moist breath landed on my lips—

--Shh!

A jolt of electricity sent a shiver through my brain, and I sat bolt upright.

Could that sound just now be...?

...I should say, I almost did something...?

Just as my half-awake, confused mind was overheating, something happened.

"Ooh-ah-ah!"

Even though she was sleeping soundly just now, Jie jumped up and hugged me.

“…Huh?”

--Sand...

Turning my head to look at the source of the sound, I saw that the lecture notes that had been placed on the pile of books had fallen to the floor.

Oh, that was the voice.

In that case... the problem is actually the woman who is now throwing herself at my chest.

"...You, you..."

"........."

"You...you're not asleep?"

"........."

She had already noticed?

Did they realize I was half asleep and almost did something bad?

The girl pressed her face against my chest—as if trying to hide her expression.

"...I choose to remain silent. I have nothing to say to a man who tries to steal a kiss from a girl while she's sleeping."

"Since you've noticed—"

"What time is it!"

Suddenly, Jie Nu screamed, pushed me away, and got off the bed.

"We'll be late if we're slow! Besides, the typhoon has clearly passed!"

The woman told me this unilaterally—and then hastily fled my room.

Staring at the closed door, I muttered to myself:

"...Since you've noticed—"

—I won't run away or refuse.

The words stuck in my throat... and then vanished.

Just like a storm has passed.

Volume 3: Childhood Friends? Forget it. Isana from the east is here. "What's there to be wary of?"

Looking back, I can only say it was a mistake I made when I was young. However, between my second and third years of junior high school, I had what is commonly known as a girlfriend.

How did our relationship, which isn't naturally suited for finding a partner, evolve into that kind of relationship? There's only one reason: a common thread connected us.

The greatest invention in human history, evidence of humankind as primates, and the foundation of civilized society.

That is, books.

Reading novels—this shared interest inadvertently brought us, naturally solitary individuals, together—I won't discuss its merits or demerits here, but in short, this is how we formed a connection, and how we usually interact goes without saying.

Discuss your thoughts on the books you've read...

Discussing expectations for a book you haven't read yet...

Then, they would borrow each other's books.

...Actually, this kind of communication, even though we've now transitioned from lovers to step-siblings, continues discreetly—it's just that now we've become...

Criticism and debate regarding books read...

They complained to each other about books they hadn't read yet...

Then they would take away the other person's books without permission and then hurl insults at them.

...Although things have changed this way, in terms of how book lovers interact, nothing has changed. The fact that they can now express their opinions frankly is actually a kind of progress.

That's enough of the small talk.

For us two poor junior high students, borrowing books from each other was very important. Not only could we read books for free, but more importantly, we were also reading the same book—we not only enjoyed the pleasure of reading, but we could even discuss our thoughts. It was more than just a win-win situation.

At that time, novels were a communication tool that transcended social media.

However, we had the following conversation:

—I have the whole set of that series at home.

At the time, I was browsing various secondhand bookstores with that woman—Yui Ayai.

When she mentioned that she was looking for a certain older mystery novel series, I told her this.

--Huh! Really?

--Hmm. You can borrow it if you don't mind...

--Thank you! I really can't find it anywhere...

So...

Without thinking—I really didn't think much before I said it:

--Would you like to come to my house now?

--...Oh dear?

Ayai froze, as if a gear had gone out of place.

--I...Irito's house?

--……? Yes.

--Uh...this...this, that...

Ayai suddenly started fidgeting with her bangs, her body stiffening as she lowered her head.

At this point, I finally realized my mistake – I was essentially trying to bring her into my own home.

Ah! ...Ah...uh...

--Ugh--...Hmm, eh...

In the narrow aisle of a secondhand bookstore, a middle school boy and girl repeatedly let out meaningless moans.

After exposing our embarrassing and shameful behavior for more than a minute, we secretly glanced at each other and simultaneously put on ingratiating smiles.

-- I...I'll take it to school tomorrow.

-- Uh, um. Thanks...

I'll admit it.

Even now, I have to admit it.

Spending time in the same room with Yui Ayai, reading your favorite books without having to find topics to talk about, would definitely be a very enjoyable experience.

But we backed down. Why?

Because we were a couple at that time.

The fact that couples are in the same room carries a hidden meaning.

So, what if we weren't a couple?

If we don't let the puberty that's unique to junior high school students cloud our judgment, we can maintain a just-right relationship as fellow reading enthusiasts.

We might be able to maintain the relationship we had back then...

...I've thought that way too.

Until I met Higashito Izana.

◆

"I want to see Mizuto's bookshelf."

The library after school—in its usual, fixed spot, by the air conditioner unit by the window.

After some twists and turns, Higashito Isana, who had finally become friends with Higashito, suddenly said those words.

"...Huh? My bookshelf?"

"Think about it, didn't you dump me, Mizuto-kun?"

"Uh, yeah. Doesn't it feel weird to say it yourself?"

"Being dumped means I'm hopeless, right? So, it shouldn't be considered inappropriate for me, a girl, to go into Mizuto's room, right?"

"Uh-huh……?"

When someone says, "It probably won't cause any problems, right?" you'll feel like replying, "Indeed."

This guy has an unusually persuasive way of speaking. He's clearly not good with words, but perhaps he just speaks in a very organized and logical way.

"...No, no, wait a minute, Dongtou. What does this explanation have to do with you wanting to see my bookshelf?"

"I want to see it out of my own personal desire, there's no particular reason. I just want to see it. If I had to say, I want to check which light novel's illustration pages have these creases. That way I can find out which heroine was the one who sexually introduced Mizuto to her middle or elementary school classmates."

"You're saying you're 'let's get to know' them? What do you want to achieve by figuring that out?"

"Would you find me adorable if I got jealous?"

"No. The idea that something is 'cute' is outdated."

"Would it be useful if I got jealous?"

"Where has your sense of shame gone?!"

The busty, erotic girl, Higashito Izana, blinked her eyes several times in an affected manner.

"Huh? What's so embarrassing about using the word 'practical'? Aren't all netizens using the word 'practical'? Explain to me what's wrong with using it?"

"You've become more difficult to deal with than before..."

"Mizuto's annoyed expression is so useful! Super useful! You're the one for tonight!"

"I'm serious, stop right now, or I'll cut ties with you."

"I'm so sorry, I was just kidding. I won't look at you like that again!"

The marginalized woman—Isana Higashitou—clinged to me with teary eyes. This action caused her self-proclaimed G-cup breasts to press limply against my upper arm, but unlike last time, she was probably unaware of it this time. However, compared to the clumsy seduction she had done back then, this was a million times more difficult.

"I'm getting more and more reluctant... Letting you into my house would definitely threaten my chastity."

"Don't worry, I'll enter 'wise mode' first before I go."

"I can't stand listening to a single word you've said since you started."

"Well, to put it simply, it seems like Mizuto-kun has some really nostalgic light novels, and I'd like to borrow a few to read."