My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

That must be it.

For that one sentence.

For this one thing.

"……ah……"

I bent down and covered my face.

My friends around me frantically tried to comfort me from behind.

"Ah—, don't cry, Irito-san!"

"Second place is amazing too! Yeah, I'm serious!"

no.

I am not crying.

I am not regretting.

I am not alone.

This isn't mine; it's a singles sumo wrestler.

Why would you understand?

Why is it able to be transmitted?

I clearly thought it was just a misunderstanding. I clearly believed it was just my delusion. But now, now… I, clearly, never explained it to you.

—You're the only one who can do all this.

Aren't you the only weirdo who can sense my thoughts like a telepath, despite my communication difficulties, poor speech, and limited social skills?

If you treat me like this, I—

How can I live without you?

Na.

What should you do?

Um...

◆

After the midterm exams, a relaxed atmosphere returned to the school.

After school, on the way to the library, Mizuto glanced at me sideways.

"...Why are you following me?"

"What's wrong with that? The restriction on reading was lifted after the exams, so I just wanted to find a few books."

“…I see.”

Of course, this is a lie.

Actually... he just wanted to apologize and was looking for the right opportunity.

The incident where Mizuto deliberately answered a question incorrectly, and I unilaterally lost my temper. Although it seems to have been resolved, neither Mizuto nor I have actually apologized properly—in that case, wouldn't the one who apologizes first seem more reasonable?

As long as we act together, opportunities will come sooner or later. That's why I'm following him, not because I want to stay by his side.

"...Oh, it's the Irito siblings."

"Huh? Is that the one who took both the top and second-place positions?"

"Hey~. It's those two..."

Ever since the exam results were posted, the two of us have become increasingly conspicuous when we're together.

Although I'm used to this situation, Mizuto seems quite uncomfortable. It feels really good. He'll have to bear the consequences of taking the top spot from me (though losing to him is something I'm quite resentful about).

Upon arriving at the library, Shuidou pointed to the bookshelves deep inside.

"The mystery novels are over there."

"Hmph. So, what about that corner?"

"That's light novels over there. From ancient times to the latest releases, they have a pretty complete selection... Are you finally starting to get interested?"

"How could that be? There are no puzzle-solving stories in light novels."

"I don't care if you get killed by the fans of Fuji Insight Mystery Library one day."

Mizuto and I parted ways, heading towards the mystery/puzzle section, and I went to the light novel section located diagonally opposite the entrance. It seems like it's light novels' turn lately.

I scanned the spines of the books on the shelf, one by one, from the top left to the bottom right. Wow! The collection is really quite complete. I wish I had come here sooner.

As I reached for a book I had just found that I hadn't read before, I leaned my face out from the bookshelf and looked toward the corner where Shuidou had disappeared.

...While that man is choosing books, how about we pretend to brush past him, apologize, and then quickly leave?

After all, that man said things like, "Could you please explain things in a way that no one but me can understand?" but then he left after saying things that no one but me could understand. So even if my apology was a bit rushed, it's not a big deal, right?

That might be a good idea. Okay, it's settled then.

I took my book and approached the light novel shelf that Mizuto had pointed to. Mizuto should be right across from that shelf. Thinking this, I was about to go around to the back of the shelf when…

"—Ooh!"

"—Ugh!"

A faint, mournful cry came from the other side of the bookshelf.

Immediately following was the sound of books falling to the ground with a series of thuds.

And Mizuto's quiet "sorry".

Did the water bucket collide with someone?

For some reason, I felt a stirring in my heart.

What's going on here.

It's like, a long, long time ago, I seem to have witnessed something similar—

I quickened my pace slightly and peered behind the bookshelf.

Paperback books with ornate covers were scattered on the ground.

A girl was hurriedly packing up the books.

She was an unremarkable girl.

For a moment, I thought it was the same girl from before—the one who was with Mizuto during our aquarium date. But I immediately realized it wasn't the same person.

Not only was her hairstyle not braided but shoulder-length, and whether it was because she slept poorly or because it was naturally like that, her hair was sticking up everywhere. She was also about 15 centimeters taller than the girls at the time; Xiaoyue would definitely be envious if she saw her.

But more than any of these features, what immediately convinced me that it wasn't the same person was her chest, as if she were trying to bury the paperback in her hands.

