manga artist Kirito

Page 182

Kiritani rubbed his forehead. "The guitarist is Ms. Shizuka. I heard she used to be in a band and played guitar. Now we just need a drummer. I've already sent the sheet music for the lyrics to your email. Try your best to memorize it. Time is running out!"

"Hey! You want us to memorize the lyrics and sheet music in such a short time? You'd better hurry up and get it over with!"

"Hmm, singing... I'm not very good at it! It would be troublesome if I made a mistake."

"Two lead singers...you really are..."

"Keep it up, I'll go wait for our drummer, the rest of you help prepare the instruments, set up the stage, and tune the equipment."

With a wave, Kiritani-kun strode out of the backstage area. Immediately, a torrential downpour of music filled the air, gradually subsiding as if it were nearing its end.

Watching Kiritani-kun disappear, Hiratsuka Shizuka felt extremely irritated, just like hearing her mother talking about so-and-so getting married again. She really didn't want to... pick up her guitar again!

Kasumigaoka Utaha rubbed her forehead in frustration, "Oh my god! I never thought something like this would happen to me..."

Kato Megumi, on the other hand, remained very quiet, offering no complaints or criticisms, and calmly began memorizing lyrics on her phone.

"Oh, it's this song..."

Kato Megumi paused slightly, her expression somewhat complicated.

Hidden behind the stage curtain, Kiritani watched the performance as the curtain gradually fell and the time running out, and couldn't help but ask, "How's it going? Did you find it?"

"Nothing has been found yet; there's no one in the places she frequents..."

"I suspect she might be hiding in the audience, waiting to see us make a fool of ourselves."

"We didn't find anything at the school gate either..."

Kiritani-kun clutched his head, "Can you guys stop being so stupid! Didn't I just say that women like high places, cigarettes, and flowing skirts? You all better start searching from the rooftops of every building!"

"Hmm! That makes sense. In anime, whenever a character has something on their mind, they go to the rooftop to get some fresh air..."

"Believe it or not, I'll punch you."

Kiritani rolled his eyes. "This girl seems to be trying to escape, but she actually still wants us to find her, so she'll definitely be in a conspicuous place. Whatever happens, if she doesn't come back before the end of the extra program—we'll just give up. She's not indispensable!"

"understand!"

"……All right."

Kiritani-kun closed his eyes. The closing remarks, the overall evaluations of each class, and the announcement of the winners all had to be delivered by the executive committee chairman. Although it wouldn't be impossible for the vice chairman to deliver them, it would always be strange to suddenly change the person. So Kiritani-kun's turn... was only due to unavoidable circumstances.

Regardless, there are reasons why Minami Sagami is being sought after.

"Oh? Kazuko came to give me her blessings? I did a great job, didn't I?"

"Well done, you siscon!"

Seeing Hino walking gracefully towards him, Kiritani smiled slightly. "I'll have to trouble you now. Come with me to change clothes and prepare for the new program."

"Huh? What new show?"

Confusion, dissatisfaction, and curiosity coexisted in Yukino's eyes. "No blessing, fine, no hug, fine, and now you want me to perform a new act? Don't even think about it!"

"Is it too much of a hardship for you to perform on the same stage as me?"

With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Kiritani feigned displeasure, easily shifting into the role of the one asking for help.

"Huh?! Kazuto is going to put on a show? Did I hear that right?"

With wide eyes, Yukino Yukinoshita showed a look of surprise, seemingly unable to believe it. But then she changed the subject and smiled, "However, I refuse! Since you've come to me, it means there's no other way, and time is running out, so you can only beg me—you don't expect me to help you without some benefit. I'm not the kind of Yukino-chan who would lend a helping hand to someone in trouble~!"

"I'm so confused! Why does everyone make me owe them something?"

Kiritani looked frustrated and conflicted. How many people are there already? Hiratsuka Shizuka, Eriri, Yukino Yukinoshita, and you, Yukinoshita Haruno... Can't you just calm down a little?

"Okay, okay, I can grant one reasonable request later—note, a reasonable request!"

"Well, why would I make excessive demands on someone?!"

With a smile, Yang took Kiritani's arm and walked towards the backstage dressing room. "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"...I need a drummer!"

"give it to me!"

…………

"Now, the final program of the school festival is about to begin. Please welcome the band members to the stage!"

