manga artist Kirito

Page 133

"Where do you want me to go? I have things to do afterwards."

Saki moved the hand she had used to block Kiritani's earlier attack; her wrist, bruised and slightly purple, was still in pain. Saki even began to doubt whether she could continue working that night.

Although it was said to be a two-handed defense, the left hand, which was positioned in front, was the first to bear the brunt of the blow. Compared to the powerful right hand, the injury to the left hand should not be a big problem from a certain perspective—except for men.

Walking ahead towards the road leading out of the amusement park, Kiritani-san calmly replied, "The hospital."

Saki raised an eyebrow in displeasure. "Didn't I say it's fine and I don't need to go?"

"Didn't I just tell the staff at the haunted house that I would take you to the hospital? Keeping your word is the most basic thing, Saki-senpai."

Kiritani slowed his pace slightly, letting Saki catch up with him. "Besides, this was indeed my fault. Even if you don't need compensation, Saki-senpai, you should at least go to the hospital for a check-up so I can be at ease knowing you're really alright."

"It's strange of you. Don't you have money to burn?"

Saki Saki turned her head away, "...if it won't take up too much of my time."

But you're still planning to keep working even after all this... Even a working soldier can become useless, you know.

"It's just an inspection, it won't take long."

Kiritani-san could tell that this woman had a somewhat arrogant personality, or rather, a sharp tongue but a soft heart... oh no, I mean a sharp tongue but a soft heart; she seemed very tough, but was actually extremely gentle inside...

"But I'm really sorry for the trouble this has caused you, Saki-senpai."

This guy……

Saki was utterly exasperated. She'd said "sorry" so many times already. Was she possessed by an "I'm sorry" spirit? Could she please stop being so strange?

"Okay, okay, stop talking. Let's get to the hospital quickly, I'm in a hurry."

P.S.: I think the Shuke server is comparable to the PUBG server.

301

【NO.298 The Holiday That Was Ended (Part Two)】

Saki Kawasaki felt she had been having a lot of bad luck lately, and today she confirmed that it really was.

Because of the summer vacation, many shops are indeed hiring part-time workers. But it is also because of the summer vacation that many shops that could not find part-time workers during the school term have found staff. Saki was in a good mood because she finally found an easy part-time job that only required her to jump out and scare people when necessary. Even though she was very sleepy, she was very happy.

But now, everything has been destroyed.

As for her part-time job, perhaps thanks to the help she received from the Service Club, things are indeed much easier now. However, Saki doesn't like owing favors to others, so even when she can relax, she still works hard.

When it comes to hospitals, like most people, Sahiro doesn't like places that cost a lot of money every time she goes.

Even so, Saki Kawasaki still ended up at the hospital... wasting a lot of time.

A medical check-up is necessary. Kiritani-san has no shortage of money, and he considers his health to be of utmost importance, especially given the recent impact of the incident involving Ishii being discharged from the hospital.

However, things seemed to be better than expected. Kawasaki Saki took a hit, but the damage was not significant. Perhaps it was because Kiritani-san was not carrying a wooden sword and was practically crippled, or perhaps Saki parried and deflected the force in time.

In short, it's good that everything is alright.

But while it's true that nothing's wrong, in reality...

As they walked out of the hospital, Kiritani looked almost wooden, and Kawasaki Saki also had a blank expression.

The reason they looked like this was simply because... both their left and right hands were wrapped in bandages.

You'd think they were suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) with the power of the Black Flame Dragon and the Phoenix sealed in their arms... Well, it's not impossible to see it as a new way to play, since one of them is on the left and the other on the right.

"...So there's absolutely no need to come to the hospital."

Saki raised her left hand, which was wrapped in bandages, with a somewhat strained expression. She felt that her younger siblings would definitely be worried when she got home.

"No, we still need to come to the hospital."

Kiritani Kuwa's face was expressionless. "But now I think that doctor made a big deal out of nothing. With bandages wrapped around my head... how am I supposed to draw... wait, wait, doesn't this give me a legitimate excuse to delay my work?!"

Suddenly, Kiritani-san's eyes lit up; he seemed to see a future where he could be lazy.

"Hey, can you at least have some professionalism?"