...So big...

Her breasts stretched taut over her school uniform sweater, displaying an overwhelming presence. Although Xiaoyue always saw my breasts as a thorn in her side, compared to her, I couldn't possibly call myself a large-breasted woman. F...? Maybe even a G...

Just as I was instinctively terrified by those enormous breasts that I'd probably only ever seen on light novel covers, Mizuto picked up one of the paperback books that were lying on the floor.

"……ah……"

The girl's voice was somewhat timid. She glanced up slightly at the water basin, then immediately lowered her head again.

She must be very shy. Well, I guess so. After all, it's always a little embarrassing to have your hobby known—

"—This series,"

With a soft "Eh," the girl looked up.

With a "hey," I also looked at the water bucket.

There was no plan, no calculation.

He simply wore an expression as if he had met a fellow otaku.

—That's what Mizuto Irito said.

"You like it too?"

—And that's how I witnessed it.

The moment the gods set a trap for everyone except me.

Volume 2: Even if they're no longer lovers, my ex-girlfriend won't be jealous. "Thank you for being good friends with Mizuto."

What is a friend?

To be honest, I started by asking a question that sounded like something out of place, and in fact, my experience in making friends is almost zero—I wasn't interested in interpersonal communication when I was in elementary and junior high school, so looking back, I think I only knew a few "acquaintances" who were the most basic necessities in life.

Even Kawanami Kogure, whom I started hanging out with after high school, was more inclined to be like-minded people, our own kind, or members of the victim association. Although he claimed to be my friend, I never really felt that way about him.

So, what is a friend?

How can we become friends?

"Ah, shall we start talking about the definition of friendship, Mizuto-kun? This is one of the few topics that I, Higashito Isana, am good at."

The girl sitting with her knees drawn up on the air conditioner by the library window, Higashito Izana, said:

"The question is, in the hierarchy of interpersonal relationships, where should we draw the line for defining friendship, right? Does knowing someone's name make them a friend? Does talking to someone make them a friend? Exchanging LINE IDs makes them friends—what an intriguing topic! Let's delve into that in great detail!"

"This is the first time in my life I've seen someone so excited about this topic, Dongtou. Also, is 'nitpicking' used correctly?"

"Because think about it. Based on the established boundaries of friendship, the student on duty who came to ask me about my homework progress this morning might actually be my friend, right?"

"Please stop abusing the boundaries of friendship immediately."

"When a classmate you're on friendly terms becomes a target of bullying, you can rationally say, 'I'm not friends with her,' to excuse yourself. This is amazing, a truly revolutionary discovery!"

"Someone like you will never make any friends!"

Just after I told her the only fact that I, who didn't even understand the definition of friendship, could clearly assert, Dongtou put her expressionless face on her folded knees.

"That's a contradiction, Mizuto. Are you familiar with the Cretan paradox?"

"I know. I also know about the Demon's Proof and Hempel's Raven."

"Oh dear, all my knowledge of logic has been preempted."

"Don't think you can intimidate me with knowledge from light novels. So what if someone calls themselves a fraud?"

"If you say I have no friends, then who is this Mizuto-kun who's chatting and laughing with me like this?"

Dongtou tilted his head slightly, looking at me beside him with a silly expression.

"I thought I'd been talking about this all along. What do you think you are to me, and what am I to you?"

"I think we're friends, okay? If Mizuto becomes a bully, I'll definitely get bullied along with you."

"He won't save me, what an unreliable guy."

"You flatter me—"

Watching Dongtou, whose facial muscles remained still but whose body swayed slightly from side to side, I thought to myself:

This guy didn't stand idly by when I was being bullied—in fact, he was willing to share my hardships. He must be what you call a true friend.

--On another note.

I think it's time to explain.

Who exactly is this girl who suddenly appeared and started chatting and laughing with me?

Well, there's really no point in explaining it now—just like Dongtou herself said earlier.

Higashito Isana is my friend.

only……

He is the most compatible friend I have ever had in my life.

I don't think I'll ever meet a better friend than her in my entire life.

So good that I can say without hesitation that she must feel the same way.

◆ Water Fighter ◆

I used to frequent the library, but lately I've been lingering there even more.