manga artist Kirito

Page 187

"Oh my! Little Goddess is declaring war on behalf of her young lady, Alice. Are you ready?"

The maid put down her tablet and tightened her already high ponytail, her eyes filled with a different kind of gleam.

"Ah! Although I was planning to let Xiaotongtong see the cultivation I've never stopped doing for so many years, it doesn't really matter if it's someone else. And later on, it would be even better if this person were a competitor."

Alice's eyes were full of eagerness. "Want to give it a try, Miss Yuuki?"

Asuna shook her hand and clenched her fist. "Let's give it a try. Although... I'm not a competitor, but the winner, you little rascal from the Qingbelke family!"

"It's not good to make promises you can't keep!"

"I'm just stating the facts."

Looking at the heavy atmosphere around him, Kirito pursed his lips slightly, feeling really tired. He just wanted to play a game, but how long had he been playing? Not only did he not play the game well, but he also got caught up in some inexplicable things... This was terrible!

This Alice is really something else. If you just talk things out, everything will be fine. Why is it so interesting to be so vague?

Asuna too, why bother with this girl? Wouldn't it be better to let her rant on the sidelines while we show off to her?

...Seriously, just fight for a little while, and you'll calm down once it hurts.

So Kirito sat on the edge of the flowerbed and quietly watched the four girls looking at each other.

"If Alice gets ambushed by you, that would be a huge problem!"

With a very calm demeanor, the maid swayed slightly before rushing forward quickly, replacing the maid's special accessory that she originally wore on her right hand with a bright red gauntlet.

"Only you would do something like a sneak attack!"

Donning black gauntlets, the butler strode to meet the maid as she rushed forward, his shoulder-length white hair flowing in the wind, giving him a dashing appearance.

But—but these guys all seem super dangerous!

What's that butler carrying in the inner pocket of his uniform? A throwing knife, right? Definitely a throwing knife, isn't it? Izayoi Kami, you truly are the perfect and dashing head maid, aren't you?!

Alice rushed forward and quickly arrived in front of Asuna. Then, she slightly shifted her body and used the increased speed to achieve a greater burst of power. Her long leg, encased in black stockings, was lashed out. Asuna was prepared and blocked the attack with her hands at her sides, but the subsequent impact still caused her to stagger back a few steps.

Asuna frowned. In terms of strength alone, she was much stronger than her, and her technique was also perfect. No wonder Shinichi said that she had great talent... If she had a sword, she would probably be even stronger.

But I'm not weak either!

After regaining her balance, Asuna observed Alice's movements, then quickly clenched her fist and swung it forward. Just as it was about to be blocked, she turned her fist into a palm and slapped Alice's arm with a loud sound.

Kirito narrowed his eyes slightly; Asuna's hand was quite sharp.

Then, he turned his head to look at his side, seemingly watching Shiina Mashiro's struggle with great concentration.

"Mashiro, do you want to learn this?"

"Learn that beauties are only meant for the strong!"

Shiina Mashiro nodded in response.

408

[NO.404 Alice Joins the Battle]

With her chestnut hair flowing, Asuna nimbly leaped into the air, twirling one and a half times before unleashing a whip-like kick from her long, slender right leg, clad in tight trousers.

With a relaxed and carefree smile on her lips, Alice seemed to feel no pressure at all. She slashed at Asuna's calf with her right hand like a chop, while at the same time she clenched her left fist and struck Asuna's abdomen, showing no mercy.

As they parried each other, Asuna crossed her arms in front of her to block Alice's attack, then landed on the ground. A slight pain in her calf made her frown. Alice's strength was beyond a girl's, and now she could feel the pain continuing in her calf.

Of course, a single hand chop wouldn't be enough to block Asuna's full-force whip kick, so Alice was now grinning as she inhaled, gently rubbing her neck with her left hand.

"That's outrageous, they actually tried to kick me in the face..."

"Is it not excessive to try to steal someone else's boyfriend right in front of them?"

Asuna struck a new stance, but her smile was anything but pleasant. Although she had indeed reached the black belt level in karate, nothing is possible without continuous effort. However, Asuna had rarely trained in the past two years, spending most of her time at home with Kirito. Her lack of skill was clearly demonstrated in the previous sparring session.

Compared to Asuna's neglect, Alice not only has a solid foundation built from childhood, but has also persevered in her efforts to this day. Even though most of her efforts are focused on kendo, hand-to-hand combat is the most basic training. Therefore, even without a wooden sword or bamboo sword, she is still not afraid of Asuna, who is more skilled in unarmed combat.

