manga artist Kirito

Page 181

With a look of utter disgust, Yukinoshita realized that she disliked this guy even more.

"Since ancient times, dogs and cats have fought a battle for the survival of the earth. It's hard to choose between dogs and cats; both have fluffy paws and are both furry. So if you have a cat and I don't have a dog, that would be really..."

"Ya hello!"

Before Kiritani could finish speaking, the dango sign was displayed.

Turning around blankly, Kiritani-kun's mouth immediately gaped open, and he jumped to the side, yelling, "Aaaaaah—Damn it, there's a ghost!!"

"Leaf, hit it!"

"Damn it, this isn't a haunted house...bullshit!"

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced back at Yui, who was wearing a mask of a demon with a blue face and fangs, then tilted her head to look at Kiritani-kun. Seeing his pale, terrified expression, she couldn't help but find it a little funny... He's actually afraid of ghosts?

"Uh, I... what's wrong?"

Stunned, Tuanzi, the instigator, was completely unaware of her own actions.

"People are just masks, don't be afraid!"

"I'm not afraid!"

Kiritani-kun suddenly looked up, slightly stunned as he stared at the girl he was holding tightly in his arms. "Eh, Asuna?"

"Well, no matter what, ghosts are just so ugly, ugly enough to scare people to death!"

Kiritani gently nuzzled Asuna's cheek, while Asuna remained expressionless, letting him hold her tremblingly. Afterwards, she patted Kiritani's head and handed him the water in her hand.

"I just went to the vending machine... If it's a ghost, please don't be offended, it didn't do anything wrong."

This is like killing someone, looting their box, and then cursing them as a poor bastard—that's not good, not good at all!

"Also, there are a lot of people here... let them through first."

No matter what, she was still shy. Asuna could sense that quite a few people were watching them.

"That's too much! That dumpling is too much! It actually wore a mask to scare me!"

"If you're talking about Yuihama-senpai, she's already left with Yukinoshita... um, Yoko went with her too."

Asuna tilted her head and smiled faintly, "Shall we go too?"

"No! I've been walking for a long time today, and I'm a little tired!"

“…Really.”

She was terrified, her hands were shaking uncontrollably, but she stubbornly pretended that nothing had happened... Well, her stubbornness was quite cute.

Moreover, such panicked and flustered scenes are quite rare. The last time I saw it was when I almost broke a senior's wrist.

“Um… Asuna…”

"Huh? What's wrong?"

With a rather strange expression, Asuna looked at Kiritani-kun's hesitant manner and couldn't help but feel confused. Was he really that scared?

...Never mind, let them handle the class matters for now.

Do you...like pets?

Asuna paused for a moment, then nodded and smiled gently, "I love it! I love it the most—my pet!"

Asuna Yuuki said, rubbing Kirito's head.

P.S.: I, Type-Moon, am a manga artist!

It's short, but the author is just a typing machine; those interested can check it out...

Seriously, nobody's reading my new book, so why are you promoting other people's books?

397

[NO.393 The Closing Ceremony is About to Begin]

Although the school festival only lasts for three days, nearly two weeks have passed since preparations began.

The Kemono Friends Cafe project was a great success. It's safe to say that the Kemono Friends Cafe was one of the three most popular projects at the school festival. As for the other two projects... let's not even talk about them.

Now, with less than fifteen minutes remaining before the closing ceremony, elegantly dressed young women are gradually stepping onto the stadium's main stage, preparing for their final performance.

Finally, Yukino Yukinoshita stood on the platform, her fingertips pinching the hem of her skirt, and gracefully bowed to the audience below.

Then, he picked up his baton, and an elegant melody began to play in response.

Then, the elegant style of the painting changed, transforming into a violent, stormy musical performance.

"...I knew Haruno couldn't possibly be that elegant!"

Standing in a cubicle on the second floor, Kiritani-kun held his forehead with one hand, his face full of black lines.

At this point, Kiritani-kun didn't want anything unpredictable to happen at the school festival again. Eriri was furious when Sayuri Sawamura arrived at noon. Moreover, after learning that the clothes she was wearing were actually designed and made by her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, Eriri, who had been feeling wronged for three days, almost burst into tears.

This is a case where the Kemono Friends Cafe almost lost its brand. Fortunately, Sayuri Sawamura is good at scheming and was able to comfort Eriri. Otherwise, what Kemono Friends Cafe... would have been a real "Furry-Up Cafe"!

Of course, Eriri's angry outburst and tearful expression at that time became even more memorable.

"...Haha, it's really unrestrained, completely different from my previous playing style."

Hiratsuka Shizuka chuckled dryly as she looked at her student, who was usually known for her elegance and approachability, now filled with inner turmoil. This child had probably been suppressing her emotions for too long and wanted to vent her bad feelings.

"..."

Yukino Yukinoshita stood beside Shizuka Hiratsuka, watching her older sister's swaying posture. Her face was expressionless, without any fluctuation.

"Hmm, although I feel that Haruno-senpai's tastes are a bit unusual, this piece of music seems pretty good."

Unlike the others who were complaining, Asuna was actually trying to appreciate the music, even though she didn't really like the style.

