manga artist Kirito

"draw."

"..."

Faced with the sudden silence, Shiina Mashiro tilted her head in confusion, as if she thought the other person might not have heard her clearly, so she calmly repeated herself.

"I've been drawing all along."

"...Shiina-kun, are you sure you've always been drawing? I'm naive, don't try to fool me!"

"Ah."

Kirito's eye twitched slightly. Although he already knew that Shiina Mashiro's daily life consisted of nothing but drawing, hearing it from someone else was quite different. His feelings gradually became somewhat complicated. Such a talented girl had devoted her entire life to drawing... If even geniuses work this hard, then perhaps he had no right to be lazy?

...No! Perhaps, it's precisely because Shiina Mashiro doesn't understand what laziness is that she can't draw good manga!

"You should know what I'm planning to do!"

"Ah."

"Well..." Kirito pushed up his glasses, glancing at Shiina Mashiro, who was still as taciturn as ever. He then looked at Asuna, who was discussing the manga script with Kasumigaoka Utaha on a chat app. As if noticing Kirito's gaze, Asuna smiled and turned her head, giving him a thumbs-up.

"I have two plans. First, I will help you plan the rest. In short, I will be your partner. As the original author of the comic, you just need to follow the script I give you, and passing the simple newcomer award will be no problem at all. This way, it will be easier for both of us."

With Shiina Mashiro's drawing skills, coupled with Kirito's story, it would be absolutely no problem for Kirito to win the newcomer award that Shiina Mashiro had participated in but failed miserably. Kirito had absolute confidence.

"Secondly, this is the most troublesome, and both of our time will be wasted on it—you need to understand common sense about life, interpersonal communication, and what to say and what expressions to make in different situations—perhaps I can teach you useful things, but you still have to walk the main path yourself."

This is a very troublesome situation. We already have Kasumigaoka Utaha, who can be considered a disciple, following behind us, and now we have to add Shiina Mashiro as well. Moreover, the two of them belong to different categories, one is light novel and the other is manga... This will double the time consumption.

My real identity is actually an erotic comic teacher, right?

"If it were me, I would suggest you choose the former, since it will save you a lot of time. Besides, the deadline for the Newcomer Award is not far away, and there isn't much time for you to waste. The latter is naturally more beneficial to you, but it will take a huge amount of time!" Kirito paused and continued.

"It may only take a week, or it may take a month or even longer... I'm not saying you don't have talent, I'm just referring to your lack of common sense. Even if you come up with your own story, there may not be many people who resonate with you."

"And this situation refers to failure, just like what happened to you six months ago!"

Looking calmly at Shiina Mashiro, who showed no dissatisfaction or even any emotion because of her words, Kirito was as composed as an elder or teacher educating a junior.

"Then, please make your choice!"

Honestly, sometimes a blank face is quite attractive; take a second look and use it as material.

Actually, Kirito didn't really want to interfere with Shiina Mashiro's work, but the stories she drew were just awful... Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that Asuna wouldn't trust her, Kirito would have even considered pushing Shiina Mashiro to Akane Kousaka. Considering that Akane Kousaka had mentored countless creators, Kirito wasn't worried that she wouldn't be able to handle a mere Shiina Mashiro.

However, Asuna would absolutely not allow it.

Moreover, given Akane's personality, Kirito would definitely have to pay a price that would interest her if he wanted her help.

—It would be a losing proposition; it would be better to prepare the simplest plan and let Shiina Mashiro implement it slowly.

"The second option." Almost without thinking, Shiina Mashiro made her choice the instant Kirito finished speaking, much to Kirito's surprise.

Honestly, it would have been so much better if you had chosen the first option. That way, I could have just rummaged through my drawer, found some long-forgotten script, and tossed it to you—it would have been so easy for you and comfortable for me. Why did you have to choose the most troublesome one?

"Since it's your choice..." Kirito sighed. Shiina Mashiro's decision, though seemingly a good thing, actually required a lot of courage, after all... she gave up participating in the Newcomer Award.

"Starting tomorrow, carefully observe the words, expressions, and actions of the people around you when they communicate with you."

Is this considered homework?

"Hmm." Shiina Mashiro nodded slightly, and her eyes instantly sharpened.

“…Observing me is useless. Of course, it’s good to listen attentively.” Kirito said to Shiina Mashiro as he took out and put on his gloves. “If you really want to draw good manga, then read books and manga carefully, learn how others draw while reading, think about it, make it your own, practice it well, and then you will succeed.”

"Everyone who achieves something has their strengths—what you need now is to find those strengths. It's essential to put your heart into it and not try to do it half-heartedly."

"clear."

"Given your unique circumstances, there is much to learn, but some things can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words—if you still don't understand what a story and its core are by following this method, then I'll be frank, you're not cut out for comics."

"...I understand, I will win!"

"I didn't talk to you about winning or losing. Hurry up and eat the bento I brought back, and then finish this book... Oh, I took the wrong one." Silently putting away the notebook drawn by a certain erotic loli, Kirito found a textbook called "From Beginner to Grave," written by Fujiwara Chikuyuki.

So, who exactly is this Fujiwara Chikuyuki?

Rubbing his slightly bluish lips, Kirito thought that next time he ate with Hiratsuka Shizuka, he should just go for ramen instead. He had recklessly taken on more than thirty people by himself... Although he did win, he was still badly beaten.

Otherwise... they would have known to bring a wooden sword.

But isn't this a bit too shameless?

By the way, that wolf called "Pervert" apparently jumped off a building for some reason.

Well, it has nothing to do with me anyway. Recalling the Ice Witch's long, black-stockinged legs and comparing them with Kasumigaoka Utaha's black stockings, they seem to be about the same—huh, about the same?

Wait a minute, why does this word feel a bit... vulgar?

You guys are getting lazier and lazier, not even casting your votes... It's making me lazy too.

I think it's time to start saving up my drafts!

It's making it onto the new book charts and will be available for ten chapters a day! Aren't you excited?!

084

【NO.83 Walking the dog】

The lights in the study were still bright.

Kirito began his daily work, while Asuna, with her back to him, flipped through various random light novels she had taken from the bookshelf. Meanwhile, Shiina Mashiro sat on the sofa outside the living room, engrossed in "From Beginner to Grave." It was unclear how much she could actually finish... but if she were truly captivated by the content, her path to becoming a manga artist would end there.

"Hey, Asuna..."

"Ok?"

Suddenly, Kirito stopped drawing, turned his swivel chair around, and looked at Asuna, who was tilting her head slightly. "Come to think of it, it seems like it's been a long time since we've been alone together."

"...A long time?" Asuna pursed her lips slightly, looking at Kirito's melancholy expression with a bit of curiosity. "It seems that before Mashiro came, we were always alone. Wait, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"Actually, it's nothing much, it's just that I have a slightly strange feeling about my life now..." With his elbow resting on the armrest of his seat, Kirito looked very melancholy. "From the beginning of our peaceful life, to now... Shiina can be considered our daughter for now, and suddenly we have another daughter! My feelings are very strange!"

"Is that so?" Asuna raised her eyebrows slightly, then smiled. "At noon, you weren't very skilled at taking care of your 'daughter' yet. Just consider it as gaining experience first."

"...So that's what you think." Kirito was speechless for a moment after hearing Asuna's reply.

"Otherwise, why would you think that way?"

"Well, how should I put it..." Kirito took off his glasses and said very seriously, looking at Asuna who had narrowed her eyes slightly. "Judging from the usual light novel tropes, Shiina is clearly a 'suddenly appearing' type, and with her unique attributes, once she sets her sights on someone, she becomes endlessly dependent, especially since she doesn't put up any defenses... This kind of behavior is terrifying for men!"

"Yes, it is indeed very scary." He nodded calmly, without any worry in his words.

Certainly, based on Asuna's understanding of Shiina Mashiro, what Kirito said was indeed terrifying.

"So, aren't you worried?" Kirito's lips twitched. Couldn't he at least show a normal woman's reaction?!

—Yes, Kirito began to suspect that Asuna hadn't yet entered the same topic with him.

"What's there to worry about?" Asuna pouted slightly, but the warm smile on her pretty face remained. "Are you saying that your current situation is similar to that of a light novel protagonist? Surrounded by multiple girls, who might even experience various events that cause their feelings for you to grow stronger...?"

coming!

Kirito's eyes lit up; Asuna had finally realized this!

"Actually, there's nothing to worry about." Asuna gently stroked Kirito's face, looking into his eyes, and asked tenderly, "Hey, darling, what do you think of the female lead's existence?"

"As you said, the person who has been by the protagonist's side the longest, and also the one who is good to the protagonist..."

Like the yandere attribute, the attribute seems very abnormal, but in fact, the yandere is the most obvious embodiment of the phrase "good to the protagonist". Even though the personality is abnormal, there are still so many people who like it.

"So what should I be worried about?" Asuna blinked gently, her hand softly stroking Kirito's cheek. "But, it seems like you've been behaving yourself, hasn't it? Is it just a sudden whim, or do you have something on your mind that led you to ask such a question? — I'm really curious!"

"Just because I had a sudden urge!" Kirito cautiously replied, carefully observing Asuna's eyes, afraid of saying something wrong and causing Asuna to misunderstand.

"Although, judging from the current development, my life ahead seems exactly like a novel or comic, unfortunately, I no longer need these things."

Well, sometimes thinking too much doesn't seem to do any good.

Kirito leaned down slightly, cupped Asuna's pretty face in his hands, and slowly brought his face close to hers, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Because—I'm already a winner in life!"

"...Mashiro is still outside, can't you have any shame?" Rolling her eyes, Asuna covered her pretty face and peeked into the living room. After confirming that Shiina Mashiro hadn't seen her, she said coquettishly.

Kirito straightened his back and smiled as he looked at Asuna, whose pretty face was gradually turning red and hot. "Face is like love. You can believe it exists, but in reality, most people don't have it—every night you can see a bunch of people walking their dogs outside, but why don't they pay attention to the feelings of single people?"

Incidentally, "walking the dog" actually refers to couples going out for a stroll together, showing off their single status, hence the abbreviation "walking the dog".

"Besides, do you think your 'daughter' will be blinded by her parents' adoration?"

"Pah! You really treat Mashiro like a daughter, huh?" Asuna rolled her eyes at Kirito, then casually pulled him to sit down beside her, her expression turning slightly serious. "So, what should we do about Mashiro?"

“No problem…” Kirito held up two fingers. “Two words—experience! She lacks experience in dealing with people. I’ve already talked to her about that, and we have a plan for now… Art originates from life, and even the world of fantasy is closely related to reality. In that case, why not have Shiina draw the things that happen in her life first?”

"Is this useful?"

“Of course it’s useful.” Looking at Asuna’s skeptical application, Kirito spoke eloquently, like an old scholar. “To give you a good example, take our manga club. The events that happened when it was established—the events that happened when we recruited members, the events that happened when we set our initial goals, the events that happened when we invited advisors—all of these together form a storyline.”

"To be honest, I've already thought of a name for this comic—'This Comic Book Club Has a Big Problem'!"

"...It seems simple, but are you sure Mashiro will be okay?"

"If you have any problems, come find me again."

After saying that, Kirito seemed to remember something and looked at Asuna with a smile.

"How about tonight..."

"No!" As if she had seen through everything, Asuna shoved the paperback in her hand into Kirito's arms and walked towards the living room. "It's getting late, I'm going back to rest. You should go to sleep early too, goodnight."

"...Goodnight." It's a real shame that he didn't even understand what I was saying.

"Oh right, turn to page thirty-two of your paperback copy and start reading from paragraph five..."

"Oh." Hearing the sound drifting in, Kirito pursed his lips, opened the paperback in his hand, and looked down—

If you were to cut off your arms and wrap them around my waist...

You'll never be able to hug another woman again.

If I gouged out your eyes and put them in my pocket...

My best memories of you probably belong to me.

—Holy crap!

P.S.: Thank you to the two adorable lolis, [Liuli] and [Laru], for being our adorable hosts! You two are the cutest!

In short... please be sure to praise me a lot!

085

【NO.84 The Pot-Maker】

Asuna and Shiina Mashiro didn't participate in the argument, while Kirito, Kasumigaoka Utaha, and Eriri were arguing non-stop, each wanting the other to do things their way, resulting in a stalemate... Without a doubt, the only option was to follow Asuna's initial suggestion and merge them!

To be honest, creating a fantasy story that can both heal the heart and touch the soul, while also featuring giant mechs, is no easy feat...

You're going to write this script?

However, upon closer reflection, it seems there are similar works in the industry, such as "Neon Genesis Epic Warriors," which encompasses everything from healing (or depressing) the human heart to giant mecha and even the fantasy themes requested by Eriri.

However, Utaha Kasumigaoka and Eriri seem completely unaware of this work and continue to argue about the core of the story.

Since this is a team project, if the comic's story script doesn't align with the team members' ideas, then even if the script is written, creation is impossible. Therefore, the current disagreement is absolutely necessary. In any case, arguing now is better than having the script ready, only to have the member responsible for the later steps, Xia Jiba, scribble something haphazardly… catching everyone off guard!

Anyway, Kirito doesn't care anymore; a man's romance is giant mecha!

If you're so capable of excluding mechs, then don't blame me, the chief writer.

With this in mind, Kirito began to imagine what the mecha piloted by the male protagonist would look like.

There's still plenty of free time available. The manuscript for chapter 12 of *Sword Art Online* has been submitted to Akane Kousaka. Once the promotion is complete, it can begin full-scale publication, but that will take a considerable amount of time. Promoting *Sword Art Online* will be sufficient once you hear people discussing it at school. Furthermore, the ecchi manga *Please, Remilia!* for the summer commercial is currently on its third chapter… but it's just an ecchi manga; as long as the artwork is good enough to make the reader ejaculate before finishing it, that's enough. It doesn't really need to be too long.

Kirito might not be very confident about using his unique art style in shonen manga, but when it comes to ecchi doujinshi... I'll eat my hat if you can get past page 15! Even yuri doujinshi!

Aside from having long lost interest in girls and instead developing a liking for girls whose genitals are even bigger than his, Kirito really doesn't believe anyone could resist his drawing skills.

Moreover, they've prepared a five-episode storyline for it!

Advice: A little masturbation is fine, but too much is harmful, and excessive masturbation will lead to ruin.

In any case, please don't waste the post-launch recovery period.

I suddenly feel like I should start drawing the manuscript for the third episode right now. What should I do?

Calm, calm