On the stage of the stadium, Cheng Huixun, her pretty face flushed, announced loudly, followed by thunderous applause.

A group of five people slowly walked into the stage from the aisle...

Then, while walking with his bass guitar, Kiritani accidentally snagged a line and nearly fell to the ground, but luckily Shizuka was quick-witted and pulled him up in time.

The applause that had not yet ended was immediately replaced by laughter from the audience.

Kiritani-kun stared blankly. "This power line... could it be the trigger for my time travel? Shizuka, you shouldn't have pulled me!"

With a slightly flushed face, addressing her in front of so many viewers made Jing'er's expression truly adorable.

"Hmph! You must be living in a dream!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha sneered, "Instead of worrying about this, why don't you go home and try pouring instant noodles on your keyboard and see if you can electrocute yourself?"

After hesitating for a moment, Kato Megumi finally interjected, "Um... I think a car accident is more likely, right?"

Yang Nai smiled firmly, a smile that resembled that of a yandere, "Then I'll drive!"

"...Ahem, what a strange team, but I heard they came prepared!"

Cheng Huixun was speechless. What was with this conversation? Were they deliberately trying to make it harder?

"Alright, let's begin!"

"Oh oh oh!!!"

P.S.: Seriously, none of you care, and now I'm upset!

Yeah, the unpleasant type of Echizen!

399

【NO.395 成かない爱】

"Now, please welcome the RUA band to perform 'Tokanai Koi' for us!"

As soon as the words were spoken, white mist billowed out from both sides of the stage, obscuring the figures of the five people standing on the stage and creating a blurred visual effect.

【成かない情】?

Again, the vast majority of tourists, including students, are very familiar with these songs, while others have heard others talk about them but haven't actually heard them before. In any case, you can say you know them.

After all, the popularity of this masterpiece of escaping otaku culture is not limited to the otaku community. 【Tokanai Koi】is extremely popular on major music websites, and even people who have not played the game "Black Album" have a lot to say about this song.

As the white mist gradually dissipated, the figures seen earlier became clearer. Cheng Huixun, the host, left the stage as the white mist surged out. During this period of hazy white mist, the five members of the RUA band completed all their preparations, including posing for photos.

The standard band formation, except with the addition of a lead singer.

"Everyone—are you ready?"

With her soft, adorable voice, Kato Megumi was forced to wear rabbit ears by Kiritani-kun when the white mist was exhaled. Yes, Kato Megumi's current outfit is the one she wore in the Kemono Friends café.

Seemingly in response to Kato Megumi, a tsunami of cheers erupted.

Even before the song started, Kato Megumi's soft and cute question alone captivated the emotions of countless viewers.

"Don't be nervous, Kato, just be yourself."

On the stage, beside Kato Megumi, Kiritani Kazuto gently comforted her. He hadn't thought much of it from the upstairs cubicle, but looking at the audience from the stage, the number of people was simply... enough to fill the entire stadium.

It's inevitable that Megumi Kato will feel nervous.

As for Kasumigaoka Utaha, Kirito wasn't worried at all. After all, she was a bestselling light novel author, and the scene of her signing event wouldn't be much different.

"……Um!"

Unexpectedly, a smile appeared on Kato Megumi's lips.

At the same time, bassist Kazuto Kiritani and guitarist Shizuka Hiratsuka exchanged a glance and instantly reached a consensus. Their fair fingers glided across the strings, and a soothing accompaniment began.

Behind them, Yukino Yukino stepped on the pedals, gradually raising the soothing accompaniment, followed by rhythmic drumbeats that made people want to tap their legs to the beat.

Are you feigning loneliness? Why does my heart flutter so much for you?

Before I knew it, I was completely captivated by you.

With a melancholic voice, sounding somewhat lonely, Kasumigaoka Utaha sang softly.

To be honest, if Kasumigaoka Utaha hadn't also had a deep understanding of this masterpiece that helped her break out of her otaku habit, it would have been absolutely impossible for her to memorize the songs and the lead singer's vocal adjustments in such a short time. Fortunately, she had already completed her fifth playthrough.

Although the song was the main theme of the show, some viewers, besides appreciating the melancholic vocals, were also drawn to the two dazzlingly long legs that occupied the majority of their attention.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's black stockings, Kato Megumi's pure white stockings.