Coupled with her advantage in strength, Alice put Asuna at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

"On this point, I think what that classmate over there said is right: beauties are only meant to be possessed by the strong. Although I don't know why Xiaotongtong has suddenly become so cute, he is mine."

Alice smiled. "You must be quite troubled, right? Suddenly, this crazy woman appears and wants to steal your man. But, Tongtong probably hasn't told you much about his past, has she?"

"So what? He'll speak when he wants to; I don't need to ask him at all."

Watching Alice's movements closely, Asuna quickly stepped forward and threw a powerful punch with her fist.

Trust is the most basic thing. Asuna could clearly see that Kirito really didn't know who the girl in front of him was. His confused eyes clearly told the story, but the girl refused to say it directly. Since that was the case, then they would beat her until she submitted.

Even knowing it would be very difficult, Shenzhi's side had the advantage. All they had to do was hold off their opponents and wait for Shenzhi's reinforcements.

"Oh my! That's really...heartwarming, but there are some things you can't give up, can you?"

With a series of clashing footsteps, Alice parried Asuna's fist with her left hand, and as she turned around, her elbow pressed down on Asuna's joint, delivering a back elbow strike.

"Who cares! What's mine is mine!"

With a slight pause, Asuna placed her left hand on Alice's back and suddenly raised her knee, striking Alice's elbow, thus canceling out each other's attacks.

"Shenzhi, show no mercy, beat her until she cries!"

"Laughing Rider, she said she's going to make you cry!"

...Hmm, it seems like they're evenly matched.

"Mashiro, could you please ask Asada Shino out tomorrow? I have something I want to say to her, just a few words, nothing else."

Upon hearing that phrase again, Kirito's face darkened even more. If he didn't teach Asada Shino a lesson, who knows how much darker Shiina Mashiro would become?

We absolutely cannot let them get away with this. Anyone who dares to pollute the pure white flower will be severely punished... I mean, verbal reprimand—oh dear, verbal reprimand?

As for the fight between Asuna and Alice, Kirito was naturally paying attention. He was just a little angry with Asuna, so he made her fight this girl who seemed to know him but whom he had no recollection of.

Of course, if anything goes wrong, or if there's a situation that suggests Hina might get hurt, Kirito will definitely step in and separate the two.

"Shino told me that if anyone asks about Shino, I should say that Shino is very busy and may not even have time when she is at school—yes, that's what Shino told me."

It could be described as a retelling of the story, Shiina Mashiro said in a monotone voice, then nodded slightly as she looked at the battle before her, "I want to become a good fighter too!"

"No way, Mashiro should just focus on drawing manga. You absolutely mustn't get involved in this kind of thing. You're the only naughty child I have left."

Kirito quickly pulled Shiina Mashiro aside and looked very seriously into her eyes, "So, please don't learn that, okay?"

I don't want every girl around me to be so dangerous! — Seriously, I don't like yandere characters at all!

"Oh, well, and human will."

As if suddenly remembering something, Shiina Mashiro nodded vigorously.

...Don't make jokes! I don't remember you liking shonen manga, Mashiro!

Kirito sighed deeply. He turned to look at the two who were still fighting fiercely, then turned to look at the butler and the maid.

He took out his glasses, put them on, stared intently for a moment, then took them off, patted his cheeks, and exhaled heavily.

"I might have accidentally traveled to another world. This world is far too dangerous. I want to go back to Earth..."

Asuna and Alice's fight was already a high-level duel, but looking at the butler and maid, it was like they were from different worlds. The rapid collisions filled the air with the sounds of their clashes. The red gauntlets, seemingly soft, actually produced a sound close to the clanging of metal when they collided with the butler's gauntlets. Furthermore... some of the decorations on both sides of the street even had clear fist marks on them, and the spreading cracks made Kirito's heart tremble.

As for the battle, it was clear that the butler, Izayoi Kamichi, had the upper hand. The maid, Tenjouin Saki, seemed unaccustomed to direct combat and was physically weaker than the butler, so she was just putting up a fight and retreating. Kirito could see that.

But whatever you do, your actions are a bit shocking, aren't they!

"Mashiro, I'll go separate the two of them. You stay here and don't move."

After giving instructions to Shiina Mashiro, Kirito sprang forward with a burst of speed. Just then, Asuna and Alice were locked in a stalemate, and Kirito intervened without hesitation, pulling Alice's hand away and shielding Asuna behind him.

