manga artist Kirito

Page 240

A beautiful dream is just a beautiful dream, and a fantasy is just a fantasy. The world will not grant everyone's sincere wishes.

Moreover, even if someone were to write such a story, which is not particularly interesting, how many people would actually read it expecting a heartwarming tale?

Well, giving up... that's naturally impossible.

The girl gathered her loose blonde hair and slightly pursed her lips, though a hint of self-mockery flashed in her eyes.

Looking at the boy walking in front of her... and the three girls, she paused slightly and picked up her pace to follow.

Because there are no "what ifs," she didn't stand firmly and steadily beside the boy. But in the time she fell behind, more and more girls gathered around him...

Perhaps, he will suddenly remember a blond childhood friend still behind him, and turn around with a smile, extending that hand...

Ah, this sentimental look is not like you at all, Alice Chinbelk!

She called out her own name, gently patted her cheeks, and suddenly quickened her pace as she looked at the boy in front of her.

She pushed aside the increasingly assertive girl, ignoring her subtle glances, and took the boy's hand. When the boy's slightly helpless and amused gaze fell upon her, she suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

Go Alice!

…………

She and I, or rather, my mother and I... walked along the street for a long time.

My mother would ask about people's daily lives with a gentle smile, and she was also very curious about my daily life.

But more than anything, people felt that I spoiled them too much, but there was nothing I could do about it, given my position.

Someone once told me that the foundation of a relationship is that neither of you will make the other person feel wronged.

I, Yuuki Asuna, actually really like this sentence.

Perhaps, there will still be some minor grievances and small dissatisfactions from time to time.

However, the saying "accumulation leads to qualitative change" does not actually apply to me and others.

Rather, if it were truly just ordinary daily life, then what he probably wanted wasn't a girlfriend like me who appeared out of nowhere, but rather a caregiver to look after him.

Therefore, this slightly sour feeling of dissatisfaction and grievance is necessary, isn't it?

Because of this, they will care more.

The communication proceeded gradually in this way.

After a while, perhaps Kiritani Midori felt that she had gone a little too far and was also a bit tired.

She pulled Asuna to stand on the sidewalk, looking at the serene scenery in the distance through the railing. The smile that unconsciously appeared on her face was full of concern.

She took Asuna's hand, a hint of concern in her eyes, and said softly, "Hey, Asuna, if I said..."

Asuna tilted her head slightly, waiting for her to speak, "Hmm?"

"If I said that among all of you girls, the one I think is most suitable for marriage, and the one I like the most, is actually not you, would you hate me for that? You can say so directly, it's okay, Mom isn't that petty."

"Of course there will be a little bit... Isn't that obviously saying that I haven't done a good enough job?"

Asuna pursed her lips slightly, clearly revealing her slight dissatisfaction. "That person... is it Akane-nee?"

Kiritani Midori nodded gently, "Yes, it's Akane."

As expected, if it were Akane Kosaka, many people would certainly be satisfied.

Then she raised her hand and ruffled Asuna's hair, her expression becoming increasingly sincere, "Hey, my dear daughter, your mother actually met your parents a long time ago..."

"...Huh? Huh? Eh!?"

Upon hearing this incredibly shocking statement, Asuna's eyes widened in astonishment, her lips involuntarily agape. "You...you actually?"

"Surprised?"

Seeing Asuna's expression, Kiritani Midori smiled with delight, as if she had just received a rare, high-quality CG. "I thought so too, but next... there's something even more surprising, like someone asking me to talk to your parents..."

"what?"

"Let's talk about—your marriage?"

Kiritani Midori's lips curled up slightly.

Ps:

Maybe I can get all of this this month... never mind, I guess I should just give up.

When it comes to writing, I'm already a complete failure.

496

【NO.487 Light an incense stick before leaving】

I love days like today, I love the sky with only sparse, warm sunlight, I love the solemn and majestic world in the cold, I love that extraordinary city, I love its vastness and tranquility, I love that... place where I met him.

I was shocked. Those words, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, had entered my mind earlier, instantly erasing all my other thoughts.

How should I answer this?

Can you clearly express the shock and excitement in your heart?

Or perhaps I should express my feelings through my words and actions?

...Whatever happens, but when Asuna came to her senses, she was already at a hot spring inn.

Everyone gathered here, and perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for a long time, Alice was completely clinging to Kiritani Midori, chatting and laughing... Oh no, to be precise, all the girls present were surrounding Kiritani Midori, except for Shiina Mashiro, who was sitting next to Asuna.

Well, there's really not much to say about this situation. After all, if Asuna hadn't heard those explosive words from Kirigaya Midori, she'd most likely still be next to her. But because she's been thinking about it, so...

Wait, how did I get back to the hot spring inn?

What was my answer at the time?

Ahh, I can't remember at all!

How should I explain this to people?

A blush crept onto Asuna's pretty face. She turned her head to look for Kirito's location, only to find him squatting around the corner with his father, each holding a bottle of drink and with similar, somewhat sullen expressions.

It seems... the person doesn't know yet?

Wait, no, I think... they already know, right?

Honestly, you see me standing here in a daze and you don't even come over to ask what's wrong?

Slightly, her cheeks puffed out, but there was no dissatisfaction. Her heart was mostly filled with shyness, while the rest of her mind was filled with curiosity about how Kirito would react if she told him this information.

Then, she rested her chin on her hands and quietly looked at Kirito, whose face showed a hint of depression and confusion, her pretty face becoming even redder.

—I will walk around you with tireless tenderness and consideration, because you will always respond to me with a warm smile. I will gaze into your eyes without ever getting tired of them, because I want... you to keep looking at me too.

