manga artist Kirito

Page 123

Kiritani-kun... his expression remained unchanged.

Over there, Kato Megumi, out of curiosity, flipped through Eriri's drawing book. Now her expression was subtle. Although her face wasn't flushed like a normal person's, if you looked closely, you could see that the area from the girl's neck to her ears was already red.

"Hey, Kirigaya, how are your sales going?"

Holding the sales report, Eriri walked over with an undisguised expression of pride on her pretty face.

...What am I going to do? I actually lost to a loser in something like this? I feel so ashamed!

...Should I say I knew it? In a contest, whoever reveals their trump card first loses, and the one who saves their ace for the last moment is the winner... I don't want to be Eriri's ace!

"2371 copies sold..."

"Wow, such high sales..."

Eriri stared wide-eyed, seemingly a little surprised.

"It's alright, I guess."

Kiritani-kun shrugged. Using Touhou themes won't get you much popularity these days. At most, it'll just attract some people in retirement communities. Plus, considering the niche nature of yuri, selling 2371 copies is really pretty good.

Although if Kirito-kun were willing to draw Sword Art Online doujinshi himself, the sales would definitely crush Eriri's... well, two Eriris would probably be no problem, after all, when can't the official version crush the fan-made version?

But I'd better not do something like drawing my own sketchbook... Even if the limits are unfathomable, it's best to have some boundaries.

"Well, my sales are slightly better than yours."

Eriri acted somewhat reservedly, as if she had suddenly developed a girlish sense of propriety.

"So... well, about 3286 copies. We only printed 2000 copies originally, but we didn't expect we'd have to print more..."

Is this... a sarcastic remark?

That is?

280

【NO.277 Erotic Periphery and Its Theory (Part 10)】

"I told you, I wouldn't lose!"

With an affirmative smile, Eriri stared intently at Kiritani-kun, at the guy who had outsold her in sales for years.

I'm in a great mood, I'm really happy, but there's also a slightly subtle feeling.

From a certain perspective, the reason why sales have soared to this level is inextricably linked to Kirito. Both the subject matter and the popularity are due to Kirito's new work, Sword Art Online. Even Kirito's appearance at the booth later attracted quite a few masochists...

So, it would be a lie to say that Eriri's feelings weren't complicated, but it would also be a lie to say that she wasn't happy—she won!

Choosing topics and riding the wave of trending topics is also part of fan fiction. If you don't like it, don't participate!

Eriri's good eye is evident in her choice of the right subject matter. After all, she started preparing this doujinshi even before Sword Art Online was officially serialized, and she was certain that Sword Art Online would become a huge hit... In fact, you could say she was taking a big risk.

To be honest, if Sword Art Online flops, then Eriri's doujinshi won't have any popularity to ride on, and it will have a very high probability of losing in the sales competition—therefore, perspective is very important.

"...I admit, you're stronger now."

Kiritani responded expressionlessly. In reality, he didn't feel particularly special about losing this competition. He had already made up his mind about this fact after seeing the crowds of tourists on the first day of the CM exhibition. Besides... no one is always in a winning position. Losing once or twice occasionally is good for your mental and physical health.

But to say I'm unwilling to accept it would be a lie. Although in terms of material selection, Kiritani-kun lost to himself, he still lost in the end...

"So, that... condition, what do you want me to do? Make it clear beforehand, I won't agree to any conditions that are too unreasonable."

"...Excessive? Ha! Did you think I would make any excessive demands?"

Eriri grimaced in dissatisfaction, but quickly fell silent. Winning was certainly exciting, but as for what would happen afterward… well, she hadn't really thought about it…

As for what kind of demands Kirito-kun would make if she lost the match, Eriri had thought about it. Considering Kirito-kun's perverted personality and his talent in erotica... Yes, Eriri had thought about the possibility of becoming Kirito-kun's model if she lost... Yes, just a model.

...Ah, although I don't know where Eriri got her confidence that she might be able to be a model, it seems a bit difficult for her to come up with a request in a hurry now—originally, she was just using this as a stepping stone, planning to officially enter the industry and become a manga artist after winning the competition, instead of just drawing erotic content and occasionally taking on erotic illustrations for some light novels...

That said, I haven't really thought about what kind of comics I'll be drawing yet...

Wait a minute! There's also that collaborative work by the club... They're going to be doing two projects at once from the start?

Please spare me! This will leave me no time to play games!

