My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

I only answered with this one sentence.

I didn't expect him to show any obvious relief, nor did I think he would give a long speech; this answer was within my expectations.

...Although Hoshibe-senpai specifically asked for me, even if I didn't show up, someone else would probably get involved in Asahi-no-in-class's matter.

Her closest friend, Senior Asou, might force her to go to sleep, or perhaps the sharp-eyed Senior Haba could resolve the matter through President Kurenai.

If I hadn't discussed it with Mizuto, I definitely wouldn't have made that bet with Asuhain-san. I would have beaten her as usual. And she might have pushed herself even harder, studying until she got sick.

Thinking about it this way, I feel... although it's a bit embarrassing... but perhaps I can say... that he is supporting me.

I've also realized that, in reality... there are still some places where we rely on water buckets...

"...I want to say—"

thank you.

I was about to say that to Mizuto, whose eyes were fixed on the paperback, but I swallowed my words at the last moment.

Can't we solve this with such simple words?

How can I express my feelings in just three words?

Thinking about this, an idea suddenly came to mind.

I want to say—there's a day I hope you can make time for me.

Hearing me say that, Mizuto finally looked up from the paperback.

I've been thinking about how to arrange that day.

Long before the midterm exams, before the sports festival... no, even longer ago.

"...Which day?"

"...the next holiday."

Mizuto's eyes widened slightly.

That day was a special day for me, and for Mizuto as well.

That was probably true for Mom and Uncle Fengqiu as well. That day was more than just a holiday for everyone in our Irito family.

The first holiday of November.

November 3rd.

"—It's our birthday. Please make time for it that day."

Volume 7 May this moment pause for a while.

Irito Mizuto: Lacking in creativity, yet the best...

Now it has gradually become a fond memory. It was during my second and third years of junior high school that I had what is commonly known as a girlfriend.

In comparison, during what could still be considered the first half of our honeymoon period, the most surprising thing for me and her—Yume Ayai—was probably that day.

That is, the day we tell each other our birthdays.

When I learned that we were born on the same day, I, in my ignorant middle school years, felt deeply terrified by the arrangement of fate.

November 3rd.

This day is a public holiday in Japan, and since school is closed, I never remember anyone other than my family celebrating it for me. But even that was exactly what I wanted at the time. It meant I could spend the whole day undisturbed by school and celebrate my birthday with my first girlfriend.

Forgive me for being frank, but I haven't taken my birthday that seriously.

I often don't even remember the day itself—after all, I don't remember the moment I was born, and I hardly know the mother who gave birth to me, so it's really hard to keep the date in mind.

So, only that one time was special.

In my entire life, there was only one time, when I was in the second year of junior high school, that I considered November 3rd a special day.

That day, we decided to use the daytime for our date and help each other choose gifts. After all, it was our first time dating anyone, and we had almost no experience buying gifts for each other. Plus, this way we could decide on the theme of our date at the same time, which was a win-win situation.

...I later learned that the gloomy woman I had never imagined, Yui Ayai, seemed to have kept the eraser or other small things I had casually given her as gifts—but that's a different story.

We usually only go to bookstores or libraries, places that lack romance, so our date that day was one of the few decent dates we ever had. We went to a department store we don't usually shop at, browsing and selecting items, using indecisiveness as an excuse to linger in blissful uncertainty for a long time.

Finally, we arrived at the same place as usual—a bookstore.

Ah, this book cover…

Ayai's eyes didn't linger on the bookshelves, but rather on the display area featuring book covers and stationery.

Ayai gazed at the understated pink leather book cover through her glasses.

--You want this?

When I asked, Ayai seemed hesitant, her gaze shifting, before she said:

—Hmm…I don’t have a real book cover, so…I really want one. But…

—But?

—Um… I wanted to tell you something. Actually, I initially thought of buying book covers! But…

—But?

—...but then again, it doesn't seem very creative...

I smiled.

—Just like me.

-- Same?

—This was the first thing that came to my mind, but I thought it might be too unoriginal.

That's what an overly self-conscious otaku is like. They just consume other people's works, yet they put on airs like writers and try to show off their taste.

We all found it funny and burst into quiet laughter in the quiet bookstore.

In other words...

Irito Yume: Lacking creativity, yet the best...

Now it has gradually become a fond memory. It was during my second and third years of junior high school that I had what is commonly known as a boyfriend.

For my boyfriend's birthday date, we decided to pick out gifts for each other. We ended up at a bookstore, standing in front of colorful book covers.

Book cover.

If you're looking for a gift for a boyfriend who loves books, this is the first and safest gift that anyone would think of.

That's why this was the first thing that came to my mind, and the first thing I eliminated from the pool of candidates.

