My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 404

◆ Irito Mizuto ◆

After placing the brush washer filled with water on the old table, Isana faced the watercolor paper.

The sketch on the white paper was already drawn in pencil. First up was the cute female character. She had classic twin tails and equally classic over-the-knee socks. Although it might seem a bit old-fashioned, the numerous badges pinned to her crossbody bag enhanced the character's detail and created a sense of realism.

I looked down at the brush washer on the table in the art room and said.

"You chose watercolor painting, right?"

"I've never actually painted an oil painting before, and I haven't had the time to apply thick layers of paint. Besides, I feel that the delicate brushstrokes of watercolor are more in line with the atmosphere this time."

As Isana rubbed the paint on the palette across the brush washer through the watercolor paper, she said.

"Besides, it's quite interesting to think back to elementary school. After all, I didn't take art classes in middle and high school."

"Who would have thought? The things I didn't want to touch in school eventually became my forte."

"This kind of thing isn't uncommon, is it?"

Izana chuckled wryly.

Seeing her like this, I said something that had been bothering me.

"What's with your outfit?"

"This one?"

Isana looked down at her outfit.

She rolled up her shirt sleeves above her elbows, and wore dark blue overalls over the shirt. My first thought was that she didn't look like a painter, but more like a ranch girl, well... to be honest, it was because the overalls were stretched high by her breasts.

"These were found at home. To prevent the uniform from getting dirty with art supplies."

"Then why not just get an apron or something?"

"This way, the skirt can be completely covered, and when doing housework, wearing it directly over your naked body is barely considered inappropriate."

That could definitely be considered outrageous...?

Izana didn't notice my doubts and skillfully applied the mixed colors from the palette to the character's skin.

"It's so great to be able to paint in the art room. I wonder what might happen if we painted in the classroom."

"Yes. Even though the people in the art studio still had work to do with the exhibits, they readily agreed."

We were in a corner of the art room. In the central area, the art club students were facing their own artwork, but I could sense their gazes occasionally drifting this way. Perhaps they were interested in Isana's paintings.

"Besides, it always feels kind of embarrassing to have your classmates watching you draw."

Embarrassing...? Is that so? You're always so excited drawing in front of me. But if someone says I'm like a painter or teases me in a weird way, it might indeed distract me.

"A quiet working environment is still very important."

"This is all thanks to Mizuto-kun's negotiation skills. You're much better at negotiating than last year."

"This is all thanks to your poor communication skills."

Hehehe

Isana laughed as if sharing a prank, and I smiled too.

"Then I'm leaving. Don't be too afraid of the art club."

"...Where to?"

Isana asked somewhat uneasily, and I replied nonchalantly.

"Go check on Daocang. I heard he's not going to the executive committee meeting today; he's probably in the classroom right now."

While older students shouldn't interfere with first-year students' class activities, as someone who helped with the script, it shouldn't be a problem for them to at least observe. Also, regarding the form of address, I've ultimately decided to abandon that idea.

Izana, still feeling uneasy, looked away.

"Is that so..."

He muttered quietly.

She was probably uncomfortable being left alone in an art room full of strangers. Although our relationship has changed a lot, her shyness, or rather, her tendency to stay at home, has remained unchanged since we first met.

"I'll check in from time to time. Keep it up!"

Feeling amused by her, I gently patted Isana's head and headed towards the exit of the art room.

As I walked from the door into the corridor, I seemed to hear the faint whispers of the art department members behind me.

"I took a picture... I took a picture..."

"So cute~..."

I was puzzled by the inexplicably excited voice, so I pretended not to hear it and stepped into the corridor.

"Why! Why doesn't anyone remember me?!"

I was at the back of the gymnasium, watching the students from Class 4, Grade 1, perform on stage in their uniforms.

After all, I was involved in the script quite a bit, and their acting was remarkably realistic; you couldn't tell they were amateurs. This has nothing to do with whether it's good or bad; their complete lack of stage fright alone deserves high praise. Especially the male lead, who perfectly portrayed a selfish, unlikable, and seemingly perfect guy. Perhaps the role was tailor-made for him.

If there's anything that's concerning—

"...Please don't talk to me like that, okay? I hate people like you."

—That was the familiar-looking girl with glasses, standing right there on the stage.

Why did Daocang go and become an actor? Didn't he already write a script?

