manga artist Kirito

Page 207

No, no, no! Although I don't know what you're trying to say, if I didn't have a girlfriend, Ms. Xiaojing might actually have dragged me to get married because of the one time we shared a bed—really! Don't doubt the persistence and impulsiveness of an older single woman!

Kiritani-san relaxed and lay down on the sofa, looking very casual. "Whatever you want is fine. Marriage is still a long way off."

Getting engaged is something I could consider...

"But I'm not trying to be mean, Watermelon, but what are you trying to do by maintaining that position?"

Kiritani blinked, looking at the woman who was practically straddling his waist, and felt a slight pang of discomfort.

Although Xigua had threatened those guys outside, you never know what might happen. Maybe some fearless guys will come over to watch the show.

Slender, pale fingers touched the corner of her mouth. Akane Takasaka tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with laughter. "What do you think I want to do?"

"You talk as if you really are... um!"

Kiritani-san grinned and spread his hands, intending to mock this older, innocent boy. Then his cheeks were cupped, and slightly moist, soft red lips pressed against his. A smooth tongue slipped inside, leaving Kiritani-san momentarily stunned and unsure how to react.

You know, this watermelon is quite innocent. Although he gave his first kiss and many other firsts to Kiritani-san, it's... super weird!

Watermelon is surprisingly aggressive, and even takes the initiative...

No! It's not a matter of taking the initiative anymore. This guy isn't planning to keep playing the fool, is he?

Kiritani-san glared, trying to resist, but then Kosaka Akane easily locked his arm joints—what was that all about before? Actually, the Saintess Alliance members were all trained, such as Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was good at fighting techniques, Iida Ayano, who was good at karate, and Kosaka Suigetsu, who was good at... joint locks.

Her pretty face gradually turned red, and Kiritani-chan breathed heavily before avoiding the watermelon's intended wet kiss.

"Wow..."

He was panting, his eyes were almost red. What the hell was this, kissing until he couldn't breathe? Is this what they call a tender-hearted way of killing someone?

Kiritani-san was a little worried that this watermelon might be implying—if I don't have it, no one else can have it either!

"Very comfortable?"

Akane Kosaka behaved perfectly normally, without anything amiss, even though she had just forcibly kissed a boy.

She licked her moist lips, smiling, "Aren't you bothered that I'm wearing light makeup and lipstick today?"

No! I don't care, I really don't care at all!

Although I really want to say it this way, I'm afraid that if I say it out loud, I'll be... well, let's do it again.

"I haven't been getting enough rest lately, so it's normal to wear makeup to cover up my dark circles, right? As for the lipstick... what do you think of the scent? Chihiro gave it to me."

"Normal, perfectly normal! You don't even need to ask me about the taste..."

Kiritani wiped his mouth and silently shrank back. "Ahem, so you called me here... just for this?"

He raised his eyebrows slightly. "You're the one who always suffers in these kinds of situations."

"Screw you, mind your own business!"

She tilted her head slightly, then walked to the desk, picked up her notebook, and sat down close to Kiritani-san. She then opened several pages, many of which involved Kiritani-san's involvement...

"Of course I would call you here if it were something important."

She pursed her lips, and of course, she was also a little worried that Xiao Jing might not be able to stand the loneliness and might take the opportunity to do this or that to you.

"You've already finished the proposal for the 'Erotic Boys' project. I've made some minor revisions during this time. The illustrators have been confirmed, and we have two well-known artists to lead the project. The official launch date... will probably be a little later, since we're working on the 'Black Album' anime soon. —Let me ask you something else, the Sword Art Online manga is almost ready for an anime adaptation, at least the content is sufficient. So, do you want to adapt it?"

"This kind of thing..."

Kiritani rubbed his forehead. "You can arrange it. Anyway, if you know the original work, I'll kill you."

"Then just wait for me to be destroyed by the original work."

Her eyes held a strange expectation. "Of course, these are not the most important things. The most important thing is the assistant. You want to start a new work... I have no objection, but how should I put it, in order to reduce the workload, an assistant is necessary. Fortunately, I have contacted a good illustrator, and there is no doubt about his ability."

"She's in Tokyo right now, but the appointment is for tonight, which means you still have some time to get to know her—oh right, she only agreed to meet because she knew Fujiwara Echizen needed an assistant, which means she might be a fan of yours."

With a slight flicker in her eyes, Akane Kosaka's expression gradually changed as she looked at Kiritani-san.

...What kind of look is that?