...For some reason, Eriri's train of thought started to go astray, and the idea of ​​what kind of request she should make was completely forgotten.

"I can tell... you seem troubled too. If you can't figure it out, you can put this matter aside for now. Anyway, I can't run away."

Kiritani noticed Eriri's constantly changing expressions. He knew that when it was a joke, she could say any condition very casually, but when it came to conditions that had to be met without being excessive or abrupt, that was a little difficult.

Just like, Jing is lovely...

Kiritani-kun still remembers that when the manga club members were all gathered, he went to Shizuka to ask her to be the manga club's advisor. At the time, Shizuka said that Kiritani-kun needed to grant her a request... and so far, the request has still not been made.

Of course, for Kirigaya-kun, although owing someone a favor is not good, whether Shizuka has forgotten about it or hasn't thought about it yet, Kirigaya-kun still feels... it's all good.

Eriri's side is the same, naturally.

However, it's certain that the conditions a proud and arrogant person could propose wouldn't be excessive, since attributes determine personality.

"Then, let's put it aside for now."

Eriri scratched her head, clearly still struggling with the decision, but then glared at Kiritani-kun, her tone slightly unfriendly, "Let me tell you, if you dare to renege on your promise, I will absolutely not let you off the hook!"

This is very much in line with Eriri's personality, but this isn't the first time she's said this, is it?

By the way, Kiritani-kun won't let Eriri off the hook about her being the subject of a doujinshi either. The work decided for the winter CM is the one with Eriri as the heroine. I really look forward to seeing what kind of expression Eriri will have then.

"Hey, what are you thinking? Why do you look so lewd? You almost scared me."

With a disgusted expression, Eriri took a step back. "Let me tell you, don't think I'll be like you, seizing every opportunity to shamelessly make those annoying requests... Anyway, put away that lewd, pig-like expression of yours, it's disgusting."

Of course, disgusting and lewd are exaggerations. After all, Eriri only sees malice on Kirito's face. Besides, Kirito-san has such a delicate face, plus those black-rimmed glasses that give him a literary girl vibe. No matter how you look at it, it's hard to associate him with lewdness.

"It's actually nothing."

With a disappointed expression, Kiritani shook his head. "If you're still thinking about winning, I'll have you wear a puppy costume, squat inside a big cardboard box, and make a super fierce face at the passersby... Oh, the kind where you show your face, don't worry."

...Really, Eriri is so cute like this.

And you should all have seen it—yes, that's right, it's my profile picture, the first cover of this book.

"Oh, that's a great suggestion!"

Sawamura Sayuri's amused voice rang out, her folding fan resting on her chin, and her slight nods indicating her great interest in what Kiritani-kun had said.

"Mother, please don't speak!"

With a blushing face, Eriri glared at Sayuri Sawamura, looking rather...headache-inducing.

My mother's troublemaking nature has had enough! Father, come and take your wife away right now!

"Hmm, Kazuto-san, I think we can talk about this nice topic, like which kind of headpiece would be best for a puppy costume?"

P.S.: This is also an extra chapter... By the way, there are definitely fewer and fewer blades left, have you all finished sending them?

Please feed them!

281

【NO.278 Interlude (Part 4)】

The sun gradually sets in the west, but the summer heat remains.

The three-day summer commercial has ended, and Kiritani-kun lost the sales competition. However, he doesn't have any particular thoughts. Now, Kiritani-kun, who is still on the same path, is walking on the road with a backpack and Kato Megumi carrying a lot of doujinshi for the whole year.

"It's finally over."

"Ah, Kazuto-kun, do you know of any other light novels similar to 'Black Album'?"

Kiritani stopped unscrewing the energy drink cap, raising his eyebrows slightly. "I know, but I'm not going to tell you—by the way, Kato, are you interested in this 'why are you so good at this?' kind of operation, or do you simply enjoy reading novels with partisan conflicts?"

—You might not believe it, but I don't really care whether the outcome is an avalanche, a total wipeout, or a complete rout, because I'm a fan of Xiao Jing! A caring older sister is the best!

The girl seemed to have anticipated Kiritani's answer and simply nodded with slight regret.

"What are you regretting? What's so good about reading this kind of stuff? You're already cunning enough, and if I let you read this kind of novel... wouldn't I be teaching you how to steal other people's men?"

...Oh, maybe it's about stealing a woman?

"How rude of you, Lord Kazuhito! I would never do such a thing."

Kato Megumi looked at Kiritani-kun with slight displeasure, then turned her head away. "I just find it very interesting, and... special."

