manga artist Kirito

"Uh, well, I just wanted to tell you that starting today I'm the advisor for the manga department... That's right, that's it."

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088

[NO.87 Regarding the change in art style]

On the table were three bottles of Sprite and three cans of MAX coffee. Kirito was sitting in front of Asuna with a very serious expression, while next to him was Hiratsuka Shizuka, who seemed a little idle but whose eyes kept wandering around, looking slightly guilty.

"...Well, when I was about to buy a drink, I suddenly remembered what Ms. Shizuka told me about how the romance art style isn't suitable for shonen manga, and then I thought about the reasons why the romance art style was created..." Kirito said to Asuna with a very serious expression.

Asuna could naturally guess why Kirito's art style had changed, so when she heard this, Asuna's pretty face involuntarily blushed.

"I think the reason I use a romance-themed art style is because I, as the creator, am currently in that state. If I could maintain that same passion while creating, perhaps I could slightly change the art style." Kirito paused here, glancing at Hiratsuka Shizuka. "And Shizuka-sensei, whether as an editor or a reader of shonen manga, can easily connect with me on a mental level. Plus, Shizuka-sensei is extremely skilled in martial arts..."

Whether it was Eriri, who was drawing, or Shiina Mashiro, who was constantly observing her surroundings, their attention was now focused on Kirito. Clearly, they felt that what Kirito said might not be unreasonable.

As for Kasumigaoka Utaha, she was currently writing down what Kirito had said. This was a habit Kirito had given her: to jot down anything interesting or intriguing, so she might be able to use it when writing later.

Her actions also showed that she had listened carefully to what Kirito had said.

"Therefore, Shizuka-sensei is undoubtedly the most suitable person to choose as a test opponent at this stage." Kirito opened a Sprite, took a sip, and continued. "Plus, you should be able to see that from our later exchange of manga lines, Asuna."

"Yes." Asuna nodded slightly, gesturing for Kirito to continue.

"Although I feel really excited when I draw the scenes in my mind, it just... feels a bit unrealistic." With that, Kirito picked up his pencil and started drawing in his sketchbook.

Before long, two blurry figures engaged in battle appeared on the canvas. It was clear that the painting was slightly different from the usual one in terms of quality. Although the style was simpler, it conveyed the fierceness and danger of the characters' fight.

Of course, Kirito didn't draw the pose of the two of them at that time. Instead, he chose the action of the fight between the wolf and the dog that he saw in the supermarket. The fight was brutal, with fists flying everywhere. The ferocity they showed when they were fighting for the fruit that only the victor could taste, and their unwillingness to be a loser.

The art style has undergone a significant change, depicting highly realistic and vivid scenes of passion that one can witness firsthand.

"Tsk, I must say, you really are a genius." Looking at the changes in image quality and the altered lines, Hiratsuka Shizuka gently stroked her chin. "The change in image quality is significant. It's hard to imagine that in less than two days since I pointed out your art style was subpar, you've already found a way to change it. However..."

"Next time we want to find this kind of passionate state, I think we should find a boxing gym, or maybe a dojo, since the corridor is too small and we can't really unleash our full potential."

"...No need, Shizuka-sensei, you're the best target for now." Although the drawing wasn't finished, Kirito stopped and smiled slightly. "Don't forget, my Tiger Dojo is full of experts."

"...Are you planning to go home?" Asuna looked at the drawing carefully. Just as Kirito and Hiratsuka Shizuka had said, the drawing quality had lost its previous gentleness and become much sharper.

It seems that Kazuto really provoked Hiratsuka-sensei to get into a fight just for the sake of the art style.

That's indeed the case. Otherwise, even if Kirito had a chance to avenge that arrow wound, he wouldn't have provoked the Iron Fist Saintess without his dual swords. Naturally, Asuna, who knows Kirito very well, wouldn't overthink things like that.

Yes, Asuna has absolute confidence.

"Hmm, I plan to go back on Saturday." Kirito nodded thoughtfully. Although there are more senior students practicing kendo at Tiger Dojo, there are also quite a few who practice spear and sword techniques. Coincidentally, the job requirements in the manga "Sword Art Online" require the use of various weapon techniques, and if he wants to draw them clearly, it is imperative for him to go home and practice with those rascals.

