manga artist Kirito

Page 221

No! That won't happen!

You must be stared at with murderous glares when you're with someone!

They're a super girl group of six! This level of beauty... even the biggest stars aren't this good, right?

Although I'm reluctant to say it, if these six girls had that kind of ambition, becoming a super idol group would be a piece of cake, right? —As far as I know, these girls all have that kind of talent!

Okay, seriously, none of the girls I know are bad-looking; they're all beautiful girls with amazing personalities... wait!

Kiritani blinked blankly, and at that moment, he seemed to finally realize that the girls around him were actually quite outstanding.

"Kazuto, what's wrong?"

Shiina Mashiro tilted her head slightly, somewhat bothered by Kiritani-kun's sudden blank expression. "Want some cake?"

"...You're the one who wants to eat Baumkuchen, aren't you?"

Rolling his eyes, Kiritani quickened his pace slightly. "There's a small supermarket up ahead. Yui said they sell Baumkuchen here."

As mentioned upon arrival, everyone could split up at this time. Eriri and Sinon set off for Hell Valley after putting down their luggage, since it wasn't far away. Kasumigaoka Utaha went out mysteriously with Alice without saying what she was going to do. Well, only Asuna was left at the inn to make the remaining arrangements.

Of course, Kiritani-kun originally intended to help, but Shiina Mashiro said she wanted to eat cake, and Asuna couldn't resist Shiina Mashiro's pitiful eyes (yes, a very genuine expression), so he had no choice but to let Kiritani-kun bring her out—for a moment, Kiritani-kun thought he would be excluded from the duo.

However, this also made him determined!

Yes, we definitely need to find more people to join the comics club when we get back to school!

If I really can't find anyone, then I'll definitely have to bring Jing Ke'ai, the club advisor, with me when I go out in the future. At least it's much better to have multiple people than to have an extra person in the group. Although going out with the teacher still feels a little awkward.

"Eh, email...tsk!"

Upon seeing the email from Alice, Kiritani immediately understood where she and Kasumigaoka Utaha had gone. They had just said they weren't going, but now they had ended up in Hell Valley.

The email was just a photo of a strangely shaped valley formed by lava, with gray and brown rock layers and geothermal heat gushing from the ground, with wisps of white mist rising upwards. The surrounding area was barren, and it actually looked quite impressive. However, Kiritani-kun was neither Junji Ito nor was he going to draw a manga like Hell Girl. In his opinion, this spectacle was just so-so, nothing special.

After buying two boxes of new flavored Baumkuchen and, as usual, grabbing a carton of Musashino milk from the supermarket, Kiritani and Shiina Mashiro left amidst the shop assistant's incessant sales pitches and quickly returned to the inn... Well, although I'm a little reluctant to mention it, this hot spring inn was actually booked out. A group from the Aobelk family's company came here for a trip and then booked the entire inn—actually, Kiritani thought it was just an excuse, but he did see a small group come to greet Alice.

This is what a big dog owner is like!

At least, Kiritani-kun admits he can't compare to such a beautiful and wealthy woman.

The hot spring inn boasts a unique nostalgic ambiance. Both the interior and exterior are decorated in a strong Japanese style, with the rooms constructed using wood, bamboo, rattan, hemp, and other natural materials. The tatami mats exude a natural fragrance, and the semi-transparent sliding wooden lattice doors subtly create a hazy atmosphere. The elegant layout and simple yet exquisite design are complemented by a small bamboo grove in front of the inn. Although the bamboo grove in late autumn is not as beautiful as in spring, it still adds a touch of freshness and elegance to the otherwise Japanese-style inn.

Back at the hotel, they were greeted by the friendly mascot, who was quite young. When she first saw the manga club members arrive, she was slightly taken aback, but when she learned that Kirito was a man, her surprise turned into shock.

At that moment, Kirito clearly saw the mascot girl place her hand on the emergency call button on the landline. Perhaps she had finished her struggle between reason and humanity, because she then removed her hand. However, the look in her eyes as she looked at Kirito was undoubtedly strange, filled with disdain mixed with admiration. It was probably something like, "Wow, that scumbag is really something!"

Although she had managed to hide her expression well, Kiritani-kun could still sense a slight unease.

"And people... Ah!"

She handed him a small piece of cake, and Shiina Mashiro gestured for him to open his mouth, "Cake."

"Well……"

Somewhat annoyed, Kiritani ate the food, and immediately felt the malicious gaze from behind intensify.

Alas! The wisdom of mortals!

