My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 234

The story depicts two people who, after officially starting to live in different worlds, still maintain some connections.

I thought a lot about the male-to-female ratio in the student council, and then I figured since the Haba student council meeting was just background noise anyway, I might as well make everyone a girl—a very arbitrary conclusion. Like Nasu Hana and the others, I really like writing about a Kirara-style (note: likely referring to Manga Time Kirara) group of four or five girls. But I also really want to write about pairings, so I brought in the OB (observer) characters.

As it turns out, the only character who didn't appear in the previous student council is now the general affairs officer, and it's uncertain whether he'll ever appear. The character whose true identity remains a mystery isn't the president but the general affairs officer—doesn't that seem like a super strong character?

Furthermore, and not only here, the story content this time was crammed in too much, resulting in a shortage of illustrations. Therefore, the manga cafe scene, which should have had illustrations, is also missing. This is the difficulty of light novels. We are soliciting fan art.

●──Episode 2: I Want to Make You Blush

How many times have I written this scene of her being all teasing and seductive while wrapped in a bath towel? It's okay. A good scene can be reused multiple times and still look good.

Writing this episode gave me the idea that romantic comedies would be more interesting if all the characters were idiots. Mizuto's IQ was way too high until the last episode. It was only after he started to become appropriately stupid in this episode that I realized, "Yes, that's it!"

Aisha is a character I personally like a lot, and she probably played a significant role in this episode. Why is it that those who haven't achieved anything substantial tend to give advice the most?

●──Episode 3: Me in Your Eyes

It's the sports festival. I don't really value this festival, so I originally wanted to skip it, but then I remembered there was a race with obstacles, so I changed my mind. By the way, the rule about redrawing was just something I made up; I don't know if there actually is such a rule.

Just as Yui came into contact with the new student council community, Mizuto and Isana also met Nasuka and Maki at this time. If you ask me what the intention behind this design is, I can only say it's based on intuition.

If everyone, including Yui, were to gather, there would be as many as seven people, which would be difficult to write, so I hope they can avoid being together as much as possible. However, Mizuto and Isana will ultimately be paired up even within the group, so their environment probably won't change much.

TakayaKi-sensei is incredibly skilled at drawing lingerie; I'd always hoped she'd include it in my illustrations, and this time it finally came true. But then the lingerie broke. Izana, you...

●──Episode 4: It must be because of your protection

The main point of the plot is: although it's a lighthearted romantic comedy, it should occasionally show a serious side.

Asuhain is the only one in the student council where everyone is in a relationship but is pretty useless at it, and she's the only one I can wholeheartedly love. I have absolutely no intention of correcting this kid's dislike of boys! However, Aisha's sister, who will make a brief appearance in the next part of the story, is an exception... I hope I'll have the chance to write about that story someday.

Oh, right, I haven't mentioned that yet. Aisha's younger sister is that middle school girl who hates boys at the school festival. She has the same hairstyle as her older sister, right?

●──Episode 5: I wish this moment could pause for a while

Sorry for keeping you all waiting, the birthday celebration is here. The date November 3rd was chosen because both 11 and 3 are prime numbers—meaning they are "divisible and cannot be properly divided."

This plot also resolves the issue of "student council members appearing midway through the story, making it impossible to write about them until summer." Fortunately, Suzuri and Aisa love to show off. I was also eager to see what they would look like in swimsuits or winter clothes, but the old problem persists: insufficient illustrations. I'm again soliciting fan art.

Honestly, until the moment I started writing, I was still planning to have Mizuto and Yume go on a date, but once I started writing, they didn't. Thinking about it, it makes sense; as I wrote, I realized that birthday celebrations are actually more family-oriented than romantic activities. So, it ended up being an unexpectedly relaxed and leisurely affair.

The final illustration is a scene I've wanted to depict for a long time; it's been a long time since I've specified the illustration's content. Look at the world, this is mutual unrequited love.

...Speaking of which, the birthday gift Mizuto gave her before was supposed to be a peach-colored book cover, but now when I go back and look at the cover of the first volume...?

It's been a long time since I've been able to completely clear my mind and write a romantic comedy. I'm so happy. Next time, I'll seriously address the foreshadowing from episode six...maybe I will, maybe I won't. Kawanami and Minami had relatively little screen time this time; next time, I'll make them the main characters...maybe I will, maybe I won't. I don't know.

So, that concludes Kamishiro Kyosuke's rendition of "My Stepmother's Burden is My Ex-Girlfriend 7: I Hope This Moment Can Stay Forever." Forget "forever," can we at least maintain this status quo for another five episodes?

Volume 7 Illustrations: May This Moment Stand Still

Volume 7: May this moment linger for a while, capturing the daily life of the couple before the Taiwan edition bonus content; the boundary between the woman and reality.

The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light

Image source/input: Beatrice

"Irito-kun! What are you looking at today?"

As I was reading in my living room, Jie sat down next to me and leaned on my shoulder, just like always.

I gently pushed her weight back down while turning to the next page.

"Today's story is a fantasy novel."

"Does it look good?"

"Well enough."

"oh……"

As Jie Nu replied, I saw her pull her socks down, take them off, and throw them on the floor. Then she cleverly bent her exposed, slender white legs, lay down sideways on the sofa, and rested her head on my lap.

"Hello."

I lowered my head and called to her. The girl giggled mischievously and said:

"Stay with me for a bit."

"I'm reading a book..."

"Didn't you say it was alright?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jie rolled over on my lap and buried her face in my stomach. She really was like a cat that needed company.

From her flowing black hair, I could glimpse her white ears. I stroked the area below her ears as if I were soothing a cat.