I'm just... a little worried. I wonder if my body, which lacks exercise, can keep up with the demands of my body. Based on the attitude and expectations I had for them when they were young, Kirito thinks that this time when we go back, we might have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days.

Leaf, my brother, whether I can return safely depends on you.

"Kirito, Akane has already finalized the plans for your manga, and the promotional channels have been largely decided, so you can rest assured." Hiratsuka Shizuka stood up, patted Kirito on the shoulder, and gave him a thumbs up. "As for the contract signing, it will probably have to wait until the weekend. After all, as you know, Akane is always very busy."

"Given Akane's style of doing things, I have absolutely no worries." Based on Kirito's understanding of Akane, she would never waste an opportunity that could allow the club to reach a higher level, and the Sword Art Online manga is clearly such an opportunity. As long as there is enough publicity and the manga is successfully published... then I can relax and be a lazy bum.

Hey! It's been so long since I've played games. I really miss it. This game platform was built based on my ideas. My broken sword that I've used several times... Oh right, didn't Hongban say that Teacher Xiaojing would bring me a salary card?

Just as he was about to ask Hiratsuka Shizuka about this, he discovered that she had disappeared.

"Ah, you mean Hiratsuka-sensei? She said she had an event tonight... um, probably a blind date, so she left first." Asuna said this very calmly.

"I see... Let's talk about it later then." Kirito shrugged. Anyway, he had enough money before logging into the game platform to buy the game, so this problem could be put aside for the time being.

"So, regarding the comics department's teamwork... how have you all discussed the script?"

"That's basically decided." Closing her notebook, Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned back lazily in her chair and said. "Don't worry, the script that Yuuki and I co-wrote will definitely satisfy you."

How could you be at ease? I wanted to draw giant mechs, but you were thinking about how to heal people's hearts...

Kirito turned his head to look at Eriri, who was already engrossed in drawing her manga. "So, Sawamura-san, do you have any objections?"

"Huh!? Ah... no, I don't, I don't have any objections." With an expression like a naughty child who had done something wrong and was about to be discovered, Eriri hurriedly pressed down on the sketchbook with her hand, stuffed it back into her bag, and walked out of the clubhouse.

"I... um, I have something to do today, so... so I'll be leaving now. Remember to lock the door when you go back!"

"..." Looking at the closed clubroom door, Kasumigaoka Utaha said meaningfully, "I have a feeling that Sawamura-kun has done something bad and is afraid that we will find out."

"Perhaps, something really has happened." Asuna smiled slightly.

No, no, no! Sawamura-san probably felt embarrassed because she was drawing erotic comics, and my earlier moans made her feel like she'd been discovered, which is why she blushed like she was on her period... maybe?

For some reason, Kirito had a bad feeling.

Oh right, it'll be available tomorrow...

089

And that's how it's put on the shelves!

Remarks on the shelf

If anyone's watching, please leave a comment here so I can see how many people are watching.

Sigh, writing a launch message always feels like a hassle, but considering there are still quite a few readers who care, or perhaps don't care, it's still necessary to write one.

Actually, the so-called "launch message" is similar to the webpage that occasionally pops up when you open your browser. When you're watching a video and you get to the key part, it will remind you that the following content requires a paid membership or an app download.

Of course, I'm just using roasted chestnuts as an example. Reading a book doesn't involve this much trouble, but the actual effect is about the same. You'll have to spend money though.

To be honest, I started writing this book on a whim after accidentally seeing a Pan-DALAO video on your site. I mentioned this in the first chapter. Actually, there aren't many similarities because I haven't read Monthly Girls' Nobunaga's Ambition, Bakuman, or Hentai Manga Maker: Assistant-san... Well, I've written down all the ones I've read and read carefully.

—I will always love Asuna!

I personally quite liked this book; it didn't have many agonizing moments, and the daily life was peaceful enough. Plus, there were those funny rants—I never imagined you guys were this kind of weirdos!

