manga artist Kirito

Page 252

"Tch," Shinbo Akiyuki muttered, "Everyone in the industry knows about your family's situation. It's not like I'm bad for giving you advice."

"Huh? What did you say?"

Holding a cup full of coffee, Kiritani raised his hand slightly. "It's a bit windy, I didn't hear you."

"Yes, it's a bit windy."

Shinbo Akiyuki looked out the window at the gentle breeze that couldn't even lift a plastic bag that someone had thrown on the ground, and nodded with a subtle expression. "Then let's continue talking about this work. I really like the script, especially since it has a bit of a stream-of-consciousness feel. With you as a co-director, I reckon that even if there's some of my personal style, it won't be too strong. But there's one more thing, which is also the most important thing!"

"what?"

"Signature of the original author".

Seeing Kiritani's surprised expression, Shinbo Akiyuki smiled with satisfaction.

Now that you think I'm meddling in your business, do you feel good about it?

You think you overlooked this detail? No, no, no, that's not the case!

Instead, you believe that you have full authority to represent Akane Kousaka!

So, what kind of concept is this?

Incidentally, Shinbo Akiyuki also met Akasaka Akane before. At that time, Akasaka Akane also acted as if she could represent Fujiwara no Echizen. The reason? There was no such thing!

But if you delve deeper, you'll understand... When it comes to a couple's affairs, it doesn't really matter who's who, right?

"I'll bring my own team. I'll come over with the contract in a couple of days."

Shinbo Akiyuki smiled, then stood up and patted Kiritani on the shoulder. "And you, you'll need to spend some time getting President Kousaka to sign this name! This work is a turning point in President Kousaka's life, so it's definitely very important. Put in a lot of effort to persuade him. If you don't succeed, it's okay. Just consider it as inviting me for coffee and introducing a good work."

"Okay, that's all for now. See you another day."

After saying that, Shinbo Akiyuki left, leaving Kiritani still feeling depressed.

I originally thought I could keep it from Xigua until the work was being promoted and even launched on various channels, but I never expected that things would go wrong here...

Well, it wasn't really a mistake, just that I didn't think things through enough.

Kiritani scratched his head, realizing he'd have to have a serious talk with Sushi later.

PS:

He chatted and laughed with industry insiders, all using pseudonyms, so don't worry about why the name of the watermelon in this chapter has changed to Akane Akane.

517

[NO.508 This is probably the weakest opponent.]

Finally, tomorrow is the long-awaited holiday.

This is quite rare for most of the staff at Rouge en rouge.

What's so special is that... Vice President Fujiwara Echizen might feel like he's been too salty for too long and want to go out for a walk. If he does, he'll talk to President Akasaka, and then... everyone gets a day off!

Yes, yes, that's how amazing Vice President Fujiwara is. He's not only cute and handsome, but even though he makes some dirty jokes, it doesn't stop him from being so likable. Everyone in the club loves Fujiwara Echizen—yes, regardless of gender!

Now, everyone in the club has packed up and gone home—there's no overtime work today!

Located downstairs from the club building, and in front of her family's bookstore, Akane Kosaka sat on a bench, holding a hot coffee and enjoying the cool breeze. Beside her were Ichigo and Ayane, who were keeping her company in a silly manner. At this moment, their eyes were focused on the street, much like customers waiting for their trains in a waiting room.

...Well, actually, Lingyin and Strawberry both have their own cars, and naturally, Takasaka Akane does too, and it's parked in a nearby parking lot.

They were just waiting for someone.

Lingyin lowered her head and flipped through the books she had just bought from the bookstore—yes, even if it was a bookstore owned by her own club, even if she went with the club president, she still had to pay.

As for waiting for someone, she was only kept by Ichigo to keep Akane Kosaka company, and she didn't care at all where Kiritani-kun had gone to slack off.

"So, what kind of place would be better to go?"

Club activities are ultimately the responsibility of the club organizers, but Lingyin simply flips through the pages quickly, skimming through them. She draws whatever catches her eye, or if a particular page suddenly inspires her, and then hands it over to Kao Saka Akane...

"It's winter now, and the autumn foliage season is over. Apart from a grand fireworks display in two days, it seems like the only places to visit in Kyoto are the nearby attractions?"

