My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 276

"Hmm? I haven't really thought about it... Ah, but I want to try publishing a lewd doujinshi."

"Don't say it in public. Wait until you're eighteen."

"Hehehe... I really can't wait for two years to come."

To be honest, judging from her usual remarks, I think she definitely doesn't follow any 18+ rules—but I think it's best to avoid this topic.

"The biggest question is, can you set up a stall?"

"Of course, we'll hire cosplayers to take care of it!"

"I'm asking you if you have a way to find them?"

I bet I'll be the one looking for them. I can already picture what will happen. Looking for cosplayers to run a booth for a female friend's erotic doujinshi—what kind of situation is that? First of all, having to look at the erotic doujinshi drawn by my female friend is enough to give me a headache.

"Alright, whatever you want to do depends on your drawing skills improving. More importantly, you need to get through the final exams first."

"I'm going to die... Don't remind me! --..."

Regardless of which path Isanna chooses in the future, I cannot allow her to drop out of high school. Just like today's speaker, Mr. Keikoin, whose academic background is also quite impressive—

"...On another note, I still feel like I've seen him somewhere before..."

"What?"

"Sigh, I still feel like I've seen this Mr. Keikoin very familiar. Don't you remember him?"

"Huh? So you mean I've seen him before?"

Yeah, why did I ask Izana? Does that mean Izana was there when I met him...?

"--Hmm?"

Just as we walked out of the building where the lecture hall was located...

The person we were talking about—Ryōsei Kōgō—happened there, using his phone to confirm some things.

He noticed us and said in a low voice, "You are...?"

"—Oh, it really is you guys. At the cultural festival in Luolou..."

Then, he said those words again.

In an instant, the memories that were stuck at a certain point began to flow again.

Yes—that's right.

During the school festival, just when it was only Isana and me left, he came to ask me and Yui where our class was—

"It was such a serendipitous encounter. Thank you for your help back then."

Keikwang-in—Uncle came over and spoke to us with a gentle smile on his face.

Isana just kept making confused "Huh? Huh?" sounds, looking at me and then at Uncle Keikoin's face.

"We saw him at the cultural festival."

I spoke in a low voice.

"It's the person who came to ask us for directions when we were together—and when she left, she said you were a 'charming girlfriend'."

"Ah! Back then... Ah~!"

Isana seemed to finally remember, letting out a cry of sudden realization.

Yes, generally speaking, it would take that long to remember such a small thing.

"...Do you still remember us?"

When I asked him, Uncle Keikwang-in smiled mischievously and shrugged.

"It's an occupational hazard; I'm very good at remembering people's faces. During a speech, someone might look familiar, and upon closer inspection, I immediately remember them."

What an amazing memory! I can't remember people's faces or names at all; it feels like a superpower.

"You're high school students, right? It's really encouraging that you came all the way to the Arts University to listen to this lecture. Are you interested in becoming game creators?"

"No, not really... I'm here today to change my mood, I have exams coming up soon."

"Exams?... Oh, final exams. How awful, I've completely forgotten my student calendar as soon as I left school."

"You too, what brought you to our school's cultural festival back then?"

"A friend gave me an invitation. For someone my age, schools are a bit of a sacred place. To understand how young people feel, I visit schools whenever I have the chance... Besides, I also have a bit of a connection with Luo Lou—"

Fate? ...But judging from the lecture, his alma mater should be a different high school.

"It's my turn."

It has unknowingly turned into a turn-based game.

"For changing your mood, this is a rather unusual choice. There are probably many better places for a date, aren't there? As I see it, one of you—it's probably this girlfriend."

"Huh?"

Izana, who was half-hidden behind me as a listener, trembled in fright.

"I guess she wants to be some kind of creator in the future. Am I right?"

I hesitated. We hadn't particularly hidden Isana's interests, but I wasn't her, and it wasn't appropriate for me to speak about her private matters without her consent. But even if I wanted to ask her directly, Isana would refuse to speak in front of strangers, like a seashell.

However, I only hesitated for a moment before changing my mind.

There are two reasons. First, even if I didn't say anything, he had already figured it out 90%. Second, it's because—

"Yes, that's right. She's been practicing painting, and I thought bringing her to the lecture would be a good stimulus."

My gut feeling tells me this is an opportunity.

Judging from his personal experience and the content of his speech, he—Keikoin Ryosei—is an expert in discovering talent.

