manga artist Kirito

Page 165

That's absolutely perfect!

I have to say, Kato Megumi, you are indeed the strongest girl I have ever seen. The likes of Haruno are definitely no match for you!

But since Kato has accepted the request, we can't just leave her behind... But it's good, having another person, especially a girl, will probably make the purchasing process more convenient.

"Then let's take one."

Kirito threw the coffee can into the nearby trash can and then locked the car.

"Okay, let's go."

Kirito waved to Eriri and Megumi Kato and walked forward first.

Speaking of which, if it weren't for Kato Megumi... I'm afraid I'd be taking Eriri for a drive next, letting her experience a different kind of passion?

Alas!

Thinking of this, Kirito couldn't help but turn his head to look at Kato Megumi. She was really amazing, completely cutting off the possibility of such a thing happening. She truly lived up to her reputation as Zhuge Megumi.

Not only did they prevent anything unfavorable from happening, but they also found an opportunity to show off. That's really impressive!

Kato Megumi tilted her head in confusion, giving Kirito a bewildered look.

...Okay, besides that, Kato Megumi's disguise skills are also top-notch.

P.S.: I recommend a book called "The Infinite Journey Under the Snow," which features beautiful circuit diagrams. The reason I'm updating so late is because I've been reading this book.

365

[NO.361 Zhuge Hui is like this]

Shopping... isn't really something to be happy about; in fact, it can be quite annoying—this only applies to shut-ins who dislike going out.

Although it wasn't as scorching as summer, the fatigue was still there, regardless of the temperature. However, neither Kato Megumi nor Eriri were particularly fond of shopping, and since they were mainly there to buy some items they would need soon, they didn't waste much time...

"Hey! These things are over budget!"

Looking at the reports and receipts in her hand, Eriri frowned and waved the receipts forcefully in the air. "We still have other things to buy."

"Tsk, the reason a budget is called a budget is because we know it may not be accurate, and it's entirely within expectations if it goes slightly over budget."

Kirito appeared as if he had expected this, remaining unusually calm. "The budget overrun can be easily recouped by the start of the school festival. I can handle the class president and teachers. Besides, if I can't even decide on something this simple, then I'm a useless executive committee member."

Wiping the fine sweat from his forehead with a tissue, Kirito continued, "Besides, the sooner these things are delivered to the school, the better. Let's ignore trivial matters like the budget for now."

"It's absolutely not negligible! How is anything that goes beyond the budget insignificant?"

Eriri stretched out both hands, her big eyes wide, her little fangs peeking out, "At least tell the teacher beforehand! Spending more than the budget will cause problems, you know!"

"Well, as I just said, I'll take care of the teacher."

Kirito was well aware that the budget given in the report was absolutely the minimum. If he had clearly calculated the current prices, it would be impossible to give such a low budget. In addition... perhaps it would only be needed for this school festival, but he couldn't just buy some inferior products, could he?

"What's left to do?"

"Phew! Whatever, if we need someone to take the blame later, I'll definitely shift the blame to you!"

Eriri looked at Kirito with absolute certainty. Although she didn't want to admit it, when it came to verbal skills... cough, I mean ventriloquism... ugh, when it came to rhetoric, she couldn't beat this guy. So there was no point in continuing. She might as well get to her next job quickly.

"Hmm, next up... it seems like it's time to talk about coffee equipment."

Putting down the smartphone she had somehow acquired, Kato Megumi spoke calmly.

"I--!"

With wide eyes, Kirito and Eriri both looked as if they were about to be startled, staring at Kato Megumi, unsure of what to do.

Honestly, they completely forgot... that Kato Megumi was also with them. If she hadn't suddenly spoken up, the two of them would never have remembered.

It's...too quiet, isn't it?

Stealth backstab is definitely the kind of invincible that adds critical hits, right?

But then again, how did Kato Megumi know what else was left undone? Was she a clairvoyant?

"No, it's just that I was standing right next to Sawamura-kun when he was looking at the schedule, so I saw it."

Kato Megumi didn't seem to care much about Kirito's suspicious gaze, her posture unchanged, her pink lips still on the straw as she slowly sipped her drink.

