manga artist Kirito

Page 225

Kirigaya suppressed the urge to rush over and unleash a Starburst Stream, maintaining a calm demeanor. "In short, you've finished writing, right? Let me see it... Don't waste time. We're here on vacation, not really to gather material. Focus on the important things, okay?"

No! We clearly started this club trip under the guise of research!

"Yes, it's finished..."

She pursed her lips, then turned her laptop around and pushed it in front of Kiritani-kun.

The outline is already quite concise. Even if it's written in a little more detail, the outline of a whole volume doesn't actually have many words. Not to mention the detailed outlines of each chapter. Even a few hundred words can be extended to thousands or tens of thousands of words with some polishing. Just like the lady next door, one sentence can be used as a detailed outline and can be used to write at least two or three chapters. I'm ashamed of myself (clasped hands).

"Let me see... ah..."

The sound gradually faded as Kiritani looked at the outline of the volume, his eyebrows gradually rising.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, on the other hand, was looking at Kiritani with great concern, concerned about his evaluation, his thoughts and emotions... No, something seems off.

Because the setting was relatively quiet, Kiritani-kun became quite engrossed in reading, even going so far as to reconstruct the storyline. Although his reading speed slowed down, he was able to see the details much more clearly.

From the very first volume, Sayuka and the male protagonist begin to interact. Whether in their daily lives or other situations, as their interactions increase, their feelings for each other deepen. From the second volume to the fourth volume that has already been published, each volume features events that Sayuka and the male protagonist experience together, making their growing relationship inevitable...

However, there is also a second female lead in this story!

Volumes three and four can be said to have begun to focus more on the second female lead. By the end of volume four, the second female lead had even realized her own feelings and knew that she had fallen in love with the male lead. She also discovered that Sayuka had deep feelings for the male lead. Yes, the end of volume four is right here. As the creator, Kiritani-kun greatly admires Kasumigaoka Utaha's technique of ending chapters, but as a reader, I just want to give her the middle finger.

Of course, the main focus right now is still on the plot of Volume 5—

Sayaka and the second female lead both realize that the other has feelings for the male lead and are both secretly in love. Although it is unlikely to turn into a palace intrigue plot, the content of this volume mainly focuses on Sayaka's struggle with whether or not to confess, while the second female lead is more composed than Sayaka and behaves as usual.

Then, during another scene that could enhance their understanding and affection, Sayuka finally couldn't hold back any longer and decided to confess first...

The plot has clearly reached its climax!

Then, it broke!

Yes, the outline ends here.

Although this does leave a lot of suspense, making people wonder whether Sayuka's confession will be successful, and what the second female lead will do after learning about it, these are obviously things that will make readers anxious, but Kiritani-kun thinks... not good!

He picked up a slice of pizza and ate it listlessly, then frowned slightly as he pondered for a moment. "Shiyu, your work can be described as a very traditional romance novel. The writing style is truly delicate, and most normal otaku would feel like finding a girlfriend after reading it—but!"

He raised his eyes and looked at the girl whose fingers were already intertwined. "For readers, the most important thing about romance light novels is not who will actually become the heroine, because you can tell from the beginning who is chosen. The emotional entanglement between the male and female leads and their ambiguous relationship with the female supporting character are often the biggest highlights."

"In a romance novel, whether a confession is successful or not is actually... not that important!"

Kiritani shook his head slightly, "Whether it succeeds or fails, it will cause readers to leave. That's why so many romance light novels on the market often put the successful confession at the very end, near the end..."

"Of course, I know you don't really care about sales, and I know you initially wrote this novel just for yourself, but are you sure? Are you sure you want to confess now?"

"..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha pursed her lips, her feelings were complicated. It was true that Kirigaya-kun was very observant, but what she wanted Kirigaya-kun to see, he hadn't noticed... Ha! Should she be happy or frustrated?

"……uncertain."

Sayuka is based on Kasumigaoka Utaha, but if Kasumigaoka Utaha, who is in charge, is unable to make the right decisions, then Sayuka will be even less likely to succeed.

Therefore, she wanted to see what choice the boy in front of her would make.

"So, if it were a teacher, how would the teacher write it?"

"Objective? If it's objective... then there's no choice!"

Kiritani-kun twitched the corner of his mouth. "Sayuka is probably the type I like, but the second female lead gives me a much better feeling, and... I've always hated this kind of dark fantasy plot! So, I have no choice but to let you decide!"

"...I'm starting to wonder, teacher, you're not thinking of building a harem, are you?"

Although I didn't get a definite answer, it seems... this answer is not bad either.

Kasumigaoka Utaha lightly bit the corner of her mouth, a hint of relief flashing in her slightly narrowed eyes, before she raised a new question.

