manga artist Kirito

Page 248

Even though he had prepared a multitude of words in his mind at that moment, Kiritani Kazuto was completely unable to express them.

"Hey, I'm asking you a question!"

Taking a deep breath, Akane Takasaka tilted her head, her teeth loosening from her lips, which were deeply clenched and even slightly red. "If, I mean if, I were to get married, would you be happy? Tell me the truth. If you give me a casual answer, I'm leaving right now!"

"……have no idea"

After a long silence, Kiritani gave an answer that was absolutely impossible to satisfy.

From an outsider's perspective, Kiritani-kun can provide a very good and detailed answer, but from the perspective of the person involved, the importance and weight of his words make it impossible for anyone to give an answer easily.

However, Akane Kosaka's response seemed entirely expected.

Not knowing means there is a possibility.

If the answer isn't an absolute no, Akane Kousaka wouldn't really care too much. Besides, if Kirito could easily say something like "I'd definitely be very unhappy" when asked this question at this crucial moment, Akane Kousaka would probably call him a lunatic and an idiot.

Although I had already cursed him earlier.

But how should I put it, Akane Kosaka is that kind of woman. She won't throw a tantrum like those naive girls, or say things like, "I absolutely won't allow you to get married."

"I haven't thought about this kind of thing. If I'm asked to give a definite answer right now, especially under these circumstances, I can only say that I don't know, and I don't know how to think about it."

Letting out a long sigh, Kirigaya scratched his head and took two steps back, leaning against the side of the street. "Well, maybe I can understand how you feel right now?"

No, you wouldn't understand!

"I understand! Really!"

Kiritani-kun has always been aware of Akane Kosaka's thoughts, but being aware doesn't mean everything can be lumped together. Perhaps Kiritani-kun is a bit of a scumbag, but he simply can't respond, since Asuna's existence has already taken up all the space.

"Really? I'll take it seriously then. Hearing something like that... I guess I'll still feel a little happy, right? But I won't wish you well!"

"If you really wish me and Asuna well, I probably... wouldn't believe it, right? Ha!"

Yes, Akane Kosaka would never say anything like "blessing." To put it bluntly, it's already good enough that Akane Kosaka isn't planning on causing any trouble.

However, at that moment, Akane Kousaka, with her lips tightly pursed, stepped forward and hugged Kazuto Kiritani, resting her chin on his shoulder and holding him tightly.

Finally, I ask you, did you ever—like me?

"I really like you, Watermelon!"

"But, it's just liking, isn't it?"

Akane Kosaka's words gradually softened, "That's fine, at least... you like me too."

If I love you—

It is definitely not like the climbing trumpet creeper.

Using your high position to show off:

If I love you—

I will never be like the lovestruck bird.

A monotonous song repeated for the green shade;

And it's not just like a spring,

It provides cool comfort year-round;

It's not just like a precipitous peak, increasing your height and highlighting your majesty.

Even sunlight.

Even spring rain.

No, this is not enough! —To the Oak Tree

Ps:

Holy crap! My watermelon!

Ahh, after finishing Asuna's route, I'm going to write about Sushi!

511

【NO.502 Farewell in Winter】

"It's getting colder and colder..."

The oppressive sky suddenly brightened, like snow-white petals drifting down.

It was winter snow, but at this time it was noticeably unusually cold.

To be honest, Kiritani-kun quite likes snow. The scene of the earth covered with silver frost is really beautiful. He likes to sit by the window, with the heater on, holding a hot coffee and quietly watching this snowy season. But such a scene seems a bit depressing now. Breathing in the increasingly cold and damp air, Kiritani-kun sniffed, his chest full of stuffiness.

Akane Kosaka is gone.

After saying all the things she had kept in her heart, she left with an awkward smile, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Perhaps we'll see each other again tomorrow, but will Akane's attitude change from then on? Or perhaps nothing will change.

In many ways, Kiritani can be said to understand Akane Kousaka's character very well, but when it comes to relationships, he doesn't understand anyone. In fact, he can't even handle his own relationships perfectly, so how can he talk about others?

"What an untimely snow..."

Watching the snowflakes fall into his palm and gradually melt with his body heat, Kiritani leaned against the wall, looking in the direction where Akane Kousaka had gone. He felt a little sad. Was this... a farewell in winter?

what!

Taking a deep sniff, Kiritani scratched his hair, making it all messy. "You'll still see this watermelon, right?"

...But should I see him?

...Moreover, Xigua has always had a good grasp of her emotions, but the result was still this bad.

What if it were Haruno instead? Haruno is only good at pretending; she's not as good at controlling her emotions as Suzu. So, Suzu came and went, and when will Haruno... come back?

Seriously, I don't want to see this kind of scene again!

Reality is such a trash game...

Pulling off the scarf around his neck, Kiritani felt the winter chill and stepped back into the dojo.

however……

"Little Tongtong, where did you run off to?"

Alice Chinbelk, my childhood friend... Indeed, it's impossible for her to sit still knowing I'm getting married. After all, she considers herself my fiancée, and even said it to Asuna's face...

If Asuna were the kind of girl with a rather wicked personality, or rather, a twisted sense of humor, she might say to Alice—So what if I'm a fiancée? I'm going to be Kazuto's wife tomorrow! —Well, wouldn't it be better if we had a few more of these weird and annoying thoughts?

Feeling depressed, Kiritani-kun began to let his thoughts wander, trying to adjust his mindset, but with little success. At the same time, he felt that Kiritani-kun had become even more of a scumbag and deserving of a beating.

"I need to talk to Xigua about something."

