My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

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Never casually associate with a serious or stern woman.

This is the only thing I'm sure about.

Mizuto Irito ◆ The Invisible Creator

A week after becoming Isana's tutor, I went with Isana to the campus of an arts university.

"I don't want to study anymore!"

Because Izana exploded.

The heartbreak illustration I submitted to social media received extremely high praise. Considering this was my first submission, the feedback was almost excessively positive. Izana was in a great mood after seeing it, and while adhering to the deadline I set, she completed her second drawing, and at the same time, she slowly caught up with her lagging studies.

However, it seems that this momentum did not last long.

"I'm so bored! This kind of managed life! I want to draw, read light novels, play video games, take a nap, and stay up all night—!"

For Higashito Isana, the embodiment of desire, a normal routine seems to be detrimental to her physical and mental health.

So, to let her get some fresh air, we're here today to attend a lecture given by a game creator at the university.

"This is my first time attending a lecture! What about you, Mizuto?"

"I'm also the type who doesn't go to autograph sessions. But it's nice to listen to an autograph once in a while, right?"

"Yes! I feel like I learn more from it than from textbooks!"

I happened to see the event information online, and it seemed that Izana was also playing the game by the game producer who was giving a speech on stage, so I decided to go and check it out.

Although we're in different fields as illustrators, hearing from professionals should be a good source of inspiration. If she can use this lecture to recharge and apply it to her creative work and reading, my job will be much easier. This girl is really a handful.

We looked at the campus map at the school gate and headed to the lecture hall where the lecture would be held.

This is my second time stepping onto a university campus, and I still feel like I've entered an incredible space. How can I describe it? It feels much more lived-in than high school. Compared to high school, which was a space strictly regulated by teachers and elders, university feels like a field shaped by the students themselves.

Perhaps it's because this is an arts university. Everywhere you look, you see paintings that look like they were done by students or sculptures that look like they're based on something, it's like they're preparing for a cultural festival.

"Wow──..."

Isana looked around with great interest, observing the chaotic environment of the campus. If she were to pursue higher education, this kind of university would definitely be a better fit for her than a regular one. Although that was more than two years away, she was certain that by then she would choose a different path than me.

My current academic path is Kyoto University.

Since I'm second in my grade, choosing this university makes perfect sense. I'm confident I can get in if I take the entrance exam. However, I'm not sure which department to choose. I'll probably go for the Faculty of Arts, but there's no stronger reason than my love of reading.

When Isana decides her direction, I will inevitably have to decide my own future, which has been directionless for so long...

"This is it."

We arrived at the lecture hall where the lecture was being held.

Walking in through the back door, I saw a few scattered listeners sitting in the tiered seating area, which decreased in height towards the blackboard. My decision to arrive early, fearing I might get lost on this unfamiliar campus, seemed to have worked. The last row of seats was empty, and I sat next to Isana.

"Wow—" Isana exclaimed clumsily as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Mizuto, there's a screen hanging on the ceiling!"

"Oh, I guess it's so that people in the back can see the words on the blackboard too? Or maybe it's for showing slides."

"Oh—it's much bigger than a high school classroom after all."

This lecture hall must be able to hold hundreds of people. The size of the classroom alone cannot compare to that of a high school.

After waiting for a while, people gradually took their seats in the lecture hall.

The room was eventually about 80% full. The audience was of varying ages; while the majority were young people who appeared to be university students, there were also middle-aged people who were clearly over fifty, and conversely, there were also children who might still be in junior high school. I had initially thought that the two of us high school students would stand out among the university students, but it seems I was worrying unnecessarily.

Soon, just as the lecture was about to begin, a man in a suit walked in through the front door, accompanied by a woman who appeared to be a university staff member.

Although he was wearing a suit but no tie, his overall demeanor was more like that of a young entrepreneur than a white-collar worker. He was probably in his forties. He had a slight stubble on his chin, which seemed to be a fashionable style. He looked like the kind of person who would gesture dramatically like he was sculpting clay during an interview.

Even though it should have been the first time I'd met this person, I felt like something was stuck in my heart.

"...Izana, I have a question for you."

"What's up?"

"Have we seen that person somewhere before?"

"Huh? I think I saw it in some interview or report, right? I often read conversations or interviews."

"I did not mean that……"

I feel like I've met this person somewhere before...

When it was time for the man to take his turn, he picked up the microphone on the lectern, displaying the demeanor of an entrepreneur.

"Hello everyone, it's an honor to meet you all. I'm Keikoin Ryosuke."

He then added, "By the way, I am the real person," which drew laughter from the audience. Had someone impersonated him?

"My name is often mispronounced; it's not 'Suzunari,' it should be 'Ryousei.' If you have children in the future, please be sure to give them an easy-to-pronounce name."

Game producer Ryosuke Keikoin skillfully eased the atmosphere with his witty remarks before beginning his speech.

His story is a perfect example of success. After graduating from university, he founded a new company in the then-nascent social gaming industry and made a fortune. Later, he expanded his business as a game producer, executive producer, and company director before entrusting the company to new talent and officially leaving – currently, he is working with a few top industry figures on an indie game project.

...Social games.

Hearing this, I remembered what Yui had said.

Yui said that her father was a creator in a certain field. The reason she only mentioned a certain field seems to be because none of her father's works could be found in her old home.

