manga artist Kirito

Page 166

Eriri almost flipped the table. Based on her firm belief that childhood friends are the best kind of couple, Kirito and Kato Megumi could not be considered childhood friends at all!

These two guys get along like they're joking around...

But... thinking about myself now, I don't seem to be any different from them, do I?

In an instant, Eriri went from a spirited Tibetan Mastiff to a defeated dog.

"Alright, stop talking!"

With her head bowed involuntarily, Eriri reached out and patted Kato Megumi's shoulder, saying in a heavy tone, "I understand! I understand everything!"

...What?!

With a bewildered expression, Kato Megumi couldn't understand Eriri's rapidly changing expression, which was as quick as turning the pages of a book. But... she should still say something, right?

"Childhood friends aren't actually as wonderful as they are in light novels and games, after all, those are just fantasies... Rather, in reality, there aren't any little promises made innocently in childhood that will be absolutely kept later on~!"

Eriri seemed to have been struck a heavy blow, “—!!”

Kato Megumi swirled her coffee cup and continued, "Well, to be honest, it's already quite an achievement to be able to vaguely remember things from junior high school. As for things from when you were even younger... I doubt anyone can remember them perfectly, right?"

Miss Zhuge Hui tilted her head, looked at Eriri who seemed to have been sunk, and slightly curled the corners of her mouth.

Well, this kind of wickedness... is permissible, right?

P.S.: Can I complain now?

367

[NO.363 Rant Energy, Attack!]

"Seriously, why does Sawamura look like a drowning dog?"

When Kirito saw them off at the station to return to school, he looked at Eriri, who was in a completely different mood than when they arrived, and now seemed to have lost her purpose in life. He was full of questions.

She had just finished talking with the cafe manager and successfully rented the equipment, but then Eriri turned into this... Without a doubt, it must be related to that scheming Megumi, right?

After all, it's Kato Megumi. She appears gentle and easygoing, but her unintentional taunts can instantly turn Eriri, who isn't very resilient, into a loser.

"During the conversation, Sawamura seemed to recall something unpleasant, and then... I probably said something wrong, and that's how it turned out."

Ms. Kato pursed her lips, glanced slightly at Eriri who was still in a daze, and said with a little embarrassment, "...I shouldn't have said that."

She really seems to have been hit hard. Kato probably used what Eriri values ​​most to attack her.

"Well, Sawamura-kun's mental resilience is indeed a bit weak."

Kirito scratched his head, unsure how to handle Eriri's feelings. He reluctantly turned his attention back to Kato Megumi, "So, did you buy what you wanted?"

"I bought it! When it was still in the mall, when Hito-kun, Sawamura-kun, and I were choosing materials with the shop manager, I took some time to buy it."

With that, Kato Megumi waved the bag in her hand, "Ah, I have to go help out at school next too~!"

Whatever you want, just please don't provoke this loser any further, otherwise I'm afraid I'll have to do everything that Eriri was in charge of.

"Well... I'll leave the Sawamura here to you. I need to drive back."

While driving Eriri and Kato Megumi back to school is fine, and it would perfectly fit the idea of ​​a motorcycle carrying girls, I have a feeling that something terrible might happen, so it's definitely not something I can consider. After all... this is going to school, not leaving school.

...It is said that the head of the school's news department has many informants, and any matter that can be stirred up will be brought to light as soon as there is a hint of it.

For example, a news story that appeared last semester had a headline like, "Shocking! A freshman has complicated relationships with several beautiful girls on campus. Is this a sign of moral decay or the darkness of human nature?"

"See you at school then."

"See you at school."

Kirito waved to Kato Megumi and then turned and left.

Well, let's feel sorry for the losers one last time!

"Wow! What an amazing encounter!"

With a languid posture, the black-haired girl touched her white headband, her hand holding a paperback, her long hair fluttering in the wind.

Ah, this is definitely not some kind of lucky encounter!

She smiled sweetly, her wine-red eyes slightly smiling, "Long time no see, my... teacher."

"...Long time no see, Shiyu."

Kirito nodded reluctantly. Although he was getting more and more annoyed, Sui Izumi and Haruno could totally understand, since they had been keeping track of his every move for a long time... Kato Megumi could totally understand, after all, she was a saint, she could do whatever she wanted, but what was going on with Kasumigaoka Utaha?