I'm not surnamed Ula, so there's absolutely no way that something like being a fan of 100 people could happen!

Besides, you know that Fujiwara Echizen's fans are all the same, they're all gentlemen, it's unbelievable!

Oh wait, if a watermelon gives that look, does that mean the assistant is a girl, and quite pretty at that?

Kiritani-san smirked, "Um, how about Ichigo becomes my assistant?"

At least, Strawberry is a masochist... cough, I mean, at least Strawberry isn't that neurotic!

P.S.: It's an exam...

Echizen is amazing, it's just a mere exam for him (smug face)

435

【NO.430 Omen】

In the eyes of all the members of Rouge en rouge, the leader and the vice-leader are undoubtedly a couple. The vice-leader didn't whisper sweet nothings in the leader's ear. No matter how you look at it, the vice-leader's position is too high. Even if the leader really did sexually harass him, he couldn't offer a better position...

Please ignore the above paragraph.

All members of the Rouge en rouge club are waiting to see more exciting developments, such as the leader accidentally forcing himself on the vice-leader...

Then, the two of them went out.

Yes, he left the entire club behind and went out.

Strawberry had to smile as she saw them off downstairs and make arrangements for them. Who could understand that feeling of smiling on the surface but cursing on the inside? Especially when Akane Kosaka wasn't around, she had to take on most of the work!

She felt like she was kneeling before Kirito, begging to be whipped, but Kirito was chatting and laughing with Ayane. Damn Kirito!

But there was no chance.

Kiritani-san and Kosaka Akane were walking on the autumn streets, feeling the cold wind and... the snowy season that was about to arrive.

Holding onto Kiritani-san's arm, Akane Kousaka said with a smile, "Since we still have plenty of time, why don't you come for a walk with me... Well, a proper stroll is quite necessary."

Yes! Taking a walk is quite necessary, but only if you don't drag me along!

Of course, taking a walk together occasionally is fine. After all, Xigua is a workaholic. Although she has a gym membership, she has always been content with just getting the membership card. If we have to say, we don't expect Xigua to be like Hanekawa Tsubasa, wandering around aimlessly with nowhere to go, but it is still very important to go outside occasionally.

Of course, Kiritani-san wasn't really in a position to criticize Izumi, since while he might not be as lazy as Tanaka-kun, if he were truly suffering from laziness... well, then he'd be hopeless.

—Speaking of which, Echizen is really cute.

"That's true. I haven't been to scenic spots for research in a long time. If we have enough time, we could visit some famous scenic spots, like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Tokyo Tower, forests, rooftops, etc. These are all excellent places for research."

"Correction: While these can indeed be considered scenic spots, they don't seem to have much to do with Tokyo. They're in Kyoto, and they're all notorious suicide hotspots—I knew it! Xiaojing did something to betray you and me!"

"No, no, no, this has absolutely nothing to do with Xiaojing."

Kiritani-san shook his head. "The new work is quite dark. If it says it's based on real events, then it definitely is. I can't possibly be thinking about suicide just because she took off my clothes and threw me in the bathtub for almost an hour, right? I just wanted to adjust my emotions to get closer to that atmosphere of facing death. After all, most suspense and mystery works rely on atmosphere, and..."

He smiled, a very comforting smile, "Even in swordplay, there are characters who deserve to die..."

“…You bastard!”

Akane Kosaka raised her hand and rubbed her forehead, seemingly a little troubled. "Do you really want to be called Fujiwara the Old Thief? Sword Art Online is what it is. If you make a new work, I'm afraid everyone will want to let you go! People who don't know will think that you have experienced something very terrible to draw that kind of work at this time."

"What do you know? I've been really troubled lately."

Kiritani scratched his messy hair, making his high ponytail fluffy. "You saw what happened at the shopping mall back then. Sometimes I really worry that one day I'll fall asleep and never wake up again."

"That's why it was best if I didn't go that day, since the more people there are, the more trouble it will cause."

Akane Kosaka smiled faintly and gently tugged at Kiritani's cheek. "But, well, I absolutely cannot refuse your invitation, even knowing that it might cause you trouble."

"I'd rather say I didn't even know when so many of them appeared..."

Kiritani paused, then turned and leaned against the railing, looking at the street scene and hurried pedestrians ahead. "But, well, there's no point in saying all this at a time like this..."

"Hey, Kazuto!"

"Ok?"

She suddenly spoke up, "Tomorrow is October 7th."

Kiritani paused for a moment, then nodded. "I know, it's the birthday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, right?"

She blinked blankly, "What?!"

