manga artist Kirito

Page 176

"I still have a slight cold, which is obviously caused by lack of sleep."

Closing the paperback, Akane Kosaka took a still-steaming cup of warm water from the table and handed it to her. "I just poured it. I was going to drink some black tea, but the infirmary didn't have any. This will have to do. We'll go back later."

With a slightly disgusted expression, Kiritani-kun leaned back and took the water glass to warm his hands. Looking at the rim of the glass, he felt a little helpless. He said he had just poured it, but even though the lip print was very faint, it was still easy to see, okay?

However, it was still a bit unexpected that Xigua wore light makeup this time.

"What? You're rejecting a cup I used?"

Akane Kosaka raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly a little displeased. "It's really unexpected that you woke up today. I thought I'd have to carry you out later..."

Okay, the watermelon is probably in heat.

After taking a small sip of warm water, Kiritani-kun didn't seem to care that the faint lip print had been completely stitched up. However, his head was still a little dizzy, so after drinking some water, he lazily leaned back.

Looking at the sunset outside the window, Kiritani rubbed his eyes. It was obviously getting late. Asuna didn't seem to know I was asleep? Otherwise, she wouldn't have stayed behind to pick me up.

"Miss me very much?"

"……Um?"

With her eyes slightly widened, Akane Kosaka stared blankly at Kiritani-kun, her water glass still on the table. After a long while, she nodded slightly, "Mm."

Perhaps it was because of the setting sun, but the woman's delicate face gradually appeared softer.

"hug……"

Without any extra expression, Kiritani simply opened his arms slowly, and then the woman rushed in and hugged him tightly.

For a moment, I had a slight difficulty breathing.

"Couldn't you be gentler?"

"Tell me next time."

"Okay...we'll talk about it next time then."

Kiritani-kun tried to relax, gently embracing her and stroking her long, black hair with extreme tenderness. "It's past her hips again," he thought. "This hair grows a bit fast; I reckon it'll soon be back to its previous knee-length..."

"One minute has passed..."

"You're lying, it hasn't even been twenty seconds!"

"Oh."

Kiritani watched the minute hand turn, relaxed, rested his chin on her shoulder, and slowly closed his eyes.

Akane Kosaka whispered, "I like days like today, I like the twilight sky, I like the quiet world amidst the melancholy."

I also like...

…………

Now, I love you more than ever before, and now I can be truly useful to you.

In the past, you were proud and independent, disdaining to play any role other than being a giver and protector.

—Jane Eyre

387

【NO.383】

As dusk fell, there were not many students left in the school. Even though it was the first day of the school festival, the students were still excited. However, due to the school's restrictions, most of the students had gone home. As for Kiritani-kun, who was still at dusk on the first day of the school festival... there was only one other person.

Of course, most of the committee members are still gathered in the committee meeting room now, so it can be considered as a summary of the first day.

Since Kirito-kun wasn't there, the student council president was temporarily in charge. He whispered something to Isshiki Hajime, who was often by his side, as he surveyed the situation of each class. The most outstanding performance on the first day was undoubtedly that of Kemono Friends Cafe.

While cafes aren't exactly a novel concept, the combination of kemonomimi (animal-eared girls) as a selling point, along with Eriri's brand name, is quite impressive.

"It's really amazing..."

This is the city's reflection upon returning.

Eriri's expression wasn't good at all; in fact, she seemed to feel like she'd been humiliated. All her good grades were built on squatting in a cardboard box and making a super fierce face at passersby—it was incredibly embarrassing.

That's not all. You see, Eriri discovered that the top news story on the school website was a picture of Eriri pretending to be fierce and intimidating—I think we should sue her.

Afterwards, the castle patrol began to talk about Kiritani-kun, mostly in a tone of praise.

Eriri could only silently curse in her heart. That guy might seem indifferent to everything, but in reality, if he promised something, he would do his best to fulfill it, just like now when he was exhausted.

But to be honest, that guy is much more pleasing to the eye when he's working than when he's not. At least he doesn't always make you feel like he's asking for a beating.

I'm a little hesitant. Should I go to the infirmary to see that guy later?

Eriri rested her chin on her hand, thought for a moment, and finally gave up. It was better to go home early and get some rest so she could continue to embarrass herself tomorrow.

...At this moment, Kiritani-kun was standing on the balcony, holding a slightly warm cup of MAX coffee in his hands, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Watermelon, was that a confession you just made?"

"No."

The woman's back view appeared somewhat imposing, and her aloof face carried a hint of intimidation, but the slight upturn of her lips could not hide her joyful mood.

Yes, Akane Kosaka is very happy.

"Well, I thought you would take advantage of the situation. You're really good at keeping your composure."

Kiritani-kun tightened his collar; it was a bit chilly today.

Seemingly letting out a sigh of relief, Kiritani turned his head and looked over, his eyes widening slightly before he immediately turned back. "By the way, did you do anything shady to me while I was asleep?"

Akane Kosaka glanced at him with surprise, then touched her cheek. "It seems like what you've done isn't anything shady, is it? Besides, aside from certain things that can't be done, what else is there that can't be done?"

Yes, yes, Akane Kousaka, who went in and out of the Kiritani family's Tiger Dojo seven times, really doesn't understand what there is to be ashamed of.

"Eek!? You're really mean."

Kiritani rubbed his slightly sore eyes. "So, I've finished writing the proposal for the ecchi boy project. How's the job search for illustrators going?"

"Not bad, quite a few erotic illustrators are interested in this area."

There are indeed some erotic comics published, but they are few and of poor quality. Akane Kosaka is absolutely confident that she can make this project no worse than her own manga magazine.

"Oh, by the way, let me tell you, that Kashiwagi Eri..."