I see, I see.

I thought there would be some kind of strategist with clairvoyance or some kind of incantation, who could see exactly what to do next.

"Items like coffee equipment... shops usually don't rent them out, right?"

Shifting her attention, Eriri returned to the original topic, appearing slightly worried.

In the current situation, buying directly is impossible, since not having money is the biggest problem. Renting isn't something you can just do whenever you want either. Although you can rent from shops under the guise of the school festival... well, there aren't any good options!

"Then, I'll have to trouble you to help me transport these things to Soubu High School!"

Kirito turned his head and smiled at the deliveryman who had finished loading the goods, then wrote down a phone number for him. "Call this number when you get to Soubu. Someone will come out. Thank you."

"Ok."

Kirito waved to the delivery guy, then typed an email on his phone and sent it to the class president's phone. He then rubbed his neck vigorously with one hand. "That's about enough. Let's go rent some coffee equipment."

"Uh……?"

"I already had my target in mind, and that boss is very easy to talk to."

Kirito grinned. "Let's go, my lovely girl!"

…………

Do you remember the coffee shop that appeared in chapter 53? It was located not far from Kirito's apartment, and it can be said that it was the place where Kirito officially interacted with Kasumigaoka Utaha and established their master-disciple relationship—if you haven't forgotten, you might also remember the coffee shop manager…

You might not believe it, but the manager of this coffee shop is actually the landlord of the apartment building where Kirito lives... It's truly shocking!

Sitting by the window in the cafe, Kirito looked at the manager standing behind the counter, whose expression was slightly melancholy, and nodded calmly. "As expected of the manager," he thought, "if he were a little younger, that melancholy demeanor would definitely attract the attention of many women..."

"What would you like to order?"

He must be a new waiter. He was wearing a waiter's uniform, and his messy blond hair, tired expression, and faint dark circles under his eyes made it clear that he was a cultivator.

But manager, are you sure it's okay to hire this kind of waiter?

While the service was decent, it wasn't as good as if the store manager had personally taken charge!

"What do you want?"

"Cappuccino."

"...Will you help me decide?"

"Okay, two blended coffees, one cappuccino, and some dessert, please."

With a polite, business-like smile, Kirito felt that he was more suited for this job than the waiter...

"Oh……"

With a half-dead voice, the blond waiter lazily walked back.

"By the way, Kirigaya, are you planning to make an agreement with the store manager and then rent it out?"

Eriri raised an eyebrow. The shopkeeper did seem easy to talk to, but... would he really lend it to her?

"Or... should I go home and think of a solution?"

"No way, if I really wanted to borrow one, I could just make a phone call and get one, maybe even a brand new one."

Kiritani-kun pursed his lips. "However, a loan is a loan... it's normal for it to be a little difficult."

Kato Megumi tilted her head and asked in a soft, cute voice, "...So, you order mixed coffee to try and win people over?"

...So you really are a stalker, aren't you?

P.S.: It's said that the comment function will be restored at midnight!

Come on, unleash your吐槽 (tu cao, meaning to complain or criticize) energy!

366

[NO.362 The Loser's Account is Greatly Damaged]

[Akane Kousaka: Is the proposal you mentioned before finished?]

[Fujiwara Echizen: Pretty much... Well, Soubu High is having a school festival recently, so you need to put more effort into school-related matters. I should be able to finish the plan for the erotic shonen weekly magazine in about another day.]

[Akane Kousaka: Oh, I see... That's alright then.]

[Akane Kousaka: Oh right, the school festival... what's fun about it?]

[Fujiwara Echizen: Aside from the stage play performances, there should be some interesting things.]

[Fujiwara Echizen: What? Too free and want to come over and hang out? If that's the case, I'd love to welcome you.]

While replying to Akane Kousaka's message, Kirito lazily sipped his coffee. Although he thought it was unlikely that Suika would take time off work to attend the school festival held by Soubu High School, given Suika's mischievous nature, she might actually come on a whim.