Are they starting to learn how to wage intelligence warfare?

"Alas!"

It was a very faint voice. Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Kirito with slight surprise. If she hadn't misheard... he called her by her name directly, right?

"What...what did you just say?"

"Long time no see, Shiyu!"

Kirito rolled his eyes, raised his voice slightly, and directly satisfied Kasumigaoka.

To be honest, Kasumigaoka Utaha was indeed quite surprised. After all, she had allowed Kirito to call her by her name for a long time, but apart from that day, she still referred to him as Kasumigaoka. Now, however, he was calling her by her name directly... Well, she was quite pleased.

"Have you been waiting for me for a long time?"

"It wasn't long. I just saw you walking towards the station after I finished eating, so I followed you."

Kasumigaoka Utaha tossed her long hair, then walked up to Kirito, staring into his eyes, and asked, "Have you missed me?"

"Have."

Kirito answered without hesitation, since it was indeed true.

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned forward, her face beaming, "Really? I'm so happy~!"

Yes, without the coffee you usually bring me, I always feel like something's missing, and it's really inconvenient to walk out of the classroom to the vending machine downstairs.

With her hands, holding the paperback, behind her back, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled faintly, "Are you going to school, teacher?"

Kirito raised an eyebrow, "On the way?"

"Yes, it's on my way."

Kasumigaoka Utaha walked slowly towards the motorcycle parked next to her, and put her hand on the motorcycle. "Um... is it on my way?"

Kirito rubbed his forehead. He had just seen off Eriri and Kato Megumi, and now Kasumigaoka Utaha had appeared... Couldn't things just be less of a coincidence?

"Come on, let me let you enjoy the thrill of a drive."

Hmm! The word "drive around"... it feels a bit like wearing panties to show off—okay, the phrase "out of nowhere" doesn't seem to apply here.

"Then, I'll have to trouble you, teacher."

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat gracefully behind Kirito, intending to reach out and hug him, but the paperback she was holding... was unnecessary!

If you're holding a paperback, you can't properly hug your partner. While placing it between you might free up your hands, the distance created by the paperback... is really annoying!

Kirito turned around blankly, looked at Kasumigaoka who looked slightly embarrassed, sighed, and then held out his hand, "Give it to me."

"That's absolutely unfair!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her eyes slightly, but the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her happy mood.

"Fouls are nothing, I'm afraid I can't win you over with such minor details."

Kirito rolled his eyes, took the paperback book from Kasumigaoka Utaha, and casually stuffed it inside his trench coat. The next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha's arms wrapped around him, her incredibly soft body pressed against his back, and her gentle voice rang out, "It's true~! I haven't even said anything yet, and you already know what I'm thinking. Isn't that against the rules? And this kind of initiative isn't annoying at all, it's actually... um, pleasant?"

"So, I really am a sinful man."

"That's absolutely right, and I... feel that's just right."

With her pretty face pressed against Kirito's back, the girl's lips curled up slightly.

P.S.: I'm devastated after watching today's game!

Please give me something to comfort me, anything will do.

368

【NO.364 Kiritani Jing’s Melancholy】

The only members absent from the committee today are Kiritani and Kazuto.

Just as Eriri and Kato Megumi returned to school, the castle patrol came looking for them and summoned Eriri to the committee. Meanwhile, Kirito, who was absent, was still on his way to school, which would take a little longer...

Yes, the rest of the executive committee members were forcibly summoned, regardless of whether they had come up with an excuse or not.

The reason is simple: Yukinoshita, who is responsible for at least 50% of the work of the entire executive committee, has not arrived since this morning. The backlog of tasks requires more people to handle, and if they are not dealt with in time, the unresolved issues will have a significant impact on the progress of many aspects of the school festival.

"Yukinoshita is sick."

Standing at the very front, Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression was slightly serious. "So, I'll have to trouble everyone to do the rest well. At the very least, don't slack off blatantly! And no slacking off is allowed!"

The executive committee members exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes sweeping over the empty seats before settling on the person currently seated in the head seat, staring at the pile of documents and the various plans displayed on the computer screen, looking utterly bewildered.