"I know you're very interested in her?"

Akane Kosaka squinted. "You wouldn't have been this interested in an artist before, and you even mentioned it to me many times."

"...You're being a bit strange."

Kiritani-kun rolled his eyes. "This girl has a lot of potential. Her art style is probably hard to change, so serializing erotic manga in erotic shonen manga is very suitable for her... Well, actually, I also want to see just how far she can go."

Akane Kosaka didn't say much, just nodded slightly and asked, "Anything else?"

"Huh? What else could it be?"

Kiritani blinked, looking at Akane Kousaka with a somewhat puzzled expression.

"...Never mind, I'll talk to them myself later."

Akane Kosaka took out her phone and checked the time. "Their names?"

"Uh... Kashiwagi Ei, Kasumi Utako."

Well, Kiritani-kun can only roughly follow Akane Kousaka's thought process now.

"Then let's go back. I'll stay at your place tonight."

What a terrible comment!

However, based on her language style and behavior pattern, Kiritani-kun still understands her thoughts. Although the above conversation seems a bit inexplicable, it is actually quite easy to understand. However... the meeting between Akane Kousaka, Eriri, and Utaha Kasumigaoka is unlikely to be very harmonious.

"I want to stay at your house too!"

"Get out! You can't stay here!"

Hearing Haruno's voice from behind, Kiritani refused without hesitation and turned to walk towards the stairs.

As we can see, the committee meeting has ended, the first day of the school festival has come to a close, and these executive committee members have already headed home.

Yes, Asuna is almost ready to graduate.

That said, Asuna is really carefree. Isn't she worried at all?

"You're being unfair! I'm not sticking with you anymore!"

Haruno glared angrily at Kiritani-kun as he walked past her, and stomped her foot hard.

Does this guy have absolutely no sense of shame?

And when have I ever been intimate with you? At most, I've only touched you...

Akane Kosaka covered her forehead, lamenting her bad luck in meeting the wrong person. Haruno was becoming increasingly neurotic... Of course, she was also becoming more and more energetic.

"Xiaoqian, Xiaoqian, please take me with you, I want to stay with someone too."

Hina shamelessly clung to Akane Kosaka's arm and acted coquettishly.

"It's not my house, there's no point in telling me this. Go ask Asuna."

"—Don't you love me anymore?"

With a terrified expression, Yang Nai took several steps back, leaned against the wall, and began to question the meaning of life.

"I'm leaving first... Oh right, your candid photography skills are a bit lacking. Delete the photos later, understand?"

Akane Kosaka turned around and glared at her. This girl had taken a picture of what happened in the infirmary earlier.

"No way, it would be a shame to delete such valuable material. I'm waiting to use it to create a rare CG."

Alternative title: The Daily Life of Scumbag Kirito

"Bah! Shameless!"

I thought that I wasn't the one falling behind, but just that the timing wasn't right. But it seems I was wrong. I'm not only falling behind, but I'm also the one who can never find the right opportunity—you little rascal, Watermelon!

388

【NO.384 Kneaded】

In the spacious living room, several girls sat upright on the sofa, surrounding a boy sitting in the center, his face full of grief and indignation.

Then, the chestnut-haired girl unfolded the paper in her hand and began to read the words on it.

"To Kiriko of my dreams: I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, really!"

What a load of rubbish! Are you some kind of scruffy, scruffy man from the other country who uses such language?

Kiritani Kazuto was filled with grief and indignation. Who on earth put this piece of junk in my pocket?

Asuna Yuuki suppressed a laugh as she read the rankings, Akane Kousaka shook her head, her face full of heartache, while Mashiro Shiina nonchalantly took the paper and read it aloud.

"Today I finally mustered up the courage to write this letter to you, hoping you can understand my heart. I still remember the first time we met. The weather was scorching hot, and your stunning figure captivated me instantly. How can I describe your image in my heart? I guess you are a plucked white swan!"

puff!

Akane Kosaka spat out her tea, and Asuna laughed and quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe it off.

Kirito-kun, on the other hand, remained expressionless, his inner turmoil overflowing, practically ready to unleash a Hadouken.

Is this supposed to be a love letter? What's with this rubbish description?

Shiina Mashiro blinked her pretty eyes, looking at Kiritani-kun with a puzzled expression, before turning her attention back to the so-called love letter and continuing to read it in a monotone voice, "Kiritani-kun, weren't you really moved by my letter? Did you think I was incredibly talented? I guess so too. From the first moment I saw you, I fell madly in love with you. For you, I quit smoking and drinking. They say these things affect certain functions, and I've stopped peeping at the girls in the building across the street. Although the main reason is because the curtains are drawn, it's probably because it's not you..."

"...What kind of junk is this?"

With an almost blank expression, Kiritani clenched his fist. "Leaving aside how lewd it is, if I find out who wrote this, I'll smash their head in!"

Asuna continued to laugh carefree, completely unconcerned that someone was trying to poach her boyfriend.

"how to say……"

Struggling to suppress a laugh, Akane Kosaka pondered for a moment, "Well, although it's a bit abstract, it has to be said that it's a very good love letter..."

Kiritani-kun glared at him, and said with a look of utter indignation, "Shut up! Believe me or not, I'll write you these abstract love letters every day from now on!"

"I can feel their overwhelming sincerity, but please allow me to decline!"

Although she really wanted to answer "yes, yes," she couldn't stop herself from being beaten to death, so Akane Kosaka finally made an ugly rejection gesture.

"But I think if Yang Nai were to read it, the effect would definitely be better!"

Yes, yes, Shiina Mashiro's delivery is completely emotionless. If it were the master of disguise, Haruno, her vivid and expressive speech would surely increase... the laughs.