manga artist Kirito

Page 105

240

【NO.237 It's okay to wait a little longer】

To be honest, there are many girls who are good at cooking.

Perhaps this is a basic skill in some ways, but most of the girls that Kiritani-kun knows can do it to an excellent degree.

I won't give examples, but looking at this plate of omelet rice, Kiritani-kun is quite hungry. Although Kiritani-kun considers himself invincible when it comes to dishes related to eggs, Kato Megumi seems to be quite skilled at it too...

Smiling, Kato Megumi took off her apron and announced, "Dinner is ready..."

"I'm starting!" With his hands clasped together, Kiritani-kun said this without any sincerity, but before he could even pick up his spoon, Kato Megumi's calm gaze fell on him, quietly watching him.

"...Have I become handsome again?"

"Leaving aside the point about affirmative sentences, washing your hands before eating is the most basic thing, you know, Mr. Kazuhito~!"

"Ah, I understand." Kiritani stood up with dead fish eyes and pulled Shiina Mashiro, who also hadn't washed her hands, into the kitchen to wash them.

Kato Megumi calmly watched Kiritani-kun wash Shiina Mashiro's little hands, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. Although he usually acts very mature, isn't he still a little boy with a childish temper?

As Kiritani stepped out of the kitchen, he shook his hands, which were still damp, and a few drops of water splashed onto Kato Megumi, causing her to puff out her cheeks slightly.

"That's very impolite, Kazuhito! I might not be angry, but you can't just do that in public!"

"Yes, yes, I understand, Kato-san." With his dead fish eyes still hanging out, Kiritani stopped Shiina Mashiro, who was about to go back to the kitchen to wash her hands again so as to wipe the water off Kato Megumi, and sat back down in her original position without any emotional reaction.

"Ah, I'm starting again."

"I'm gonna start now!"

This saying is actually meaningless. Not only does it not make the food taste better, but it also does not conform to the principle of not talking while eating or sleeping. So why has it been passed down?

It's an unsolved mystery, just like the first person with the cat (10 cats). Nobody knows what happened in the first place.

With his cheeks slightly puffed out, Kiritani raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, Kato's cooking is pretty good."

Kato Megumi responded calmly, "When I'm home alone, I usually have to cook for myself."

"Although I ate some of your cooking on that previous trip, it wasn't easy to tell the difference. But now I can taste it clearly."

"If you like, I can come over and help out occasionally, since I don't have much to do during summer vacation anyway. Of course, that is, if Kazuto-kun will welcome me."

"If you really want to come, I can't possibly kick you out. Just do as you please... Oh, and about your C++ learning, actually I just know a little more than you. If you don't understand something, you can email me and specifically ask for Yui. She can explain everything to you. Well, if you feel it's not enough, you can come over in person. But honestly, Yui's intelligence level is much better than mine when it comes to programming."

To be honest, Kiritani-kun really doesn't understand. There was only one recommendation from Eriri. Just how much would someone have to like something to make Kato Megumi teach herself C++?

Kato Megumi tilted her head slightly. "Thank you so much... But I don't think I've ever exchanged emails with Kazuto-kun before!"

"Eh, um... it seems like there really isn't anyone." After a moment's thought, Kiritani realized that only Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha had recently exchanged email addresses, and Kato Megumi wasn't among them, which made him feel a little uneasy.

"Get your phone off me."

"Okay." Kato Megumi pulled out a pink-cased phone from somewhere and handed it to Kiritani-kun.

...It's not quite the same as the one I used before. Now I've switched to a smartphone. I remember Kato used to use a flip phone, right?

Kato Megumi seemed to understand Kiritani's expression, and her voice remained flat, "It may be a bit rude to say, but sometimes when I go to see Kazuto, he's always arguing with Sawamura or Kasumigaoka... Hmm, it looks like a scene from a romantic comedy, but then again, it's easy for me to get overlooked. It's quite interesting to watch from the sidelines."

"As you know, I have a slight addiction to my phone, so I got a smartphone so I can use it to pass the time when everyone is arguing."

Picking up the water glass beside her, Ms. Kato Megumi took a small sip and said softly with her head bowed.

"So, Kato, you're getting better and better at infiltrating..." Kiritani-kun typed in his email address and smirked. To be honest, aside from inviting Kato Megumi to the manga club room, he hadn't actually seen her come to the manga club to see him for anything...

Kato Megumi clearly didn't like Kiritani-kun bringing up her lack of presence. "Even I would get angry, you know, Kato-kun~!"

