manga artist Kirito

Page 211

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Kiritani-kun, pointed at Ryunosuke who had just run away, and asked with a puzzled expression, "...What?!"

Kiritani calmly let down his high ponytail and tousled his hair. "He's allergic to women."

Eriri looked on incredulously, "Are there really allergy symptoms like this?"

"I see... he must have had a tough time, considering that all of his friends are girls."

Kasumigaoka Utaha lightly shook her legs, her expression slightly pleased. "I think he would never have come if Asuna hadn't personally invited him, right?"

"It's just gynophobia... By the way, it's said that it wasn't Asuna-nee who went to invite her, but Mashiro-nee who went over with a phone number and knocked on the door, and then Ryunosuke-nee agreed to come over."

With her ahoge (cowlick) bobbing, Komachi calmly recounted some dark stories that deeply moved Kirigaya-kun. And that cup of black tea that Hachiman had been drinking—Kirigaya-kun had personally witnessed Shiina Mashiro take it to the kitchen and have Shizuka add salt, and Alice even added some unknown substance to it… But seriously, Hachiman, you dared to drink tea poured by Shiina Mashiro? Don't you know what "super dark" means?

"Actually, it's just a birthday celebration, and then we had a meal..."

Kiritani-san leaned back lazily on the sofa, his expression somewhat subtle. "So, how come there are so many people?"

"I was the one who called them over, do you have any complaints about them?"

Asuna poked her head out of the kitchen, her gentle expression softening slightly. "Besides, I knew you'd be back late, so I delayed cooking a little. Everyone's been waiting for you. Are you... upset?"

"No! Absolutely not! How could I possibly be dissatisfied!"

Kiritani affirmed repeatedly, his expression particularly serious, "I'm very happy right now, especially seeing Hachiman and Ryunosuke both having bad luck one after another—by the way, I'm a little hungry."

Finally, he weakly raised his hand.

Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with a blank expression, her eyes questioning whether this Kirigaya Kazuto was real or fake. The latter silently shrugged, indicating that Kirigaya Kazuto was indeed like this.

"The dish is almost ready. The dish that Teacher Hiratsuka made is very simple and can be done in about five minutes."

Asuna smiled slightly, "Well, it's quite unexpected that Hiratsuka-sensei can cook."

"Hey! Yuuki, don't underestimate me. I live alone, you know. Can't you cook for me? Will I starve?"

The female teacher's annoyed voice came from the kitchen. Asuna blinked, then shrank back inside and began to comfort the older single woman living alone—but her title alone hardly qualifies as comfort!

Kiritani looked at the manga club president and members, "Speaking of which, have you decided where you're going to have fun... I mean, where are you going for your club research trip?"

"Actually, you don't need to change your address, since club activities are just for fun..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head to look at Eriri, who only had the title of department head but no real power to actually do the job, "It's like how you have to go to the beach during summer vacation. In this kind of cold weather, you should definitely soak in a hot spring. Hot springs also help relieve fatigue, which is actually very suitable for us otaku creators."

"Hmph! Wasn't this already discussed?"

Eriri pouted, "We can choose the location from Hokkaido and Hakone. Of course, adding Kyoto is also fine, since we obviously have enough money for the event... I personally prefer Hokkaido!"

"If we're talking about finding inspiration, I personally recommend Kyoto, since that place has a lot of stories, and, well, heartwarming stories."

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled warmly, "But I guess it's probably not going to be any research. Aside from soaking in the hot springs, I guess you're just thinking about how to have fun, right?"

"This is great, club activities... soaking in hot springs..."

Komachi rested her chin on her hand, swayed, and bumped into Hachiman. "I'm so envious. It's a pity that middle school clubs are so boring, and there's no funding for outings..."

"Don't look at me like that. High school clubs aren't as amazing as you think."

Hachiman raised his hand and pressed it against Komachi's forehead. "However, we can consider the hot springs this weekend..."

"The Service Department doesn't have the funds for such activities, let alone for grains."

Holding a towel to wipe her hands, Yukinoshita, with her hair tied in a single ponytail, walked out of the kitchen expressionlessly.

Hachiman glared back with dead fish eyes, "I just said I'd be with Komachi."

Yukino took out her phone and calmly dialed the police. "I see. I think I can call the police now. He actually had designs on my sister."

Hiratsuka Shizuka was also quite enthusiastic about it, "Oh, a hot spring trip? I think that sounds good. You guys can discuss it with Hachiman Hikigaya..."

Kiritani-kun silently shut up, then made a hand gesture to Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri, confirming that the hot spring trip was indeed to Hokkaido...

However, he didn't want to get involved with the Service Department; there were just too many people there...

P.S.: Are there any good places to soak in hot springs in Japan?

Third update... Done!

444

[NO.439 Update]

It's a birthday.

Although it wasn't a birthday party, just a simple gathering of some familiar friends at home for dinner, the atmosphere was unexpectedly lively.

