manga artist Kirito

Page 202

P.S.: I'm a little worried that you might not understand this chapter... but I hope it's okay.

427

【NO.422 Temperance】

Here's the thing -

Kiritani deliberately acted strangely in front of Hiratsuka Shizuka, putting pressure on her and making her shy... oh no, simply putting pressure on her so that she would reveal things that Kiritani didn't know.

Yes, it's that simple, and Hiratsuka Shizuka cooperated very well to achieve Kiritani-kun's idea.

Right now, Kiritani is riding in Hiratsuka Shizuka's luxury sports car to school.

Although the weather today was similar to yesterday, with a light drizzle, Kiritani-kun had a bad feeling about it in this gloomy atmosphere.

Actually, he could roughly guess that it was because he hadn't gone home on time last night according to the limited activity time given by Asuna, and he had also been drinking... Asuna definitely knew about this, after all, Yui's verbal communication was no joke.

If things escalate to a serious point, it will most likely end in a chopping block... Okay, let's not joke around at this point. You can imagine that Asuna's mood is definitely not good, and she might even have some extreme thoughts—given Asuna's personality, the possibility is very small, but it can't be ruled out.

So, when we meet at school later, I'll properly apologize.

Meanwhile, the female teacher, with both hands on the steering wheel, looked serious and very focused, and the sports car was moving at an alarmingly slow speed. Based on what Kiritani-kun knew about the female teacher, she was actually the kind of person who really enjoyed driving around, so it would be very difficult for her to drive slowly on purpose.

However, even though it's rush hour now, the traffic has indeed decreased a lot due to the widespread use of trams, so there aren't many vehicles on the lanes. But... why is it so slow?

"Jing'er, what are you thinking about?"

"Huh? No, no, there's nothing there!"

She seemed startled, jerked suddenly, and then quickly denied it.

Seriously, has this guy really watched too many shonen manga? He's even lost the ability to fake things and lie? It's so fake, Shizuka, please go and learn from Haruno, okay?

"Are you still thinking about how comfortable it was to sleep in my arms?"

"Huh?! What?! You idiot, don't talk nonsense!"

The older single woman gripped the steering wheel with one hand, her right hand clenched into a fist in shame and indignation. She raised her voice defiantly, "Shut up if you don't want to die! Understand?"

"I don't understand! I really don't understand!"

Kiritani shook his head blankly. "I really don't understand why you brought me home, and even made me sleep here... Ahh!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka withdrew her hand from Kiritani's thigh, slightly slowing the car down. She said hesitantly, "It was all an accident! I just went to the bathroom last night while sleeping in the living room, and when I came out, I instinctively went back to my room..."

"So you've been saying all along..."

"listen to me!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka interrupted him, sneering, "Kiritani! Do you know why if one day you die, but not because of a woodcutter's knife?"

After a moment of silence, Kiritani-san asked, "What's the reason?"

"because……"

Hiratsuka Shizuka raised a finger and sneered, "—You know too much!"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Xiaojing..."

Kiritani immediately sat up straight, as upright as an elementary school student in a classroom. Although his expression was blank, the look in his eyes had become much more serious.

"Actually, I know more than you think, for example, you..."

"If you dare say it out loud, you're dead! Swallow it back now!"

...I just wanted to say that instant noodles make up the majority of your fridge, what's the rush?

Did you think I was going to name three people and their panty types? They're just the very sophisticated type, right? Watermelon is way better than you; she's always wearing white stockings.

However, Jing's cute face was flushed, and her tightly clenched fists made Kiritani wonder if she would immediately shove at him if she weren't driving, and most likely aim for his mouth.

Speaking of which, I haven't seen Jing'er smoking lately. Has she quit? I was even thinking about when I could put my hand in her mouth and play with it—ugh, how disgusting!

Of course, in the morning, Kiritani-kun could still smell a faint tobacco scent on Shizuka...

Perhaps, when Jing Ke'ai brought me home, she stood on the balcony smoking and pondered whether or not she should do something?

