My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 403

This is not a reason to ignore what she said.

"You're a genius!"

Just like her own words, this statement could also be taken as untrue, but I still assert it.

I continued, looking at Michikura Miyo, who was staring at me as if trying to discern my true intentions.

"You might indeed lack passion. While the script perfectly fulfilled the assigned task, it completely failed to capture your own passion."

However, I changed the subject.

"—But this is already excellent enough."

Her eyelids trembled slightly.

"That means you still have room to grow. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you'll become when you combine your high school-level skills with passion. I want to see it for myself."

"...No, that's why I just can't feel any passion."

"Even among comic artists, some are better at creating their own interpretations when there's a source material. Remember when I said that?"

"I remember that...?"

If you don't have enough passion yourself, then get it from others.

I opened my schoolbag.

He took out a few printed sheets of paper and slammed them onto the table.

That was a sketch of the signboard that Izana had just finished.

"Why give up just because you can't attract attention on your own? If you lack something, just use others. I can neither draw nor write. But by using you, I can see things that no one else can."

It might not sound nice to call it exploitation. But that's how the world really works. By exploiting each other, energy is generated that no single individual could produce alone.

She possesses such extraordinary skills, yet she is still searching for something. And the view from the summit will only be seen after she has used someone.

Meiyang stared at the sketch printed on the photocopy paper.

Although it's just a sketch, it shouldn't be underestimated. The six characters drawn by Isana are so lifelike that they don't seem to have been designed for an escape game that only lasts for a few tens of minutes; their past and future seem to have already appeared in our minds.

I tapped it twice with my finger and said to this genius who was good at expressing the enthusiasm of others.

"You only use something like this for a mere cultural festival or an escape game? Don't you find that amusing?"

Initially, I was also angry about Yoshino's unauthorized actions.

However, after reading Meiyang's script, my thoughts gradually changed.

In this confined school world, at this boring festival that only values ​​the internal atmosphere, isn't it quite exhilarating to showcase your 'real skills'?

"It has to be you, Michikura Miyo—let's pair this character, created for this perverted woman, with a down-to-earth story."

After hearing my words, Meiyang smiled softly, as if deflated.

"Too cunning, senior."

She said it as if she were surrendering.

"After you said that... even I'm getting a little excited."

Just three days later, all six scenarios were completed.

"...Waaah... Waaah..."

I was startled to see Yoshino start crying without caring about what others were watching.

"Was it really necessary to cry so dramatically...?"

“B-But…”

Yoshino sniffled, making a rustling sound. She held the last page of the script in her hand, facing forward. Tears welled up and fell onto the page, threatening to smudge the words.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? It's written so well!"

"Let's see too!"

Noticing Yoshino's unusual reaction, Minami, Kawanami, and the members of Class 2-7 who remained in the classroom after school all quietly gathered around us.

The slightly damp script was passed from Yoshino to them and began to be read. Michikura Miyo watched this scene with some embarrassment.

As I flipped through the script I had just finished reading again, I spoke to the only first-year student present.

"Yoshino's reaction was a bit exaggerated, but it was indeed very well written. The puzzle-solving part that has been completed so far seems to only require slight changes in wording to correspond to it. It's amazing that you were able to complete such a high-quality work in just three days."

"Hehehe, thanks for the exaggeration!"

"and……"

I reread the last few pages of the script and said.

"...I never expected that you would prepare a true ending for players who have completed all six modes..."

"I think this will both increase repeat customers and demonstrate the significance of having six characters. If you find it troublesome, you can remove them."

"What are you saying! We're definitely getting it arranged!"

Upon hearing Miyo's humble remarks, Kawanami slapped the script with the back of his hand and said...

"A true ending would be so much more interesting! Why not even prepare a puzzle specifically for the true ending?"

"Ah, in that case! How about we hide the item for the true ending somewhere in the school? Not in the classroom!"

Nan's suggestion piqued the interest of the entire puzzle-solving team.

"Great! Someone suggested solving the puzzle outside the classroom before!"

"Yes, yes. It was abandoned because it couldn't be fixed properly."

"But that creates a more realistic atmosphere for the character!"

