manga artist Kirito

Page 164

I suppose Sagami Minami will become a pawn in Haruno's plan; I feel a little sorry for you.

Hachiman Hikigaya and Ryunosuke Akasaka, both members of the Service Club, are not exactly normal guys.

With a serene smile that seemed to see through everything, Kiritani Kazuto strode forward steadily.

A gentle autumn breeze carries the yellowing leaves as they fall, bringing us closer to the pristine white of winter.

P.S.: Why isn't it ready yet? Didn't the meeting at Navy Headquarters already end?

Why hasn't the intercom function been restored?

Ah... (So lonely)

363

【NO.359 Misunderstanding?】

After Yukino Yukinoshita appeared in the meeting room, most of the executive committee members who had previously planned to skip some work also appeared. However, the appearance of Sagami Minami, the executive committee chairperson, only resulted in the executive committee becoming increasingly inefficient. Moreover, with the increase in volunteer groups and the accompanying increase in work and venue arrangements for assisting the publicity department, matters such as budgets and funds had to be redistributed properly, greatly increasing the heavy workload. As a result, they were too busy to handle everything.

Although Yukinoshita is incredibly efficient at handling everything, the backlog of work shows no signs of decreasing; in fact, it seems to be increasing...

Meanwhile, Sagami Minami, as the executive committee chairperson, tried her best to show that she was very busy with her terrible acting skills. She did a very good job of it, at least proving that all the executive committee members had good eyesight and making it clear to them that Sagami Minami was just there to make people laugh.

It's fortunate that Xue Zhi was there; otherwise, the meeting room would probably be in complete chaos right now.

However, it's not like Sagami Minami isn't without her flaws. For example, she always thinks that if Yukinoshita were there, it wouldn't matter whether she was there or not in the conference room—of course, she's wrong; having her there would definitely make things more complicated!

The difference in ability and mindset can cause great trouble in handling important matters. For example, in the previous meeting, Sagami Minami's speech caused great trouble in handling various subsequent events—simply put, it increased the difficulty.

"Kiritani-kun, could I ask you a favor regarding the promotional posters?"

Cheng Huixun stood in front of the table, making a request with his hands clasped together.

"...Didn't you make any arrangements beforehand? Wasn't the publicity department responsible for the promotional posters? Now you're pushing it onto me, as if we don't have enough work to do?"

Kiritani-kun considers himself to be just a figurehead on the executive committee, and his main focus will be on the class's kemonomimi café project. The reason he's here is simply because of Hiratsuka Shizuka's statement, Eriri's reluctance to see Sagami Minami, and Asuna's frequent visits to the committee meetings—yes, that's all.

With a slightly embarrassed smile, Cheng Hui shifted his gaze, "This... ahaha, the publicity department..."

"What? Is it because of Sagami Minami's speech in the council that everyone relaxed and then fell behind?"

Kiritani raised an eyebrow. "If that's the case, shouldn't we make them work even faster? Just look at Yukino over there; she's responsible for more than the entire publicity department combined."

"Kiritani, how's the costume design coming along?"

Eriri pushed open the door and walked in with a report that listed the current budget of the Kemono Friends Cafe, as well as the items that had not yet been purchased, which were to be bought next.

"The costumes are almost ready. You should have decided on the personnel by now, right?"

Kirito pulled the laptop and displayed the screen in front of Eriri. On it were animal girl outfits that Kirito had asked someone to design. Some of the styles were similar to maid outfits, but the amount of fabric required was obviously quite large... He was a little worried about whether the budget for the outfits would be enough.

Of course, these clothes will be made from purchased fabric, which will then be cut and sewn by the students according to the design. If they were to be custom-made... how much would that cost?

"Oh, it looks pretty good."

Eriri raised her eyelids slightly. These clothing designs were clearly in line with her chaste girl's aesthetic sense—as long as she wasn't the one wearing them, it didn't matter.

"The personnel have been confirmed, and the students have agreed. We need to go and buy the necessary items tomorrow."

