My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 395

I used to think that graduating from school would automatically mean starting to live alone. But the reality is, I'm still living in this children's room filled with games and light novels. Come to think of it, nothing is more convenient than living in my hometown.

When did they debut?

"Well, back in my second year of high school... about four years ago."

"You were already regularly posting illustrations to your account before that, right? I occasionally look at your earliest illustrations. After all, I'm a fan of yours."

"It's so embarrassing, stop talking..."

"This might sound a bit... inappropriate, but it seems you understood the ropes from the very beginning. Even when your drawing skills weren't yet at their peak, you regularly uploaded your artwork, letting everyone see your progress—this organized approach shows your ability to plan."

"Well... it's because I wasn't the one who made these schedules."

"Is that how it is?"

"Didn't I mention... that a high school classmate is helping me with something like an agent? Originally, it was that person's suggestion to submit the illustrations online..."

"Hey..."

After thinking for a moment, she continued.

"Are you a boy?"

"...Well, let's just say it is..."

"Hey~?"

Hearing this voice, which suddenly rose a notch, I felt somewhat uncomfortable as I wielded my paintbrush.

"No, don't misunderstand! That guy has a girlfriend!"

So, you meant you liked her before?

"I like it... Well... if I didn't like it, I wouldn't trust you like this..."

"That's really intriguing. What is he doing now? Is he a university student?"

He studies at Kyoto University.

"Kyoto University!" 』

Seeing her surprised expression, I felt a surge of smug satisfaction. Even though Mizuto-kun being a student at Kyoto University had absolutely nothing to do with me.

"The high school I attended was considered a pretty good one for college entrance exams... although I barely graduated."

"I see... so he's been kept completely under his thumb by that future Kyoto University student, from morning till night, hand in hand."

"Well, I see..."

"And then, without realizing it, jobs just started coming your way?"

"It started with a request for illustrations for a music video by a solo VTuber. After that, I got requests for light novels..."

"Ah—! It's 'The Final Chapter of Her'! I heard it's getting a movie adaptation soon?"

"Yes... well, I hesitated for a long time about whether or not to take this job."

Why?

"That's a long story..."

The work at hand is far from finished, and the end of the assignment call is nowhere in sight.

As the night deepened, we, who were engaged in work that was almost completely isolated from society, continued our conversation without a care in the world.

four years ago.

About what happened in that September that made the difference in my life.

Volume Thirteen, Chapter One: The Reasons Why the Artist Could Not Accept the Character Design

◆ Higashito Isana ◆

"A masterpiece!"

This was the first thing Mizuto-kun said after he came to my room to discuss future plans.

"I've read the original manuscript the editor sent me. I think it falls into the category of a masterpiece. The strange coming-of-age story between the protagonist and the heroine who claims to be trapped in a time loop unfolds in a rhythmic style that feels like a confidant—and it also has amazing plot twists that make you want to discuss it with others. As a completed light novel, this will probably be a hot topic for a while."

As I listened to his repeated high praise, I shrugged even more.

That's right. It's definitely a good work.

And the person who might be illustrating such a great work is me. Me... who's only slightly better than a complete novice.

"In my opinion, there is no more suitable work as your light novel debut."

Whether or not Mizuto-kun sensed my thoughts, he asked for my choice in a calm voice.

"So, should I answer or not?"

I kept my head slightly lowered, secretly glancing back at Mizuto-kun who was staring straight at me.

"...Do you think I can do it?"

"Noh"

"It is Mizuto-kun who immediately asserted."

"You already possess sufficient capabilities. I've been watching you grow all along, so there's definitely no problem. This editor must also believe so, which is why they sent you this commission."

"is that so……"

"Yes. Believe in your abilities. I'm in charge of account management, so you might not feel it much, but you already have 50,000 followers! There aren't many illustrators like that."

"But I know hundreds of thousands of illustrators..."

"Don't compare yourself to those who have been active at the top for several years, who have only been active for about a year at most."

"But……"

If I were to illustrate this original manuscript, my artwork would be displayed alongside those other people's works in bookstores.

I simply can't imagine such a future. I've never even dreamed of it.

I just like to materialize my fantasies. When I was praised and encouraged by Mizuto-kun, I came to my senses and ended up like this...

I guess I was scared.

Originally, it was enough to just enjoy my own little world, but now I have to cater to the tastes of the masses. I have to compare myself to others. Am I ready to enter that kind of world...? If it's me now, I'm probably far from ready.

"I'm sorry... Could you give me some more time to think about it...?"

"I can't wait much longer. The other party also has their own plans."

"What's the latest I can wait...?"

"That depends on how well the negotiations go... but at the latest, we should give you a reply before the end of September—around the time the cultural festival ends."

