My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

I stroked her head as if to lull her to sleep, while I started scrolling through my phone again.

As I glided along, I scratched the dreamy scent near my neck and unintentionally uttered a few words.

"...Senior...yes, let's be together forever..."

...Even talking in my sleep, I have to act cute.

I suppressed a wry smile, kissed Aisha's hair, and whispered my reply:

"...Okay."

So am I not thinking about White Day gifts like this?

Kawanami Kogure ◆ More Than Just Taking

Occasionally, I also reflect on my life.

Like many others, the golden age of my life was during elementary school. Back then, I was surrounded by friends every day and felt like I was the center of the world.

How am I different now compared to who I was then?

Back then, I felt like nothing could defeat me, my life was fulfilling, and I was certain that I could never fail no matter what I did.

Perhaps you could say I just hadn't tasted the bitterness of setbacks yet. Of course. I was just a kid, a frog in a well, unaware of how vast the ocean was. Even so, I still think—compared to who I am now, I was at least a little more decent back then.

Compared to realizing my own powerlessness—

I think it's better to be arrogant and think you're omnipotent.

When did I start becoming like this? I know, it must have been from that time.

It started when I thought that having a girlfriend would be as easy as having food delivered to my door.

—I...I...actually...like you...

It must have been from the moment my childhood sweetheart, whom I had always harbored feelings for, confessed to me without me having to do anything that I became such a coward.

Accustomed to—only taking.

Is placing Valentine's Day before White Day a form of gender inequality? This somewhat socially charged thought flashed through my mind. For example, what if my gender and that guy's were reversed? As a woman, I would always agonize over what kind of chocolate to give as February 14th approaches each year. But in reality, I don't have to do anything; the chocolate will just be delivered to me. I can just use that as a standard to think of a return gift.

From the moment I started dating that guy until now, I feel like I've always been the one receiving.

Although this was partly due to that guy's quirks, it was probably caused by my own arrogance and laziness in essence.

Even the treatment for this condition was all done by that guy; I never took the initiative to do anything—she just wanted to boldly say she liked me, and I felt it was my responsibility to respond to her wishes.

"Occasionally... it's time to show some manliness..."

With a slap, my forehead was hit by the laptop.

"Hey, no slacking off!"

I lifted my head from the sofa armrest and saw Nan glaring at me. She was wearing a thick, baggy knitted pajamas, which, by her standards, was considered civilized attire.

"I wasn't slacking off. I was reflecting on my life."

"I think we should focus on figuring out the exam scope first. All that effort I put into helping you study was for nothing! You can't rely on Irito-san this time, can you?"

As Nan spoke, he placed the freshly brewed coffee on the table.

She's right. Just like last time, my friend who's second in the whole grade is only concerned with taking care of that girl in the east to prevent her from failing, which prevents me from begging for help.

I still have to think about what to do on White Valentine's Day—can't you think more about me? Show more concern for the men who receive their special Valentine's Day chocolates.

"Alright, alright, let's get back to studying!"

Nan sat down at the table in a W-shape, patted the carpet a few times, and asked me to come over to her side.

"I'm almost done reading this time too! Please, pay attention!"

Okay, sorry.

I sat up and left the sofa, then sat cross-legged next to the south side.

Nan looked up and frowned in suspicion.

"...What's wrong? Why are you suddenly being so well-behaved?"

"I've just picked myself up again."

Regardless of what happens next, let's focus on finishing this exam first.

If you don't like a life of constantly taking—then you have to do this little thing well on your own.

I picked up the mechanical pencil and took action.

"Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask something else."

"Hmm—?"

What can I do for you to make you happy?

Nan paused, staring at my face.

"Are you trying to make me say something lewd?"

"No way! You're the one who's lecherous!"

I'd be an idiot to ask her.

Yuba Jouji ◆ Capacity for playing minor roles

—Anyway, sit down, accountant. From now on, we're the student council.

I was practically kidnapped that time.

I aspired to be an unnoticed, colorless extra, but I was unexpectedly brought into the student council and given the superfluous title of accountant.

The person who did this was a classmate who was promoted to vice president in first grade.

—What do you mean, young man?

Hong answered me without blushing or panting.

"If you ask me, I'd like to ask you what you mean. You clearly possess insight and practical skills comparable to a seasoned secretary, so why do you only want to be an ordinary person? With such an unexpected treasure right in front of you, don't you think it's only reasonable to pick it up without hesitation?"

Hong Lingli's ability to win people's hearts is irresistible.

She clearly attracted everyone's attention with her abilities and beauty, yet she specifically came to praise some qualities I don't possess at all. What unexpected treasure—it's clearly just an insignificant thing; I really admire how she can make it sound so appealing.

That's how I joined the student council... and to my surprise, I was quite competent and happy in it.

—Ah-Zhang, you're amazing! You finished so quickly? You really know your stuff! Unlike Aisha, who's so slow...

—Hey, Asahi! Don't you dare dump work on Uncle!