He looked at Alice. "Well, enough joking around. Just say what you want to say. Judging from your expression, you really do know me... Hmm, maybe I forgot, but how am I supposed to remember if you don't just say so, right?"

"Hey! You've forgotten about me, fine, but you dare to act so self-righteous?"

Alice gritted her teeth in annoyance, raised her hand and slapped Kirito, aiming straight for his eyes, clearly intending to turn him into a rare animal.

Facing the fist, Kirito narrowed his eyes, his crossed hands gripping Alice's arm joints. He then moved aside, pinning Alice's right hand behind her back. Leaning his head slightly forward, he asked, "...I saw it just now. Do you know this joint lock technique? Did you learn it from the Tiger Dojo?"

"You taught him that, you bastard!"

Alice tilted her head back and bumped it into Kirito's forehead, making him let go of her hand. Then, she turned around angrily and glared at Kirito, saying, "You're the kind of person who can't cook anything except egg dishes!"

"Alas!"

With a surprised expression, Kirito covered his forehead and looked at Alice. Aside from his closest friends, no one knew that he couldn't cook anything except egg dishes. Yes, everyone thought he couldn't cook, but…

"Okay, now it's confirmed, you do know me, and we're actually quite close, so please continue!"

"It seems you've forgotten our agreement?"

With an unusually unfriendly expression, Alice clenched her fists, looking as if she was about to raise her hand to strike at any moment.

"Uh, I don't think so?"

Kirito's words made Alice nod slightly, but what he said next made her expression freeze completely.

"I don't recall making any promises with anyone..."

"You bastard! I, Alice Qingbelk, am going to beat you to death today!"

"Wait a minute! What's your name?"

With his hands clasped in front of him, Kirito stared blankly at the blonde girl who had just introduced herself. Although he had no recollection of making any promises with anyone, he did remember the name Alice Qingbelk.

He had a distant relative, a girl born on the same day as him, whom he could call a childhood friend. Compared to Kato Megumi, with whom he had little interaction in childhood, Alice Qingbelk was the real childhood friend... They used to have a really good relationship, but...

"Alice Zinbelk, the Alice who moved to Europe a few years ago?"

"Huh? You really...know him?"

Similarly, Asuna was also stunned. She looked at Kirito and Alice, her lips slightly parted, as if she had something to say, but at this moment she didn't know whether she should say it or not.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you finally remembered?"

Although Kirito did mention her name and recall her, Alice still looked upset. After all, it took such a detailed revelation for her to remember... It seems that her impression on him... wasn't as deep as she had thought.

Slightly disappointed, she forced a smile. "Yes, I am your Alice. Little Tongtong really... has completely forgotten me, even though it's only been a few years."

"...Um, Alice, do you dare say you contacted me?"

409

[NO.405 The Intrusion, the Threat of Shiina Mashiro]

I, Kiritani Kazuto, met my childhood friend today.

Unlike Kato Megumi, who I barely spoke to as a childhood friend, Alice Chinbelk was a true childhood friend. I had a very good relationship with Alice until she moved away.

To be honest, I don't recall much about her. Perhaps it's because of my resentment, or perhaps I just don't care too much about her existence.

If Suguha is the sister who provides the most support, then Alice is the girl who provides long-term companionship and comforts me when I gained those inexplicable memories, felt different from others, and felt a loneliness that only I could feel.

I like her very much.

Although I don't know if what I felt at that time was true liking, that feeling was definitely real.

But she left.

She left in a hurry, and there was bound to be a sense of loss, but fortunately there was still Suguha and the subsequent arrival of Natsume.

In a sense, it was she who caused me to sell erotic works at the CM convention, but it doesn't matter anymore. What's past is past, and there's no point in dwelling on it... and reminiscing is even more pointless.

So even though there are many things related to her that I can't recall, I didn't care too much.

As for the agreement...

So that's true... I've done something like that before?

But really... I can't remember at all.

...Have I really thought about it?

…………

"...Alice, do you dare say you contacted me?"

The boy tilted his head slightly, looking directly into the girl's eyes, where a look of urgency and panic could be seen.

"I……"

The girl looked flustered. She waved her hand in the air as if trying to explain, but she hesitated and finally lowered her hand sadly without offering any explanation.

His forlorn appearance was somewhat heartbreaking.

"Alice, I told you, this would be the ending."