P.S.: There's a very important sentence in the next chapter...

Never mind, you'll find out as you watch.

that's all.

469

【NO.463 The Cat Who Stole Fish】

Kasumigaoka Utaha's character portrayals are undeniably exquisite, making readers fall in love with the characters in her novels, which speaks volumes about her writing quality. However, the problem lies here—the female lead is excellent, with a distinct and likable personality, while the second female lead is a gentle type, and for many, gentle girls are a very good choice.

Unless the male protagonist is extremely decisive, he will definitely be quite troubled in terms of choices.

As for Kiritani-kun, even if he were to put himself in the protagonist's shoes, he wouldn't be able to make any good choices and would probably just think to let things take their course.

Moreover, this is clearly a partisan struggle, which will inevitably evolve into various schools of thought.

As for the harem options mentioned by Kasumigaoka Utaha, it's best not to even think about them. If there really were harem options, then there wouldn't be any schools of thought like Black Studies, Spring Studies, Wind Studies, or Electric Studies.

But to be honest, the female lead is based on Kasumigaoka Utaha, but no matter how I look at it, I feel that the second female lead is based on Asuna... By the way, what is Kasumigaoka thinking when she asks here whether she will choose Sayuka or the second female lead?

The female lead is based on him, while the second female lead is based on someone who looks somewhat similar to Asuna... Hey! Could it be something like that?

Startled, Kirito looked at the girl in surprise, only to find her looking at him expectantly, as if she cared a lot about his answer. Moreover, she was resting her cheek on her hand, her pretty face flushed with an unnatural blush... Hey, is she possessed by a yandere?

"A harem is out of the question. Harems don't exist in romance light novels. I might choose that genre if it were a fantasy story, though..."

Kiritani pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, revealing a serious expression like an old scholar. "Besides, wasn't Sayuka already chosen? Unless you really want to stage a depressing scene, there's no reason for Sayuka, who was the focus of the story from the beginning, to lose!"

Yes, that's what I said. How could a dragon charging in and losing? You tell me, how could Sayuka lose?

"Tsk... That kind of answer won't satisfy me, Fujiwara-sensei!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression remained unchanged, but her long, slender legs, encased in black stockings, began to tremble under the table. "Besides, stories are never predetermined; you can't say for sure until the very end."

"But no matter what, Sayuka still has the highest initial favorability rating, right?"

Taking a small sip of his coffee, Kiritani licked his lips. "And this refers not only to the male protagonist, but also to the vast majority of readers. But honestly, if I had to choose, I'd probably pick Sayuka."

After all, Asuna is already gentle enough; the same attribute shouldn't exist between them.

In other words, the types don't have to be the same. In reality, if you have a girlfriend with gentle qualities, in the virtual world, you should definitely choose someone a little different.

Then, Kiritani-kun sensed something subtly amiss.

"Is that so? So you chose Sayuka..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head slightly, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. "If you chose Sayuka, who is modeled after me, then... your junior must have a pretty high level of affection for me, right? Hmm, could it be that you want to take this opportunity to confess to me? If that's true... I'll have to think about it carefully."

Surprised!

How could someone be like this?

Have you no shame?

Kiritani stared blankly at Kasumigaoka Utaha, whose eyes were flashing with amusement. From the beginning, Kiritani had roughly guessed Kasumigaoka Utaha's thoughts, but he never expected her to suddenly turn the tables at this moment. Really... Did she think you could turn the tables and succeed? No, no, no, you're just being foolish!

But for Kasumigaoka Utaha, what she fears most now is the sudden silence.

Although they used to joke around very casually and say anything, Kasumigaoka Utaha knew that Kirigaya-kun wasn't brainless, and she also knew that he wasn't like the male protagonist in light novels who attracted most of the girls around him with his slowness and gentleness... Yes, she was a little worried that Kirigaya-kun might not have really figured it out.

But if they can't understand it, then wouldn't all this talk be a waste of time?

My feelings are complicated; I'm a bit conflicted and frustrated.

Then, she saw Kiritani-kun, with a blank expression, raise his hand in a gesture of ugly refusal.

He said nonchalantly, "If you're not as cute as me, shut up! If you were the one confessing your feelings to me, maybe I'd seriously consider... how to reject you!"

"..."

With a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, Kasumigaoka Utaha not only no longer had that subtle feeling, but also had a faint urge to hit someone.

Kiritani curled his lip in disdain. This tactic was incredibly outdated. While it was undeniably simple and direct, the consequences were obvious if the desired level of goodwill wasn't high enough.

Kiritani-kun has never really liked this approach, but... it seems like it's time to be straightforward, isn't it?

