My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

"That's fantastic! Asking Dongtou was definitely the right decision!"

Nan clasped her hands together and said joyfully. Most of the other students were also excitedly making noise.

Signs featuring busts of six characters were also installed above the doors and windows, making them equally eye-catching. They undoubtedly drew attention even compared to other classrooms on the same floor.

"This should be fine now...!" "The puzzle-solving part has been tested repeatedly, and it feels great!" "Only our class would put this much effort into this!?"

The boys were thrilled, while the girls surrounded Isana—or rather, hugged her one after another to reward her for her hard work.

"Dongtou, you're a god! A divine artist!" "Let me get your autograph!" "Let me rub your breasts too!"

"Hehe, hehe, hehehe..."

Perhaps it was the excessive praise that made her ego soar, because Isana just kept grinning from ear to ear.

After the commemorative celebrations subsided, I finally walked towards the liberated Isana.

"Isana"

"Mizuto-kun..."

"here you go"

I looked into her face and said this.

Isana smiled shyly and looked at the completed standing sign.

"I...have improved."

That way she can build up her confidence, right? If that's the case, then the result will be great. She'll definitely be more proactive about the light novel thing—

After that, I contacted Daocang.

That guy also participated in the production of this escape game as part of the script. She has the right to see the finished product.

After I contacted her, Daocang arrived in just about five minutes. She stared at the sign leaning against the classroom door.

"You really drew it well, Dongtou-senpai... It feels like a professional drawing."

"In six months, it won't just be 'like' her anymore. Strictly speaking, she's already been paid to do the work; you could say she's a professional."

Daocang gazed at the black-haired bob-haired beauty standing by the classroom door, a smile spreading across his face like a watercolor painting.

That smile carried a hint of pride, yet also a touch of loneliness.

"Senior—Senior, you did mention it, didn't you?"

I was puzzled by these sudden words, but Daocang continued.

"The passion you lack can be obtained from others—you said that while showing me Dongtou-senpai's paintings, right?"

"...? Ah, so you're motivated too, right?"

"wrong"

Miyo Michikura looked at me.

It seemed to be telling a story.

She looked at me.

"I didn't get motivated because I saw Dongtou's paintings—it was because I saw this illustration."

She turned her head slightly.

It was as if she wanted to cry but couldn't, and was on the verge of sobbing.

she says.

"Senior—don't you really understand where I get my passion from?"