Centered around the characters conceived by Dongtou and the script written by Meiyang, the students, who should have been novices, also put their creativity to good use.

I once said that cultural festivals are boring celebrations that only focus on the internal atmosphere. To this day, I still think that statement is largely correct.

But what's being made now is going to be really interesting—and perhaps when people feel that, they'll be able to take a powerful step toward that glimpse of the future.

Or perhaps, talent simply refers to the ability to bestow this power upon others.

I can't judge for now, but I do feel that I'm witnessing a part of it.

I moved slightly away from Miyo, who was surrounded by upperclassmen, basking in praise, and looking shy, and walked towards Isana, who was quietly reading the script in her seat.

"How's it going? Role playing?"

Isana stared at the stack of papers as if she were glaring at them, and said.

"I find it very interesting... and the character is exactly what I imagined..."

"Really? That guy's pretty good."

"……really"

"Isana?"

Isana seemed a little unhappy. She usually has a dazed look on her face, but now she looked rather serious... but since she's always been a bit of a goofball, she's not scary at all.

"What's wrong? Is there something you're unhappy about?"

"No!"

Izana said as if she wanted to get rid of me, looking like a child throwing a tantrum because her toy had been taken away.

I thought Isana would be more excited... Is there still something lacking?

As I was thinking this, I tilted my head, and Jie Nu patted my shoulder from behind.

"Just leave her alone; she'll probably be fine."

"Yeah?"

"You're usually incredibly perceptive, but you suddenly become completely oblivious when it comes to Dongtou's classmates..."

Is that so? I had no idea. On the contrary, I felt like I cared about her more than anyone else.

With an expression that was half helpless and half smiling, Yui looked at Isana, who was still pouting, and me, who was still tilting my head.

"Alright! Then, voice actor group, separate by genre! Let's begin practicing immediately!"

Yoshino wiped his tear-stained face with a towel, gave a slogan, and Class 2-7 began to speed up.

◆ Irito Yume ◆

"Well then, senior... I'll head back to my class now."

I watched from beside Mizuto as Michikura came over to greet him.

"If I stay here too long, they'll see me as a traitor. Besides, I have work on the executive committee, so I probably won't have many opportunities to come and watch everyone practice."

"Okay, sure. In fact, I'm very grateful that you made the special trip to come all this way."

"Okay! I'll be going now!"

She made a unique waving gesture with a slight movement of her fingers, and Daocang left the classroom of Class 2-7.

I subconsciously followed her back with my eyes—the one with the black and pink braids that swung like a tail as she walked away down the corridor.

Social skills that allow you to change your role depending on the person you are interacting with.

Wisdom, refinement, and innate intelligence recognized by Shuidou.

The skill of a craftsman who can perfectly complete a task given a problem.

Although I felt somewhat inferior, I couldn't help but think this way—

—She was practically my replacement.

But if that's really the case—

"...Hey, Mizuto."

"What's wrong?"

That might mean there's no one more suitable than her.

"That girl...can I invite her to join the student council?"

For once, Mizuto showed a hint of surprise.

But he immediately regained his usual calm expression and gently shook his head.

"That's not something I can approve. It should be her decision."

"That's true."

Mizuto probably hopes that Michikura can focus on her activities as a scriptwriter.

He would probably feel that joining the student council is an obstacle and a waste.

Just like his opposition to Dongtou's classmates using their artistic talents at school.

But I think differently.

I hope that she—who can do everything well—can not only make the most of her abilities in the student council, but also find something that exists ahead of her.

Just like what I am pursuing right now.

Although it's definitely too late, there should be something I'm looking for there.

Unlike Mizuto, I haven't found anything that I can become obsessed with.

They also did not possess any special talents like Dongtou or Daocang.

Even so, I must find my own future.

That's why I want to take her, who is more outstanding than me but also more inexperienced, as my junior.

"This is a declaration of war, Water Fighter!"

I said to him with a provocative smile, and Mizuto snorted in response.

"It will be what it is."

Yes, just like when I met him and we became lovers.

Just go with the flow and let things take their course.

Volume Thirteen, Chapter Three: The Reasons They Asked About My Whereabouts