"A cultural festival... Come to think of it, there's such a season after all."

I completely forgot about it. I spent the summer vacation frantically drawing illustrations for music videos, and then this commission kept popping into my head... It's like something from another world.

"I won't rush you. You need time to prepare yourself mentally."

Mizuto-kun gripped his knees tightly as he sat cross-legged and said.

"However, there's one thing I want you to understand. Such a great opportunity is unlikely to come again. Perhaps it's better to assume it will never come again in this lifetime. It's incredibly lucky..."

"OK……"

"I'm sorry for putting pressure on you... I was a little flustered this time too. I didn't expect things to go so smoothly..."

I couldn't help but smile slightly.

It turns out I wasn't the only one at a loss; Mizuto-kun was just as at a loss.

It felt like someone was on the same page as me, which made me feel a little more at ease.

"I'll try to find ways to help you build confidence. Is that okay?"

"Okay. Thank you. You've done so much for me..."

"Completely willing. I'm your number one fan!"

...Oh really. Please don't do this. Even though I was dumped over a year ago, you still make my heart flutter.

And so, having stood at a crossroads in my life earlier than the average high school student, I gained a little buffer time.

I thought that if I took my time and considered things until the end of September, I would definitely be able to sort things out and arrive at a certain answer.

But as if mocking my naive idea, the world keeps turning forward.

"Alright, let's decide on the exhibits for the cultural festival!"

"I'm standing in front of the blackboard," Nan said to us in a bright voice. Next to her, Kawanami was playing with a piece of white chalk.

Last year, it seems that Yui and Minami's class had Yui and Mizuto serving as the executive committee members for the cultural festival. However, this year Yui is a student council member and joined the executive committee, while Mizuto showed no enthusiasm whatsoever. Therefore, Minami, who participated in the program presentation last year, was selected, and Kawanami was dragged into it. But I think he's quite suitable too.

"Feel free to say whatever comes to mind! Even if it's a bit extreme, we can handle it with Yui-chan's student council authority!"

"I can't possibly handle that!"

The girl's吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or witty remarks) elicited a soft laugh.

As if trying to hide behind that laughter, I secretly started doodling in the corner of my notebook. Although I hadn't decided whether to accept the commission, drawing still made me happy. This was especially true after undergoing Mizuto-kun's Spartan-style training, which enabled me to draw what I wanted to a certain extent.

As for the program for the cultural festival, I don't really have any ideas. I always just do whatever others tell me to do. I'll leave it to the other students.

Speaking of which, last year, Mizuto-kun apparently became an executive committee member of the school festival because he secretly wrote a novel for me to read, just like I am now. Well, the executive committee members have been decided this time, so that kind of thing shouldn't happen again, right?

"How about a maid cafe? A maid cafe!"

"But didn't Irito and the others do that last year?"

"That outfit is so cute! I want to see it again!"

Hmm... I want to emphasize the fleshiness of the thighs a bit more... I want to draw that soft, bouncy feel...

"Me! Me! Me! I have an idea!"

"Alright, Yoshino-kun! Please go ahead!"

"Let's play an escape game! The one that was so popular last year!"

"Ah~, I remember it was..." "The one the seniors made last year?" "That one was pretty interesting!"

"That's great! It looks like it'll attract a lot of customers! Amu, write it down!"

"Alright, alright, it's an escape game, isn't it?"

"Ah... wait a minute."

"What's wrong, Yui-chan? You look a little troubled."

"That might sound a bit opportunistic... but after looking at the classes that have already submitted their program proposals, it seems like the competition for escape games is quite high this year... so it'll probably be a competition of presentation segments."

"Eh—! Another presentation?"

"But this year's judges are Irito-san and Asuhain-san, right? I think we've already won, haven't we?"

"So, there won't be any favoritism..."

"The review process was conducted fairly."

"Wait a minute! Ultimately, all we need to do is create a plan that wins the presentation segment, right?!"

"Thinking that far ahead, Yoshino-kun?"

"Of course! We won't make ordinary escape games; we'll add a storyline! You see, those anime-themed escape games all have storylines, right? Then we'll design a character that can be the face of the project, and draw a big illustration of it on the sign! That will definitely beat the other classes' projects!"

"Draw it big on the sign... so, who will draw it?"

"We have a perfect candidate in our class! — Dongtou!"

"……well?"

I was so engrossed in admiring the fleshy thighs that I didn't look up until my name was called.

Yoshino, who had stood up at some point, jogged through the gaps between the tables and chairs and placed his hands on my desk.

"Eh... W-What happened? What happened?"

"You'll be in charge of drawing the sign for the class exhibit, right!?"

"...Eh...?"

I blinked, puzzled.