manga artist Kirito

Page 180

Raising his head and looking straight ahead, Kiritani-kun was slightly surprised to see the girl walking directly towards him... She was actually at school?

"Oh, what a coincidence, teacher."

The only person who calls Kiritani-kun "teacher" is Kasumigaoka Utaha, and the one who appears now is indeed Kasumigaoka. However, she is neither an executive committee member nor involved in any class activities... so why is she still at school?

"Who is this……"

Tilting her head, Kasumigaoka Utaha trembled slightly as she looked on with curiosity at Yoko, who stood beside Kirigaya-kun and seemed to have an unusually close relationship with him.

"who are you?"

Holding onto Kiritani's arm, Yoko looked wary; perhaps... in her eyes, Kasumigaoka Utaha posed a significant threat.

"Kasumigaoka Utaha, a second-year student... well, you could say she's my student."

Enough with these inexplicable confrontations; please, postmodern romantic comedies shouldn't be appearing all the time!

With an almost blank expression, Kiritani introduced the two, "This is my younger sister, Kirigaya Suguha. She will be admitted to Soubu next year, and then you will be alumni. Let's get to know each other first."

"Hello, Kasumigaoka."

"Hello, Kiritani."

Maintaining their professional smiles, the two greeted each other, though it looked awkward and the sense of incongruity was particularly strong.

With a blank expression, Kiritani switched to a dead fish eye and said, "You two are so fake. Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Everything would be fine if the teacher didn't say it."

With her arms crossed over her chest, the pressure made Kasumigaoka Utaha's breasts appear even more prominent, and her slightly raised chin fully revealed her fair neck and delicate collarbones, but—

Suguha merely tilted her head and then relaxed her grip on Kiritani's arm a little, causing Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes to narrow immediately—if Eriri were here, she might cry.

"Hey, what's with all this 'love triangle' stuff in your light romance novels?"

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence could easily understand the situation and atmosphere. Kirito-kun wasn't the kind of light novel protagonist known for being slow-witted and gentle, so reading this atmosphere was incredibly easy for him.

...However, the leaf is as expected, but what's the situation with Kasumigaoka Utaha?

Kiritani looked her over and saw her completely uneasy expression, which gave him a headache. Perhaps, apart from what I said, there was also... the irresistible provocation when she encountered someone older than her?

Ye Zi's pretty face flushed slightly, but her cheeks also puffed out instantly.

In comparison, Kasumigaoka Utaha appeared much calmer, at least her expression didn't change much.

Kasumigaoka Utaha stepped aside to make way, then followed Kiritani and the other two, walking alongside them.

"This is not a drill, but it can be used as material."

By the way, there's a double meaning to what you said, Kasumigaoka. Are you starting to play these word games now?

"A junior writer of light novels, huh... I see..."

Suguha nodded thoughtfully, while simultaneously raising her level of vigilance towards Kasumigaoka.

"So, Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you... the model for the heroine?"

"...Let's assume so for now."

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her eyebrows slightly, looking quite puzzled. "Is there a problem?"

"I see, I see."

Suguha smiled faintly, as if she had seen through something, but seemed to have no intention of saying it.

P.S.: I seem to be getting more and more confused?

...A confused type of Echizen?

395

【NO.391 Meow meow meow~】

Here's what happened: I was strolling around the school with my sister, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, when we ran into Kasumigaoka Utaha, who could be considered a student. Then the atmosphere started to inexplicably turn into a romantic comedy... Sure enough, all those love triangles evolve from inexplicable angles.

...I really don't want to experience something like this!

"In short, Kasumigaoka, you've got nothing to do right now, haven't you?"

"...That's how it should be said."

After all, it's the school festival, and there's quite a lot going on in the class. However, Kasumigaoka Utaha doesn't intend to join in the fun. She feels that it's better to go out and explore than waste time in the classroom. Maybe she can find some good material. By the way, the material from earlier was pretty good, but Kirito-kun was a bit too calm, which is a big flaw.

As for Kirigaya Suguha, although I found it a bit strange, my first impression of her was quite good, much better than that loser.