Those legs alone are enough to keep you entertained for a lifetime!

This is the sentiment shared by most viewers.

Even from a distance, one could feel the smooth, soft skin beneath the absolute territory of her slender legs. The black and white stockings of the two women, their melancholy voices—all of these stirred various gazes and emotions.

His fair fingers plucked the strings, and a long-lost feeling surfaced in his heart. A smile played on Kirito's lips. This song could be said to have been born from his hands, at least in this world. And it was around that time that he learned to play the bass, accompanying Akane Kousaka.

Yes, Akane Kosaka was the first person in the world to sing this song.

Looking at the two girls singing in front of him, Kirito's feelings were quite complicated. He originally wanted to form a band consisting only of single people, since the scene would definitely be very beautiful with this song. However, finding a lead singer, guitarist, and drummer was already a stretch, and he really didn't know where to find a bassist who was also single... Well, especially a bassist whose looks were no less than those of Kato Megumi and others. It seemed like it would be difficult to find one.

Suddenly, Kiritani Kazuto noticed the panic on Kato Megumi's face and immediately understood the current situation.

She stepped forward and moved closer to Kato Megumi's side, while at the same time Hiratsuka Shizuka also came to Kasumigaoka Utaha's side.

Even a love affair that has no future will one day be reflected in your heart.

To prevent the song from sounding off due to the presence of male voices, Kiritani Kazuto specially adjusted his vocal tone and sang the lyrics in a female voice.

Even if only a glimmer of dawn can be seen, this love will surely be able to move forward.

Jing's heart was breaking down, just like the lyrics of her song, wishing she could see even a glimmer of hope.

"Oh! Kirigaya's singing voice is surprisingly good, and he can even play bass."

In a booth on the second floor, Eriri, who had somehow arrived, looked up at the stage with a surprised expression. Compared to her arch-rival Kasumigaoka Utaha, she was now more concerned about Kirito, the guy who had made her feel wronged for almost three days. And... Kato Megumi standing on the stage was unexpectedly dazzling.

"...Actually, if Sawamura-kun were to play bass, I think Kazuto would definitely give you that position."

But to be honest, after getting into a relationship with Kiritani-kun and spending so much time together, Asuna really didn't expect him to be able to play bass so well. Could it be that he really knows a little bit of everything, as he said?

However, they were unaware that Yukino Yukinoshita, who was standing right next to them, actually played bass very well, in no way inferior to Kirito Kazuto.

Eriri pouted, "Oh! Kasumigaoka Utaha sang pretty well too. I thought she couldn't do anything except write light novels."

Even a love that ultimately becomes a pipe dream—will it one day be reflected in the mirror?

Until the faint glimmer of dawn appears, this love affair remains fraught with difficulty.

"Alas……"

With a subtle and complex expression, Asuna looked at the girls standing on the same stage as Kirito and couldn't help but sigh.

Asuna had no reason not to understand the meaning behind this song, and the melancholy of the song was clearly sung out by the girls at this moment.

It's not that she doesn't know, it's just that she's forced herself not to care. No one understands the feelings of those girls on stage better than Asuna. She already knew what they were thinking, and she was worried... But what's the use of worrying?

...The choice should not be made by her.

400

【NO.396 The End of the School Festival】

heavy!

Originating from the deep, resonant music of bass and drums, the subtle, swaying vibrations travel deep into people's hearts, creating a slow, lingering echo.

Unexpectedly, there were no cheers; the audience was unusually silent, as if they were not in front of a stage.

With the drumsticks striking the drum kit and the heavy rhythm under her feet, Yukino Yukinoshita played a perfect score without stopping, and the deep yet intense melody resounded throughout the space.

The swaying, colorful lights flew aimlessly in all directions, and the glass spheres hanging above the stage reflected countless rays of light haphazardly in all directions. In the most dazzling center of the stage, stood a pretty girl.

The guitarist, Jing Ke'ai, seemed to want to vent all the pent-up frustrations she had accumulated over the years.

Haruno, the drummer who wanted to perform on stage with him in the best and most perfect way.

With his long, jet-black hair swaying back and forth to the rousing music, the bassist, Kiritani Kazuto, was so beautiful he didn't look like a boy at all.

In addition, there were two girls standing at the very front of the stage, singing with melancholic yet lively voices.