What...?

Yes, it's not just Kato, even a mature woman like Sui Izumi is so cute when she says things like that.

"So... the day the Chinese men's football team qualified for the Japan-Korea World Cup two rounds early? That should be right, I remember it very clearly, it was October 7, 2001, when the Chinese men's football team qualified for the World Cup for the first time."

Watermelon looked at him, puzzled. "Tomorrow is your birthday. Are you alright?"

Birthday……?

"Ah! It seems that's really true."

Kiritani stared at her in surprise for two seconds, then remained silent for a moment. "Could it be that you're planning to get me drunk and take my virginity right after I've just come of age? How cunning of you, especially at a time like this..."

Akane Kosaka nodded in realization. "This suggestion is worth considering. I'll prepare it later."

"...Then even if I get home very late tomorrow, there's no need for a gift, right? I really love that motorcycle, thank you!"

"That's rare. You're not even planning to accept a gift this time... even though you already asked for one."

"What do you mean 'must pass'?! Don't use such subtle language to talk about gift-giving!!"

"But that's just how it is..."

Suddenly, Akane Kosaka pursed her lips, gestured to the side with her hand, then looked up at Kiritani-san, a sweet smile spreading across her pretty face. "Heh! The little boy who only reached my chest when we first met is now taller than me... Back then, you would ask me for presents whenever there was a day worth celebrating."

"I was young and naive back then, and besides, it was just a gift—you, the one who raised a young boy!"

His embarrassing past was inexplicably dug up, and Kiritani-san managed to remain calm, not revealing any embarrassment.

"Tsk, you guy..."

Akane Kosaka shook her head helplessly and smiled, "Anyway, that's how it is. I'm not sure if there will be a gift or not. The meeting with the assistant is today, and you can go back and celebrate your birthday with Asuna tomorrow."

"Hey! Don't make it sound so pathetic, it makes me sound like a scumbag who started a relationship and then abandoned me."

Kiritani flicked Akane Kosaka's forehead, making her glare at him.

"There's still time."

P.S.: Dog food will probably be delivered soon...

436

【NO.431 Assistant】

"I guess I'll stay at the apartment again today."

"Hey, is that a statement?"

"Now I'm in charge!"

"Then what did you tell me?"

"A reminder, um, just a reminder."

Akane Kosaka nodded, a warm smile on her face, and walked slowly. She checked the time and said, "It's about time. The coffee shop isn't far from here, and your assistant should be here by now. Let's go."

"Don't be so sure, I don't just hire any artist!"

Although Suigi mentioned that she had the artist's information, Kiritani-san was too lazy to look at it. After all, the person involved was about to see it, so there was no need to see the information. Besides, information is a deceptive thing anyway.

For example, when Kiritani was recruiting club members, he received a resume like this: "Winner of many awards at school, very hardworking, and a pillar of the art club!"

After meeting him, Kiritani-san finally understood the true meaning of that resume. The numerous awards he received at school referred to drinks purchased from the school convenience store… opening the bottle meant winning a prize. The claim of being incredibly hardworking was actually a misrepresentation of the hardship aspect. The so-called pillar of the art club… well, that person's position was near the table leg, hence the nickname "pillar"…

Needless to say, the feeling of having slept with a blond-haired loser is indescribable!

Therefore, it's better to meet with the person in question directly before making any further considerations.

However, if the assistant that Sui Ishii found was a pervert from the Bamboo Forest Group, then no matter if he was male or female, young or old, or how good his drawing skills were, Kiritani-san would refuse without hesitation—he simply couldn't stand the look in his assistant's eyes that was always thinking about drawing his doujinshi!

Of course, Eriri is an exception, since it was Kiritani who started it first.

"Speaking of which, if you were to recruit people yourself, what would be the requirements for your assistants?"

Seeing that Kiritani-san seemed to be thinking about something, Akane Kosaka raised her eyebrows slightly. Although the assistant she chose was very good in all aspects, it was not an assistant she found for herself. It was still necessary to ask about her requirements. If it was not suitable... then there was no need to go to the meeting.

"Well, I'm currently studying while also drawing swords and my upcoming new work, and occasionally doing other artwork. My time is very tight, so I need an assistant with plenty of time, and at least someone who is obedient. I don't want to bring back an emperor..."

"Having worked in the industry for quite some time, and being no longer young, if she didn't even understand these basic rules, why would I have chosen her? The girl has a good personality, at least I think so. She might occasionally act a little crazy, but she probably wouldn't do anything to cause trouble for others."