Thank you for your daily recommendations and monthly tickets, thank you for your tips and even your sharp words—a special thank you to the two adorable characters, Liuli and Laru—oh right, you're both cute lolis, aren't you?

Now, let's talk about the reward that most readers who like to stir things up are most concerned about. I don't have much time lately, so I'll set the conditions a bit high.

10000 reward plus one more chapter

One extra chapter for every 100 monthly votes.

Forget about the razor blades; I didn't have perfect attendance this month. We'll talk about the razor blades at the beginning of next month.

The bounty period runs from now until midnight Sunday, with no upper limit.

Although it hasn't made it back onto the new book charts yet, there will still be ten updates tomorrow, as a way of thanking the two adorable readers.

Alright, that's all for now. I need to go back to writing. The update will be tomorrow at noon. Please support me with your first subscription.

Then, please continue to guide me in the future.

————His Royal Highness Echizen

090

[NO.88 I think today needs a little sweetness (First update, please subscribe)]

As the sun set, Kirito walked out of the school, his bag now containing a manuscript left behind by Kasumigaoka Utaha. It was said to be the third volume, which was only recently completed and didn't have many pages. At Kirito's reading speed, it would probably only take him an hour to finish it, and even with the added task of analyzing its flaws, it wouldn't take too much time.

However, it must have taken a lot of time to sort out the flaws in her own writing, keep her studies from falling behind, and still write out so many drafts... So, it's fairly clear why Kasumigaoka Utaha is always sleeping in class.

—Don't doubt it, Kirito has absolutely no doubt that Kasumigaoka Utaha doesn't sleep well at night, partly because of necessary writing time and partly because of practicing her kneading technique.

Kirito quickly caught up with Asuna after pulling his gaze away from the legs of the woman in white stockings across the street. He glanced at Asuna's long legs briefly—absolutely, Asuna was invincible when she wore white stockings!

It's just that Asuna rarely wears white stockings... what a pity.

She glanced at Shiina Mashiro walking on the other side. The white stockings were indeed very nice; it would be even better if she wore only white stockings.

"Where are you looking?" Asuna tapped Kirito's head with displeasure, and casually slung her backpack over his shoulder. "You're really something, practicing with Hiratsuka-sensei at school. If I hadn't come in time, you probably would have gotten beaten up."

"Look at what you're saying. I was already prepared to retaliate when Shizuka wasn't looking." Kirito adjusted his bag, feigning composure. "You know, Shizuka is very easy to understand. If you suddenly start reciting lines, she'll follow suit. At that moment, as long as she's reviewing lines from the manga, I can turn the tables..."

“But it’s never good to fight with a teacher at school!” Asuna said seriously.

"...Hey, you can't say that. Teacher Xiaojing has always subdued people with force. If I win, it just means she's not as skilled as me."

"You... I really don't know what to say to you." Asuna shook her head speechlessly, then turned around and walked towards the supermarket near the apartment. "There's not much food left in the refrigerator, let's go to the supermarket to buy some."

"Okay. I want to eat cola chicken wings." Kirito took Asuna's hand and they walked along, swaying slightly.

"You just want a Coke, don't you?" Asuna's pretty face flushed slightly, but she didn't pull away.

Normally, the two of them would hold hands when they were together, but now that Shiina Mashiro was beside them, Asuna felt a little uncomfortable.

In fact, it's like some couples who are still not used to being seen by their husbands who have seen them countless times when they get up and change clothes every morning—it can be seen as modesty, or it can be seen as shame.

"Of course not, I just prefer sweet flavors."

"Don't you like spicy food?"

"I think I should eat something sweet today."

"Um……"

So the two chatted casually as they walked toward the supermarket, while Shiina Mashiro, who was walking beside them, watched them expressionlessly, but her eyes were very serious. If there was nothing else going on, she was probably doing what Kirito had said: observe everything around her, think more, turn what she saw and heard into usable stories, and then incorporate them into the manga when necessary.

However, Shiina Mashiro, who has become the observer, seems somewhat superfluous at this moment.