Kawasaki Saki didn't know much about Kirito Kazuto, but people at Soubu High School often talked about how the super popular manga artist Fujiwara Echizen was actually Kirito Kazuto, a first-year student. Now it seems... this guy is obviously an annoying manga artist.

Of course, Saki doesn't read comics and isn't very interested in otaku culture, but she still knows how frustrating it is for readers when creators are late with their work.

Besides... Saki is currently troubled by the fact that she can't do her work at night, what should she do...?

"That's how the author is."

Kirigaya-san readily admitted that he was an annoying manga artist without feeling the slightest shame, and even planned to tell Saki about the fun of procrastinating on his manuscripts. However, after remembering that Saki wasn't the creator... his expression became a little listless.

“Speaking of which, Saki-senpai... although your hand didn't break any bones, you still need to rest properly—I mean, you can put your part-time job on hold for now.”

Saki tilted her head slightly, looking a little troubled. "Hmm... Ah, oh."

Then I stepped forward.

The soft footsteps made him hesitate, and a slap landed on Kiritani-san's face, causing him to show a rare look of embarrassment.

The space seemed to freeze for a dozen seconds before returning to normal. With a slightly embarrassed expression, Kiritani-san pulled off his headband, letting his long hair fall down to cover his face.

...Oh! How embarrassing!

If someone I know sees this, they'll laugh themselves to death!

Saki, do you not know how to answer me, or are you just too lazy to talk to me?

At least say something normal, okay? Uh-huh... Do you think this is some weird movie that needs to be censored?

But then again, this kind of sudden act of kindness... does indeed make people feel confused and resistant.

After thinking about it a little more, Kiritani-san could understand why Saki gave that answer.

Wait a minute, Saki...?

Hey, when did you two become so familiar with each other?

Even though you've known Eriri, Kasumigaoka, and Utaha for so long, you still address them by their surnames, but when it comes to Kawasaki Saki, you just call her by her first name... Hey, doesn't that seem really strange?

Could it be that I find Kawasaki Saki easier to get along with?

No, that's probably impossible. If Mashiro hadn't requested it, she'd most likely still call him Shiina...

Kiritani-san caught up with Saki with a serious expression. "Saki-senpai, your answer just now hurt me a lot, so I think I'll treat you to dinner now."

Looking at me like I was crazy, Saki had never seen anyone make such a bizarre request. My words hurt him deeply... but he still wanted to treat me to dinner. What's wrong with him?

Of course, Saki wasn't a brainless idiot, and she naturally understood what Kiritani-san meant.

"It doesn't matter, it's not necessary anyway, and besides... I'm not hungry right now."

Kiritani-san, with her head slightly lowered, spoke almost the instant Saki finished speaking, and very quickly, "No, Saki-senpai, you still don't understand, this isn't food..."

Kawasaki Saki took a deep breath, her already absent-minded expression turning even more helpless. "Yes, yes, yes, it's all about money, so please consider your funding sources after you miss deadlines, okay?"

"Tsk," Kiritani-san's lips twitched. Hehehe... Besides being a manga artist, I have many side jobs, okay? In addition to royalties, I can also earn wages from quite a few side jobs. Thank you.

Immediately afterwards, Kiritani straightened his appearance, seemingly preparing to give this upperclassman a serious talking-to.

"Um, Saki-senpai, I think..."

Instead of thinking about how to make myself not resentful about this, you should think about how to deal with your readers.

Hearing the whisper that sounded like a demon god, Kiritani-san's knees began to tremble slightly, and his lips parted slightly, "You...you don't even read my manga..."

"But my brother is your fan!"

Saki calmly tilted her head. "Well, although I don't think it's good for Tai-chi to be looking at such frivolous things, since he likes them, there's nothing I can do about it."

...That's not a valid reason for you to help expedite the manuscript!

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Recommended read: "In short, I am a lackey of the evil god". Although I am indeed following it, but... sigh, why isn't the author an author like me who works tirelessly every day?

In summary, this is the story of an arrogant and shameless lackey of an evil god causing trouble in various worlds.

302

【NO.299 The Holiday That Was Ended (Part 3)】

"So, why did we end up at a coffee shop instead of having dinner?"

