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Page 222
Oh well, nothing special is going to happen anyway.
Looking at Kiritani-kun, Shiina Mashiro remained silent for two seconds before saying, "Kazuto, watch out for Rita."
"Huh? What?"
With a slightly strange expression, Kiritani looked at Shiina Mashiro with some doubt. More than the meaning behind Shiina Mashiro's words, he was more concerned about how Shiina Mashiro could say such a thing. After all... she is Shiina Mashiro. She may be a gold-haired but cunning woman, but she would not say such a thing, even if she now has a certain amount of common sense.
But why should we be wary of Rita von Einzbern?
If I were to fall into her hands, it would probably be because I was drunk that day and lost my mind.
"do not know."
"Okay, I will."
Kiritani nodded silently. If Shiina Mashiro could give a reasonable explanation, then... she must have lost her natural attributes and only has black left.
"Alice is still in Jigokudani and probably won't be back for a while. Let's go to Asuna and wander around. Although it's famous for its hot springs, the scenery here is actually quite nice too."
"do not want!"
"what?"
Seeing Shiina Mashiro's firm refusal, Kiritani-kun seemed a little taken aback. Shiina Mashiro then took his hand and walked along the path leading into the bamboo forest. Although her expression was normal, her movements were somewhat uncoordinated... probably the state that occurs when a person is nervous.
...How could that be? Would Shiina Mashiro even feel nervous?
"Mashiro, where are you taking me?"
"Look ahead, enjoy the scenery."
"Why aren't you waiting for Asuna?"
"Brewing..."
"What's the matter?"
"To brew, to nurture, to develop feelings."
"...?"
With a bewildered expression, Kiritani-kun had no idea what Shiina Mashiro was thinking. What did Asuna have to do with "cultivating feelings"? Seriously, do you need to cultivate feelings to appreciate scenery? Did she want to paint the scenery...? No, she didn't bring an easel.
So, what exactly is the purpose?
"...Is there any nice scenery ahead? This is a bamboo forest, you won't see any good scenery in a bamboo forest."
"Yes, this should be fine... around here."
After walking for a while, Shiina Mashiro stopped and tilted her head slightly to look around at her surroundings. The withered leaves were slowly falling, and the bamboo was dry and withered from losing moisture. She nodded gently as she looked at the bamboo surrounding her, then turned around and looked at Kiritani-kun's puzzled eyes.
"Kazuto, have you been reading my comics?"
"Yes, although the initial feeling of déjà vu was very strong, once you get into it, it's still strangely captivating."
"So, what's the plot like now?"
"As for the plot development, it's probably that the second female lead discovers her feelings for the male lead and is hesitant and conflicted about whether to confess or... give up?"
At this point, Kiritani fell silent, looking at the expressionless Shiina Mashiro. Two guesses came to his mind, but he quickly dismissed the first one. After all, the first guess was highly improbable. Even if feelings develop over time, there has to be a time frame, which doesn't exist here. Besides... it shouldn't be like that.
Therefore, he immediately rejected the idea.
The second conjecture is much more normal and fits Shiina Mashiro's style, or rather... her thought process lacking this kind of common sense.
"So, Mashiro, what are you planning to do..."
"Hmm...I've prepared my emotions, I think?"
Shiina Mashiro reached out and rubbed her cheek. When she took her hand away, a complex emotion appeared on her pretty face, and her eyes also looked slightly... conflicted.
Here she said:
"I like you!"
P.S.: I was in Nanjing before, but it was a bit cold (I wanted to see snow, but all I saw were ice crystals).
Then, the one who tore up the ticket—first of all, you don't know, recommendation tickets have lost much of their value for authors who have already published their books, and monthly tickets are of no use to authors who can't make it onto the monthly ticket chart or the new book chart (monthly tickets don't count as money, unless they're on the chart, they're just for show).
Secondly, the blade is useless for authors who don't have perfect attendance records (the one with perfect attendance in January is dead).
Finally, it's said there will be a lucky bag event in February (like last year's event where you collect razor blades).
So, this is the first chapter for today.
that's all.
465
【NO.459 Yes, I'm here】
What does it feel like to be confessed to?