"Aww," Shiina Mashiro gently tore a piece of Baumkuchen from her hand, then put it in her mouth to chew. She tilted her head and blinked, looking at Asuna, whose expression was quite strange. A thoughtful look flashed in her calm eyes, though no one knew what she was thinking.

"Son, how did you do that?"

Squatting here next to Kirito, Kirigaya Nagato shook the drink in his hand, looking at the girls surrounding the wives at home, and couldn't help but feel a little ripple in his heart, "There are so many?"

"...What do you mean by so many? Only that one is mine, okay? Don't talk nonsense if you don't know."

Taking a sip of coffee, savoring its rich aroma and subtle bitterness, Kirito pointed at Asuna, who was still lost in thought, and smiled faintly. "How about it? My taste is pretty good, isn't it!"

"...You're lucky you haven't been beaten up yet!"

"What are you saying? Everyone except Asuna is a member of my club!"

Kirito resisted the urge to give his dad the middle finger, but he couldn't help but give him that disdainful look. "Besides, Asuna is very gentle, unlike Mom... and I would never be a henpecked husband like you!"

"fnnndp!"

Kiritani Nagato immediately became displeased, "Your old man is just doing this for his wife's good, what do you know! You only get food if you're obedient, you know that?"

...In the end, it's still bronchitis!

"Besides, she's my wife first, and your mother second. Can't I be happy to do this because I'm henpecked? If you're going to ask me for help, then speak properly to me."

"...You're absolutely right!"

Kirito nodded, then grinned mischievously. "Then, could you please go talk to Asuna's father, Dad?"

"Ah, that's true."

Kirigaya Nagaka glanced at Kirito, her expression not particularly pleased. "You've definitely grown up, but how should I put it? You're getting more and more effeminate! If I take you out like this, people will probably think you're my daughter!"

...Who knows, some might even think you're a pervert who's deceiving young girls?

"Seriously, that's enough! You can't just change the subject like that!"

"Whatever, they'll come looking for me even if I don't go."

"—Wait a minute!"

Suddenly stunned, Kirigaya Kazuto stiffly turned his head and looked at Kirigaya Choka, who was taking out a cigarette from his pocket, and slowly asked, "Um... Dad, have you... met Asuna's parents before?"

"Is it weird?"

Slightly shifting his body, Kirigaya Choka lit two cigarettes with a guilty look on his face, "Chiba isn't a big city, but it's not small either. It wouldn't be surprising if we ran into each other by chance. Here!"

Kirigaya Nagato placed a cigarette in Kirito's mouth and began to puff away contentedly, exhaling long plumes of smoke. He patted Kirito's shoulder with a satisfied smile, "Parents' matters will be handled by the parents. What you need to worry about are these girls. No one would believe that these girls don't have any special feelings for you. You need to handle this carefully. If you make a slight mistake, you might suffer... cough cough. Anyway, you should handle your own affairs. Don't worry about what we parents need to deal with."

Using a cough to conceal the unbearable memories he had to recall, he spoke eloquently, a cigarette dangling from his lips, “Things can’t be rushed. As Mother Goose rhymes say, girls are made of water, sugar and some nice things. Don’t waste your youth. I won’t say I’ll take responsibility for everything. Your problems are yours to solve, understand?”

"...Let's just let things take their course for now."

After all, that's how Asuna and I got through it too.

Holding the cigarette in his hand, Kirito stared at it for two seconds before finally putting it in his mouth and taking a gentle puff.

"Cough cough cough..."

His incessant coughing immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

Kiritani Kazuto's face looked terrible, no less so than when he had been drinking.

Feeling the gazes of all the girls, Kirigaya Nagaka felt... a major crisis was about to unfold.

Well, Mr. Kiritani was a respectable man in his lifetime. Since everyone is here, let's all light some incense before we leave!

Ps:

Belated blessings, Lantern Festival... well, it's already over.

497

【NO.488 Let's get married】

The moon strode solemnly toward the sky, leaving behind the mountain peaks where it had been hiding, casting the mountains far below, as if still craning its neck to reach the dark, unfathomable zenith of the night. The twinkling stars followed in its wake, creating a beautiful and enchanting scene.

Small things often bring the girl back to reality. The lights are already on, and the girl turns away from the moon and stars, looking back over.

A boy with slightly flushed cheeks and long, still damp hair walked out from behind a wooden door adorned with ukiyo-e prints, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Asuna smoothed her loose hair and looked at Kiritani-kun with a slight smile.

Just now, she was recalling the events of the day and organizing them carefully.

If I had to say something, would it be better to say it like this at this moment?

—With Yukinoshita Haruno, Kasumigaoka Utaha, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Alice and all those troublesome people eliminated, no matter what, everyone else will know that I am the only heroine. At this rate, dominating people is only a matter of time —Plan is complete!

No, I have to hold it in, I can't laugh, but... I'm even thinking of doing a beatbox right now.

I will become the heroine of the new world!

Is it only I who can do this? Can anyone else do this? Can Xin Yi reach this point? Can we continue?

Yes, only I can create new daily routines and dog food!

—Sure enough, that's incredibly deserving of a beating!

Although Asuna was in a good mood and her excitement had not completely subsided over time, and she still found it hard to believe, she would never think of arrogantly raising a flag like that, regardless of whether it would be offensive.

After all—she was originally the female lead!

Hmm, wouldn't this feel like being officially appointed?

Well, no matter what, it's hard to hide this feeling of joy.

"Hey, Asuna."

Kirito leaned against the railing, took Asuna's hand, and immediately felt the familiar warmth. He asked softly, "Mom, did she say something to you? You've been spacing out ever since you got back. Did she say something like something out of a melodramatic romance drama? If so, you don't have to worry about her. After all, it's inevitable for middle-aged women to experience early menopause..."

"No!"