While it would be better to let things take their natural course, if the current situation isn't contained, it might end up in a disastrous way, I suppose?

"What are you?"

I want to punch you!

"Come on, I'll give you a two-handed advantage. If you can hit me, I'll admit defeat!"

"...Could we ask for outside help? Like Hiratsuka-sensei, Alice-kun, Yukinoshita-senpai, or something like that..."

Logically speaking, all of these could be considered your rivals. Leaving aside the former, although the latter, Haruno, has studied Aikido, she is only at the level where she can't even beat her sister. As for Alice in the middle... Kasumigaoka Utaha, you must be tired of living to ask her for help. If you dare to say anything, she will definitely hit you first!

Yes, Kiritani-kun knew very well the personality of this girl who always called him "Little Kiritani" and refused to change it.

"Shut up, you black-stockinged sow!"

Kiritani glanced at her. "Just say you can't beat me! Now let's get back to the topic of this outline, stop with the nonsense..."

"...Whatever makes you happy!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha silently lowered her head, then stepped on Kiritani-kun's shoes and stomped on them forcefully.

However, Kiritani-kun remained calm and began to explain some of the details, and together with the outline, he began to flesh out the two sections.

With a strange expression on her face, Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Kirigaya-kun with some confusion. She had stepped on his foot, and he hadn't retaliated? When did this guy become so well-behaved?

However, faced with Kiritani's suggestions and questions about details, Kasumigaoka Utaha had to focus her attention back on the story. Because of this, she didn't see that Kiritani had placed his left leg under his right foot, and... well, his shoes were off.

It took Kasumigaoka Utaha for more than half an hour to explain the details of this volume, its development, and even the foreshadowing to be planted later. Besides listening, Kirito also made a lot of suggestions, but most of them were based on some plots that Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to enjoy herself. As for the other plot points, Kirito didn't comment on them at all.

Ultimately, the creator of this work is Kasumigaoka Utaha. The direction of the story is not determined by Kiritani-kun, nor by Kasumigaoka Utaha herself, but is based on Sayuka, the heroine, in Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart...

Moreover, for creators, sometimes too much advice only creates obstacles rather than help.

Kiritani-kun was well aware of this, and therefore he did not want to cause trouble for Kasumigaoka Utaha.

It was four o'clock in the afternoon. Although the temperature in the heated coffee shop hadn't changed much, it had clearly started to drop as evening approached. It would probably snow soon, right?

It's that time of year again for white albums...

"A coffee shop that offers refills is really nice."

The warm coffee steamed, and Kiritani leaned lazily against the sofa. Whenever he finished his business, he would fall into this lazy state. It was probably because of the watermelon that he developed this habit.

"So, all the teacher cares about is getting a refill?"

Turning her head to look at the bar, Kasumigaoka Utaha pointed to the young lady standing there making coffee, "That young lady has been staring at you for a long time."

"Being handsome is something you can't help!"

He could only helplessly shrug. Yes, he could only, not just.

Isn't it cute?

"So, do you prefer the handsome Kirito or the cute Kirito?"

"Of course it's the lovely Kiritani Kazuko!"

"Heh... I'd appreciate it if you could go find Fujiwara Tsukuyuki, the author of 'Black Album.' She said her name is Kiritani Kazuko!"

Although... Kiriko-chan has been in countless car accidents and has become Kiriko-chan countless times!

Well, but it still can't compare to the various time travelers who died in car accidents—how many died in plane crashes?

"Whatever, teachers already have all the necessary equipment, right?"

With a smile playing on her lips, Kasumigaoka Utaha pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "Hey, teacher, let's go on a date!"

"Good... my foot!"

Almost instinctively agreeing, Kiritani-kun rolled his eyes afterward. "A date, my foot! You finally couldn't contain your restless heart and decided to make your move on me?"

She didn't refute it, but replied with a smile, "You could say that."

To her disappointment, Kiritani's reaction was too normal; she had expected some more unusual reaction.

"Emmm...wait a minute!"

The boy from Kiritani raised his hand to stop Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was about to speak, and sighed softly, "You want to simulate a date scenario?"

"...Just as I guessed."

Kasumigaoka lowered her head in slight disappointment, though her expression didn't change much. All she cared about was whether Kirito would agree or refuse.

"Tsk..."

I just finished rehearsing my lines with Shiina Mashiro in a simulated scenario, and before it was even over, Asuna got a shoulder throw. Even though she didn't actually fall to the ground, it was still so scary. And now Kasumigaoka Utaha is here... Instead of thinking about the simulated date, I should be thinking about how I'll die next.

On another note, will Eriri, Sinon, or someone like that come looking for me again?

It seems, however, that it's not impossible?