Of course, it's not exactly hate, just a bit of dissatisfaction.

Strictly speaking, there is nothing that Kato Megumi truly hates at the moment.

"Yeah, I've seen it, every time." Shiina Mashiro, looking a bit disheveled with ketchup left on her omelet rice at the corner of her mouth, quietly interjected.

"I see..." Kiritani handed the phone back to Kato Megumi, somewhat helplessly. "Since you need to talk to me, even if interrupting might be impolite, just waiting quietly won't get you anywhere—please let me know how anxious you are."

"Actually, it's nothing important. If it were really important, I wouldn't have waited until lunch break or club activities to talk to you." Kato Megumi nodded slightly. In reality, no matter what she said, the core issue was still Kirigaya Kazuto. As long as Kirigaya Kazuto noticed Kato Megumi's arrival, it wouldn't matter if he didn't say anything—and it wouldn't matter if he waited a little longer.

As long as it can be seen...

"That's why you're like a plant—you're everywhere, but nobody pays any attention to you."

"That's going too far, Kazuhito-kun!"

"...Actually, I think it would be quite a good experience to make you angry." Kirigaya shrugged. "So far, the only time I've seen you look unhappy is when you puff out your cheeks—hey, how about you take action like Eriri or Kasumigaoka Utaha?"

"Your persona will crumble!"

"Whether it collapses or not doesn't matter, Kato, don't you want to become a heartthrob?"

"Being an idol... must be very troublesome, right?"

"—Well, this conversation has died down."

P.S.: I've found that writing this way is definitely more comfortable; the previous way was incredibly painful.

241

【NO.238 Scheming?】

Generally speaking, girls don't like to create trouble for themselves, but there are some things that they feel are just natural when they do them.

"Ah, actually, these things are no problem if you leave them to me."

Watching Kato Megumi clear the table, Kiritani-kun inexplicably felt that he was the guest and Kato Megumi was the hostess.

"Although I might be a bit lacking in cooking skills, I can handle simple tasks like tidying up the table. Sometimes when Asuna is feeling lazy, I take care of those things."

"It's okay, I have nothing to do anyway... Rather, I'm not really used to the way you treat guests, and that feeling of sitting there awkwardly is just too strange. Even though I know my intention is just to make the guests feel at ease and relaxed like at home, I'm not that kind of carefree guy!"

As she said this, Kato Megumi rarely showed a slight smile, though it vanished in an instant.

"Well, it's also possible that Kazuto simply doesn't know how to entertain guests... Well, according to Kazuto, he's a useless person without Yuuki-kun."

"Tsk, it's fine to see this out, but why do you have to say it out loud? Kato, I think you want me to teach you what it means to shoot a Megumi."

"Hey, I have a feeling there's a lot of malice in that statement. Is it just my imagination?"

“It’s not a misperception, your words definitely contained my dissatisfaction!” Kiritani took the rag from Kato Megumi’s hand, then pointed to the study. “Go in and experience what it’s like to be put in a play. After I’ve dealt with this place, I’ll let you try what it’s like to be imprisoned—ah, remember to drink plenty of water, that way we might even be able to play with urination play…”

"I can call the police, right? This guy is really a pervert." Although she said that, Kato Megumi's expression remained calm, showing no ill feelings about Kiritani's words.

If it were Eriri, she would most likely have used the ponytail slash by now...

This is the difference...

"Thank you for the compliment. I'll consider whether or not to let you make the call." Kiritani raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat displeased, then glanced at Mashiro, who was still curled up on the sofa drawing. "Kuro, keep an eye on her until she's embarrassed."

"I'm Baymax! Stare—!" Her expression was blank, but her words revealed her dissatisfaction.

Of course, I absolutely have to do what Kiritani-kun says, so I'll draw more later and keep staring at this strange woman until she's embarrassed!

"Okay, I understand." Kato Megumi smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, her mood slightly complicated. "But to be honest, I've been quite relaxed, and Kazuto-kun's way of entertaining me is indeed very interesting. But since you've said that, it would be a shame not to visit Kazuto-kun's workplace!"

"A friendly reminder: please do not use this notebook if you see it."

"I'll just pretend I didn't hear it, and similar comments."

Kato Megumi turned around and, under Shiina Mashiro's gaze, pushed open the study door and went inside. Kirito Kazuto subtly switched his deadpan expression to a blank stare and then narrowed his eyes slightly. Although he felt there was no need to overthink it, it was really difficult to guess what the scheming Megumi was thinking.