"For example, Tofukuji Temple and Arashiyama, and so on."

"Oh right, I remember there's a Ruri Shrine around there?"

"Pah! It's Fushimi Inari, what a crazy Ruri Shrine! That name is just a place that sells doujinshi, it's hardly a tourist attraction. Besides, don't the people in the doujinshi club all draw them anyway?"

That's great, self-reliance!

……

Screw self-reliance!

"Ahem, anyway, think of some interesting places to offer as options. We don't have much time to make arrangements."

Yeah, yeah, what club would give its members a holiday so hastily? Absolutely not!

Only Rouge en rouge is a club where whether or not a holiday is given depends entirely on someone's mood and attitude.

But soon, the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the air, and a blue-black motorcycle sped over and came to a stop with a graceful gait. Kiritani took off his helmet and looked at Akane Kosaka, "Ah, sorry, sorry, I was spacing out in the coffee shop for a while."

"too slow!"

Akane Kosaka frowned slightly, then looked at Ichigo and Ayane, "Organize the data and send it to me later."

"Okay, President."

"Yes, leader!"

Strawberry and Lingyin nodded in unison.

"Hi, Strawberry, Lingyin."

"Hello, Fujiwara-senpai!"

After exchanging greetings, Kiritani turned his attention back to Akane Kousaka, who was showing a hint of displeasure, and smiled slightly. "So, going home?"

"You're at least ten minutes late. Didn't you say you'd be back on time and told me to wait here for you when you left?"

"...Okay, let's go home first."

With a slight twitch at the corner of his smiling mouth, Kiritani waved to Ichigo and Ayane, who were still standing by watching, and then pulled Akane Kosaka over to get in the car.

"...Fine, I guess I should have let you go back first after all?"

No, saying something like that at this point would be a death sentence.

Given Kiritani's emotional intelligence, he wouldn't say something that could potentially cause minor injury.

He looked Akane Kosaka up and down. She had a perfect figure and exquisite features. Although she appeared somewhat assertive, that was undoubtedly part of her charm.

"Hey Watermelon, is it because you became a sight to behold while sitting here waiting for me, and that's why it feels so strange? Well, that's how it is when you're pretty; there will always be people staring at you."

"Yeah, yeah! A lot of people stare at Fujiwara-senpai all the time, after all, she's very beautiful!"

Kiritani immediately pointed his middle finger at Lingyin, "Shut up! If you say another word, I'll have Strawberry feed you cucumbers later!"

Yes, they fed cucumbers, but it's hard to say which mouth they fed them to.

"...Let's go back first."

Akane Kousaka sighed, turned and sat down behind Kiritani-kun, wrapping her arms around his waist and gently hugging him. She leaned against his back, and not to mention that her large, soft breasts appeared even larger in the close proximity. Just the way Akane Kousaka half-closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against Kiritani-kun's back was enough to give Ichigo and Ayane a light dose of PDA.

However, Kiritani-kun, who seemed to be doing much the same as usual, had already turned on the gas and driven away, leaving behind two girls who hadn't even digested the dog food in their mouths.

"Excessive!"

At this point, they all spoke up.

"It's too much!"

"But then again, I really want to sit on the back of Fujiwara-senpai like this... Hmm, just thinking about it makes me so happy!"

"The reason you feel happy is because you're overthinking it."

Lingyin looked at Strawberry, who was holding her face in one hand and tilting her head slightly, with a forced smile. She couldn't help but sigh. She was hopeless after all!

Paranoia... Can it be treated in a mental hospital?

—Yeah, it's similar to those who say they'll always love anime characters!

"I didn't think too much about it!"

Strawberry snapped out of her daze and clenched her fists slightly. "Fujiwara-senpai is so kind, he's not just my back seatmate, I want to follow him for the rest of my life!"

"...Then you should work hard before the president finishes taking advantage of Fujiwara-senpai. But I have to tell you something."

Lingyin pointed her index finger at Strawberry's smooth forehead. "Your chances are slim!"

"Hmph! Opportunities are something you have to seize with your own hands."

Strawberry clapped her hands, smiled slightly, and raised her eyebrows. "If the president can't bring herself to do it, then Fujiwara-senpai won't be hers!"

