manga artist Kirito

Page 192

"A mock date before confessing your feelings, will you say yes?"

"I reject!"

Kirito responded calmly.

This relieved most of the people present.

Especially Asuna, who had just placed Eriri in the least threatening position. Although it's clear now that Eriri was deliberately trying to cause trouble, having read many novels and watched a lot of anime, she knows that many romances develop through these simulated dates, with a success rate of up to 90%, comparable to—

What do you think of me?

I'm starting to get interested in you!

Can I borrow your shoulder for a bit?

All of the lines above are extremely dangerous.

If there were no ulterior motive, why would someone say such things?

In short, even if someone is a loser, they should be put on the watchlist, no matter how small the threat level.

After all, most of the preludes to our favorite things are driven by curiosity. Even if they don't end up becoming enemies, we still can't let our guard down now.

As a result, Asuna Yuuki finally has a real girlfriend and is wary of other women who might cheat on her!

…………

…………

Kirito noticed his girlfriend's constantly changing expressions, and while he found them somewhat amusing, he also felt that... this might not be a bad thing.

The current situation is complicated, and even he is not sure what the best course of action is. However, rather than doing more and making more mistakes, he would rather do nothing at all, since doing nothing and making no mistakes is better than the former.

As for matters of the heart... that's not up to him.

He has the right to refuse, but he cannot stop the feelings that arise from other people's hearts.

Moreover, he has never toyed with other people's feelings; he simply adheres to his own preferences in making various choices and adopting different lifestyles.

Therefore, the so-called "battleground" never existed in the first place!

Thinking about it carefully, although the group of girls gathered here created a lot of pressure for him, and all the topics revolved around him, the choice was ultimately his to make.

No, rather, the choice was made from the very beginning.

That's why they're chatting and laughing here now, occasionally glaring at each other fiercely, but not doing anything particularly unusual.

Therefore, Kirito chose to continue drinking the black tea that the maid had just filled his cup with.

...I feel like I could write the words "The Finale" here...

So Kirito ignored the previous atmosphere and turned his attention to Akane Kousaka.

Unlike the others, Akane Kosaka, though also sitting here, did not join the conversation; in fact, she was browsing the information displayed on her tablet.

"Guagua".

"...Say your name properly!"

With a mix of helplessness and delight and relief, Akane Kosaka put down her tablet and nodded slightly at Kirito, who remained as calm as ever. It seemed that even in this situation, Kirito maintained the same mindset and demeanor.

"Watermelon, how's that project going?"

"It's alright, but Strawberry has been a bit irritable lately, which has delayed things quite a bit. Overall... we're short-staffed."

Akane Kosaka rubbed her forehead and then habitually said, "If you were here, the progress would definitely be fine."

"I see... Is it a shortage of technical personnel or something else?"

Kirito ignored the phrase he'd heard far too many times and said, "If necessary, I can recommend someone else to you."

"Forget it, stuffing a top-tier team with people who are only barely top-tier will cause problems, whether it's the former or the latter."

As she spoke, Akane Kosaka paused, "When you have time, go and see the group. You've never appeared at a board meeting."

...I think it makes no difference whether they appear or not. Those directors hold a pitifully small number of shares, yet they still dare to speak out against me.

I'll come over when I have time.

The perfunctory words made Akane Kousaka roll her eyes immediately, but she had nothing to say about Kirito's attitude, since he was always like that.

"Then...you guys?"

Then she turned her gaze to Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri, "Have you thought it through? Join Rouge en rouge?"

"If we want to avoid falling behind and accelerate our progress, this is probably the only option we have, right?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Kirito with an expression that seemed rather matter-of-fact.

"Hmph! I'm only doing this because you've invited me so many times..."

Eriri crossed her arms over her chest, tilted her head slightly, and gave a soft hum—a textbook example of tsundere behavior!

"Yes, I will train them well."

In an instant, Akane Akasaka's imposing aura returned.

It's precisely because of your careful nurturing that we're most worried!

Kirito silently mourned for Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri!

P.S.: I feel like I could have ended it there... but that would have been a shame, since there are still some things I want to write about watermelons.

So, they managed to get it back.

415

【NO.411 Perhaps, a little sweet?】

Tragedy is about showing people how something beautiful is destroyed.

…………

In short, Kirito became more relaxed after the number of people increased. After all, with everyone keeping each other in check, in the end, the only people Kirito talked to were Akane Kousaka and Shizuka Hiratsuka. The former mostly talked about work, or rather, she didn't have any intention of bringing certain things to the table, while the latter wanted to clearly show him her fist, which was as big as a casserole.

After all, the nickname "Jing Ke'ai" has become quite popular in schools.

Incidentally, after her performance at the school festival closing ceremony, Kato Megumi's fame and popularity at school have been soaring. It can be said that the only difference between her becoming an ordinary passerby and a dazzling heroine is a stage. Of course, when it was time to look for her, the students still couldn't find Kato Megumi.

But compared to the past, Kato Megumi feels a little... well, irritable now.

She often received love letters, which were kept in the shoe cabinet. Even when it was locked, there were still some inside, which made her slightly dissatisfied.

Then, Kato Megumi realized that, actually, she... didn't seem to care too much about becoming dazzling.

Rather, I would say that the peaceful life I had before, which was like that of a plant, was actually quite good, even though I was always being ignored and always felt a little distressed.

However, only certain people can discover her existence, so it doesn't matter if she doesn't become dazzling or not noticed by many people.

Of course, even though things have turned out this way, Kato Megumi doesn't have much to say. She'll just continue living as before... if she gets caught occasionally.

