manga artist Kirito

Page 238

"Oh right, it seems... there are beings similar to you."

“——???”

…………

"Ugh! I'm so damn tired!"

"what happened?"

"It's nothing, let's head towards the primeval forest."

Well, at least for now, let's guide Alice away and let Asuna and her mother develop their relationship properly... Speaking of which, could it be that Utaha and Shino-san will also develop their relationship along with her?

Well, you're definitely overthinking it. That phone call revealed a lot of information. If Mom still didn't know what to do, then she wouldn't have been able to successfully marry Dad back then... cough, I mean, marry Dad.

"Xiaoqi, come here!"

As Alice walked, she suddenly pursed her lips, raised her hand and waved it lightly in the air. At a speed that was almost like leaving a blur, Tenjouin Ryouki appeared beside Alice. The astonishing speed made Kirito begin to doubt whether the people who came out of the Ace Butler Association were really human.

"Has something unusual happened? I just sensed a major crisis!"

"...I'm sorry, miss, the crisis you feared did not occur."

After all, this is the end of the road.

But Tenjouin Ryouki couldn't say much. At most, he would turn around and remind Alice's mother to prevent her from becoming a pigeon and flying away. If that happened... Alice would probably want to die.

"is it?"

Looking at the diligent Tenjouin Ryouki with suspicion, Alice remained silent for a few seconds before patting her shoulder. "Ryouki, you absolutely mustn't be careless! Asuna is very strong, and there are so many other philanderers around. You have to be careful—at worst, I'll give you some reward in the end, and I'll lend you my little Tongtong once—just once!"

"..."

Black lines gradually appeared on Kiritani Kazuto's forehead.

However, Tenjouin Ryouki... seemed to have gained some motivation at this moment?

P.S.: So, why haven't you guys figured out where this bootleg Kirito came from? It's a fragment of memories from a parallel world, like the script for White Album, which is just an accessory to memories from a parallel world—as for why it exists, why not think about why it doesn't exist?

Does being a gamer mean you can't watch anime? Isn't a dating sim a game? (A wise gaze)

492

[NO.483 Just taking a break for myself]

I've heard that everyone gradually becomes the kind of person they hate most? I wonder if it's too late for me to start learning to be indecisive now?

But honestly, from a certain perspective, there's not much wrong with what I'm saying. Although I personally dislike indecisive people, as time goes by and we grow up, we gradually become the very people we used to hate. Maturity always comes with a deviation from the initial path.

...Of course, it's too late to start feeling resentful of the rich now.

Time ticked by, and Kirito slowly fell into deep thought as he looked at the scene before him. The edge of the primeval forest wasn't as beautiful as he had imagined. All he could see were towering trees, and he didn't see anything particularly rare here... So, what exactly is the reason that a place like this becomes a tourist attraction?

Perhaps city dwellers have never seen a large forest before?

If that's the case, you might as well take a trip to Gunma Prefecture. The area near Mount Akina has amazing scenery! You can even occasionally see professional racers racing on Mount Akina... It's just a pity!

Few people are on Mount Akina...

"By the way, don't you guys think this place... can't really be considered a special tourist attraction?"

"No, I think it's fine."

The surrounding scenery... doesn't really matter.

All I care about is having you by my side!

Alice chuckled and turned around, her hands behind her back, a sweet smile on her lips.

Her gaze drifted unintentionally, passing over Shiina Mashiro and Eriri. She moved closer to Kirito without thinking. If... it were just you and me, this scene would perhaps be even more magnificent and enchanting.

Of course, even so, it still makes me feel satisfied!

"This place... is alright."

After a cursory glance, Shiina Mashiro nodded calmly.

But anyone who truly knows Shiina Mashiro would know that she was just being polite. If the scenery were really nice, she would definitely take out her easel and sketch it in her sketchbook, instead of just staring at it like this... Well, part of the reason is that she's acting like a hamster eating a Baumkuchen.

"I'm more curious about what's going on at the bear farm than here."

Eriri struck a pose for a photo, then looked away after trying a few different angles. "If it were Kasumigaoka Utaha, do you think the brown bear would take her mocking face as a provocation and beat her up?"

Yes, Eriri was making malicious assumptions.

However, it's unlikely. Putting aside the possibility that Sinon might pull out a Hecate and blow the brown bear's head off from 800 miles away, there's also Asuna, the rapier wielder, and her parents, even Yoko and Mikasa are there—the brown bear would probably be very moved.

His thoughts drifted off unintentionally, and Kirito finally looked at the end of the road.

There, a large crowd was gathered.

Although the first snow hasn't arrived yet, Noboribetsu is, after all, a hot spring resort. Compared to Hakone, which is more popular with older people, there are more young people here, especially now that it's a holiday season, so there are bound to be plenty of people who know how to enjoy themselves...

There are quite a few young men and women heading this way, and they're all of pretty high quality...

Even though I still wear knee-high socks, are you really okay with that?

Then, the boy from Kiritani suddenly focused his gaze.

Among the crowd of tourists, the boy from Kiritani saw a girl who seemed to have little presence, yet was quite dazzling.

"...Kato, are you saying your relatives aren't omnipotent?"

…………

Well……

She had never seen the boy show such a subtle expression before.

It's as if they want to take her apart and study her to see how she's made inside.

It's probably a mix of Yukino Yukinoshita and Akane Kousaka... Ah, you don't have to make this so obvious, and besides, even I would be unhappy.