"Okay, okay... Just take it easy and don't make a mess of yourself."

"It's okay, it's okay. Even if it's useless, I won't act like I'm dying in a melodramatic romance drama."

...Who can say for sure before it's your turn and you experience it firsthand?

PS:

Can you guess whether I'm awake or not?

518

【NO.509 A little bit cozy】

"I am back!"

As she opened the door, Akane Kosaka called out as usual. The living room lights were still on. After changing into her indoor shoes, Akane Kosaka carried in her late-night snack.

It's past midnight now. About three hours ago, Akane Kosaka received a call from her old classmate. They went out for ramen and had a few drinks together. Thinking it was about time to go back, she bought some late-night snacks. After all, judging from the usual situation, Kirito-kun was probably still awake, either playing games or reading.

After years of getting to know each other, Akane Kosaka knows that Kiritani-kun has a habit of eating something after midnight before going to sleep.

However, when she entered the living room, what she saw was a bag of snacks on the coffee table, a game controller that had obviously been thrown aside, and a message on the monitor asking "Save?", and... Kirito Kazuto, who was curled up slightly between the coffee table and the sofa, holding a mobile phone in his hand.

Some say that the sleeping face is the most beautiful.

But all Akane Kousaka knew was that Kiritani looked more like his current age when he was asleep than when he was awake. His youthful and innocent face, his fair skin appearing somewhat pale under the light, and his long, black hair falling loosely on his face made Akane Kousaka faintly hear even his soft breathing.

Well, I'll try to come back earlier if I go out at night in the future.

After all, there are people waiting at home.

Kiritani-chan is someone who can't stand being alone. After spending so many years together, Akane Kosaka knows this all too well. If someone is with her, even if they're just sitting next to her doing something else, she'll be very interested in whatever she's doing. But if she's alone at home, if it's been a little while, she can't play games or draw comics anymore, and she'll stare at her phone... until she falls asleep.

However, Kiritani-chan has been away from the club quite a bit these days. Akane Kosaka can roughly guess that she is preparing for the anime adaptation of a certain work. Moreover, this time it is outsourced. She probably spent a lot of energy on negotiating with partners and finding a team.

At this age, most people would still be in school, celebrating their youth...

Ah……

With an increasingly gentle expression, Akane Kosaka placed the takeout late-night snack on the table, then carefully bent down and picked up Kirito-chan in a princess carry... But this wasn't the first time. For many years, Kirito-chan had often fallen asleep on the sofa, and Akane Kosaka would always carry him back to his room herself. This time was no exception.

Tactlessly, afraid of waking Kiritani-kun, Akane Kosaka put Kiritani-chan back on the bed, covered her with the blankets, turned on the room's heating, and then prepared to turn off the lights and leave...

However, as Akane Kosaka took a step, a hand reached out from under the covers and grabbed her arm.

"……watermelon?"

"Sorry, I woke you up."

With her lips slightly pursed, Akane Kousaka turned around and saw Kiritani-chan with one hand covering his forehead to shield his eyes from the glaring light. However, his eyes were still a little blurry, and he was clearly not fully awake yet.

"...Where did you go?"

With her eyes wide open as if she were forcing them shut, Kiritani sniffed, stared at Akane Kousaka for a while, and then asked, "Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah, I'm meeting up with an old classmate... a woman. If you were in school, she would be your teacher. She's in Tokyo to take care of some things."

After briefly explaining what she had done outside, Akane Kosaka tucked Kiritani's hand under the covers, then ruffled his hair and smiled gently, "Next time I'm not home, go back to your room to sleep... um, I'll try to come back as early as possible."

It feels good to have someone waiting for you at home; it gives you a sense of belonging and warmth.

Although Akane Kosaka liked this feeling, she didn't want Kiritani-chan to fall asleep in the living room every time. The living room floor was covered with a blanket, but that didn't mean she wouldn't catch a cold, especially since Kiritani-chan's constitution had always been weak.

"Hmm, take me with you next time..."

"Okay," Akane Kosaka nodded, stood there looking at Kiritani-chan for a moment, then slowly bent down and gently touched Kiritani-chan's forehead with her lips, "Good night!"

"install"

Before turning off the lights, Akane Kosaka vaguely saw a blush appear on her youthful, slightly tired face.