manga artist Kirito

Page 143

"Um... actually, sleeping together... is fine too."

"Hey, really?"

For a fleeting moment, Kiritani was tempted, but he quickly realized that this situation would force Asuna to buy a boat—I think you can understand what that means.

"Anyway, enough joking around. I really have something to tell you."

Rita tilted her head slightly. "As expected, in the end, they still came to interrogate me."

Rita's smile remained, but the atmosphere had clearly become serious. She quietly watched the river, waiting for Kiritani-kun to continue.

"What do you think an artist should be like? I'm talking about an art master like you, not a comic artist like me."

Although it was a question, Kiritani-kun didn't wait for Rita's answer before speaking again, "Focusing intently is probably the most important thing, and not being distracted by the outside world is only natural. Without a clear goal, you probably can't draw anything good, right?"

"..."

"So Rita, what was your mindset when you came from England?"

"of course……"

"And what was your mindset when you gave up painting?"

"..."

…………

A person's growth is often closely related to their surrounding environment. If someone grows up in an environment with distorted values, they may have a strange understanding of their own criminal environment, since such things happen frequently around them and are considered normal.

While there are always those who remain untainted by the mud, there are also many who are utterly hopeless and cannot be helped. Ultimately, the difference between the two is inextricably linked to their environment.

Therefore, mutual understanding is also very important for friends and acquaintances.

Kiritani-kun understands the mutual misunderstanding between Rita and Shiina Mashiro.

Rita is a very capable girl with exceptional talent. She has chosen her own path, and everyone around her has high expectations of her. Naturally, Rita wants to meet those expectations, but the obstacle in her way is her best friend, the friend who has given her meticulous care.

But so what?

Unable to surpass, and even at times... Rita Eindsworth, in her own domain, was simply invisible to everyone.

...Just like in a competition, only the champion will be remembered in the end; the so-called second place is just a supporting role.

At this point, the champion's words will have a crucial effect on the second-place finisher.

This might ignite an even stronger will in the second-place player, making them even more determined to surpass the champion.

Or perhaps, the second person will think this is a sign of contempt, and the consequences could be unpredictable...

But the most terrifying thing is to say nothing at all.

...Clearly, that's how Shiina Mashiro is.

Of course, the child probably didn't know what to say, right?

Although humans are complex beings, they are actually quite easy to understand. The trend of changing thoughts may be unpredictable, but they always revolve around a certain common goal.

Therefore, friends are very important; encouragement is far more motivating than neglect.

Both Shiina Mashiro and Rita Einzworth need a friend who can encourage them, or... a mentor.

Speaking of which, it was Rita who encouraged Shiina Mashiro to draw manga, right? This time, she came to take her back to England to continue her previous career...

"Hey, Rita, did you come here with... a desire to let Shiina Mashiro experience the loneliness you once felt?"

Kiritani Kazuto withdrew his hand from the cool river water, and droplets of water slid off his fingertips.

"I...I'm not!"

What exactly do the intervals in the speech represent?

Seeing the girl's eyes gradually becoming flustered, Kirito smiled and ruffled her hair.

The girl was taken aback by the sudden act of kindness, but then felt even more bewildered.

Then, Kirito exerted force with his arm...

thump!

P.S.: Summer vacation ends tomorrow, time to start a new book. School-themed stories are definitely easier to write, right?

320

【NO.317 Kirito, the Eromanga Writer (Chinese)】

It's still summer, the temperature is moderate, and Kirito has already felt the river water temperature; it's just a little cool. The wind isn't strong either. If he gets up early, he shouldn't catch a cold.

Kiritani Kazuto affirmed this.

The splashing water caught the girl, dressed in a thin yukata, off guard, and she was pushed into the river. The cool water soaked her body and soul, and her panic made her instinctively pat her hands, splashing even more water.

The boy squatting by the river opened his folding fan to catch the splashing water. A gentle smile graced his pretty face—yes, a gentle smile, without a trace of a successful prank.

"Waaaaah... Help... me!"

A girl, immersed in the river, appears amidst panic and screams.

However, the boy remained calm and smiled as he watched the girl drift downstream for a short distance.

Actually, this stream isn't very deep; you can usually see the bottom directly. Although the water level has risen quite a bit now, it's not high enough to drown a person.

Of course, if you remain in a state of panic after falling into the water, you might actually drown.

"Don't hunch your legs, straighten them... you'll find a place to put your feet."

He spoke calmly, as if he wasn't the one who pushed the girl into the water.

"Whoa...you, Shido...what do you want to do?"

After being reminded by the boy, the girl struggled in the water for a while before finally realizing what was happening. She stood unsteadily in the water, but because the current was not strong, she was not swept away by the river.

Her frightened appearance, coupled with her long hair sticking to her clothes and skin after falling into the water, made the girl look disheveled, and her dazzling golden hair became dull.

"Would you believe me if I said I accidentally used too much force?"

The boy looked at the girl, who was half-submerged in water and trembling slightly, and said with a light smile.

However, his eyes revealed shame for having only done a small amount of work.

He stared intently at the boy squatting by the riverbank. If looks could kill, he would have died countless times already.

"You definitely won't believe me if I say it's due to the inertia of the exertion or force majeure, so just assume it was intentional on my part."

Although, I did it on purpose.

Well, Kirito-kun isn't exactly the type of mentor or friend. He's more of a hapless, sarcastic friend. Besides, some things can't be solved by being gentle. And this method isn't exactly extreme, is it?

"Let me make it clear beforehand that I'm doing this for your own good, and it's not excessive—at least I don't think it's excessive. If you really want to kill me, breaking one of my legs should be enough, ah... provided you can beat me."