At a roadside stall, an unexpected encounter... it's real. Kato meets his neighbor, childhood friend and classmate, and... the boy Kiritani. Although it's unclear what he's speculating about, his gaze is a bit too blatant.

Yeah, I was almost scared.

—By the way, I'm not a mind reader, this is just a guess.

"Kato Megumi!"

A storm was brewing in the boy's eyes, waiting for the right opportunity to erupt.

"Nani yo?"

Holding the warm cocoa in her hands, feeling the warmth spreading to her palms, Ms. Kato's gaze wandered slightly, and she subtly leaned back a little.

"Are you here on vacation with relatives?"

Setting aside Alice, who was sitting in the back glaring at them, Kirito greeted her with a subtle smile.

"No... Ah, uh. You could say that for now~!"

After a brief moment of thought, Ms. Kato nodded gently.

He squinted, "Is it that all-powerful relative again?"

“This time it’s not, it’s that relative’s mother… and she’s not some all-powerful relative.”

She tilted her head slightly and took a sip of hot cocoa. "I only arrived last night, so I rested quite late and woke up a little late... Hmm, I think I'm lost."

...Are you kidding me!

Don't saints have the guidance of the Lord?

Lost...? Wait, is the so-called guidance just to bring you here?

Kiritani had already confirmed that none of the people in the group he had just met were acquaintances of Kato Megumi; otherwise, Kato Megumi wouldn't have broken away from the group like that.

"Speaking of which, I'm all alone right now."

The girl, with her lips pursed, gently blew on the steaming hot cocoa. Her gentle gaze and soft, sweet voice clearly conveyed her intentions.

...Okay, this is the first time I've seen Kato Megumi be so straightforward.

Although, under Shiina Mashiro's training, even a straight shot is actually not that bad.

In short, they're hoping to be invited to travel with them!

I understand, I understand!

Then, Alice subconsciously clenched her fist.

If only, if only this kind of thing could be resolved with force!

Yes, even if it's a Kirito war, that would be fine! At least then we could openly and legitimately use underhanded tactics!

And this blatant robbery is really annoying! Even more annoying than Shiina Mashiro!

Kirigaya, going along with Kato Megumi's suggestion, said, "Well, if you don't mind, would you like to come along?"

Alice: No, no, no, I mind it a lot, I even want to leave Shiina Mashiro and Eriri out!

Miss Kato smiled and said, "Hmm, I would never refuse an invitation from someone."

……Alas?!!

P.S.: Okay, I did take a break, although I wanted to continue relaxing... but if I don't update soon, Orange Mom will beat me to death.

Oh right, Happy New Year!

493

[NO.484 Reporting in: I'm not dead yet]

Kirigaya Suguha felt that she might have been having some bad luck lately.

First, my brother hadn't been to the temple for a long time, which caused some things to stall and progress to be completely sluggish. Then, now that he's out traveling, not only did he not run into the brother he wanted to see, but this unexpected incident also happened...

Asuna Yuuki's mother had heard about her long ago, whether from her older brother or from Akane Kousaka, who would come to the dojo every now and then. In any case, her mother was quite familiar with her... well, she knew about her existence.

Now, the meeting has taken place.

The mother seemed quite pleased with the girl.

In particular, after listening to the call from who-knows-who, the mother's gaze towards Yuuki Asuna finally transformed into that look of someone looking at their daughter-in-law, carrying a scrutinizing...and satisfaction, with a hint of...helplessness?

Incidentally, at this moment, the mother has taken Asuna's hand and temporarily left, supposedly to have a heart-to-heart talk... In other words, to get to know Yuuki Asuna more deeply, or to find out her attitude and thoughts?

Naturally, the mother pulled Asuna away, and the rest of the group dispersed just as naturally. Although Kirigaya Suguha could see a hint of disappointment on Kasumigaoka Utaha and Asada Shino's faces, it was probably because she had noticed her mother's attitude. Well, it was actually quite obvious. If you couldn't see anything, you'd be wondering where these high school girls were. Besides, they all had their own achievements and were considered working adults.

Ah, so...

Should I hurry up and find my older brother to take the initiative and offer him some comfort, or should I go to my father for some help?

Inevitably, Suguha felt a little conflicted. But how to put it, Suguha really wanted to see Kirito, after all, it had been a while since they last met. However, Suguha also understood that Kirito was accompanied by a troublesome person, a big troublesome person who had been against her since childhood—Alice Bluebell!

Besides, that adorable but clueless Shiina Mashiro is no pushover either.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!!"

"..."

Suguha scratched her head in frustration, and the movement of her chest made Mikasa's eyes twitch slightly, and her expression became even more indifferent.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with it?!"

While still pondering her thoughts, Kirigaya Suguha snapped out of it and sensed Mikasa's gaze, which held a strange meaning, and couldn't help but feel a little odd.

"...No, it's nothing really."

Mikasa looked at her and shook her head. "I originally thought the saying 'big breasts, no brains' was nonsense, but it turns out there is some connection."

"--Clam?"

With a bewildered expression, Suguha didn't understand Mikasa's meaning at all.

"You don't need to understand..."

Mikasa looked at the group of people walking ahead, then at Suguha beside her, and finally decided it was better to tell them. "Okay, I'll just tell you a little bit."

"...What?"

"You are my younger sister."

"……uh-huh?"

I didn't understand at all!