Uh... let's not talk about Eriri, she's too wronged, and she'll cry if we do.

Thus, what seemed like a chaotic scene, but was actually just a small gathering to distinguish friend from foe, naturally dispersed. Before leaving, Akane Kousaka said she would go back to see Kirito in a while and mentioned that a package would be delivered to his house today—well, just selected clothes.

Yang Nai chose to return to her mother, who was still at the shopping mall, without saying much before leaving.

Hiratsuka Shizuka casually offered to take the students home, and then Kato Megumi, Kasumigaoka Utaha, and Eriri followed her. Hopefully, Shizuka could slow down a bit... I still remember the embarrassed look on her face when she was pulled over by the traffic police for speeding last time.

Based on the previous situation, Asuna had no intention of visiting her own shop, which naturally led to her thwarting her brother's meeting with Kiritani-chan once again.

Alice seemed to have no intention of going home. She and her maid boarded Asuna's luxury car and headed to Kirito's apartment.

In front, there was the butler driving and the maid in the passenger seat, then Asuna and Kirito, then Shiina Mashiro and Alice. Of course, the two groups behind were facing each other—the luxurious business van of the wealthy dog ​​family.

Nothing particularly special was discussed on the way. Kirito squinted and drifted off to sleep. Asuna and Alice, noticing this, lowered their voices. Meanwhile, the butler and maid in front, who were looking at the situation through the rearview mirror, were both very annoyed to have such an employer.

Soon, they returned to the apartment. After putting everything away, Asuna said she wanted to give Alice a warm welcome, but then the kitchen was taken over by the butler and maids—good heavens! That's so unfair!

As dusk approached, Kirito, who had been carried in by the maid and almost had his hands touched, finally woke up. He looked blankly at Asuna and Alice, who were getting along well, and felt subtly at a loss.

"Uh, it's getting dark... Isn't Alice going back?"

Kirito scratched his messy hair. "Even with Tenjouin Ryouki, at night..."

"There's absolutely no need to worry about that. Besides, I've already told my parents that I'm here to see Xiaotongtong today."

As Alice smiled, her eyes narrowed, but before she could speak again, Asuna interrupted.

"Hey, Kazuto, do you know who rented the last suite on our floor... no, to be precise, on this apartment building?"

"……ok, I get it."

It goes without saying that it's Alice.

"But Alice, are you going to stay here?"

"Of course, this place is the closest to Xiaotongtong. It would be very troublesome to see her if we didn't live here."

With an expression that seemed perfectly natural, Alice appeared to have no idea what shyness was, and had been quite assertive from the beginning.

"So you're not going to school... okay, Soubu High School will be welcoming a new transfer student tomorrow, right?"

Kirito rubbed his forehead, preparing himself for the most beautiful scenarios, "So, which class is it? Asuna's Group J, or mine..."

"Those who are near the water get the moonlight first!"

Alice gave a rather literary remark, then flashed Asuna a bright and witty smile. Asuna's eyes twitched, Alice said leisurely, "Of course it's your class, Tongtong. That way I can keep an eye on you. After all... after so many years apart, if any rift develops between us, I'll be heartbroken!"

I understand the logic, but Alice, you're being a bit infuriating, especially saying it in front of Asuna... Hmm, Asuna is probably already regretting why she scored so high on her promotion exam.

however……

"Then, while I'm away, I'll leave the care of the people to you."

Yes, Asuna's confidence returned, her face full of a warm smile, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in Alice's previous words.

"Tsk... This isn't a given... No way!"

Suddenly, Alice stopped, staring intently at Asuna. "Is there some trap in your words?"

"No way~ I'm really asking you this on purpose!"

Asuna smiled serenely, a slight curve appearing at the corners of her lips, but to Alice, it held a deeper meaning.

Well, how should I put it... I'll briefly share Kirito's impressions of Alice when she was a child.

She was slightly weaker than she is now, with a hidden foodie side... Moreover, back then she cared more about Kirito than Suguha did, and would occasionally do silly things, such as easily falling into verbal traps.

In summary, she's a character who seems strong but is actually a bit naive. She prefers to prove herself with actions rather than words, so her kendo skills are even slightly better than Suguha's. However, Kirito has never pointed his wooden sword at her; she's too difficult to deal with, and he doesn't dare to make a move.

That's about it...

"Hmph! In short, I will keep a close eye on Xiao Tongtong, you don't need to remind me at all."

"Okay."

Despite Alice's dissatisfaction, Asuna remained as gentle as ever.

Kirito continued, "Speaking of which, Alice, is everything settled in your apartment, and all that else is ready?"

Alice said with a touch of pride, "Of course, Laughing Rider is very capable!"

"Yes, yes, I'm very capable!"

Maid Tenjouin Ryouki pushed up her glasses, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Kirito. "Capable in every sense of the word!"

"Shut up, no one will think you don't want to be ridden if you don't speak."

The housekeeper, Izayoi Kami, casually stuffed a peeled apple into the maid's mouth and took off her glasses in the process.

"Huh? Uh... my glasses, I can't see!"

"Blind man, don't touch my breasts! Hey! You're drooling!"

...As expected, you two should hurry up and go to Yuri!

…………

The new neighbor's surname is Qingbeierke, not Wang!

At this moment, Kirito was at his neighbor's house, where Asuna had given him some time alone.

After all, they are childhood sweethearts who haven't seen each other for years. Staring at them so intently would seem a bit petty. Besides, what was that saying again?

Well, since it's the real deal, let's be a little more generous. It's quite necessary at least in this situation, since we can perfectly bind it later anyway.

"Why...did you come back so suddenly?"