"So, what exactly do you want to do? To kick someone when they're down?"

"What are you saying? I like you so much, how could I possibly kick you when you're down?"

It was obviously too late, otherwise why would I have made the move?

Kirito flicked the water off his folding fan, glanced around, and then turned back to ask, "How are you feeling?"

I want to break one of your legs.

The girl, standing disheveled in the water, responded fiercely.

Incidentally, Rita is increasingly finding this guy's thought process difficult to understand.

"It's not some difficult operation, I just wanted you to feel the temperature of the river water and wash your face to clear your head."

Kiritani patted his pockets and realized he hadn't brought a phone or tissues, which made him a little annoyed.

"Well, let's get down to business."

"……what?"

Does this guy have no intention of pulling me up?

"Speaking of which, Shiina Mashiro really likes you. I'm starting to wonder if Mashiro is a yuri fan—tsk, I'm getting a little jealous as her father."

"..."

"To be honest, I'm not the kind of guy who would instinctively want to save a beautiful girl just because he sees her in danger, and then get involved in some inexplicable and complicated emotional relationships. After all, I'm selective about who I save."

Let's just assume this selective positioning of only targeting beautiful girls will be corrected.

"Shiina Mashiro, it's all your fault that things turned out this way."

"Shut up! What do you know? You know nothing!"

The girl, her yukata soaked through, her sleeves splashing water, pointed at the boy squatting by the riverbank, talking animatedly, and yelled.

"I clearly love drawing so much... You have no idea, you have no idea why I, and all those other people, left one after another!"

...Ugh, it's that line again. Can't you come up with something new?

If someone truly knows nothing and just spouts nonsense, then they are merely reckless and lacking in common sense. Please trust my intelligence, Kirito's.

"We can put the blame-shifting thing aside for now. Rita, how old are you this year... never mind, asking a lady's age feels like I'll get scratched by a cat, so... seventeen?"

Talking to himself, Kirito rested his folding fan on his chin and nodded thoughtfully, "She's still just a little girl, with too little mentality and social experience."

Shiina Mashiro's biggest problem is her inability to communicate with people in a positive way. The people who have left Shiina Mashiro's side one after another, including Rita in front of her, are ultimately due to the lack of communication, which is why the gap has formed... probably?

"You've known her for quite a while now, haven't you? No one knows her personality better than you. You should know she's not good at communicating, and you should also know that her heart is like an empty canvas. So... why don't you just say so?"

He tilted his head, looking at the girl whose eyes were hidden by her wet bangs, making it impossible to see her expression. "Are you worried about losing this friend? If so, why not give up on your goal of standing in the same field as her sooner? If not, why not try harder?"

"I understand geniuses, their thoughts are always different from ordinary people. In your eyes, Shiina Mashiro is an insurmountable mountain, a super genius, but have you ever thought that you are also a genius in other people's eyes? Please try to understand those struggling artists who see you as an insurmountable mountain, okay?"

"It's really hard to understand how someone as mentally challenged as you could have such talent. It's such a waste... Talentless mediocre artists always strive to surpass insurmountable goals, while talented genius artists give up at the slightest setback—even third-rate shonen manga knows that the only way to become the protagonist is through persistent effort."

"Hey, Rita, why don't you—fight Shiina Mashiro to the death?"

P.S.: Skilled verbal sparring, skillful increase in favorability...

Please feed me, yes... I'll give you anything, even a few razor blades, just a little something.

321

【NO.318 Kirito, the Erotic Manga Artist (Part 2)】

I guess I'm a helpful erotic artist after all.

Kiritani Kazuto, Haiku of the Heart.

Faced with a young girl who was lost on her path in life, I suggested that she challenge the goal she considered insurmountable.

Unfortunately, the girl remained confused at that moment.

The desire to respond to the expectations of those around you is genuine, but when those expectations turn into disappointment, or even when they are no longer noticed, it becomes very hurtful.

Without a doubt, this is why the girl underwent such a significant change.

"Everyone wants to win."

Kirito scratched his head. "Like me before, when I was carrying a wooden sword, I was confident that no one could beat me. Then my sister sent me to the hospital. Not long ago, I lost again in what I thought was my best area... Of course, I was in a terrible mood, especially since I won in that way. It was just too much!"

"But so what? Losing is losing, and what's truly shameful is being unable to accept defeat!"

"So, do you dare to fight Shiina Mashiro to the death?"

As long as what you said before wasn't a lie, and you genuinely love painting, then... you probably won't refuse, right?

"If you're worried about unfairness, it's really not that serious... How long have you given up drawing? How long has Shiina Mashiro been involved in manga? It's all been a waste of time, isn't it? Besides, can you honestly say that you haven't touched art supplies since you gave up drawing? Did you really... have any goals?"

...If you really haven't had any experience with it, then there's not much to say next.

It's like a writer's occasional brilliant idea, which they then write down, and then... whatever.

Artists are the same kind of people; patience is impossible for them.

Of course, slacking off is another matter.

However, the girl turned her head away, shifting her gaze away as Kirito continued his questioning.

"I don't know why, but seeing you act like this makes me even more certain that you're a little girl who hasn't matured yet. Seriously, don't you get tired of wearing that fake smile all the time?"

silence

The girl looked down at the dark river under the night sky, and after a long while, she finally spoke in a low voice, "Shido... your personality is really terrible! But I really didn't expect you to be such a soft-hearted person."

"Chuo Mu Niang! I just don't want my eldest daughter's mood to be affected by you."