It's very special, very strange, and... very unexpected.
It's complicated to explain, and it might not be easy to put into words. Besides, Kirito-kun has never been confessed to before. Rather, he's feeling excited right now, and even a little inexplicably pleased—that's probably what a scumbag does.
No, no, no, this is just human nature.
It is perfectly normal to feel happy because of a girl's confession.
—But then again, what would it feel like to be confessed to by a girl you've always raised like a daughter?
Kiritani Kazuto: I'm so excited... no, so thrilled... ugh, I mean, so incredibly frustrated!
The reason is very simple.
The reason is that they are rehearsing lines and simulating a confession scene.
Yes, that's it.
Shiina Mashiro's previous words have already given a general outline. Considering the recent plot developments of "This Manga Club Has a Problem" and the fact that Shiina Mashiro has never truly understood or witnessed anything, Kiritani-kun easily guessed Shiina Mashiro's thoughts. But... how should I answer?
Logically speaking, before simulating a scene and rehearsing lines, shouldn't you always look at the prepared script and lines?
Kiritani-kun had done things like rehearsing lines before, and back then it was for erotic works. Erotic works... the level of embarrassment is definitely explosive. It doesn't matter if the scene isn't simulated, but the expression of emotions and the performance of words are quite important. But because of that one time rehearsing lines, Kiritani-kun never thought about doing it again—it's too painful! Especially when the person you're rehearsing lines with has special feelings for you.
By the way, that person's nickname is Alessita, and his real name is Watermelon! —Wait, has this guy been eyeing me since then?
Well, in short, there's no script, no plot, no lines right now. Are they planning to let me improvise?
No! That's not right. As long as I answer based on the male lead's character, it should be fine, right?
Whew! Let me calm down a bit first to suppress this secret thrill of being confessed to.
Yes, even knowing it's fake, the secret thrill is hard to shake off in an instant.
then……
Then, Shiina Mashiro ran over, only two steps away, and threw herself into Kirigaya's arms. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and she gently clasped her hands near his shoulders. She looked at him with a complicated expression, "The final battle... oh no, during the school trip, Shiina Eika, after struggling for several days, simply couldn't suppress her feelings. So, when she found an opportunity, she brought Kirigaya Soma to the bamboo forest, wanting to turn her longing into action..."
"Although I don't really want to say it, in normal romance stories, regarding confessions... no matter which female character confesses, it's always better to do it closer to the end of the story. After all, whether she accepts or rejects, she'll lose some readers, so I suggest..."
"shut up!"
Under Shiina Mashiro's gentle rebuke, Kiritani-kun reluctantly shut his mouth. What he said was true; the idea that you can still be friends even if you can't be boyfriend and girlfriend is completely nonexistent. Even in novels, which are completely detached from reality, such a plot is hard to come by, let alone in reality... Oh no, we're discussing manga now, it's stupid of me to project a realistic background onto it.
Then, Shiina Mashiro stretched out her hands...
"Initially, Shizuka hugged Kiritani Soma, who didn't know how to react, so he stood there frozen for a moment..."
At the same time, Shiina Mashiro's hands moved up Kiritani's waist until they tightly hugged his neck, pulling him completely into her embrace...
Hey!
It's just a simulation, why are you hugging me so tightly? I can't breathe!
Surprisingly, Kiritani noticed that Shiina Mashiro's chest was even larger than before... cough cough, that's not the point. The point is that Kiritani felt a little uncomfortable, and he felt that Asuna or someone else might awaken a cheating detection skill, and be at max level from the start, and then come looking for him...
But no matter what, it feels great to the touch, it's big, soft, and... uncomfortable!
Shiina Mashiro, unusually quickened her pace, said, "The idea is gradually emerging!"
"Then, Kirigaya would ruffle her hair with a complicated expression—ruffle it quickly!"
"...Okay, I'll rub...my foot!"
Kiritani nodded blankly, then rolled his eyes the instant he raised his hand. "What the hell do you mean by physically interfering with the lines, and actually physically interfering at that..."