Back in Asuna's room, I saw her brewing tea. She turned around and smiled slightly, "I just went to check it out; the hot spring is very nice..."

"Well, it's the best hot spring inn after all."

Only Alice would do something like booking out an entire hot spring hotel.

Incidentally, Kiritani and the others' rooms are actually connected. They're Japanese-style rooms, so if you open the thin wooden lattice door, the four rooms are practically the same as one big room. If you also bring in the bedding and stuff, then... yes, a CG of one man and several women sharing a room can be saved.

"They all took their sketchbooks and ran to Hell Valley. Asuna, do you want to go and see them?"

"Me? I came here on a family trip when I was a child. I thought Jigokudani was terrifying back then. I was quite startled when I first saw it."

Unconsciously recounting past memories, Asuna slightly pursed her lips, "Thinking about it now, Hell Valley wasn't all that great... But if! I mean, if!"

Suddenly, Asuna seemed to have thought of something, and she looked over with a smile.

Kiritani-kun sensed something was amiss, but just as he was about to change the subject, Asuna grabbed his hand and said with a smile, "Hey, if I remember, Kazuto will definitely come with me, right?"

Kiritani-kun also flashed a bright smile, "Isn't that obvious!"

"What if the time is set for late at night?"

"Isn't that obvious... of course they'd refuse!"

Please! Stop bringing up my fear of ghosts!

And I'm really not afraid of ghosts, I'm just not used to that kind of atmosphere, so please don't go to places like this at night! — If anyone dares to suggest any kind of "test of courage" activity tonight, I will definitely slap them until they can't take care of themselves!

...In Japan, a place with little else but an abundance of strange and supernatural beings, if you look closely, you can discover unique legends in each region. Although I haven't actually seen them yet, you never know...maybe there really are...cough, definitely not! Absolutely!

"In situations like this, you should just honestly agree. Why do you have to refuse? I'll be unhappy too!"

Asuna's eyes gradually softened, and her tone became somewhat impatient.

Hey! Asuna, did you catch something from Alice or Eriri? Hurry up and get to the hot spring!

Just as Kiritani was hesitating about whether to bravely go and explore Hell Valley with Asuna that night, Asuna covered her mouth with her hand and began to chuckle, "Okay, okay, I was just kidding. Hell Valley really isn't anything special, and even at night it's not as scary as you imagine!"

"Don't listen, don't listen!"

Kiritani covered his ears blankly, "You're definitely trying to lie to me so you can show off your cool side at Hell Valley, and then do this and that to me when I'm scared and run into your arms!"

"how could be!"

Asuna placed her hand on Kirigaya's shoulder, her eyes and expression incredibly gentle. She parted her lips slightly and said, "I love you the most. How could I possibly do something that would scare you?"

"Who took me to the haunted house last time? And it even got me into trouble with Chuan... Chuan... the part-time worker, she broke her leg!"

Kiritani-kun solemnly warned, "This kind of thing is very dangerous."

"I'm here for you."

"Give me a kiss and I'll go with you."

"...I suddenly feel like stabbing you in the back."

"Don't say such terrifying things to me with such a serious expression!"

Kiritani's lips twitched slightly. If it were Asuna, she might actually stab him in the back one day.

With a slight blush on her pretty face, Asuna pursed her lips and said, "Close your eyes."

Kiritani smiled faintly and closed his eyes. "Okay."

Then, Asuna leaned forward slightly, slowly moving closer, her eyes gradually closing...

Then, she kissed him...

Then, her expression froze completely, her eyes filled with disbelief and shyness.

Meanwhile, Kiritani-kun, who had just opened his eyes, had a look of utter bewilderment, and... a slight pang of annoyance.

With a blank expression, sandwiched between the two, and with her face pressed against Kiritani-kun and Asuna's lips, Shiina Mashiro calmly pushed them away and sat back in her original seat. With her cheeks slightly puffed out, she picked up her teacup and took a small sip of tea, as if nothing had happened.

This completely unexpected turn of events made Kiritani-kun cover his eyes. He had actually... actually forgotten that his eldest daughter was still here, and what the hell was going on?

In contrast to Kiritani's annoyance, Asuna blushed with embarrassment. This... this seems really strange, doesn't it?

"It's okay, I'm just air!"

Silently adding a new attribute to herself, Shiina Mashiro, like a squirrel, held the Baumkuchen and savored it carefully.

"Kazuto! Get out!"

"..."

This tells us that closing your eyes while kissing is actually a bit silly!

…………

"...For some reason, I feel like laughing."