"Alright alright."

Kiritani sighed softly, then patted Shizuka's shoulder. "But seriously, Shizuka, you really should find someone. You really can't put it off any longer."

The female teacher turned her head and glared at him.

Kiritani ignored the anger in her eyes. "Of course, unless you don't want to get married—well, although I can tell you really do, after all, you can't exactly go and have a yuri relationship with Machida Sonoko or Iida Ayano, right? What a waste!"

"Waaaah! I feel like killing you!"

The female teacher scratched her hair in frustration, as if venting her anger, but also with a deep sense of resentment. "I want to! But... there's simply no one suitable!"

"They say love is like a ghost; many people know this, but no one has ever seen it..."

Kiritani shook his head silently. "Come on, tell me your criteria for choosing a partner. If it's really because your criteria are too high, then there's really nothing I can do."

"Well... let's just forget about it then?"

"Oh, forget it then."

"First and foremost, they must be normal people!"

I feel like you're saying I'm not normal!

"Secondly, you should at least be able to do housework, but you don't need to be at the maximum level, since I can help you, although I will definitely focus on you students."

Kiritani frowned slightly. "And then?"

The female teacher held up her finger. "This is the important point: be decisive. I don't really like indecisive people! It's okay to have your own opinions, but you can't be a chauvinist!"

Kiritani nodded thoughtfully, "No problem, just normal conditions."

Finally, she smiled, but with a hint of shyness, "Then comes the necessary part: you have to really like me, think I'm cute, and treat me very well..."

Kiritani-kun said definitively, "You don't need to think about that. If you don't find me cute after spending time with me, then you must be an idiot!"

Then, right at the red light, the female teacher stepped on the brake. Her expression froze, and she slowly turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the boy as if she'd seen a ghost. "Eh—eh! You…you bastard…"

Kiritani narrowed his eyes, then a look of realization dawned on him. He looked at the female teacher whose face was gradually turning red and smiled faintly, "Is that what you mean by 'like me'? I see, I understand!"

"No, no, that's not true!"

"I understand, I understand everything!"

Kiritani stroked her long hair as if to comfort her, "But Shizuka, there's only one Kiritani Kazuto. How many do you think you can take on?"

"N-Nani yo?"

She turned her head away, confused, refusing to look at him.

Kiritani-kun rested his chin on one hand and leaned his shoulder against the car window, watching the drizzling rain.

It seems...it's time to make some decisions.

—Today is as noisy as ever!

…………

At the school building, Kiritani-kun stood expressionless in front of the gate, looking at the location of the school entrance.

Even on rainy days, the schools that come and go retain their usual enthusiasm, constantly releasing youthful hormones. When students gather in small groups, they are quite noisy, and their unrestrained laughter and deliberately raised volume make Kiritani a little irritated.

"Oh! Look over there, there's the new transfer student who arrived not long ago, Alice Qingbelk!"

"Huh? Really? Oh my god! She looks so pretty, even prettier than Sawamura-kun!"

"No, no, no! Look over there, isn't that Asuna Yuuki and Mashiro Shiina?"

"...Actually, they all seem to have a relationship with a pretty boy named Kiritani Kazuto."

"Actually, I heard that Kasumigaoka-senpai, a second-year student, also has a relationship with that guy..."

Kiritani silently stepped aside, mentally giving the group the middle finger.

After Asuna and the others came in, Kiritani-kun greeted them with a smile, acting like a sycophant who deserved a beating.

Upon seeing Kirito's appearance, Asuna naturally revealed a gentle smile, handed him the umbrella that was still dripping with rain, and then leaned forward slightly to straighten Kirito's collar, just like when she went out on her usual day.

Behind them, all eyes burning with the fury of original sin were fixed on the two lovebirds showing off their affection.

However, what others thought didn't matter to the boy Kirito. His smile gradually became forced, simply because Asuna's foot, which had somehow taken off its shoe, was pressing against the instep of his foot, and the hand pulling on the bow tie was also quite forceful.