A slightly gentler, more elegant melody would suit her better now.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had just taken off her headphones, blinked. "I think... I missed something?"

"No, you wouldn't understand anyway."

Kiritani waved his hand, "Just relax and look at the illustrations."

"Hey! Are you implying you're very smart?"

"I know a little bit, I know a little bit."

With a reserved and humble smile, Kiritani casually checked his phone to see the time. "It's almost time. The closing ceremony speeches are about to begin. How are the preparations going? Are all the attendees here?"

This is a communication via headset with the executive committee members in the preparation room behind the stage.

However, many stories are like this: just as the event is about to end, there will inevitably be a turning point. There is no such thing as a perfect ending. The more imperfect the ending, the more memorable it will be. And this is exactly the case now.

There was a slight problem with the gathering of people.

"...The Chairman was not present."

Hachiman Hikigaya's lifeless voice rang out in the earpiece.

Kiritani glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka, his brows furrowing slightly. "I see... what about the reports?"

It was entirely expected that Minami Sagami would run into trouble, but I didn't expect him to do it right at the closing ceremony.

Hachiman seemed a bit annoyed as well, "...I couldn't find it. I guess it's on the chairman."

The door to the cubicle opened, and the student council member, Chojo, rushed in, her face flushed with anxiety. "We can't get in touch with Sagami-san here either; we can't get through on the phone."

"To actually disappear at a time like this...?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes widened, clearly realizing how bad things could get.

"It is also permissible for the Vice Chairman to deliver a speech."

Yukinoshita calmly offered her suggestions, but she really didn't like Sagami Minami.

"It doesn't matter whether Sagami Minami shows up or not, but the various reports and documents that are with her are the most important."

With a slight grin, Kiritani felt a little annoyed. He should have known better than to hand the things over to Sagami Minami so soon.

"The chairman should still be at the school. If we send someone to look for him now... well, it seems too late."

Asuna shook her head slightly. The music on stage would end soon, followed by the closing ceremony speech. Finding Sagami Minami in such a short time would still be too difficult.

"Forget it."

Kiritani looked at the music troupe below and slightly pursed his lips. "Sagami Minami took those things and cut off all contact methods. It seems like she doesn't want anyone to find her, but actually she wants people to be able to find her. Hey, now add a new program to my program!"

As he spoke, Kiritani took out his phone and quickly pressed a few buttons.

"Senior Cheng Hui, please make the arrangements. You don't need to worry about the personnel. By the way, you are the host, so don't embarrass me."

"Oh? Okay, I'll take care of it right away!"

As if she had found her pillar of support, Cheng Huixun's flushed face finally relaxed a little, and after nodding, she quickly went backstage to start making arrangements.

"Kato!"

"Yes, I'm here!"

Without warning, Ms. Kato Megumi appeared beside Kiritani-kun, causing Asuna's lips to twitch slightly.

...I didn't find anything at all! How did you do that?

How many times have you played Black Album?

With her lips slightly pursed, Kato Megumi's gaze swept over Asuna, "...Hmm, looks like the third playthrough."

"That's good."

Kiritani nodded, then looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha and Hiratsuka Shizuka, leaving the two of them stunned.

"What, what's wrong?"

"You two come with me for a moment, I need you to do something."

"Huh? Me...me? What can I do?"

"Oh huh?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka had a strange look on her face, while Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to be deep in thought, as if guessing what Kiritani-kun was thinking.

"Asuna, Yukino, I'll leave this place in your care for the time being."

Kiritani-kun took a deep breath. "I've already arranged for people to look for Sagami Minami. You two are in charge of keeping an eye on things. If anything unexpected happens, just let me know. Don't worry, even if we can't find Sagami Minami in time, I have a plan."

"Okay, I'll do it well."

Perhaps Yukinoshita took Kiritani-kun's request as a commission, and answered it quite seriously.

"Don't force yourself if it's really not possible!"

Asuna looked helplessly at the boy who seemed to be putting on a brave face again, and said, "Leave this to us."

"How could there be any word 'failure' in something I'm in charge of?"

Kiritani smiled calmly and walked outside. "Women just love high places, cigarettes, and flowing skirts—if you look this way, you'll definitely find them!"

P.S.: Wow! You guys didn't even know my new book had been out for so long?

398

【NO.394 Remedy】

"You guys... you'll be okay, right?"

Backstage, Kiritani looked at Kato Megumi, Kasumigaoka Utaha, and Hiratsuka Shizuka with a somber expression, though also a hint of worry.

Although he spoke as if he was very confident in front of Asuna, Kiritani was actually just trying to buy some time. It is undoubtedly difficult for a team that has not rehearsed to work together well, and this cobbled-together team... feels like a pile of loose sand.

"How could there be no problem? I had no prior knowledge of the music for this piece!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes. This guy not only added extra segments without permission, but he also dragged her up on stage. She was completely caught off guard!

"...I think I could manage, probably?"

Kato Megumi tilted her head, appearing rather unconfident.

"Hey, I don't know anything about this. Is it really okay for me to just go up there like that?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha really wanted to refuse, "Besides, isn't the lead singer you mentioned Kato? I can't play any instruments, and it would be too strange to have two lead singers."

"I can play bass; I know a little bit about that."