manga artist Kirito

Page 218

Kiritani shrugged, handed the warm towel back to his dear girlfriend, and looking at everyone who was ready, he casually took the hairband from Alice and tied his hair into a high ponytail. "Shall we go?"

"Well, everything is ready."

Let's go, Kiritani-chan!

Off to Hokkaido!

If we don't leave now, we'll become Kiritani-chan, just like Kazuko-chan!

Before leaving, Komachi from next door came over to ask for help to bring back some local specialties from Hokkaido. Hachiman leaned against the door, his rotting dead fish eyes revealing dark malice, as if he was thinking about when to get rid of this humanoid walking crystal palace that had somehow become closer to Komachi!

Hokkaido isn't actually that far from Chiba; it's much closer than Kyoto, which is known for its numerous suicide hotspots. Is it any wonder that Japan's suicide rate remains so high? Famous tourist spots are full of suicide hotspots, and ordinary people visiting them are inevitably affected by the atmosphere and may even have thoughts of trying to commit suicide.

"Actually, I'd rather go to Hakone."

"Why did you decide to go to Hokkaido in the first place?"

"No, I simply haven't been to Hakone before, which is why I want to go."

"……nerve."

A lazy voice came from the phone. Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to be in a good mood, and her sharp tongue didn't come out.

Of course, one of the reasons is that she simply can't win an argument with Kiritani-chan.

"Actually, we're about the same."

"Oh? What do you say?"

"You're a goddess, me? I'm crazy. We're all the same, no difference."

"Goddess?! Uh... cough, I won't be happy just because you praise me, after all, I am a goddess."

"Yeah, a goddess is just a crazy woman, right? I can understand!"

"..."

Faintly, Kiritani-chan heard the sound of stomping feet.

If it were Eriri, it would sound like a defeated dog grinding its teeth, ready to bite.

After calming herself down a bit, Kiritani-chan organized her thoughts, completely forgetting that Asuna and Alice were right beside her. Oh no!

Then, he stopped at the corner, because the girl waiting there in such a cool pose was Shino-san.

"What?! It's Sinon!"

The girl pushed up her glasses, glanced at Kiritani-chan and the three girls beside her, nodded meaningfully, and then smiled. "They're so cute, Fujiwara-sensei with her hair in a high ponytail. But personally, I think a side ponytail would be even cuter!"

Don't use that kind of ending tone, it makes me think you're actually Kato!

However, it must be said that Shino-san is very promising. Her punchability level is absolutely unparalleled. She makes people want to punch her even more than that wolf who is called "pervert"!

"Please be sure to describe him as handsome!"

"We're almost at the station. Is everyone from the manga club here?"

She naturally squeezed into the line, pushing Alice out and taking the spot on the right.

Alice forced a smile, trying her best not to reveal her dark expression, but she was certain that Shino-san's decision to become Kirito's assistant was definitely because she coveted his good looks—although, according to the information given by Tenjouin Ryouki, Asada Shino and Kirito hadn't had much interaction before!

In any case, anyone who wants to join the battle at this time must be extremely careful!

After rambling on about random things, Sinon changed the subject and started talking about her new work.

"I read the script, the original manuscript, and the character designs last night. The art style is very unique, and the story is quite interesting, although some of the plots feel a bit forced."

“The forced and awkward plot can be changed. Good scripts are always revised slowly. It’s impossible for something to be perfect from the very beginning.”

Kiritani-chan didn't think his script was perfect. Of course, there were flaws, but as the person in charge, it was difficult to notice them—for example, typos. No matter how many times I read it, I could never find them (on a webpage), but readers could find the errors (on your app). Creators themselves can't see their own flaws, so from a certain perspective, the opinions of assistants and readers become apparent at this time.

Of course, avoid spouting nonsense and making a lot of noise, or you'll be labeled a keyboard warrior.

"So, I'm begging you, please help me out."

"It's all I should do, after all, I'm your assistant."

No, you will never be my Christina!

Kiritani pinched her cheek, looking a little troubled. "It's hard to design mind-bending plots."

Sinon looked on in astonishment. "Did Fujiwara-sensei watch all those hundreds of episodes of Detective Conan for nothing?"