What's so special about a love triangle?

Kato, have you reached puberty?

Kiritani-kun smirked. "After being a plant for so many years, now you want to try what it's like to be a high-class beauty? Don't be ridiculous. I've told you so much before, but you haven't shown any interest in it at school or done anything extraordinary—can you please be a little more mindful? A female lead should have the self-awareness of a female lead, at least try to attract some attention!"

"Look at you now, you're dressed very well, and you are indeed much cuter, but you should show me your own charm... no, I mean show it to others. What's the point of just trying to show it to me? —Would I be happy if I praised you?"

"...Yes, I will! I'll be so happy!"

"..."

Seeing the girl's usual indifferent expression, Kiritani's eyes twitched involuntarily... I think I've been flirted with?

"What do you mean? Are you trying to pursue me?"

"Eh!?"

"Because you felt that what I said was acceptable, you planned to let the atmosphere fool me? That's a bit too naive. Please keep trying... Ah, sorry, I should say sorry, I don't accept it. I have someone I like."

"Wow... it's really heartbreaking to hear you say that, Kazuto-kun."

Miss Kato puffed out her cheeks slightly. "I didn't say anything, and it's common sense that you'd be happy to be praised. Even someone as dishonest as Sawamura-san, when praised and giving an unpleasant response, you could still feel the happiness in her tone."

In summary—I should be happy.

"So, you were just being presumptuous, Kazuto-kun. I had absolutely no intention of confessing."

"No, I mean, Kato, you've got quite the silver tongue lately. Is that experience from reading light novels?"

"I have become like this because of the ruler."

"...It was Sawamura who recommended you to read light novels. I just introduced you to a game. If possible, please don't put the blame on me."

Kiritani-kun rolled his eyes. There are so many people in Chiba who are good at ventriloquism, such as Kasumigaoka Utaha, Yukinoshita Yukino and Haruno. Now, Kato Megumi is going to be added to the list of people he knows... However, in terms of scheming, Kato Megumi should be on the same level as Haruno and Suigi.

"And what you just said, are you trying to make me take responsibility? I'm sorry, we're really not a good match."

"If you keep doing this, I'll get angry! Although I won't swing my ponytail and try to hit you like Sawamura-san, nor will I shake my leg and try to stomp on you like Kasumigaoka-senpai, I have thought about throwing whatever I'm holding at you!"

Despite her expressionless face, Kato Megumi's voice remained as soft and sweet as ever, but Kiritani-kun had no doubt about the truthfulness of her words.

After all... no, Kato Megumi really did step on it before, and it happened in person, with Eriri present.

"You see... that's the feeling, that's the feeling. It clearly shows anger, although not having any expression is still not good."

"You really know how to change the subject. Besides, that was a problem with how you spoke. Just say what you want to do directly."

So, you weren't just saying that, you actually wanted to throw something at me?

Kato, Kato, you've really gone astray. You're no longer the cute girl who let me pinch your cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Kato, please don't do this. I'm not used to your changes."

"...Is that so? Didn't Kazuhito originally want me to move in that direction?"

Kato Megumi tilted her head in confusion, indicating that she couldn't understand Kiritani-kun's thoughts.

"You want me to become a dazzling girl like Kasumigaoka-senpai, Sawamura-kun, or even Yuuki-kun? Has Kazuhito's thinking changed? ...There are still so many things I want to do."

"Ah, I'm not trying to stop it, I just think that this drifting corner is a bit fast, and I can't get used to it yet."

Kiritani pushed up his glasses and said with a hint of helplessness, "But honestly, you're pretty good now! — But personally, I think you were cuter before. Of course, if you want to shine even brighter, you should definitely keep moving forward in the current direction."

Don't look back, girl!

Seriously, Kato Megumi is even more amazing than before. Her physical presence may not have improved much, but her personality has become much more distinct. Perhaps soon, this girl's unique characteristics will be discovered.

Well, it will definitely take a lot of time, after all, everything has to wait until the emotions have fully developed.

"Oh, it's getting late. Shall I take you to the station?"

"No need, someone will come to pick me up later... um, the girl from that relative's family I told you about before, she's on her way here now."

With her hands, which were holding the bag, behind her back, the girl unconsciously revealed a slight smile.

It's so beautiful that Kiritani-kun kept staring at it.

"In that case, I'll be going now. Asuna is waiting for me at the bookstore next door."

So it wasn't a lie after all, that relative...