She asked with a smile, "So, how was your night with him? Was it enjoyable?"

Kiritani's face paled, and he spoke without hesitation, "It's not good. Actually, I really wanted to come back..."

Asuna picked up where Kiritani was going to finish, "It's because Hiratsuka-sensei made you drink that you passed out, right? I know all that."

She smiled sweetly, withdrew her grip, and genuinely began to straighten Kiritani's collar. "Don't worry, I absolutely won't doubt Kazuto, and I definitely won't give him the silent treatment or anything like that. After all—what if someone else takes advantage of the situation, right? So, Kazuto..."

"Asuna!"

Kiritani-kun suddenly spoke, looking directly into Asuna's eyes.

"Huh? You can just say it, I absolutely won't... eh?"

Suddenly, she was hugged tightly, which surprised her.

Although sometimes we unconsciously show affection even in crowded places, doing it in front of so many students, especially just before class... it seems like Kazuto was quite worried that I would be angry.

Although, I am genuinely angry.

"Would you like to come back with me this weekend?"

The boy from Kiritani hugged his girlfriend tightly and whispered in her ear.

"The weekend..."

The girl hesitated for a moment, "It's not that it's impossible, it's just that we've already agreed to go out and have fun this weekend. The manga club members are going to a hot spring."

“——Huh?”

Kiritani-kun was stunned. The situation seemed to have developed in a bit unexpected way. Shouldn't he have just agreed?

"There will always be time. Maybe I'll want to go sometime, and then I'll ask you for leave and go back."

Asuna ruffled Kiritani's hair and smiled slightly. "But I'm still a little angry right now. It won't help if you tell me. You'd better calm down for a while longer."

At this point, the girl Yuuki pushed the boy Kiritani away, took two steps back, and the smile on her pretty face gradually disappeared.

She pinched Kiritani's cheek. "There's no bento for you today, so you'll have to eat bread."

Kiritani-kun didn't know how to react. "...Hey, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

If this is punishment, it's too lenient! Make it a little more realistic!

"I have to go to class. At noon... well, I've decided I won't go to the manga club at noon either, and you'll have to prepare dinner."

"...Wait! Please don't do this!"

"gone!"

Asuna changed into her indoor shoes, then pulled Shiina Mashiro away... Although Shiina Mashiro gave him a meaningful look as she left, which Kiritani-kun found quite dangerous.

At the same time, Alice walked over and looked directly into Kiritani's eyes. "I guess I'm late again. There are enough girls around you to make two mahjong tables. What am I supposed to say to you? Well, it's no use saying that now. I'll be waiting for you at the kendo club's training ground at noon. If you don't come, I'll ask Suguha, Mikasa, and Asuna to wait for you at the Tiger Dojo's training ground. Understand?"

She patted Kiritani on the shoulder. "Good luck! I hope you remember our promise—if you do, I'll do whatever you say!"

Kiritani covered his face with one hand, looking somewhat exhausted. Life was already so difficult, so why were there still so many troubles?

Incidentally, Kiritani-kun suspects there might be more phone calls from Sushi today, Haruno following him, or Kato Megumi backstabbing him...

…………

In the office, the female teacher preparing lesson plans would occasionally yawn.

These things were nothing in particular, but she could always sense strange looks from those around her, as if she had done something terrible, or even as if these guys had already reached a consensus...

"Oh! Xiaojing, you must have been very tired last night!"

"...Yes, it is quite tiring."

Looking at the female teacher beside her, Hiratsuka Shizuka rubbed her forehead. How could she not be tired? She had drunk too much alcohol, had to take care of Kiritani, and even had to be on tenterhooks when she called Asuna.

"That's great! That's great!"

The female teacher licked her lips, somewhat sighing, "But Xiaojing, although age isn't a problem, you still need to be careful. After all, his physical condition doesn't seem to be very good. You need to be more restrained!"

"...???"

Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked, her face full of cuteness.