Yes, Sagami Minami looked at these things as if they were reading a book written in heaven; she couldn't understand them at all.

Soon, the executive committee members began whispering among themselves. Apart from completely giving up on Sagami Minami, some started complaining that Yukinoshita had acted like a hero and now they had to clean up the mess she left behind.

Asuna sat below, her expression slightly unpleasant. Yukinoshita had taken on the vast majority of the work by herself and was now even sick from exhaustion. Not only were there no kind words from these people, but there were also unexpectedly many complaints... Well, it seems that there are as few people who don't like to use their brains as I thought.

Eriri glanced at Sagami Minami, who looked like Aqua, crossed her arms, and almost laughed.

As for Yukinoshita, who fell ill, Eriri knew the general outline of her situation. After all, Kirito had mentioned it during their casual chat that morning, and Eriri knew the reason. However, she could only conclude that she had brought it upon herself. Nevertheless, the current situation could be said to be within expectations.

Like a hero, you stand in front of everyone and shield them from everything. They will be grateful to you, admire you, and respect you. At that moment, you are their hero.

But if you lose, you make a mistake, you fall, then most of them will feel a vile sense of self-consolation and start blaming you for fighting for them—it's even possible that they'll tie you up and burn you alive.

Well, that's just how realistic the world is...

"I'm a little worried about Yukinoshita's current situation."

Asuna pursed her lips. Judging from Yukino Yukinoshita's personality, even if she was sick, she would not skip school unless she was in a really bad mood. In other words, Yukinoshita's condition must be very bad right now.

Furthermore, Asuna herself has an exceptionally gentle personality, and since Yukinoshita is both her classmate and neighbor, it's understandable that she might be a little bothered...

"...Are you going back?"

Eriri knew that Asuna and Yukinoshita lived in the same apartment building, and Asuna's words just now clearly indicated that she wanted to visit her in the hospital, right?

"I'm slightly... a little concerned about it."

Asuna tilted her head, looked at the pile of unprocessed documents, and shook her head slightly. "However, it's a bit difficult to leave now, since you have too much to do."

"Where's Kiritani? Did he skip his scheduled work for today?"

Exuding an aura that instantly silenced the meeting room, Hiratsuka Shizuka strode up to Asuna and Eriri. "Ah! I remember he went shopping with you, Sawamura, right? He didn't come back to school with you?"

"...It should be soon, right?"

With an uncertain expression, Eriri glanced at Asuna. Based on her understanding of Kirito, it was not impossible that he might have turned back and gone home halfway through the journey; in fact, the possibility was quite high. Therefore, she was completely unsure whether he had come or not.

"That's it..."

As if she hadn't seen Eriri's expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka breathed a slight sigh of relief. "With Kirito around, we can catch up on the lost progress very quickly."

Yes, that's right. The best candidate to replace Yukinoshita right now is Kirito. With his involvement in various planning and management aspects since a few years ago, he is obviously more skilled than Yukinoshita. With him around, there's no need to worry about Yukinoshita falling behind due to her illness.

"Is Hiratsuka-sensei going to cause trouble for someone?"

Asuna raised her head slightly, her gaze meeting Hiratsuka Shizuka's, a hint of displeasure in her eyes. "Executive Committee Chairperson, you're not Kazuto!"

……Well?

For some inexplicable reason, Hiratsuka Shizuka felt a little guilty, absolutely guilty, with no idea why...

"Uh, this..."

"Never mind, it doesn't matter if I agree to it."

As if she had thought of something, Asuna lowered her eyes. "But are you sure you can get Kazuto to agree to something like this, teacher?"

"...There should be...some, right?"

With an uncertain tone, Hiratsuka Shizuka turned her head away—Absolutely not! I have absolutely no confidence in getting that guy to agree to my request!

"Speaking of which, this... is a bit... bad for Yukino..."

“Work hard!”

"Yes!"

Hachiman Hikigaya interrupted, behaving strangely, but before he could finish speaking, Shizuka Hiratsuka cut him off. Fearing the lingering power of the Iron Fist Saintess, Hachiman reluctantly shut his mouth.