--Hehe, it's reassuring to have such a strong personality, right, President?

—Where are your eyes? That's called being shameless.

Ya Shuang and Hong were at odds, the senior student in charge of general affairs watched with a steady gaze, and the student council president, Xingbian, seemed to be bored out of her mind and yawned. If I said that I could stay in such a space and not feel comfortable and at ease... then I would be lying.

Although the title of student council is too heavy for me...

But being able to stay by these people's side—I think I should be quite happy.

That's enough.

This kind of treatment is already too good for me.

"What's wrong, Uncle?"

Why run away? The girls are already giving you special treatment.

—You really don't know how lucky you are. Such a beautiful girl is about to give you her virginity, and you actually want to coldly refuse?

Hong, I can't afford to take responsibility for this.

For someone like me who has always lived a transparent and simple life...

It's too much of a burden for me to accept other people's feelings.

Irito Mizuto ◆ Thank you for your hard work

"--Okay, that's all."

"Haaaaaahh ...

As soon as she passed my test, Izana collapsed onto the table, completely exhausted.

"I finally made it... I thought I was definitely too late this time..."

"Thank you for your hard work. I'll upload the file."

"It's all gone now..."

As part of Isana's image building strategy, I stipulated that she must upload themed illustrations on every special holiday. White Day was included, of course, but Isana encountered her first hurdle here. It seemed she genuinely couldn't come up with any ideas.

It was only after Isana pointed it out that I realized that the light novels, which are the main source of her imagination, usually get into the climax around White Day, leaving little room for extra details—in general, the impression given is that in romantic comedies, White Day is about the protagonist choosing his soulmate from among several female characters. Perhaps that impression is so strong that she has relatively little knowledge about White Day that she can apply to it.

Moreover, this festival is primarily for boys.

I also considered having her draw male characters, but in the end, the suggestion, "Why don't we try drawing a standout female character?" became the breakthrough. In other words, if all you have in mind is the main plot of a romantic comedy, then don't overthink it, just draw it.

The winning and losing of the female characters in a romantic comedy is a fairly recognizable context, and it also suits Isana's art style, which is good at creating storytelling. I think it'll easily get 500 views.

...Actually, recently, accounts that seem to belong to industry professionals have occasionally started following her.

There's a good chance they'll come to discuss a business deal someday. I even consulted Uncle Keikoin, and he said, "It wouldn't be surprising if they did come."

However, it's too early for Isana to work on light novels, a field she's particularly attached to.

Because she has very little experience outside of drawing cute girl characters. She needs to be able to draw male and adult characters, and further accumulate enough design knowledge in small items, before she can finally venture into that area. At the earliest, she'll need to build up her skills by the middle of next year, and then create a portfolio.

—As I was making plans like this, I walked out of Isana's room and saw Aunt Nagi in the living room.

Aunt Nagira sat slovenly on the sofa, knees raised, playing a video game. It looked like a highly focused battle game, but as soon as I stepped into the living room, she said without turning around:

"Hi, you've worked hard."

"……Thanks for your hard work."

"Who said I've worked hard? Don't underestimate me, you idiot."

I really hope she won't nitpick my casual greetings, but I'm gradually getting used to this auntie's somewhat childish words and actions.

"Managing my lazy daughter must be tough, right? I heard about her final exam results."

"...She did it on merit. Besides, I'm the type who doesn't spend much time studying."

"You can be a little more arrogant, it's fine. My daughter passed all her exams at your elite school, you know?"

After what seemed like an overhaul, Aunt Nagi stopped operating the controller and turned to look at me.

"Good job, I'll allow you to have sex with my daughter."

"This is a complete violation of political correctness, so I refuse."

"What a lame excuse." Aunt Nagira laughed as she began the next battle.

...I didn't mention to her that I had started dating Yui.

I don't know how serious she was about trying to pair me up with Izana, but I think I'll have to make things clear with her sooner or later. After all, it's a fact that I have a girlfriend and I'm still going in and out of girls' rooms... As her mother, she has the right to condemn me.

But we'll have to wait until Isana's condition stabilizes a bit. If things go wrong, I might forbid Isana from contacting me; Isana doesn't know how to take care of herself yet.

I don't think I should say anything now, no matter how bad it might make her opinion of me afterwards.

I took the book back to my room and saw Isana asleep on the table.

This was the first time I'd been caught in such a fierce battle, and it happened right before the final exams of the semester. I guess I was completely exhausted. I took a blanket from the bed and covered Isana's quietly rising and falling shoulders.

"Thanks for your hard work."

I whispered this to her and placed a small bag next to her face.

The small bag contained some rather fancy cookies that I bought from the underground shopping mall at the train station.

Asou Aisha ◆ Senior

Lately, I often feel cold when I wake up.

It wasn't because of the March weather, nor because the quilt had become thinner.

It's probably because my senior is with me more often now.

I miss the warmth my senior brought me, and I hug my knees in bed.