Oh right, Kasumigaoka Utaha visited the Kemono Friends Cafe not long ago. She just went there to have a coffee and enjoy a relaxing moment, but she never expected to see Eriri looking so wronged and on the verge of tears—strictly speaking, that's her dark history.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri have never gotten along, so seeing Eriri like this was naturally very amusing, so she didn't hesitate to save this embarrassing moment... Honestly, I'm completely disillusioned with this world that judges people by their looks. Nobody even stood up to say anything when Kasumigaoka Utaha was taking pictures. I feel so sorry for Eriri!

Okay, back to the main topic.

In short, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt as if there was something about her that Kirigaya Suguha had seen through.

Absolutely amazing! This girl, who hasn't even graduated from junior high yet, is incredible!

"Even Yukinoshita couldn't stand the project from Class J in the second year, let alone me. I really don't know how they chose the project..."

Why do I say "them"?

You might not believe it, but actually, 90% of the class were women... uh, I think I mentioned that before?

"Now that you put it that way, I'm starting to get interested."

Kiritani grinned, “I suddenly really want to see you and Yukinoshita looking impatient and unwilling but having to do it, like masochists being chopped in various situations. That would be amazing!”

Of course, since Kasumigaoka Utaha has slipped out, she probably won't go back easily, and Yukinoshita seems to have work scheduled for today, so she's probably not in class either.

"Is this perverted? This kind of twisted taste is just too much!"

When I first met him, this guy was always spouting dirty jokes and had a perverse sense of humor. Although he's toned it down a bit now, he still occasionally throws out a couple of lines... Well, if he completely changed that, it would definitely feel weird. In any case, Kirigaya Kazuto is still a guy with a perverse sense of humor!

"My brother has always been like this, ever since he was little."

Ye Zi smiled faintly. If her brother didn't have this kind of wicked sense of humor, then after not wielding a sword for so many years, probably no one in the Tiger Dojo would remember this sword genius, and there wouldn't be so many people who wanted to slap him on sight.

With a nonchalant air, Kiritani scratched his head. "The affairs of scholars... how can you call it a perverse interest! You're all still too young. This is very valuable material, and also very important memories!"

If you suddenly start expressing your feelings, you probably won't be considered to have a bad sense of humor, right?

Perhaps that's how it seems to those who aren't familiar with her, but it's different for those who are. Both Suguha and Kasumigaoka Utaha know very well that this guy is definitely not the kind of person who would reminisce about the past at the drop of a hat. As for keeping good memories... Ha! What kind of good memories are these?

"School festival... in some ways, it's actually quite boring."

Kiritani sighed, "These kinds of activities seem to help students integrate into the group better and coordinate with their surroundings, but those who prefer to be alone won't get used to the so-called group because of it..."

"Oh right, I remember the original school festival slogan was something like 'Friendship, Collective, Cooperation,' right?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha laughed, a laugh so loud it made her body tremble, or rather, her laughter was like a surging tide.

“Even though I’m not one of you executive committee members, I’ve still heard about things concerning the chairman… It’s really funny, isn’t it! Yukinoshita actually accepted this kind of request.”

If you say that, it seems you don't know much.

"Whether it's funny or not doesn't matter, it's just that this guy has caused too much trouble for others. If he toned it down a bit, I think things would be much easier."

Courage and recklessness are two different things. Wanting to improve oneself but being unwilling to do anything, what can one expect?

Kiritani looked around and finally sighed, "I hope nothing goes wrong in the end. The school festival ends tomorrow, and I can finally relax."

"Relax...?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow slightly. "The manga club's prize money hasn't been used yet. Since we said it would be used for club funds, why don't you go out and have some fun when you have time?"

"That's a good idea. I'll discuss it with Sawamura and the others later."

It's autumn now, and although it's not that cold yet, after a long day... hot springs are definitely the best place to relax, right?

So, let's discuss going to a hot spring after the school festival... to relax our tense nerves from all this time.

Ahead, the wall was covered with photos of many small animals, and inside the stalls, all sorts of pets were on display—cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, and the like. Yes, they were just for display; these pets were brought from the students' homes and were not for sale.

Almost without surprise, I saw a familiar figure in front of the stall. Her name is Yukino Yukinoshita, and she is a cat lover... It's a pity that my husband doesn't allow me to keep cats, otherwise she would definitely be the most loyal cat owner.

Actually, she just didn't understand that if she had just said a few words to the store manager, the manager would definitely not have refused.