In class, Michikura seems to be in her diligent, top-student mode, her hair tied back with a simple hair tie, cleverly concealing the pink highlights. If it were the slightly frivolous Michikura in front of Yoshino, that would be one thing, but why is it that version of her acting? And as a minor female lead with a significant number of lines at that?

After a brief rehearsal, Daocang and his classmates chatted for a few words while holding the script. Then, he waved to them gently and walked towards me.

"Thank you for your hard work, senior. You came to watch our rehearsal!"

She maintained the appearance of a serious, top student, but spoke to me with the same intimate, junior-like tone she used to use when talking to me.

I was careful not to let my rhythm be disrupted.

"I'm also one of the participants in the script... I didn't expect you'd be performing on stage."

"Oh dear, should I say I brought this on myself? When explaining the script's intent, I unknowingly..."

It seems this guy isn't good at refusing the atmosphere around him. Or perhaps, it's a way of life where he doesn't resist at all.

"Is everything alright? There's still work to be done on the executive committee. I did executive committee work last year too; the department gets incredibly busy on those days."

"I've already taken care of things with the executive committee, so it's fine. Please give my thanks to your sister."

"Even if there are no scheduling conflicts, just taking on so many tasks must be very stressful."

"It's okay. You're really worried about me, aren't you? You wouldn't be thinking of pursuing me, would you?"

"If that's really what you think, then you really should take a break."

"So you're just a worrier? That won't do! Girls will misunderstand."

"If there's a misunderstanding over something this minor, then it's the other party's problem."

"Wow, what about the enemy of women?"

Daocang chuckled, seemingly completely unaffected, but I felt a pang of bitterness in my heart. This guy's efforts were truly thankless.

"Then I'm leaving."

"Huh? They're leaving already?"

As soon as I indicated that I was leaving, Daocang looked puzzled.

"Didn't you just arrive?"

"I just came to check things out. I can't just stay here like a director, stuck with other classes, especially the lower grades' shows, forever."

"That's true...that makes sense."

Daocang nodded, as if there was a hidden meaning in his words.

I listened to the step I was about to take as I turned around.

"What's wrong?"

"……nothing"

She had just opened her mouth when she seemed to change her mind and spoke again.

"I just feel... a little lonely."

I squinted, staring at Daocang's faintly smiling face. That tone didn't sound like a joke...

"Could it be that he's trying to pursue me?"

"certainly"

Daocang replied with a smile.

Was it really a joke?

I then turned around and walked towards the entrance of the stadium.

Unfortunately, I'm not that free either. Let's talk another day.

"Could you tell me where you're going? To the place where the guy in the east corner is?"

Why are you asking the same question as Isana...? I replied, feeling slightly puzzled by this strange synchronization.

"Go back to class. That guy's working in the art room."

"Ah, I see. Drawing in a messy classroom does make accidents more likely."

She spoke in a relaxed tone, waving her finger near her shoulder.

"Goodbye then, senior. Please come visit us often!"

"It depends on my mood."

I waved gently and walked out of the stadium.

Since she said there was no problem, I didn't say anything more, but her tendency to take on everything, even when it didn't concern me, still made me a little worried.

Let us at least learn from this and keep it in mind.

Please, please don't let me end up having to act myself.

"Irito-kun will take on the gloomy type of role."

"ha?"

As soon as I got back to the classroom, Nan said this to me, and I couldn't help but frown.

"What do you mean, what do you mean?"

"Irito-san, you'll be playing the gloomy type! After several days of heated discussions among the girls, everyone agrees that the gloomy type suits you best!"

"Are you talking about me becoming a voice actor for a certain character?"

"yes?"

"When did I ever say I wanted to be a voice actor?"

"It's decided by the girls collectively!"

Nan announced confidently, and the girls standing in a row behind her all looked at me with expectant eyes.

It turned out to be the case.

"No need."

"Huh!? Everyone's so excited!?"

Trying to suppress me with numbers is pointless. Never yielding to pressure from the majority is my absolute rule in life.

"Gang Jing"

"You guys are just too oblivious to others."

Regardless of the facts, your usual tactic is to gather everyone together and agree on a single story to force the other side to submit. But today I'm going to show you that this trick won't work on me.

Nan looked embarrassed, crossed her arms, and pouted.

"Yume-chan agreed so quickly!"

"Who are you kidding? She must have been pressured like this to get her to nod reluctantly."