If you're making a social game, it's perfectly reasonable not to have any titles at home. After all, unlike consoles, you don't necessarily have physical copies—

"I don't have a talent for production, so I chose the path of letting others develop their talents. There are many geniuses in the world, but many of them remain unknown their whole lives—and my job is to create an environment where they can fully unleash their talents and stand out in the eyes of consumers worldwide."

I originally came here just to accompany Isana, but before I knew it, I was completely absorbed in listening to him talk.

So, it wasn't until the end of the lecture that I understood what was stuck in my mind.

Irito Yume ◆ The lingering unease in daily life

This holiday, I studied with my classmates Xiaoyue, Mashi, and Nasuka at a coffee shop.

The final exams for next semester are fast approaching—there will be more subjects than for the midterms, so we need to have a plan for exam preparation. That's why we get together to study even when we can't go to school during the holidays.

As for my personal reasons, it's because of something on my mind... that makes it hard for me to concentrate when I'm alone, and I wish someone were with me.

"Everyone is working really hard."

While I was teaching Nasu Hana a math problem, the student council president, Akane Rin, dressed as a waitress, came over to check on me.

Maki's reaction was full of energy.

"Report! We've been working very hard!"

She replied.

President Hong works at this coffee shop. It's the same shop where the student council held their welcome party.

When we were looking for a location for our weekend book club, the president generously recommended her workplace. Indeed, it was quieter than a family restaurant or a food court in a department store, making it an impeccable study environment.

"But this is really a surprise! I never expected the student council president to be wearing such an adorable uniform at work!"

"Hehehe, isn't it beautiful?"

The president, wearing a waitress uniform that perfectly suited her petite figure, smiled proudly.

(Illustration 006)

"Don't tell anyone about this. Too many students coming to watch the commotion will cause trouble for the store manager."

"receive!"

The president refilled our glasses with cold water. The black tea or coffee that everyone had ordered earlier had already been finished.

"But isn't the student council president worried?"

"I asked Nasu Hana in a leisurely tone."

"I'm working here instead of preparing for exams~"

"I've been reviewing regularly, so don't worry."

"...Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen the student council president burying himself in books before an exam."

Hearing me say this softly, President Hong chuckled mischievously.

"I'm the type who completes my summer homework in a planned way."

Why couldn't things between you and Haba-senpai go according to plan? — I'll keep that accusation to myself.

Xiaoyue slumped in her seat and said:

"Senior, they gave us last year's archaeology questions... I can't read them anymore..."

"No, it wouldn't make any difference to give it to them. Our school has taken extensive measures to prepare for the upcoming exams."

"I can't take it anymore..."

"You should try your best to rely on yourself. Don't worry, with our reliable student council secretary by your side, dealing with the exam will be a piece of cake."

After the president finished speaking half-jokingly, he went back inside.

Seeing this, Ma Xi looked at me with a grin.

People say you're a reliable secretary.

"Don't laugh at me, I was just taking meeting minutes."

I gave a vague laugh and said that. In addition, I would also be making handouts, updating the website, or creating student council announcements... Although I heard that I would also be editing the journal in the future, these are not difficult tasks compared to the president or senior student Ya Shuang having to represent the student council and confront the committee or the club presidents' alliance.

"So what? That's already amazing! Typing so many words on a keyboard! Don't you think it's cool?"

"Okay, maybe it's because I've practiced my typing speed."

Before joining the student council, I only had access to computers during class. Unlike Shuidou, who had his own computer…

"No matter what, you're still number one in the entire grade! Master, help me!"

Xiaoyue, who had turned into a zombie from studying so much, lay sprawled on top of me.

"Okay, okay, anyway, pick up the mechanical pencil first."

"Waaah! My finger hurts!"

"You can continue writing as long as it hasn't stopped."

"Aww...! The Spartan-style Yui is amazing too..."

"Yes, yes, yes." I reassured her again.

As I spoke, the thought of the final exams that I would have to face kept swirling in my mind.

That is, I brought a water bucket and had a three-way conversation with my biological father.

Although I didn't expect Mizuto to agree so readily, I don't know what this means to him. Is it troublesome and a waste of time? Or...?

This is so frustrating! I wish Mom would come along too! But Dad seemed to tell her, "It's not right for your husband to go like that," so only Mizuto and I are allowed to go...

...Dad is really something, I don't understand what he's thinking.

Would anyone want to meet the son of a divorced wife after her remarriage? If it were me, I definitely wouldn't... I wouldn't know what expression to wear.

Even though I'm the person most directly involved, I feel like I'm falling behind.

"……well."

"Yui, what's wrong?"

"Oh, no. Sorry, it's nothing."

I drank the cold water that the president poured for me to mask the vague unease in my heart.

I accidentally wanted to compete with Dongtou's classmate back then... but I really didn't know what would happen at this meeting.

Irito Mizuto ◆ An Unexpected Encounter

After the lecture, we left the lecture hall.

"That sounds pretty exciting! I rarely play indie games, so this sounds really fresh to me."

"yes."

The lecture was indeed excellent. Things like the clever use of others' talents and the challenge itself—I felt the content of the lecture was more relevant to what I'm about to do than to Isana's.

"Have you thought about what kind of drawing work you want to do in the future? Like light novels, or games... or maybe you could do character design for VTubers?"