Her long, messy hair wasn't tied back into a ponytail. It's probably because Shiina Mashiro insisted on wearing the paper hat that came with the cake. So even though her hair was messy, she didn't seem to mind. In fact, the only people there who didn't have long hair were the Hikigaya siblings.

The table, pieced together, was laden with a variety of dishes that looked incredibly delicious, and there was quite a lot of food. Even with the current number of people, it was hard to say whether they could finish all the food. Although Kiritani-kun didn't care about waste, these girls seemed to be in a very high mood today.

Incidentally, Ryunosuke looks a little trembling right now.

Fortunately, Ryunosuke found an opportunity and directly occupied the seat to Kirito's left, pulling Hachiman to sit next to him. Otherwise, Hachiman would probably have run back to his own nest by now and wouldn't even want to see what was going on here. It wasn't just that there were more women than men; apart from him being a true single dog, everyone else present, regardless of gender, had someone they liked.

So, Ryunosuke really didn't understand why they had to send someone like him.

"Well, it's my birthday... I'm sorry I kept everyone waiting because I got back a little late."

Feeling everyone's attention on him, clearly waiting for the birthday boy to speak, Kiritani couldn't help but give a slightly awkward twitch of his lips. "This is probably the first time I've truly celebrated my birthday... Well, I'm too lazy to say those awkward platitudes. In short, I'm very happy that everyone could come! — Cheers!"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Say 'let's have fun together'... that should be fine, right?"

Seeing everyone trying to suppress their laughter, Kiritani-kun calmly picked up his glass full of juice and clinked glasses with everyone. Then, he looked at Shizuka, who had also switched to juice at some point, with a subtle expression.

"W-what? Why are you staring at me?... I may be an adult, but it's not good to drink in front of so many students!"

The female teacher felt Kiritani-san's gaze and hurriedly tried to explain, but seeing Kiritani-san's gradually widening smile and her slightly flustered demeanor, it gradually turned into anger. "I said, what's wrong with me drinking some juice?"

It's fine for adults to drink alcohol, and it's even more fine not to drink in front of students, but why didn't you consider these two points when you forced me to drink last time?

Kiritani-san calmly raised his glass and downed the juice in one gulp. "The juice is great. I just think it's a little strange that Shizuka suddenly switched to juice! -- Well, everyone, let's eat!"

"Wow! These dishes taste really good!"

With her chubby cheeks puffed out and the way she chewed her food was almost like a hamster, Eriri's eyes lit up. "I'm starting to feel envious. It feels like I can eat this kind of food every day!"

"If you want to eat, just come over when you have time. Anyway, we don't usually have many guests at home."

Asuna smiled and said, "We're all the same. You can come over for a meal if you want, but it would be even better if you brought your own ingredients!"

"This hostess demeanor is quite skilled, and very assertive, completely overturning the gentle and mild image I had of Asuna!"

Eriri seemed to have discovered something new, but it seemed... Asuna always acted like a wife.

Moreover, she noticed that when she said those words, most of the people present focused their attention on her, as if she had accidentally stirred up a hornet's nest, their gazes filled with malice and warning.

She subconsciously turned her head and saw that the girl she usually argued with looked somewhat lost in thought.

"Hmph! I think I've got a new idea. This scene is just too wonderful!"

Yes, Kasumigaoka Utaha has started her usual crazy antics.

"Sometimes, you can't just say things like that, Eriri-kun."

Alice smiled and served her food, saying, "Of course, I also welcome everyone to come to my home as guests."

...Very well, following Asuna, Alice made her own declaration, not to be outdone.

Yukinoshita, Hikigaya, and Ryunosuke from the Service Club calmly ate their food, while Komachi was surprisingly reliable at this time, showing no curiosity about what was being discussed, as if she hadn't heard anything at all.

"Oh my gosh! This feeling... that saying is so true, art imitates life!"

In a burst of inspiration, Kasumigaoka Utaha paid no attention to the declaration of sovereignty, but stared at the scene that had a faint sense of warmth but was gradually turning into a Shura field, constructing enough plot scenes in her mind.

"These are the words I should be saying."

Kiritani-kun remained indifferent, holding his chopsticks and saying calmly, "For example, I would be quite happy to have Kato, Shizuka, or Yukinoshita, so that we can let them cook! Perfect!"

"Don't get your hopes up! You're dreaming if I think I'd come all this way just to cook for you!"

The female teacher responded instinctively, then immediately felt guilty. She reluctantly picked up a piece of food she had made and took a bite. Why was she feeling guilty? She was a teacher, and this guy had even made her breakfast and bento boxes… wait, why did she think of breakfast and bento boxes?!

Wow! Hiratsuka Shizuka, do you really have feelings for your student? You know, there are countless girls around him who like him!

That's suicide!

However, being taken care of by this guy felt surprisingly pleasant...

And they prepare water for me to wash my face, make breakfast and lunch boxes, and even watch me while I eat breakfast, or sit on the sofa reading the newspaper... It feels so good!