I can take this opportunity to ask this expert to evaluate Izana's talent. It's rare for a mere high school student to have such luck.

Of course, there are risks involved, but he doesn't seem like the type to stifle young talent. I think it's worth the gamble.

"Oh?"

Uncle Keikoin stared at Isana's face, and Isana hid behind me even more.

"I see, painting. I've never had any talent for it before, and I always admire people who can paint unconditionally."

"I think it's very well drawn for a first-year high school student."

"Wait... Mizuto-kun!"

Izana blushed and tugged at my clothes a few times. "Don't be shy, you really do a great job drawing."

Uncle Keikoin seemed to find it very amusing, and said with a smile:

"If it's convenient, could I take a look? I really enjoy watching works by young people."

It seems he guessed my thoughts. But that suits me perfectly.

"Isana, is that alright?"

"I...I dare not..."

"Since it's already been uploaded to the internet, it doesn't matter if one more person sees it."

"It's not like we're picking it up and looking at it face-to-face..."

"Haha! Don't be so scared."

Uncle Keikwangin said it in a relaxed tone.

"I'm not an editor, and this isn't a submission site. I don't consider myself so twisted as to make fun of a high school girl I've only met twice."

He understands very well what creators fear most. I think I didn't misjudge him.

"You mentioned that your work has been uploaded online. May I ask for your pen name?"

"Isana."

"...Waaah...Okay..."

I mentioned Isana's pen name, and Uncle Keikoin deftly operated his phone.

"This is the account, right... um..."

Uncle Keikwang-in squinted slightly.

Isana's account has only uploaded two illustrations so far. The content is too abstract to be considered a portfolio, so it's more of a derivative of her self-introduction, but Uncle Keikoin's gaze is quite serious.

"...May I ask you a question?"

Soon after, the gaze that had been fixed on the phone turned directly to me.

"This...the first painting, the illustration of the heartbroken girl...was it you who suggested she upload it online?"

“…It’s me.”

"Hmm... I see, you have a good eye."

...Huh? How come I'm the one being praised?

"This painting is exhilarating. Although it's still somewhat rough, it clearly shows that there's room for improvement. At the same time, it clearly demonstrates the artist's aesthetic ability to convey emotion through illustration... Also, this second painting is excellent, boldly expressing the artist's sexual urges in the work without the slightest hesitation. This is an indispensable talent for a creator."

"Ugh..." An incomprehensible groan reached my ears. She seemed quite embarrassed. She was being praised; she should be happy.

Uncle Keikoin suddenly reached into the pocket of his suit jacket and rummaged through it. "Found it, found it." He took out his business card holder.

"Let me start over. My name is Keikoin Ryousei."

Then, he handed over a beautifully designed business card.

"Sorry for the late introduction. May I ask your names?"

As I accepted the business card, I said:

"My name is Irito Mizuto."

Then he nudged Izana with his elbow.

"I... my name is Higashito Isana..."

The sound was very soft and faint, but Uncle Keikoin seemed to hear it very clearly.

"Mizuto Irito, and Isana Higashigata... Okay, I've got it."

He tapped his temples twice and said, "...Hmm?" but then frowned.

"...Irito Mizuto..."

"What's wrong?"

"no."

Uncle Keikoin grinned, just like a child on the day the game was released.

"Coincidences always happen. That's what makes interpersonal relationships interesting."

……?What's the meaning?

"If you have anything you want to discuss with me, don't hesitate to contact me using the information on that business card. Especially Mizuto-kun—I think we'll meet again in the near future."

Keikoin Ryōsei said something mysterious and then smiled mischievously.

"I don't know why people often say that I'm unpredictable, so I'll play the role of a prophet since I rarely have this opportunity."

Uncle Keikoin then said, "That's settled then," and quickly left.

As we watched his figure disappear into the distance, we said:

"...Isn't it because you like to say things like that that you're considered unpredictable?"

"That's what I mean."

I really don't know if I can trust this person... I tilted my head and looked at the business card I received.

Irito Yume ◆ Reunion

"...Hmm, not bad, right?"

Looking at Shuidou's outfit, I nodded slightly.

A white shirt paired with a simple jacket creates a casual yet not overly sloppy look—it doesn't appear forced or overly mature either; I think the combination is just right.

Mizuto sighed softly and said: