manga artist Kirito

Kirito answered first, followed by Hachiman Hikigaya. If they were answered together, the meaning would be completely different from if they were answered separately.

“Oh dear, it’s unbelievable…”

With a surprised expression, the woman's mouth was slightly open. Realizing she had lost her composure, she coughed and continued speaking.

"Well, this is a bit unexpected. So, next question: do you have friends?"

Does a girlfriend count?

"No...I..."

"..."

Kirito having friends wasn't unexpected for Hiratsuka Shizuka; after all, he was in a club, so club members... could be considered friends, for the time being. However, Hiratsuka Shizuka never imagined that Kirito would say—his girlfriend!

Damn those social butterflies!!

Incidentally, besides Kirito, the other two people present were members of the "Go Die Go Die Squad." If looks could kill, Kirito believed he would be reduced to ashes.

Well, that makes sense... Hachiman Hikigaya is the kind of person who has no friends in every way, while Shizuka Hiratsuka has friends, but if a winner in life were to tell a nearly 30-year-old saintess—"Actually, I'm not a member of the group!"—what's the difference between that and courting death?

Indeed, Kirito sensed it; the killing weapon named Hiratsuka Shizuka had begun to release waves of killing intent.

And Hachiman Hikigaya, what's with that 'you traitor' look you're giving me? Don't you know the gist of what's going on with me?

"Damn it!!"

The sound of knuckles grinding together as her fist clenched; Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze gradually softened, especially after she had figured out a certain issue...

"So, the thing you said I didn't understand before, was because of your girlfriend...?"

"First of all, corporal punishment of students is wrong, and as an educator, you should keep this in mind."

Seeing the flames rising behind Hiratsuka Shizuka and considering the opponent's combat strength, Kirito couldn't help but retreat again, wondering to himself—was she about to undergo a second transformation?

"Secondly, aside from the small part that you mentioned, the reason I was daydreaming in class was that I was thinking about what important things I should do..."

"Huh? Getting down to business?"

With a shocked expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka really couldn't believe that Kirito would say he wanted to find something serious to do... Was that really possible?

"Yes, let's get down to business."

Kirito nodded, feeling a sense of helplessness as he thought of Asuna's request.

"Because I have so much time to relax every day, I need to find something more productive to do in order to meet her request."

The 'she' here definitely refers to

"So, have you thought it through?"

"not yet."

Kirito shook his head. If it were really that easy to find, it wouldn't have taken this long... although there was also the reason that he was too lazy to look for it. But now, he had no choice but to go.

"Then I'll help you..."

"Thank you, teacher. I've made up my mind."

Before Hiratsuka Shizuka could finish speaking, Kirito interrupted her.

I absolutely will not follow this woman's arrangements. Because Hiratsuka Shizuka's 'I knew it' expression before she spoke already indicated—there's a conspiracy!

"……hateful!!"

Her thoughts were completely blocked, but seeing the serious expression on Kirito's face, Hiratsuka Shizuka thought he had really made up his mind and wanted to ask. However, considering that Kirito might answer with 'secret,' Hiratsuka Shizuka decided not to press the matter.

Honestly, I really want to know, but I just can't ask... I could totally hold it in until I'm internally injured.

Ha... I'm already familiar with your tricks!

Kirito pushed up his non-existent black-rimmed glasses. "Well then, teacher, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

It wasn't a question, because as soon as he finished speaking, Kirito opened the office door and prepared to leave.

Meanwhile, Hachiman Hikigaya, standing nearby, was looking at Kirito with an expression that seemed to say, "Don't leave me here alone."

"let's go."

The main issue was originally with Hikigaya, so Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't stop Kirito from leaving. But then, as if she remembered something, she added a sentence before Kirito left.

"By the way, there's a service club. If you haven't found anything important to do, why don't you go check it out?"

"Oh."

……

……

"Phew! I managed to get away with it."

As soon as Kirito stepped out of the office, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The pressure from Hiratsuka Shizuka was immense, especially the possibility that she might punch him at any moment. This caused Kirito to resort to the most... well, to use a very serious tone to deceive Hiratsuka Shizuka when faced with her questions.

Of course, Kirito knew that Hiratsuka Shizuka would quickly realize what was happening, so he needed to find something productive to do and join a club during this time. Otherwise, he would definitely fall into the hot-blooded teacher's trap, just like Hachiman Hikigaya. I wonder if failing to warn Hachiman in time will lead to some rather amusing consequences later on?

While it's understood that passionate teachers often act with the students' best interests at heart, teenagers in their adolescence are always prone to rebellion. Following the path laid out for them, or rather, obeying their arrangements, will never be as motivating or driven as they are to pursue their own ideas.

"So, what should we do?"

There are many things I want to do. Rather than asking what I should do or say, it's more about figuring out what the important thing is to do...

First of all, playing games is definitely out of the question, and becoming a school idol is even more out of the question—that's a trope that only appears in light novels… Wait a minute, even if playing games is out of the question, it doesn't mean making games is impossible, right?

Although I've never been exposed to this before, there must be some seniors in the school who know about these things!

However, when Kirito passed by the notice board, the first club he noticed wasn't the game club, but the manga club...

004

【NO.3 I'll start drawing comics today】

Kirito loves games and has considered making them, but some aspects require more than just passion. The complexity of game development far surpasses Kirito's ability to get five SSR characters in a single pull (10 pulls).

But comics are different.

It's worth noting here that Asuna Yuuki is a very talented girlfriend. Besides her excellent academic performance, she is also a creator—a light novel author.

Perhaps it was due to Asuna's influence, but Kirito had previously considered trying writing novels, but... the daily grind of writing and being pressured to meet deadlines was just too much. Besides, if he spent all his time writing, where would he find the time to play games?

However, at Asuna's request, Kirito did try to find something serious to do... but in the end, he found that the so-called serious work took up more time than writing every day.

Well, Kirito liked it too. But the feeling of depicting fantasy with a paintbrush is really satisfying! And some things that can't be described in words can be drawn... Ultimately, due to issues with changing his art style, Kirito gave up manga and returned to games.

Actually, one of the reasons Kirito gave up on manga was because of Asuna. After all, he couldn't let Asuna see his erotic doujinshi, could he?

If Asuna actually saw it, what would she think?

—Later, it seems Asuna still knew...?

Now, if Kirito had to choose between making games and drawing manga, he would choose manga! Even if the art style is hard to change, it's still better than going into game making without knowing anything, right?

But then again, erotic doujinshi are truly a testament to human ingenuity... cough, I digress.

"Hmm, I'll go check out the manga department later."

After glancing at the information on the notice, Kirito headed towards the classroom.

It's already time for classes to end. Most students would be attending club activities at this time, while those who weren't in clubs would have gone home long ago, when Kirito was called to Hiratsuka Shizuka's office.

Asuna is a good student, but she hasn't joined any clubs, so she should be waiting for Kirito in the classroom right now... she should be.

Kirito wasn't sure if Asuna was even there. Normally, he would be 100% certain that Asuna would be waiting for him, but today was clearly different. Asuna had been angry at noon, and who knew if she had calmed down yet... Hmm, if he told Asuna that he wanted to continue drawing manga... her mood would probably improve.

Poor thing, I just got this weapon, and I haven't even used it much before I have to give it up.

There weren't many people in the corridor at this time. As he passed the classroom next door, he could hear the noisy sounds of students chasing each other. Kirito clutched his hungry stomach, his eyes showing a lot of helplessness.

They won't even give us lunchboxes, that's really...

He hurried back to the classroom, only to find it empty. Kirito didn't see Asuna nearby either, and felt a little annoyed. This awkward situation was getting out of hand…

Kirito shook his head slightly, tidied up the textbooks still on the table, picked up his backpack containing his laptop, and walked towards the door. He then took out his phone and dialed Asuna's number...

Then, the call connected...

"...Asuna?"

"..."

Everyone says women need to be coaxed, but Kirito really doesn't know how! Kirito and Asuna getting together was a very natural thing, and the process was quite uneventful, without any of the difficulties that are typical of romance light novels. So when Asuna throws a tantrum, Kirito is quite helpless.

"where are you?"

"..."

Then, the call was disconnected.

"..."

Kirito was bewildered as he watched the screen display that the call had ended. The call had been connected, but it was disconnected without him saying a word... What was going on?

"Looks like Asuna went back first..."

Patting his head, Kirito turned and walked towards the location of the manga club, which he had previously memorized.

There are many strange clubs in the school, such as the "Strategy Agency", the "Supernatural Research Club", and the "Research on the Crisis of Sustainable Development of Earth's Resources and the Possibility of Salvage"...

Honestly, this club was clearly created by Natsume Hachiko. I really don't understand why such a club would exist. Does joining this club mean everyone is a protagonist? Otherwise, why would the word "rescue" appear?

"Huh, the Service Club...?"

Passing by the clubroom with the unbelievably long name, Kirito saw the Service Club with a sign hanging on the door. Although the door was closed, he could still hear sounds coming from inside...

Ms. Hiratsuka and Senior Hikigaya

The conversation seemed to be about getting Hachiman to join the club... Needless to say, this must be because of Hiratsuka-sensei, otherwise, given Hachiman's behavior and mentality, he doesn't seem like the type to join such a strange club... Uh, I mean, Hachiman is obviously a member of the Homecoming Club.

Ha! Luckily I ran fast, otherwise I would definitely have been dragged down by Hiratsuka Shizuka.

Kirito walked quickly to the place with the sign for the manga club. It was so quiet that he couldn't hear a sound. Usually, when there were people in a club, it was usually very lively. The manga club was so quiet, even a little eerie... Wow!

Of course, it's also possible that the club members are all drawing, so the eerie quiet is quite normal... However, there's also a high possibility that no one is inside.

"Bang bang!!"

But no matter what, you still have to knock on the door first.

"Please come in..."

A response came quickly from inside; it was a female voice, but her tone was rather unpleasant. Kirito didn't think much of it and simply opened the door and stepped into the clubroom…

However, as soon as Kirito stepped into the clubroom and looked up, his expression turned somewhat strange.

"Uh, I might have come at the wrong time... Sorry, please continue."

With that, Kirito turned to leave.

"Eh... wait a minute..."

"..."

Although Kirito did see a lot of manga-related things in the clubroom, and there were indeed people there, they weren't drawing manga as Kirito thought; instead, they were...

P.S.: Just to clarify beforehand, this Kirito is not the Kirito from Sword Art Online. You can treat him as a time traveler if you like.

005

【NO.4 Hello, Twin-tailed Student】

There was a portrait of a person drawn in chalk on the blackboard, and the person who had responded to Kirito earlier was rapidly erasing the blackboard with a chalk brush...

Of course, if that were all, Kirito wouldn't have turned around and left so easily. After all, Kirito hadn't come to the wrong place; this was indeed the manga club.

But the figures drawn on the blackboard... why do they look so erotic? This style is clearly something only someone skilled at drawing erotic comics could pull off! However, to be able to draw such a high level of eroticism using only white chalk, this person is quite impressive.

"What's up?"

Composing himself, Kirito watched as the girl quickly wiped the blackboard clean and stormed towards him angrily.

"What do you see?"

"I've seen everything I should have seen, and I've also seen things I shouldn't have seen."

You think I'd say I didn't watch it? Ha! Girl, you're still too sweet!

"Forget all of that! If anyone tells, you're dead!"