"Mmm~♪"

Hearing her make what sounded like a comfortable gurgling sound in her throat, I would pinch her earlobe or poke her cheek for fun. Each time, Jie Nu would wriggle restlessly on my lap and couldn't help but laugh as if she were ticklish.

Then, she rolled over again onto her back, grinning as she looked at my face.

"...Are you satisfied with just touching these areas?"

"What's the meaning?"

"I think there must be other places that feel even more comfortable to touch...?"

The woman's movements were provocative, her breasts heaving dramatically. The tips of her breasts brushed against my elbow briefly before moving away. Though it was only for a fleeting moment, it was enough for me to feel their softness.

...Seriously, you're really clingy today. Are you trying so hard to get my attention? And telling such tasteless jokes—isn't that just like Dongtou?

...Hmm? East end...?

"—Time to get up! It's already daylight!"

...Huh?

I groggily opened my eyes and saw that Jie was leaning down, looking at my face. That's strange… I should be the one looking down at her…

"Ah, you're finally awake. Seriously... why do I have to wake you up? How do you ever get up when I'm not around?"

That's strange... He's usually so playful and joking around with me like Dongtou... but today he looks so angry... Did something upset him?

As usual, I reached out and placed my hand on the girl's cheek.

"...Ugh?"

I enjoyed the smooth feel of her hair with my fingertips, stroked her soft cheeks with my palms, and gently scratched the hollow of her earlobe with my thumb.

"No, wait... um...!"

Why is your reaction so cute today? Normally you're only ticklish. Just like Yui Ayame... huh?

Strange? Right, it's usually Dongtou who's always joking around with me…that makes sense. Even when we were dating, Yui would get shy if I got too close or intimate with her…

"…………Um…………"

Not to mention she's become the embodiment of trolls these days; if I were to touch her face like that, it would definitely make her erupt like a volcano. That's right...

「… … … … … … … … … … 」

How could she possibly... let me touch her like this...?

……strangeness?

I still feel like something's off... like I've made a mistake...

Forget it, never mind.

I'm still... a little sleepy... let me sleep a little longer...

"...Don't go to sleep after you've had your fun touching yourself, you idiot..."

Volume 8, it's time to show you your full power. It's so hard to even meet someone.

Taiwanese version from Angel Anime Forum

Light Bookshelf × Angel Anime Entry Team

Image source: Hai

Input: kid

Mizuto Irito's Encounter with the Black Cat

After chatting with Izana as usual, I returned home and saw a black cat dozing off.

Of course, we haven't started keeping any pets at home. To be honest, this cat is just a human dressed up in a cosplay outfit with black cat ears, a cat tail, and a provocative costume.

The way it lay there made it seem as if it were warming itself by the lingering warmth left by its owner.

Fortunately, I recognized the guy who was curled up like a fetus, with his long black hair spread out on the sheets.

"...What is this guy doing...?"

Looking down at my stepsister's sleeping face, I couldn't help but mutter to myself, a mixture of shock and confusion.

She was wearing a miniskirt with cutouts at the chest and abdomen, making it as revealing as a swimsuit. With just a slight change in perspective, her cleavage or underwear could be exposed.

I pushed the snow-white thighs peeking out from under the black skirt out of my sight and sighed helplessly.

(Illustration 005)

How did this situation come about?

What exactly does she want me to do?

Irito Yui ◆ Student Council Travel Plan

"By the way, Ms. Jie, what are your plans for the long weekend next month?"

October 30th.

After finishing the midterm exams, I had figured out what birthday present to give to Mizuto; just when I was completely relaxed, President Kurenai asked me this question.

"A long weekend? That means..."

"A three-day holiday from the 21st to the 23rd."

The president, whose voice was as dignified and imposing as ever, wore adorable cat ears.

This is what she was greeted with "Happy Halloween!" as soon as she entered the student council room today. I also had something on my head. At first, I didn't understand, but today is October 30th—the day before Halloween. And in Japan, Halloween has, for some time now, also taken on the meaning of "Cosplay Day."

Asahi, who usually seems to enjoy cosplay, was still taking various costumes out of a cardboard box and mischievously placing them on Asuhain's chest. Asuhain looked completely lost and let her be, while we used her as a sacrifice to gain a brief period of peace.

"The 23rd... I think it's a day to express gratitude for hard work?"

If it's another holiday in November—the 3rd—then there's something important to do.

"I don't have any plans, why do you ask?"

"Well, I'm planning a short trip."

"You mean...traveling?"

It would be understandable if it were a long holiday, but it's only a three-day break?

"There aren't any major events in November, so I'd like to take advantage of this trip to organize a social gathering within the student union. I have connections through relatives who can help me book a very nice hotel."

"Your relatives have connections...?"

What kind of relatives are they?

"Ah—it seems Yuuko doesn't know?"

As she spoke, Senior Sister Ya Shuang placed a garment with a fabric area no different from a swimsuit on Asuhain-kun to compare it.

"Ling Lili's family is ridiculously rich."

"What……"

Cute, smart, charismatic, and rich? How many advantages does God have to bestow upon her to satisfy her?

"Heh." Chairman Hong gave a cool, wry smile and said:

"But there are a lot of rules at home, which is quite troublesome. In contrast, there are some things that ordinary students can't do, but I can. For example, I managed to book a top-class hotel in Arima Onsen."

"Huh, Arima Onsen?"

Those kinds of things usually need to be booked several months in advance, right...?

"I remember Arima Onsen was in Kobe, right? This time the location is quite close~"

As she spoke, Senior Sister Ya Shuang tried to take off Asuhain's shirt without changing her expression, but was met with fierce resistance.