Kiritani-chan silently rolled her eyes. "Detective Conan isn't brain-teasing, and there are a lot of problematic plots in Conan! — Just looking at Kogoro Mouri alone, it's incredibly forced!"

"It's necessary for the plot."

"So, a lot of the time I watch Detective Conan because of Ai-chan."

...Speaking of which, I think Conan and that African boy's basic strawberry scene was drawn before?

Sure enough, their relationship was censored with mosaics.

Although it was still early at the station, there was a considerable flow of people. Amidst the noisy crowd, Kiritani-chan spotted the blond-haired loser who seemed impatient and had kicked a nearby pillar in frustration. However, the pain that followed brought tears to her eyes.

It's a little... pitiful... like a puppy that's been put in a cardboard box and left in the rain.

"Hey, Eriri, have you been waiting long?"

"Eek... Hmph! No, no! I just arrived. I didn't get up early to prepare because I was looking forward to this event, and I didn't leave early to wait for you at the station!"

Upon hearing Kiritani-chan's voice, Eriri quickly turned her head away.

In an instant, Asuna's gaze towards Kirito changed.

459

【NO.454 On the way to departure】

Both their tone and the words they spoke were exactly the same.

Asuna's eyes suddenly sharpened. Although it's true that tsundere personalities are easy to guess, and the textbook-style tsundere grammar is incredibly simple, what's going on with this kind of identical tsundere?

Recalling how Kiritani-chan imitated Eriri's words when they left the house, and comparing them with Eriri's own words at this moment—yes, they are exactly the same!

"I see. I knew that Eriri wouldn't arrive early, given her habits. Even if she did arrive early, it wouldn't be by much."

Kiritani smiled calmly, and yawned, "If I had known, it would have been okay to come a little later, like Kasumigaoka..."

"That's not how it's said, junior."

A girl carrying a backpack walked up from behind, slowly putting a white headband on her head. "Senior, I'm not late, just a little bit later than you guys."

"It's only just time to gather."

Asuna calmed her emotions and glanced at her phone. "The train will be arriving soon, so let's all go into the station waiting room."

Therefore, it was always Asuna who ultimately took charge of the overall situation.

Following behind Asuna, Kiritani glanced at Eriri's suitcase and said with some concern, "By the way, Eriri, you didn't bring all your art supplies with you, did you?"

"Isn't this obvious? Even though it's supposed to be a trip for fun, it's still a club activity, right? Besides, some places in Hokkaido have pretty nice scenery at this time of year..."

Wait a minute! The way you address me... why has the way you address me changed?

Eriri looked at Kiritani-chan with a slightly strange expression, her emotions having changed a little. However, given the large number of people present, she was too embarrassed to make a fuss about it... Well, it would be more accurate to say that Eriri was simply wondering why the way she addressed her suddenly would change at this time.

Although it sounds like they've become much closer, they're all good friends and members of the manga club. Calling each other by name has been allowed for a long time, but Kiritani-chan has always called Sawamura-kun... Yes, occasionally there are weird nicknames like Riko or Riko-sama, but calling each other by name is really rare.

...I guess there's nothing to worry about, right?

"I don't really know much about it, so I only brought my sketchbook and paintbrushes. If I wasn't worried about any unexpected situations, I wouldn't have bothered bringing my computer at all."

The laptop may look slim, but it's actually quite cumbersome. If it could be folded up, it would not only save space but also be much easier to carry, since it's just a regular backpack and Asuna's clothes are all packed in her suitcase.

"But Eriri, a naive girl like you absolutely has to be careful when you go out, lest you get scammed halfway..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha added with a beautiful smile, "I was tricked into going to a cheap inn..."

"Then they cut off the internal organs."

Kiritani-chan glared at Kasumigaoka. If she hadn't been interrupted earlier, her next statement would have been—that she was tricked into staying at a cheap inn and having sex day and night without end.

"Eeeeeeeee!!!"

Eriri clutched her chest in horror and quickly stepped forward to push Kiritani aside, clinging tightly to Asuna's arm.

Clearly, she was a little scared.

—Bullshit!