To put it bluntly, it's the arrogant mindset that middle school students often have. I held unrealistic ideas and didn't want to give such an unoriginal gift; I wanted to give something more tasteful and romantic.

However, he seemed to share the same thoughts as me.

Before I could even think of "since that's how it is," he had already reached out his hand.

In other words...

Shuidou picked up the pink paperback-sized book cover that I had been looking at.

—We both feel that this is the gift we most want to give each other...right?

When I encounter such moments, my mind, which was still quite innocent at the time, becomes filled with happiness.

We're thinking the same thing.

Our hearts are in harmony.

Whenever I have this feeling, I always deeply feel the joy of having Mizuto Irito as my boyfriend.

—Hmm. You're right. So…

Only in moments like these do I dare to take a step forward.

I was cowardly and despicable, but I thought he would understand me at this moment, so I dared to step into his heart.

I picked up the black leather book cover and said shyly:

--Or, shall we use the same one?

Although, strictly speaking, they are the same style in different colors.

Mizuto chuckled, and unusually mischievously remarked:

Wow, matching book covers for couples!

--Hehe. You don't like it?

--I would feel ashamed if it were matching outfits... but I think this one is nice. It has our style.

--Hmm!

Our connection began with books, so let's choose a book cover to protect the book as our first gift.

Okay, of course, this excuse for showing off was added afterward.

Later, even at school, we always used pairs of book covers to read books.

Even though the only difference is the color, it surprisingly goes unnoticed. This is a couple's book cover that only we know about.

Seeing that our classmates were completely unaware of this, we would secretly exchange knowing glances and share our laughter.

It was just a short, enjoyable period of time, lasting only six months before the class division.

To this day, I still don't know whether he was still using that book cover after he entered the third grade.

Irito Yume ◆ Perfect Girl Student Council (?)

The moment I entered the classroom with the senior students, I felt the whispers in the room immediately quiet down.

In the meeting room, representatives from various committees were gathered. Today was the second regular meeting since the new student council was established. I was quite nervous the first time, but by the second time I had grasped the essentials and was able to sit down at my own ease—but…

It felt like all the attention that wasn't there at the first meeting was now focused on us.

"...Wow...it really is..." "See? Just like I said! I told you this year's student council is amazing!" "Super high level..." "I didn't even notice when I saw it from afar last time..."

The room, which had briefly returned to quiet, was gradually filled with another kind of whispering.

Everyone probably thought they were speaking in a low voice. However, because everyone was saying similar things, their voices became louder than they thought, reaching my ears.

--This year's student council is full of beautiful girls.

I don't know who spread this rumor, but it seems to have spread like this.

Indeed, President Kurenai possesses both leadership qualities and feminine charm; Senior Asahi (if one doesn't know the truth) is tall and has an enviable figure; and Asuha-in is petite but has a large bust and a cute face. It's not surprising that everyone talks about them that way, but I feel like I'm included in that group, which makes me feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, as a lone green leaf amidst a sea of ​​red, senior student Haba was completely ignored as if he didn't exist.

"...How frivolous and superficial."

Her classmate, Asuhain, cursed in somewhat awkward words. Given that she disliked both boys and romance, these stares probably only annoyed her.

Perhaps this is what's known as the celebrity tax. I originally thought that unlike virtual works, the student council was just behind-the-scenes staff and wouldn't attract much attention—maybe it was the dazzling halo of the president that illuminated us all.

"—She's so pretty and gets such good grades, isn't she a bit too cunning?" "She must have a boyfriend anyway—" "It seems like she's always in those dazzling, romantic relationships~"

...That's hard to say.

The conversation I overheard reminded me of something that happened before the midterm exams.

November 3rd.

My birthday and Mizuto's birthday are just around the corner at the beginning of next month.

I want to banish the past version of myself from Mizuto's heart and replace it with my own—more than two months have passed since I made this decision, but I've been so pathetic that I haven't made any progress at all. Now there's absolutely no reason for me to miss this important event.

I'm going to prepare a gift that surpasses the one I used to be, and use sweet words to win over Shui Dou!

...It's good that you have this determination, but I can't think of a single good idea.

Can someone tell me how to choose the right gift?

The year-long gap in my life has completely rusted my romantic skills. I've had a boyfriend before, but I have absolutely no idea what to do now. What should I give Mizuto to make him happy? No matter how hard I try to recall, all I can remember is a gloomy girl with a fried brain who overthinks things. The image of Mizuto blushing and her heart pounding in her chest won't even cross my mind.

In that case, we have no choice but to conduct sampling tests.

So, when it was just the three of us—President Hong, Senior Sister Ya Shuang, and myself—I asked for your advice.

"I'd like to ask you two... how you celebrated the birthdays of the boys you liked?"

When I finally made up my mind to speak up, the two senior students looked at me with a blank expression.