My Stepsister is My Ex-Girlfriend - Volume 6 - Chapter 5.15

2:35 P.M.: Past and Present

Mizuto Irido

“Phew, I’m relieved we were able to escape. That was quite enjoyable!”

“Yeah. I was seriously surprised when I realized that all the answers up until the end had been hints to solve the final riddle.”

“The structure of the riddles wasn’t too uncommon, but they certainly did a good job.”

We left the escape room that we’d completed and began discussing it. We’d gone to a lot of different places so far, but that was definitely the highlight. We partially liked it because it’d been right up our alley, but also, it didn’t try to cater to the cultural festival guests. They’d thought really carefully about what would yield the most entertainment. It’d simply been fun to go through.

“It was very fortunate that I had you and Yume-san there with me. I never would have been able to escape by myself.”

“You can say that again. I thought it’d be easy since we’re at a student-run cultural festival, but I was really surprised by how well thought-out it was.”

“Precisely! I initially believed that it would be an extrovert-focused activity filled with inside jokes, during which the ineptitude of the puzzle design would be hidden by pep alone, but I was pleasantly surprised!”

“Is that really what you think of the cultural festival? Kinda a low opinion, don’t you think?” Yume quipped.

Personally, I think she’s got the right idea.

We continued walking around and ended up in the inner courtyard, where some third-years were in the middle of a performance. A few girls were bravely singing an anime song at the top of their lungs. Yume used this time to open the festival’s pamphlet.

“Where should we go next? There are a lot of classes that have something in the afternoon.”

Isana tilted her head and looked into the sky. “I am feeling somewhat burned out from the last activity we did.”

“Yeah, maybe we should take a break.”

“True. We have been walking around quite a bit. I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick. Are you okay, Higashira-san?”

“Yes, I’m all right. Have a safe trip.”

“I’ll be right back, so stay around here, okay?” Yume said before going back inside.

We leaned against one of the pillars of the outdoor walkway while we waited, watching the group sing.

“Oh, Mizuto-kun,” Isana suddenly crowed.

“Hm?”

As soon as I turned around, Isana quickly flashed her cleavage that was being held in place by the dirndl by pulling down on the collar of the cape.

“You addicted to doing that now?”

“Isn’t it quite erotic to be the only one to witness such a sight, despite being surrounded by a crowd of people?”

“Please stop developing a new fetish...”

I shouldn’t have complimented her. She didn’t care about her allure anymore; she was just enjoying the situation.

She giggled, covering her mouth. “Feel free to copy my actions when in the presence of Yume-san.”

“Guys don’t have anything like that to show off.”

“That isn’t true. You simply do not understand. Both males and females are excited by glimpses of the chest.”

“I’m not, though.”

“Sure. I’ll leave it at that out of respect for our friendship.” She was really annoying when she got full of herself. “Well, even if you don’t expose your chest to her, you should do something. You haven’t really used this great opportunity to make any moves. I was of the understanding that you wanted to make her fall for you.”

“Not at all. Being a committee member’s been busier than I expected. It’s especially bad for her since the committee head’s taken a liking to her, so...I don’t wanna get in her way.”

“It...doesn’t seem like you’re making an excuse. But you should know that Yume-san wouldn’t see it that way.”

“That doesn’t matter.” She shouldn’t base her priorities on her feelings.

“Hm...” Isana stared at my face, her lips curved downwards into a frown. “Tell me the truth. Are you thinking about something foolish again?”

“Nothing more stupid than what you were thinking a little while ago.”

“The fact that you are able to understand someone as incredibly foolish and annoying as I is proof that you yourself possess an even more foolish and annoying personality!” Can’t argue with that. “You are intelligent and are always taking into consideration your surroundings, but perhaps you ought to think about yourself first for once and put everything else on the back burner.”

“You’re probably right...”

But still, I couldn’t change how I was. It was the method that I’d come up with since I was the only person I could trust. I couldn’t bring myself to follow my nostalgic heart. How could I? It was filled with memories of failures.

“Hey, Isana, don’t take what I’m about to ask too seriously, okay?”

“Okay?”

“What would you say if I said that I should’ve said yes to you?”

“I’d be furious.”

“Thought as much,” I scoffed a little. There was no way that things would be so convenient that—

“But,” Isana said, looking intently into my eyes, “if you confessed to me now, I’d happily accept.”

My eyes widened in surprise and I looked right at her. “What’s the difference?”

“Well... I suppose it’s a difference between the past and present?”

“Explain.”

“It’s similar to a game in which there’s a difference between returning to a previous save in order to alter your choice and making a new choice altogether. It’s as though everything that happened until then had never occurred in the first place. Instead, I’d much prefer it if you chose me because of the events that have transpired.” Oh, I get it. Listening to her explanations really helps. So simple to understand. “I’ve changed quite a bit since meeting you, Mizuto-kun. I have come to like who I am a lot more after meeting you. So, if you were to choose me, I’d be happy to be your girlfriend, wife, or whatever. Then, one of those days, you’d bring me to your house, and we’d engage in sexual intercourse.”

“You’re putting your lust really out there.”

“It is very important to me. Is it not for you?”

No. For me, what’s important is— But once again, the words didn’t follow. Though I knew that I didn’t agree, I couldn’t think of what was actually important to me.

“Oh, Mizuto-kun, by the way—”

“Excuse me,” a low voice interrupted as Isana tried to ask me something.

In front of us was a jacket-clad guy, probably in his forties. Was he someone’s parent? He had a very hotshot, businessman-esque air to him.

“I’m a little lost. Could I ask for directions?”

“Oh, sure.”

I had an armband on, signifying I was a committee member, which he had probably noticed. I turned to help him, ignoring Isana, who was shrinking away with each passing second.

“Could you tell me where class 1-7 is?”

Our class? Though the coincidence caught me off guard, I still answered him as a committee member. “It’s on the second floor of that building over there. It’ll be the third classroom after you go up the stairs.”

“Got it. Thanks. I appreciate it.” Then he looked at Isana, who was hiding behind me. “You have a wonderful girlfriend. Be sure to treasure her,” he said, smiling.

Isana jumped and squealed, possibly because she was suddenly called out. I felt her slightly tighten her grip on my shirt.

“Thanks again,” he said before disappearing towards the school building.

Seems like a pretty nice guy. I wonder if he’s someone’s dad.

“Ehe heh heh... He called me your wonderful girlfriend, Mizuto-kun!”

“Oh yeah, how nice it’d be if you were.”

“Indeed! Wait, you of all people shouldn’t be saying that!” Isana angrily exclaimed.

I petted her on the head as I would a dog in order to calm her down. Treasure her, huh? It’s not that easy.