Really! Shiina Mashiro not only hugged him, but also lifted her leg and slid it up along the inside of Kiritani's leg, slowly approaching a certain indescribable part.
"So...why not act according to my script, protagonist?"
As the emotions she had been building up gradually faded, Shiina Mashiro's voice returned to its previous emotionless state.
"No! Rather than saying I didn't follow the script, it's more like you didn't follow the script, right? When you confessed to girls before, they would act like a female monkey in heat... cough, not the best adjective..."
Realizing his inappropriate choice of words, Kiritani tilted his head slightly. "But whatever, that's fine. Confessing isn't like that... By the way, Mashiro, where did you learn... learn..."
As he spoke, Kiritani's expression gradually stiffened, and he stopped speaking before he could finish.
Because his ominous premonition had come true; he caught a glimpse of that chestnut-haired figure out of the corner of his eye…
However, Shiina Mashiro did not notice anything amiss.
She released her arms from Kirigaya-kun and moved away from him, lowering her head slightly and placing her hands on his shoulders. "So, I like you! — Please answer!"
Reply...?
Will I die? Answering "Yes, you'll definitely die" will probably get you killed.
Kiritani looked at Asuna, whose face had become kinder, and at the phone that looked like it was about to be crushed, and Kiritani's lips began to twitch almost imperceptibly.
"Ahem, Asuna... you've arrived."
Feeling a little flustered, Kiritani pushed Shiina Mashiro away, sniffed lightly, and flashed an unprecedentedly bright smile.
Generally speaking, many people have this kind of smile before they die, especially those who have achieved enlightenment.
"Yeah, I'm here."
She smiled and walked over slowly.
In a daze, Kiritani-kun saw in Asuna's stepping posture the starting stance of karate and joint locks.
P.S.: By the way, the guy with perfect attendance is dead, so I don't have to send any more knife-wielding messages this month (although there aren't any of those at all).
Good night!
466
【NO.460 I have a copy of my family's inherited chromosomes】
how to say……
Kiritani Kazuto is actually the kind of guy who knows a little bit about everything.
While he wouldn't call himself an expert, he did have some knowledge of psychology and cold reading. However, he never used this skill on girls he knew, except in the battlefield-like marketplace. Putting aside the possibility that it might anger the girls and cause them to attack him—to be honest, most of the girls Kiritani-kun knew had practiced it.
However, if such a skill were to be used in mundane daily life—all I can say is that he wouldn't be called Katsuragi, nor would he be addressed as God.
Besides, that's a strategy guide, not a romance guide.
In that kind of situation, where would the so-called sweet and sour smell of love come from?
Even so, aside from its sweetness and delightful fragrance, where is the sourness in this tattered book?
The reason I'm bringing this up now is mainly because Asuna smelled the vibrant fragrance of grass, but it's winter—yes, it's the snowy season—yet unexpectedly, she saw a lush, spring-like grassland.
Well, whether it's the boundless green grassland or the so-called rabbit wanting to eat the grass near its burrow, it seems we can now see signs of it...
Well, if the target is Mashiro, the possibility can be reduced a little more. After all, it's Shiina Mashiro. Although it's true that she touched him in a somewhat strange way, Mashiro might actually be rehearsing her lines. And these actions... I guess it was Asada who taught her!
...Hmm, look at Kazuto's uneasy eyes, it seems like he's worried about something.
Asuna, silently adopting a fighting stance, maintained a warm smile. However, she was now somewhat conflicted about whether or not to take the opportunity to teach Kirigaya a lesson. But... wasn't that a bit inappropriate? Mashiro was still here—hmm, should she try to be as sarcastic as Kasumigaoka or Yukinoshita-senpai?
Okay, that still doesn't fit my gentle image.
So, as she walked slowly, a warm smile appeared on her face, but the corners of her mouth often held the scent of gunpowder, like a powder keg that could explode instantly with just a spark to ignite the fuse.
Kiritani tried his best to remain calm, but he realized that if things continued like this, the powder keg would ignite sooner or later—that's right! This can't go on...
At this moment, Kiritani-kun began to think about a solution.
But then again, something just feels off.
Where exactly did things go wrong... Ugh!