"Speaking of which, they even brought out a Teddy to show off... Who's the guy who owns this Teddy?"

To dare to raise a Thai madman that defies the heavens, the earth, and even the air, one must be desperate for something.

Incidentally, Yukinoshita is currently staring at a Scottish Fold cat, her eyes glazed over, and her lips slightly parted—meow~

So cute! Absolutely adorable!

Ah, I was talking about the Scottish Fold cat, not Yukinoshita.

"Ah, brother, that rabbit is so cute!"

Suguha pointed at a gray rabbit with one drooping ear and shouted, then grabbed Kiritani's arm and walked quickly toward it.

...Well, no one can resist anything cute.

P.S.: This chapter recommends "Miss Yukinoshita, Please Be Gentle".

...Yukino is so cute!

396

【NO.392 Pets】

Yukino Yukinoshita loves cats!

Yes, she likes cats even more than Mr. Pan. When she holds a cat, Yukinoshita often has an adorable expression of bliss and satisfaction, to the point that she will even imitate a cat's meow afterward—it's so cute, but afterwards her face will turn very red and she'll be very shy!

Furthermore, Yukinoshita is extremely afraid of dogs.

Perhaps, this is what cat lovers are all about.

However, Yukinoshita never reveals this hobby in public. But if she sees a cute cat and can't touch and pinch it, she'll probably be unable to move. After all, if the switch is turned on and she can't get her satisfaction, wouldn't that be a pity?

Incidentally, many people know that Yukino is a cat lover, but she tries to hide it a little, so that not many people know.

But it's a bit strange, isn't it? The pet display here... Yukinoshita isn't hiding at all, she's just squatting here playing with this Scottish Fold cat. Is she shy? Isn't she afraid of being seen by others?

...Okay, it doesn't matter how it is anymore.

After all, Kirigaya-kun was now being dragged in front of that rabbit by Suguha. Its fur was gray, with one rabbit ear standing up and the other drooping, a tuft of red curly fur on its forehead, and half-open, bright red eyes that gave off a strangely lazy feeling... Hmm, this rabbit is quite special.

Whether it's cute or not is another matter, but its lazy charm alone is enough to make Kiritani-kun like it. However, it's a pity that this rabbit is only on display and not for sale...

"Brother, this rabbit is so cute! I want to keep it!"

"It's no use trying to keep it. This rabbit belongs to someone else, and the rabbits in the pet market aren't this one. There's no value in keeping it."

"Oh no, how could this happen..."

With her cheeks slightly puffed out, Yoko released her arms from Kiritani-kun, squatted down in front of the rabbit, and picked up a carrot from the box next to her, intending to tease it.

Kiritani felt helpless about this, but it wasn't a big deal, so he let her be.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, on the other hand, seemed to have little interest in these pets, casually looking around.

Suddenly, Kasumigaoka seemed to see something, crossed her arms in front of her chest as if she was thinking about something, then waved to Kiritani-kun and left.

"Yo, Yukinoshita."

"Hello, Kiritani-kun."

With a slightly flushed face, she raised her head. Yukinoshita looked embarrassed, like a child caught stealing food, but she still tried her best to maintain her usual aloof demeanor.

Although, in Kiritani-kun's opinion, Yukinoshita's ever-changing expressions are actually quite interesting.

That's a really clumsy way to cover it up!

That said, although we met at the committee after that conversation, we didn't speak to each other... Well, it's very likely that this guy dislikes me.

After all, Yukinoshita is very persistent, and her plans and expectations have been shattered. In addition, their past relationship was limited to that of neighbors and classmates. It would be strange if she could give her a friendly look.

"like very much?"

With a subtle expression, Kiritani looked at the Scottish Fold cat, then looked up at Yukinoshita, whose pretty face was slightly flushed. "If you want to keep a cat, you can go to the café near the apartment and talk to the manager. The apartment rules don't allow pets, but if you explain it to the manager, he'll most likely allow you to keep a pet in the apartment..."

"No need."

Yukino looked at the Scottish Fold cat with a slight hint of reluctance, "I have no intention of keeping it."

So, what's with that reluctant look on your face, as if I've done something terribly wrong?

Kiritani rolled his eyes speechlessly. "Well, I have thought about getting a dog."