"Me too, but there's obviously nothing funny here, is there?"

Alice and Kasumigaoka Utaha stared at each other, their expressions subtle.

Beside them were Sinon and Eriri, who had set up their easels and were depicting the spectacular scenery of Hell Valley before them. Compared to Alice and Kasumigaoka Utaha, who were leisurely wandering around, the two of them seemed very serious, and the beautiful lines drawn by their brushes gradually brought the landscape to life on the canvas.

Alice gathered her stray hairs and squinted slightly. "I'm a little worried. Did something happen at the hotel?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha pondered for a few seconds, "Probably not? After all, Shiina-san is still here, and it's still daytime..."

"Alas!"

Alice's eyes suddenly sharpened, as if she had discovered something extraordinary.

"...Um, I wasn't talking about that!"

"that aspect?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow and looked at her meaningfully, "Don't underestimate Asuna's charm, especially at a time like this. Who knows, your junior might be receiving Yuuki's special services right now."

"...Really! I really didn't expect you to be this kind of person!"

"I meant feeding her, Alice, what are you thinking?"

"...For example, when we're all away, they secretly go to the hot springs?"

"..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha silently observed Alice, and could roughly confirm that this girl was indeed Kirito's childhood friend. She could even say such ridiculously fake things, and she was incredibly shameless.

Of course, he's still much better than Kirito, who has no morals or bottom line.

But thinking about it a little, Kiritani-kun hasn't been as bad as before lately, and he still makes some dirty jokes. Maybe it's because his girlfriend is right next to him?

Well, Kasumigaoka Utaha hasn't had a chance to be alone with Kiritani-kun in a long time either.

Since joining the manga club?

No, to be more precise, it should be from the start of Sword Art Online's official serialization, right?

463

Taking leave~

I'm traveling and will probably be home in about two days. I'll update later.

464

【NO.458 I like...you】

Being with someone you love is an incredibly happy thing!

Put down the machete first, let's talk this out!

…………

If he could, Kiritani-kun would like to stand on the balcony and get some fresh air right now, since this whole thing is just too bizarre.

Not to mention that there was absolutely no warning, even if Kirito knew that Shiina Mashiro was very dark-skinned now, he really didn't expect that she had become so dark that she could never get her fair skin back—please, anyone will do, please help her return to her original taciturn state!

But to be honest, this kind of novel approach is really rare!

Although it feels like Mashiro did this on purpose, since Sinon has such a serious and heavy past record, it's probably enough to just blame her, right? After all, just like in every novel there's a tsundere, an idiot, and a genius, so now that a primordial scapegoat has appeared... isn't that a good thing?

So, where to go next...?

In front of the hot spring inn is a small bamboo grove. In the depths of winter, the green leaves of the bamboo grove had already begun to fall in late summer and early autumn. Although you can still see the withered bamboo leaves drifting by, they are far from beautiful. However, they appear particularly picturesque against the backdrop of the thin mist.

Raising his hand in a photo-taking gesture, his eyes peering through the frame formed by his fingers, he imprinted the scenery before him into his mind. Kirigaya-kun smiled and adjusted his scarf, thinking, "If I have time, I'll draw the scenery before me... and, well, the guys from the manga club too."

Well, if that's the case, then without a doubt, it would be better if Shiina Mashiro drew it. And the artistic conception might even be stronger than if I, who can only draw comics and doesn't understand art at all, drew it—provided that Shiina Mashiro understands that artistic conception.

"Hey, wait for me."

Behind her, Shiina Mashiro walked over with small, quick steps.

Kiritani peeked out but didn't see Asuna, and couldn't help but wonder why Asuna hadn't come out with him.

"Rita, Rita is calling. Asuna is on the phone."

Perhaps sensing what Kiritani-kun was thinking, or perhaps that was what she had planned to say all along, Shiina Mashiro rubbed the tip of her nose, which was slightly red from the cold wind, and her voice became nasal because of the action, but it sounded unexpectedly cute.

"Rita...?"

With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Kiritani thought for a long time before a picture surfaced in his mind of a girl who had been expressionless and clung to his arm in the rain, raindrops constantly dripping from the edge of the umbrella he held onto her blonde hair—well, how could being pushed into the river be the most profound impression? Impossible, impossible!

Incidentally, Rita would occasionally email Kirigaya-kun and sometimes send him private messages on Twitter. However, most of the time Kirigaya-kun would just browse through them, replying to meaningless topics and reading through slightly more informative ones. But as for phone calls... he never did.