Kiritani tilted his head. "...The two of us?"

Eriri narrowed her eyes unfriendly. "Or do you want me to go by myself?"

"Okay, then I'll wait for your call tomorrow..."

Meanwhile, on the other side, seeing that Kiritani-kun and Eriri were completely ignoring her, she couldn't help but smile bitterly. It really was true... I really failed as the student council president.

"Ah, sorry, I'm late! Oh! Hayama-kun, so you were here?"

Is this some kind of catchphrase?

Eriri looked at Sagami Minami with disdain. Every time she saw her in the meeting room, the first thing she heard was, "Sorry, I'm late!"—followed by, "Yukinoshita-san can handle this!"

Upon appearing in the conference room after a long absence, Sagami Minami greeted Hayama, a second-year student, but then Yukinoshita, holding documents, blocked her way.

Well, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next line will be...

"Sagamami-kun, stamp the settlement here."

"I'll give you the seal. You can just stamp it when you're done with the calculations."

Yukino's expression was almost wooden as she watched Sagami Minami stamp the document without even glancing at it, and even better, shove the stamp into her hand. Her eyes grew colder and colder.

...This kind of scene is actually quite similar to how ministers and young emperors get along, isn't it?

Well, that's fine. At least things won't be delayed just because Sagami Minami isn't in the meeting room.

Yukino frowned, mentally assessing the situation.

Then, she approached Kirito and said to him, who was still discussing with Eriri which store to visit the next day, "Could I ask you for a favor, Kirito-kun, the promotional posters..."

"Yukinoshita? Or the Vice Chairman?"

Confused by the question, Kiritani looked up and met those cool, clear eyes.

Yukinoshita was silent for a moment, then said, "...This is a work assignment."

Without hesitation, Kiritani replied, "Fine, I refuse."

Although drawing a promotional poster was indeed very easy for him, some things still depend on who is asking for help.

Still standing to the side, Shiro's smile grew increasingly unpleasant. Yukinoshita had clearly come to ask Kirigaya for help because of her, but... she was still rejected, which was quite embarrassing.

Across from him, Hachiman Hikigaya, who was in charge of miscellaneous tasks, rubbed his forehead. "Kazuto..."

"Okay, I understand. I'll help. Send the promotional plan and theme to my email, and I'll show you a satisfactory promotional poster tomorrow."

Kiritani glanced at Hachiman. Damn it, Hachiman has changed too. He's no longer that pure, solitary, dead-eyed guy.

...Actually, Hachiman just wanted to ask if he could do a favor, as he wanted to pick up Komachi.

However, this guy seems to have misunderstood something?

"Then please."

Under the snow, he nodded slightly.

P.S.: Two more days...

364

【NO.360 Sweet Moments】

"Today I'm going with Sawamura to buy things we need for our class activity."

"Oh~?"

Miss Yuki tilted her head and glanced at Mr. Kiritani, who was eating what could almost be considered lunch. "And then?"

...Make me a little jealous!

Can you please not trust me so much?

"Oh! Right, right, Kato contacted you yesterday, and Kosaka called this morning, but it doesn't seem to be anything important."

"Kato is looking for me?"

With a surprised expression, Kiritani asked curiously, "What does she want from me?"

"Probably a date? -- Oh dear, Mr. Kiritani is probably going to turn into a scumbag sooner or later, I need a hatchet! Miss Yuuki can be quite a handful when she turns evil!"

"A mere... machete?"

Mr. Kiritani feigned disdain, but was actually panicking like a dead dog. "The Black Swordsman will not be defeated by the Demon of Conquest!"

Yes, yes, the "Demon of Conquest" refers to Asuna.

"How about using a saw instead?"

"...Please, please let me go!"

Kiritani-kun put down his chopsticks, clasped his hands together, and said, "The black-clad swordsman is actually afraid of his wife too."

"Pooh!"