[Akane Kousaka: Let me check my schedule. If it's not too tight, I'll go... um, you'll have to drive over and pick me up.]

Are you a teenage girl from somewhere?

Kirito rolled his eyes. This scene seemed familiar. After a certain black-clad swordsman got a new car, the girls around him also wanted to ride in his car... Of course, riding in his car was fine, the point was that they could naturally hug him!

I really didn't expect that Xigua would be like a teenage girl, looking forward to such a thing happening—I said, Xigua probably had this in mind all along when she gave me this car?

[Fujiwara Echizen: Well, whatever makes you happy. I have some things to take care of, so I won't chat any longer.]

Akane Kousaka: Looking forward to meeting you.

Looking at the latest information, Kirito pressed the lock screen button and leaned back on the sofa chair as if deflated. It was pretty much confirmed that Sui Ishii would come to the school festival. But then again, she was ultimately in charge of the club, so finding some time for it was no problem at all. Besides, whether she had time or not was entirely up to her.

"Hey! Kiritani!"

Eriri looked at Kirito, who had just put down his phone, with a hint of anxiety. "What do I have to do? Is it enough to just play on my phone for a while?"

The coffee was served, but Kirito hadn't had any interaction with the manager yet, which worried Eriri... What if it failed? Wouldn't that be a waste of a lot of time?

"Don't worry, I'll go talk to the manager."

Kirito scratched his head, then got up and walked towards the bar—to use quick chat!

"What the hell! Kirigaya, if you have a solution, hurry up and do it!"

Eriri pouted, her pretty face full of dissatisfaction, "You didn't even say a word, you were just playing on your phone, did you even consider other people's feelings, you jerk!"

"Well, that's how it is with Kazuhito."

Kato Megumi held her coffee cup, tilting her head to look at Kirito, who was chatting and laughing with the shop manager. The coffee cup and her hand covered the lower half of her face, and the slightly upturned corners of her mouth formed a clear smile.

"He has been reliable since childhood. He usually calculates things carefully before doing anything. If he didn't have absolute certainty, he might not have come with the ruler."

Although at that time we mostly just watched from afar and had almost no chance to get close and talk, they still seemed very reliable... It's strange, isn't it?

However, since he has spoken so confidently, all we need to do is trust him, right?

"Really? I really don't know why you guys trust this guy so much."

With her chin resting on one hand, Eriri pouted, but to be honest, she could tell from Kirito's handling of many things that he was like a seasoned adult who had been through the workings of society for years, completely unlike a first-year high school student... In other words, he was overly mature and very experienced in handling things. You'd think there was some kind of ancient monster living inside him.

However, isn't Kato Megumi... supposed to be this guy's childhood friend?

Looking up at the girl who was as quiet as a plant, someone you could easily lose if you weren't paying attention, Eriri sighed, then shook her head. She still didn't feel anything...

I just can't understand it. Kiritani, this ecchi artist... even nowadays, manga artists still spout dirty jokes all the time. I really can't imagine how Kato Megumi could possibly get along with this pervert.

"Kato, how do you usually get along with this guy?"

Okay, I couldn't help but ask anyway.

"Eh?"

Kato Megumi paused for a few seconds, her expression slightly complicated, but her tone remained calm. "It was probably... talking to the King, and I was listening. Or maybe I was talking, and the King was giving me a 'you're hopeless' look, and then he started going on and on... right?"

"Wait a minute! Why is it a question? Can't even you be sure?"

Eriri's eyes widened, her hands gripping the table as she stared intently at Kato Megumi. "This isn't just going through the motions, is it? It absolutely isn't, is it? Seriously, is this kind of interaction between you two really okay?"

"...I think...it's pretty good."

Kato Megumi tilted her head slightly, paused for a few seconds, and then nodded in response, "At the beginning... we would say a few words and then the conversation would die, but now... it's much better, isn't it?"

Looking back on our recent interactions and communication, it's really much better than before.

...Your childhood sweetheart relationship is definitely fake!

Shouldn't childhood sweethearts be able to talk about anything? If you can't even keep up a conversation, what kind of childhood sweethearts are you, you two idiots!