Before long, the three of them finally arrived at the supermarket near the apartment. Unlike the supermarket next to the station, which mainly sold bento boxes, this supermarket had more ingredients and household goods.

"Hey, Kazuto, you've brought your girlfriend along this time too." The supermarket cashier was a very talkative middle-aged woman, and also a cat lover. It's said that she used to live in Kirito's apartment building, but moved out because the apartment building had a rule against keeping cats.

Here's a side note: cat owners are all good people, much better than those guys who just go out for dog walks whenever they have free time.

Pulling the handcart beside her, Asuna smiled slightly, her face flushed. "Um... we don't have much food left at home."

"Hey, this is..."

"My cousin's name is Shiina Mashiro."

"Oh, cousin..." The middle-aged woman stared at Shiina Mashiro meaningfully for a while, then looked at Kirito before speaking, "Well, let me tell you something..."

"We have a lot to buy, so we won't chat any longer." Kirito smirked and pulled Asuna toward the interior of the supermarket.

To put it nicely, this woman is talkative; to put it bluntly, she's a chatterbox. Although he hadn't heard her finish speaking, Kirito could roughly guess what she wanted to say from her expression and eyes.

Yes, it's definitely something that could be misunderstood.

Middle-aged women are pretty much the same in any country; their personalities and their tendency to gossip when they're bored remain unchanged... I guess it's fortunate that there aren't any groups that like to do square dancing near my apartment.

"We need to buy more meat... Asuna, although you're tired of eating tomatoes, given Ryunosuke's habit of not liking to go out, he definitely won't let our refrigerator go to waste, so we need to buy some as well..." Asuna counted on her fingers what ingredients she needed to buy.

Kirito kept picking up snacks from the shelves and putting them into his shopping cart, while Shiina Mashiro went even further, taking a Baumkuchen cake, unpacking it, and eating it right there on the spot.

"Wait, big sister, we haven't paid for this yet, why did you eat it?" Kirito stared blankly at Shiina Mashiro, feeling a bit complicated. Could this kid have never even been to a supermarket before?

And why are you so obsessed with Baumkuchen? Can't you just give me some cake with cream instead?

"Hmm?" With her cheeks puffed out, Shiina Mashiro tilted her head and looked at Kirito, seemingly puzzled as to why she had to pay for the Baumkuchen...

However, this head tilt is a bit too cutesy, even though it doesn't serve any purpose for Kirito.

—Well, my daughter is so cute even when she's eating, I'm so happy...

Uh, wait a minute, Shiina Mashiro isn't my daughter, is she?

"...Well, let Mashiro eat it. You can hold the bag, and we'll add it to the bill when we pay later." Asuna smiled and ruffled Shiina Mashiro's hair as she watched her enjoy the cake. "Mashiro, you've never been to a supermarket before... well, you probably don't even know that you have to pay for things in a supermarket before you can eat them."

As Xun Ge once said, if you don't go out and see the world, you'll think that what's in front of you is the whole world.

For Shiina Mashiro, painting is her world...

Suddenly I felt a little sorry for her.

091

[NO.89 Only Kazuko Can Enter the Kitchen (Second Update)]

After buying the ingredients, Asuna bought a lot of Baumkuchen for Shiina Mashiro before the three of them prepared to go back... Kirito seemed to remember something, and when checking out, he also put a few bottles of Musashino milk in the shopping cart, claiming that drinking more milk was good for his health.

—Speaking of which, who exactly is Meiming? Why did he sleep with her...? Could it be him?

The worst thing about shopping with a woman is buying too much stuff, because you'll have to carry it all. Even if she wants to, it's best for the man to volunteer, as it's a good way to score points.

Kirito felt that his score was already maxed out.

"I think I bought a lot of things today." Asuna took a large bag from Kirito's hand, but she didn't feel too much strain. After all, she had some training.

If Hiratsuka Shizuka were here, she could probably handle it with one hand. Kirito once saw a classmate faint in class, and Hiratsuka Shizuka simply hoisted him onto her shoulder and carried him to the infirmary.

"It's alright, I can't lift any more." Kirito grinned. Does losing strength really mean you're not as strong as you are without regular exercise?