Asuna started off offhand, not following the usual formula of saying something like "Who's your wife?", because... it really was...

"Well, it's almost time, I need to go out."

"Will you go straight to school then?"

"That's right. There will probably be a lot of things to carry, so I don't think I'll have much free time to go home at noon."

Kiritani checked that he hadn't forgotten anything, and after confirming that everything was alright, he looked up at Asuna and asked, "Aren't you going to school today, Asuna?"

"Of course we should go. Although Asada is very capable as an executive committee member, it's too much to push all the work onto her."

Asuna's class was assigned based on the highest deviation score, and it was mostly girls with very few boys. In addition, the teacher was an airhead and a sarcastic person, so when selecting executive committee members, he didn't think too much and directly chose the two most capable people, Asuna and Asada Shino, as representatives.

—By the way, there are actually quite a few prehistoric animals in it, both male and female.

"Then... what about Mashiro?"

As expected, the only one I need to worry about is Shiina Mashiro.

“Mashiro has a play to prepare for, so she comes to school with me.”

Asuna walked up to Kiritani-kun, reached out and straightened his collar, her demeanor gentle and graceful. "Don't worry."

Kiritani nodded, smiled, put his arm around Asuna's shoulder, and slowly leaned in to give her a light kiss on the forehead.

Asuna pursed her lips, rolled her eyes, then opened the door and pushed Kirito out, saying, "See you at noon."

"See you at noon."

Kiritani-kun flashed a bright smile, while Asuna watched her husband go to work like a wife... though, it hardly counts as work.

"Eh, with someone?"

Stepping out of the bathroom, Shiina Mashiro, whose body was mostly wet from the shower, tilted her head and looked around, but did not see the person who had just been eating breakfast.

"You've gone out... Hmm, why are you all wet?"

Seeing Shiina Mashiro's completely oblivious behavior, Asuna couldn't help but facepalm. "Never mind, let's change our clothes first."

…………

It was still morning, and the weather was slightly cool.

In front of the station, Kirito leaned against his motorcycle, holding a coffee in one hand, watching the flow of people and idly checking the time.

This is the agreed meeting place. Although, judging from Eriri's personality, it's unlikely she'll be late. After all, she's the type to overthink things. She'll definitely arrive on time for any agreed meeting, and might even arrive early... However, it seems that reality is a little different from what she imagined.

...Okay, there are indeed many discrepancies in the events described.

Kirito was absolutely certain as he watched the arriving train, and Eriri and Megumi Kato emerge from the not-so-crowded train, chatting and laughing.

Of course, it was only Eriri who was smiling; it would be strange if Megumi Kato could smile so easily.

Before Kirito could even call out, Eriri and Kato Megumi spotted him and quickly came over. Eriri raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at the motorcycle Kirito was leaning against, her expression somewhat subtle.

"Hmm... Good morning, Kazuto-kun."

With a faint smile, so faint as to be almost imperceptible, Kato Megumi greeted Kirito.

"Well... it's still early, isn't it?"

Kirito finished the last coffee in the can. "Kato, what brings you here?"

"What a coincidence!"

With a soft, sweet voice, Kato Megumi touched her white beret, "I was just about to go out to buy something when I ran into Sawamura-kun on the train..."

"It just so happens that you've run into me, I understand."

Kirito seemed to have seen through everything long ago, and in fact, that was indeed the case. He had encountered Kato Megumi far too many times, so many that it was heartbreaking.

"what the hell!"

With her cheeks slightly puffed out, Kato Megumi seems exceptionally good at making this expression.

"Hey you two, stop leaving people hanging and chatting by yourselves, okay?!"

Slightly annoyed, Eriri interrupted, first glaring at Kirito, then rubbing her forehead and looking at Kato Megumi, "Kato, do you want to come with us?"

Miss Zhuge Hui nodded slightly, remaining calm. "Sure!"

...It's almost all sorted out. Based on the information we have now, a chance encounter—a polite invitation—and the team formation is successful!