My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

I put the loose-leaf paper on Shuidou's desk.

Then—he shared his thoughts on it.

"—That's awful! Absolutely awful!"

This is the most cathartic negative comment I've ever made in my life.

A novel was written on these loose-leaf sheets of paper.

It's a self-indulgent piece of writing by the author, consisting entirely of endless monologues from beginning to end, devoid of any plot development or dramatic tension, and without an ending. It's just an incredibly stupid novel.

This article, which would only be eliminated in the preliminary round of a newcomer award submission and wouldn't even get ten points on an online novel platform, is indeed the novel written by Shuidou.

I'll be frank.

At this level, it's not as interesting as me writing it.

This really surprises me. I never imagined that someone like Mizuto, who has read so many books, would write such a narcissistic novel. Or was he writing it this way on purpose?

Mizuto quickly looked away in embarrassment.

"...Although I expected you to say that, being told it so directly really hurts..."

"So you do have some self-awareness."

"Well, well, how should I put it... someone made an appointment with me first, and I showed it to that guy."

Did you make an appointment beforehand?

Who will Mizuto show his original novel to...?

At that moment, I noticed that Ms. Jie gave me a dismissive look, staring at the loose-leaf paper on the table. Ah, I see. It seems he had already received the selection comments.

"Let me make this clear from the start: I wrote this very seriously. It took me a week to write just two thousand words. I have the utmost respect for authors who submit their work to online novel platforms every day."

"That's true, you need real skill to deliberately write badly."

"You really didn't give me any face when you said that... When I finished writing it, I thought it was too good and showing it to you would have the opposite effect..."

Mizuto muttered to himself, looking genuinely disheartened.

Seeing him like this, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Mom was wrong after all.

But some parts were correct.

Actually, we're all pretty much the same.

But everyone looked very strange.

Therefore, they seek peace of mind.

They want others to look like them.

I hope that others can become beings that I can understand.

The ability to satisfy this need is called "sociality"...

The methodology that can meet this need is called "common sense"...

The relationship that can satisfy this need is called "society".

If that's the case, then I'd rather hold my head high and give up my need to fit in.

They'd rather stand tall and proud than lack common sense.

They would rather stand tall and defy social norms.

I would rather be recognized as a "weird girl" by everyone.

Anyway, since I'm so clueless, this is the best I can do.

I think there's nothing to worry about.

Even if I do this and fail again—there's no need to worry.

Because──

"Mizuto-kun."

To me, Mizuto is neither ordinary nor strange.

Even if you don't fit in, even if you disregard common sense, even if you break away from social norms...

His true self is enough to put my mind at ease; he seems to be like me, someone I can understand.

"I like Mizuto-kun."

-- It is a unique and "special" existence in the world.

(Illustration 012)

"I know."

Mizuto smiled gently.

I like you very much too.

This dearest friend, who is both more ordinary and more eccentric than me, said the same thing I did.

That's right.

Special friends are what we call best friends.

I walked side by side with my classmate, Mizuto, toward the library.

Although some people frequently peek at us, I don't mind.

However, I was still secretly pleased.

So, what do you think? This is my best friend. Aren't you envious?

In the end, I am still an ordinary person.

As I walked down the corridor, I bent down slightly and peeked at Shuidou's face.

"By the way, Mizuto-kun, how long are you planning to call me by my surname?"

"what?"

"Is it about time to start using the way I address you—?"

We are close friends, but it feels so awkward that only I call him by his first name, and only Mizuto calls him by his surname.

I've suggested this tactfully before, but if this drags on, things might never change, so don't even think about escaping today.

With a bitter expression, Mizuto said:

"...Has it been decided that there's no need to change anything?"

"The agreement is that you will continue to be the Mizuto-san I've always hoped for. My Mizuto-san will call me 'Isana,' you know?"

"Tsk...why is your brain working so fast..."

Mizuto opened his mouth, then closed it again, looked away... and then whispered:

"I...Zana."

"One more time!"

"Isa...Nai."

"Louder!"

"Isana! Are you satisfied now, Isana? No objections now, Isana!"

"Wow, wow wow wow! Wait... wait a minute... you're giving us too many perks all at once...!"

Seeing that I was caught off guard by the unexpected counterattack, Mizuto snorted and turned his face away in embarrassment.

Suddenly, an idea flew into my head, and I grinned smugly.

You're always the one who makes me panic—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I'm the one who's making Mizuto panic this time, would it?

"Mizuto-kun, there's something I've been wisely keeping quiet about until now."

"Know what's good for you? You think you can?"

"Mizuto's ex-girlfriend is Yui, right?"

Mizuto stopped abruptly, his expression freezing.

"Ugh...ugh?"

When I saw him like that, I smiled mischievously.

"Mizuto-kun—don't underestimate me!"

After saying that, I walked lightly forward.

Mizuto's footsteps hurriedly caught up.

"No! When...when did you—"

I'm not telling you. Guess for yourself~

Mizuto and Yui are both even more clueless than me!

You actually expected me to wait until you told me yourselves—I'm not that sensible.

Volume 5: The One and Only You in the World - A Reunion with Your Ex-Lovers

◆ Irito Yume ◆

The rumors about Shuidou and Dongtou are currently getting hotter and hotter.

But rather than the rumors snowballing, it felt more like their relationship was gradually being taken for granted. Xiaoyue's perspective was that sooner or later, their relationship would lose its topicality and become common knowledge, buried in everyday life.

While it's good that the commotion has subsided, for me, the problem remains unresolved. Starting with my mother's misunderstanding, the relationship between Mizuto and the boy from the east end quickly became known to others—and this misunderstanding, far from being cleared up, worsened to the point of spreading throughout the entire school. In short, there's now almost no room for me to intervene…

Shuidou and Dongtou chose to ignore the others, leaving them aside.

However, I cannot do that.

Unlike those two people who were practically mavericks in school and society, I have my own stance and my own image. Simply put, I have to consider my reputation. If I pursue Shui Tou regardless of what others think, and it gets spread that I want to steal Dong Tou's boyfriend, my image will be ruined.

……not to mention……

The fact that someone like Mizuto, a man whose pride is as high as Mount Everest, would write a novel with clumsy writing skills just to put his classmate Dongtou at ease, show it to me, and then personally take it to her in the classroom, is undeniable.

More importantly,

—I like you very much too.

That sentence was said openly in front of everyone!

No, I understand, I get it! Even I can tell that the tone is different from the romantic "like"!

But, maybe... I can't stop these unsettling thoughts from flashing through my mind.

So, could it be that the guy... has actually developed real feelings for Dongtou...?

The rejection of confessions is a thing of the past. The unwavering friendship between Mizuto and Higashigoto is beyond question; I even feel that it has gradually transcended the level of lovers—it feels that their relationship is so close that the step of confession is unnecessary.

Even if the two people involved don't consider this a romantic relationship... there's still no room for me to intervene between them.

...Okay, needless to say, this time it was me who gave them a push again!

How strange...? How could this be...? Ever since I made up my mind, it seems like everything I've done has been shooting myself in the foot...?

"Mmm-hmm..."

What should we do now?

Seriously, what should I do?

As I lay idly on the living room sofa, muttering to myself, I heard the front door open. Someone had returned.

As I sat up, I saw Mizuta, dressed in a uniform, walking into the living room.

"You're back. Why are you so late?"

"I'm back. I went to hang out somewhere else with Isana."

“Oh—”

Shuidou took the barley tea out of the refrigerator, drank it, caught his breath, and then went out of the living room and upstairs.