With one hand supporting his forehead, slightly concealing his gaze, Kirigaya-kun tried to keep his voice relaxed, "How's school doing? Hmm, does Alice have something she wants to tell me?"

"...Well, things are alright at school, but the clubs are really lifeless."

Alice looked at Kiritani-kun and remained silent for a moment before saying softly, "No, rather, it's more accurate to say that everyone in the club, except for Sawamura-kun, seems to have come to the school for a quick look and then asked for leave to go back."

"As for me... I do have something I want to say to you."

"How about... we go for a walk?"

"No, I don't want to talk about it right now."

Or perhaps, saying it wouldn't help. Although saying it might ease the emotions, it would only make the person receiving such venting words feel even heavier. Alice could only imagine what Kiritani-kun had just gone through and what Akane Kosaka had said to him.

"It's just a wedding. It's certainly very important, but if you don't think it's important... well, it's not that important. I'll just attend your wedding quietly."

Alice smiled, her expression revealing her discomfort and a desire to speak her mind, but she knew it wouldn't make much difference. Besides, Alice figured Kiritani already knew what she was going to say. Since they both knew... maybe she could make him feel even more suppressed? Hahaha! Just kidding!

"Relax! It's your wedding, and if you can't keep a happy mood, then you'll really be letting down the ceremony."

"……Um."

With a forced smile, Kiritani-kun gave a forced laugh.

"This is right!"

Alice patted Kiritani-kun's head, her expression slightly subtle. Love is like snowflakes in winter—beautiful and fun, but it will eventually melt away. Marriage, on the other hand, may be a bit tough, but it's sweet and fulfilling... But who says you only have one chance to get married in your life? Giving up so easily is foolish, isn't it?

Well, like me, I'm just a bit of an idiot.

As for the rest, I won't say much more. Let Xiaotongtong experience the happiness and the weight of marriage first, shall we?

...But, but I'm also feeling really bad!!!

Is it really possible to forcefully suppress that resentment simply by thinking about it? If so, why hasn't time taken away my longing? Instead, it has made me care even more about the promise we made. It's like a brand, deeply etched in my memory, impossible to erase...

"what……"

Looking up, Alice exhaled heavily, snowflakes melting on her face. That feeling should have been the coldest, but compared to the loneliness welling up from her body and heart, it seemed insignificant. Ah…

The stinging and soreness in my eyes is so annoying!

"There's no need... really."

Seeing that Alice was clearly about to cry, Kiritani reached out and pressed her shoulder. "Say whatever you want to say, don't hold back, and don't leave any room for negotiation!"

"Shut up, you're really... talkative."

Rubbing her reddened eyes, Alice frowned. "Although I am indeed very unwilling, I did not cry. Now go and do your job."

"I……"

"go!"

"……it is good."

Kiritani pursed his lips, turned and walked away with a blank expression, but before he had taken two steps, he turned back and hugged Alice, sighing, "I'm really not as good as you think..."

"Mind your own business! My liking you is none of your concern!"

At this moment, Alice could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling with sobs. She clutched at Kiritani-kun's clothes from behind, "Why did it have to end like this?! I don't want to miss out like this! I..."

"What should I do to make you happy?!"

At the end of her shouting, Alice opened her mouth and bit Kiritani's shoulder, leaving a clear mark through his clothes.

Ps:

I think I've caught a cold, I feel really unwell...

I'll try to write the next chapter as quickly as possible...

512

【NO.503 My heart aches so much】

Wearing a gorgeous wedding dress, the corner of the dressing table in front of her was adorned with snow-white hyacinths. There were about a hundred boxes of various sizes on the table, so many that it was almost overwhelming. She looked at the girl in the mirror, who was also wearing a wedding dress, and a bright smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

After all, I've been looking forward to this kind of day for a long time, and this uncontrollable smile... no, there's no need to suppress it, is there?

These items in front of her were all personally purchased by her mother for her wedding. Asuna didn't care much about cosmetics, since she rarely used them except when she was worried about her dark circles being too noticeable after staying up late and would wear light makeup or draw eyeliner.

Even though I'm married, I should still wear a little more makeup to look better.

"That's how it is."

The girl standing behind her, combing her hair, chuckled, "Of course, if it's Asuna, she'll definitely look beautiful whether she's wearing makeup or not."

"Hina-senpai..."

Asuna pursed her lips. The reflection in the mirror wasn't just of herself, but also of Haruno, Yukinoshita Haruno, who had arrived.

To put it simply, Haruno appears to be a very capable person on the surface, incredibly hypocritical, and adept at all sorts of cunning tricks in Go, but in essence, she's just a lunatic... To be honest, Hina finds it hard to understand why Haruno would suddenly come over here, and even fix her makeup and comb her hair.

Asuna was well aware of Haruno's feelings for Kiritani. She knew it all too well. Perhaps not as much as Akane Kousaka, but Haruno was someone she had previously considered a great threat because of Haruno's activity, her omnipresence, and her... knowledge of everything.

But what exactly made Yang Nai come over at this time?

That smile looks so fake!

Asuna has seen plenty of those completely businesslike smiles at various parties.

But why come here?

"Confused?... Hmm, these kinds of jewelry and stuff are unnecessary, aren't they? I feel like Asuna is better off without all this random stuff; it's too tacky."

The jewelry displayed on the table consisted mostly of exquisite diamond necklaces and earrings. The designs were indeed very beautiful and quite in line with Asuna's aesthetic. Needless to say, the prices were top-notch. Although... both of the women present were young ladies from wealthy families in Chiba. These kinds of things didn't really matter much to Asuna. Rather, they were just there for her to choose from, and she could change them if she didn't like them.

Yes, that's how capricious I am.