I'm the only one who can stand next to Asuna, Eriri, do you know you're courting disaster?

However, Eriri's expression of fear was no less than that of a "loser."

Eriri quietly took out her phone and casually snapped a picture, afraid of getting her hands on a rare, high-definition CG. Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was next to her, peeked out and then lowered her voice, "Junior, please send me a copy. The post on Twitter hasn't been updated in a long time. Let's use this as the background image this time."

...Background image?

Aren't you worried that readers might mistake this for your girlfriend?

Yes, yes, what's wrong with a high school girl wanting to engage in yuri (lesbian) relationships?

Kiritani-chan indifferently agreed to Kasumigaoka Utaha's request, and planned to send Eriri a rare CG of Kasumigaoka Utaha as well, to share the spoils equally, otherwise how could others possibly believe that the two of them were yuri princesses?

Okay, I'll create two more alt accounts and do something else!

"Oh, the Shinkansen..."

Alice squinted, "I suddenly thought of Stonegate."

If we switch to a different timeline, I'd definitely be the heroine of the new world, right?

That wretched Asuna! Now that she's taken advantage of my weakness, I'm absolutely not going to lose!

Sinon smiled and interjected, "So, is the next step going to be a change in the world line?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha crossed her arms over her chest, making her breasts appear even larger, and sneered, "Living in a dream, thinking too much about this kind of thing just makes it look like a mosaic, doesn't it?"

Shiina Mashiro glanced at her, "A fat woman in black stockings with a mind full of mosaics."

"..."

Feeling the cold gazes of everyone, Shino immediately raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, pursing her lips with a rather aggrieved expression. "I never taught Mashiro to say that, and besides, the nickname 'black stockings fat woman' is mostly used by Sawamura, isn't it!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha maintained a smile so bright it was almost punchable, her right leg twitching at an imperceptible frequency. "No, no, no, we're more curious about why you know so much about the manga club."

Alice put her hand on Shino's shoulder. "I'm afraid you've been eyeing my little Tongtong for a long time. Sure enough, I can't let a thieving cat like you get away with this!"

She waved her hands repeatedly, her face pale, denying it, "Don't be so girlish, this is what Zhenbai told me!"

"No, I didn't say that."

With a very obedient expression, Shiina Mashiro subtly cut off Shino's last escape route.

With a shocked expression, Shino-san's face was filled with disbelief, "You...you weren't like this before!"

"Who do you think is to blame for this?! — Feel the despair!"

…………

The Shinkansen has a very spacious interior and the seats are quite soft. The only drawback is that it's a three-person side-by-side seating arrangement.

The manga club has seven members, including Kiritani-chan. That means—yes, that's right—this harem king in other people's eyes not only can't sit with his beloved girlfriend, his cute childhood friend, and his well-behaved eldest daughter, but he also has to sit alone...

How sad!

This is the tragedy of having an even number of members, like the feeling of loneliness when all your classmates at a reunion bring their girlfriends while you don't...

So, Asuna sat with Shiina Mashiro and Alice, while Eriri sat with Sinon and Kasumigaoka Utaha. Eriri didn't want to sit with Kasumigaoka Utaha, but fortunately Sinon was in the middle to separate them, although it still didn't really make a difference.

These two rivals started arguing again, and Shino-san, caught in the middle, turned pale. The lines in her sketchbook became messy—a terrible team, a terrible club president and members!

"Ugh! This is so frustrating. I have to squeeze into this little space with you. I feel like I can hardly breathe."

Eriri, looking quite displeased, said to Sinon beside her, "Thanks to Asada-san, otherwise I would have had to change seats."

Kasumigaoka Utaha coldly replied, "I totally agree, Sawamura-kun!"

"Damn it! If only I could sit with Asuna, I'm already worried that the journey ahead will ruin my good mood!"

Eriri looked annoyed, while Kasumigaoka Utaha maintained a slight smile.

Of course, Shino-san was aware of the relationship between the two girls and knew that they would always show discord, but knowing this did not mean she could tolerate it.

So, she stood up expressionlessly, holding her art supplies, and walked out.

"Hey, Asada-kun, where are you going?"