"I work here, but I'm having some hand problems right now, so I'm asking for a day off... um, it's normal to grab something to eat here while I'm at it, right?"

Kawasaki Saki, a part-time worker, works at a shop that, while technically a coffee shop, sells more than just coffee. The owner is also very easy to talk to; when he saw Saki's arm wrapped in bandages, he generously offered her a vacation... though Saki didn't really want that vacation.

After all, for her, not coming to work meant no income during that period.

Originally, Saki planned to make the coffee herself, but due to her increasingly sore arms... well, that's a bit of a shame.

"But seriously, is this really okay? You're working to pay for your tuition, right? You won't have any income while you're injured and can't work..."

The topic was quite unpleasant. Saki raised her eyebrows and looked at Kiritani-san sitting opposite her with some displeasure. She was not only concerned about the lack of income during this period, but also about... how did Kiritani-san know that she was working to pay for tuition?

"Is there even a need to talk about this? Of course there's a problem!"

Kawasaki Saki retorted without mincing words, "But where did you hear all this from? The Service Club? Or from Hiratsuka-sensei, that older single woman who's always causing her family worry?"

I feel so sorry for Jing!

"You mean this... Don't forget I'm a manga artist. I can easily conjure up a bunch of stories about high school girls who work part-time while studying hard... The more inspiring stories are definitely those about girls who have to work to save up for tuition due to family pressure. It's just too common."

Kiritani-san silently skipped over the topic of Shizuka. After all, Shizuka had been living in the examples for so long, so it was a little... better not to rub salt into Shizuka's wounds.

"Really? You're really amazing!"

The girl gave a self-deprecating laugh, revealing a hint of weariness in front of Kiritani-san, who wore a composed smile. It looked like mockery, but also like a release of pressure.

"But none of these things have anything to do with you, and..."

"Um... what would you like to order? The manager personally recommends a blended coffee, since I'm quite confident in my skills with blended coffees..."

The store manager, who had been standing to the side for a while without getting a word in edgewise, noticed the awkward atmosphere and immediately asked a question.

"Latte, with milk but no sugar, please."

"Cappuccino, thank you, manager."

"……All right."

The store manager, looking dejected and as if struck by a great blow, lowered his head slightly. "Then, after that..."

"Pizza, the spicy kind, two servings, please."

"...Okay, okay."

Nodding slightly, the shop manager turned around with a forced smile, "Kawasaki and Kawasaki's classmates, please call me if you need anything else."

"Okay, but I don't think we need anything else."

Kiritani responded with a businesslike expression, then looked at Saki, "To answer the previous question, since you can't work during this time... perfect timing, I have a job here that's perfect for you right now, and it's very easy... want to come?"

"what?"

Kawasaki Saki suddenly looked up, her eyes sharpening as if she were seeing a lion with a dog running rampant in front of her.

"Whatever you say, I'm not going to do your job as a cartoonist."

"Ah, I mean, my... um, my girlfriend's cousin, Shiina Mashiro... you might know her, but it's not surprising if you don't."

Kiritani-san tugged at his hair, looking a little conflicted. "I'd like to trouble you to tutor me later, and of course, the fee will definitely satisfy you."

"Hmm...it looks pretty good."

Saki Kawasaki nodded. "But I refuse. I don't have time."

"……OK then."

Since he was rejected, Kiritani-san had no intention of continuing the conversation, as it would seem strange to say anything more.

After all, human thoughts are strange things, and it's impossible to guess them. Maybe what you say next will make the other person think you have ulterior motives, or... pity?

If it's the latter, then that's really frustrating.

Indeed, this kind of self-reliant girl is wonderful. Kiritani-san feels guilty for causing her injury and having to temporarily put aside her work, but some things can only be said once. Bringing them up again will only reduce the other person's goodwill and impression of you... although this kind of thing is not very useful anyway.

However, Kawasaki Saki is not a friend like Kasumigaoka Utaha or Haruno, with whom she has a close relationship where she can say whatever she wants. Rashly offering help or speaking forcefully is not appropriate here.

Well, Kiritani-san had expected this all along.

There are, of course, ways to deal with this later.

"I'm telling you, before you meddle in other people's business, I think you'd better take care of your own business first."