As Hiratsuka Shizuka chewed on the piece of meat, a series of potentially fatal questions began to surface in her mind...

"Hey! I'm the birthday boy, after all. Say something nice, even just to tone down your temper a bit!"

With a sullen expression, Kiritani spoke up in dissatisfaction.

"Sure~ I'll come over when I have time if I like."

His tone remained calm and even, without much variation, though the words he spoke were somewhat provocative, causing Asuna and Alice's expressions to become a little off.

Yukinoshita calmly shook her head, "No!"

"I want to learn to cook!"

Shiina Mashiro, her face serious, lightly tapped the table before turning to look at Yukinoshita sitting beside her. "Kyo-neko!"

Under the snow, "..."

Then, Shiina Mashiro rushed over, and Yukinoshita's face immediately turned pale. Under Shiina Mashiro's sincere embrace, she nodded tremblingly, her face growing even paler.

Kiritani-kun felt nothing at all; in fact, he almost wanted to laugh.

See? What a chaotic scene! My eldest daughter is just so capable!

—Save the country with a straight line… no, save my father!

P.S.: Sorry, I've been feeling really down lately, I'm still adjusting...

Three updates tomorrow.

445

【NO.440 Ah…】

"Speaking of which, what were you doing in Tokyo yesterday when you suddenly took leave?"

Snapping out of her reverie, Kasumigaoka Utaha sipped her juice, a curious look on her pretty face. "Could it be that the new work is already finished?"

"What new work? Has Kazuto-chan started another project?"

Komachi Hikigaya looked over in surprise, then glanced at Hachiman with a helpless expression. "If only you were as hardworking as Kazuto-nii-chan! -- Hmm, though it's hard to imagine."

"Although I have a side job as a writer, what I yearn for most is to be a stay-at-home dad!"

Hachiman's expression was extremely serious, without the slightest hint of shame. He calmly said with his dead fish eyes, "Besides, I can't be compared to him. I'm not a typewriter, but this guy is a photocopier. There's absolutely no comparison!"

Most importantly, although there isn't much to do in the Service Club, it can be incredibly troublesome when there's a request. It's nothing like the Manga Club, which is so leisurely. They even have club funds to organize club activities like writing, researching, reading, and traveling. And Hachi-chan suspects that if it weren't for Kirigaya's fondness for coffee, the Manga Club's room might even have all sorts of utensils for enjoying afternoon tea.

It might be hard for anyone to know, but the coffee equipment I borrowed from the shop manager during the school festival was delivered to the manga club by the shop manager under the guise of being the landlord. If it weren't for the fact that making coffee was a bit of a hassle, and Kasumigaoka Utaha had a habit of bringing coffee to Kirigaya every day, we might have been making coffee during the manga club's events.

"That's why Nii-chan can't be compared to Kazuto Nii-chan!"

Komachi started yelling in dissatisfaction. She slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at those dead fish eyes, "Get out of here right now! Go out and make some money... then come back and support me!"

Hachiman responded blankly, "You can make money from home, don't be so timid, Komachi—hey! Yukinoshita, what are you doing?"

"Hmm? What else can we do?"

Her face was contorted with utter contempt for this scumbag. Holding her phone, she hurriedly dialed the police. "Of course, I'm calling the police to arrest a criminal like you who deserves the death penalty! According to the law, the minimum sentence is three years, and the maximum is the death penalty. Add to that all sorts of criminal suspicions, you're practically a criminal incarcerated number one. Are you prepared to spend the rest of your life in prison? Although I will visit you in prison, even if I do, I'll stand at least ten meters away from you..."

"Shut up!"

Hachiman rested his cheek on his hand, glancing sideways at the Yuki-onna who had been calling the police for almost a minute. "You...you don't know the emergency number, do you?"

Yukino turned her head away, pursing her lips slightly. "...Hmph! The wind's a bit strong, the signal's not very good... You're lucky!"

Screw you single dogs! How dare you be so arrogant, you mere offerings! —Kiritani and the Heart's Scarlet Quote.

However, Kiritani-kun was too lazy to watch these three show off here, and instead took over the already off-topic post.

"It's a new work, so it will take some time. After all, when it comes to formal serialization, I'm used to having some drafts saved up before publication, so I can have them if needed."

Regarding the draft plan for the new Danganronpa, the progress is actually much slower than expected. There are only a few chapters of drafts, and the upcoming club activities obviously won't allow for much more time to draw. It's estimated that it will be difficult to even guarantee the drafts for Sword Art Online. Therefore, Kiritani used a very tactful way when speaking, and didn't mean to say anything at all.

He paused, then slightly pursed his lips. "The reason I'm going to Tokyo is that Xigua helped me find an assistant. I'm going to meet the assistant and exchange ideas... So far, I'm quite satisfied with the assistant Xigua found."

"Satisfied? Which aspect are you referring to? Drawing skills? Looks? Body type or attributes?"