Her steps were very light. Kato Megumi turned on the light in the study and peeked around.

It perfectly embodies the meaning of the word "study". There are two bookshelves near the wall, filled with all kinds of books. However, judging from the surface, these books are actually categorized. For example, the bookshelves on the side mostly contain comics and light novels, while the bookshelves on the front contain... all sorts of strange books, including many that are clearly in Chinese.

The study is simply furnished, consisting of two bookshelves, a computer desk with two monitors, and a small sofa on the side.

...It could be described as messy. There were many discarded drawings crumpled up or simply thrown on the floor under the drawing board in front of the computer desk.

But how should I put it, it would be strange if someone actually tidied up their drawing paper properly...

Yes, Kato Megumi inexplicably had this thought.

However, Asuna... Yuuki Asuna is a very capable person. Usually, Hito-kun praises her housekeeping skills more than anything. It's unlikely that she would leave her drawing paper lying around without cleaning it up.

...If you don't know, it's probably best not to think about it too much.

As she walked to the table, Kato Megumi's gaze swept over the casually placed art supplies and drawing board before finally being drawn to the framed photograph next to her.

With her eyes slightly lowered, Kato Megumi carefully examined the photograph, a group photo of Kiritani Kazuto and his girlfriend Yuuki Asuna.

With a more energetic expression than now, the young man, dressed in simple black casual clothes and looking quite capable, smiled and stroked the head of the girl leaning against his chest. Her chestnut hair was slightly disheveled. The girl, with a rosy face, hugged the young man's waist, seemingly very uncomfortable with being photographed, her pretty face full of shyness.

Behind the two was a bare cherry blossom tree... not a very good background.

That must have been a wonderful memory...

Kato Megumi withdrew her outstretched hand and then looked away.

"I am back."

"Welcome home."

A familiar voice, tinged with a hint of weariness, rang out from outside the living room.

Kato Megumi knew who had returned.

"Hey, do you have guests over?"

"I ran into Kato when I went to the supermarket before, and I invited her to come over for a visit."

"That's it..."

"Kato is in the study right now, but Asuna, you look really tired."

"Well, I chatted with a highly intelligent woman, and now I feel like my brain is a bit oxygen-deprived."

"Is it that terrifying?!"

The casual conversation was tinged with humor.

Kato Megumi felt that she should go back now.

So she gave up the idea of ​​continuing the tour, slowly walked out of the study, and saw Asuna drinking water. "Hello, Yuuki-kun."

Asuna smiled back, "Ah, we meet again, Kato-kun."

"Although I feel this isn't right, I got a call from home and I have to go back."

Asuna put down her water glass, glanced at the time, and asked, "So urgent?"

"Perhaps... something happened, but it wasn't explained clearly." Kato Megumi maintained a calm demeanor. "Well then, see you another day."

"Oh, then see you another day... Kato, see Kato-kun off."

P.S.: Yes, that's exactly the feeling!

You have razor blades, right? And you have tips, right?

Please feed them!

242

【NO.239 Don't Speak】

"I don't know what's going on with this high-IQ woman you mentioned... Um, did you eat before you came back?"

"I ate. I ate with Sawamura and Kasumigaoka before I came back."

Asuna Yuuki leaned lazily against Kiritani's lap, her face full of languor. "Hmm, did you make the food today?"

“…Not really.” Stroking Asuna’s chestnut hair, Kiritani shook his head slightly. “I was originally planning to cook myself, but Kato seemed to have a hard time sitting there and getting glanced at by your eldest daughter, so he went to the kitchen to help… uh, no, he kicked me out.”

Asuna narrowed her eyes slightly. "I see..."

Kato, though he doesn't usually stand out, is surprisingly difficult to deal with.

She was no less intelligent than that woman who was more of a cunning strategist than a highly intelligent one.

However, this kind of thing seems to be only a possibility. It might be necessary to be prepared, but too much preparation... isn't a good thing, especially since...

Asuna blinked, looking at the face so close to hers, a slight smile playing on her lips—there was really no need to think about it, and no need to be on guard.

"Speaking of which, I met Senior Kosaka today."

"Watermelon? What's going on?"

Shueisha's headquarters are located in Tokyo, as is Rouge en rouge, and Akane Kosaka's usual residence is also in Tokyo. Given this workaholic's daily life, she would not go out unless absolutely necessary, let alone do anything meaningless.

So, what exactly happened between Asuna and Suigi?