manga artist Kirito

For example, there was an amusing story I once saw: a woman, as a prank, went to a hair salon and had her shoulder-length hair extended to waist-length. Then, she said to her husband, who had just woken up, "You're finally awake! It's been two years..."

Perhaps you didn't understand the humor at the time, but if you apply it to someone who enjoys playing pranks... it seems quite interesting.

—Just to see that bewildered reaction, that's enough!

……

"Let's leave it at that for now. As for how to explain it to others..." Asuna smiled naturally, "Men and dogs are the same. They'll be so different after just two or three days that they won't recognize each other! -- You just need to explain it to confused people like that."

Kirito pleaded with his hands clasped together, "...Please, Asuna, stop watching Gintama!"

"Well, life is 80% tough, and you'll encounter even more troublesome things in the future." Asuna smiled, raising the corners of her mouth. "I hope you won't just focus on what's ahead."

"Hey hey!" Kirito nodded helplessly, then frowned slightly and looked to his right. There was Akane Kousaka walking slowly towards him. The refreshed look on her face made Kirito think she was extremely annoying.

There are many ways to fight, but Kirito prefers the latter one.

Naturally, Asuna also noticed Akane's arrival. Her pretty eyes narrowed slightly, and she seemed to be thinking about something, but it was definitely not about how to greet her.

The super popular circle Rouge en rouge is led by Akane Akasaka, whose real name is Akane Kousaka. She's an amazing woman who's a bestseller in both the manga and novel industries, and she's also involved in the production of various games and anime...

Although they hadn't had much interaction before, Asuna still knew her. Whether it was because of her profession, her own company, or even Kirito, she had to know Akane Kousaka.

He had a very assertive demeanor, although he looked strangely languid now and his face was a little pale, but his fame was undeniable... However, in Asuna's eyes, he was just an annoying creator.

Of course, it's not appropriate to start a fight now, otherwise it would make one seem petty.

However, there are some aspects that cannot be continued.

"Hello, Asuna Yuuki, Kazuto's girlfriend." With a graceful demeanor and a gentle smile on her lips, Asuna stood up and greeted Akane Kousaka.

"Akane Kousaka, this kid's older sister, you're his girlfriend... You have good taste." The handshake lasted no more than three seconds before Akane Kousaka began to sized up Asuna, her eyes looking like she was vetting her son's future wife.

But in reality, that's not the case... If it were really described as described above, then her self-introduction wouldn't be under the pen name Akane Akasaka, but would directly use her real name.

not right...

This was Kirito's only feeling towards Akane Kousaka at this moment. Her face was slightly pale, perhaps because she was too tired. What was with the dissatisfaction in her eyes? And what was with this domineering attitude?

Is menopause coming again?

Or is it just that my period started today...?

It felt strange, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

"I often hear people talking about you, President Akasaka."

"Well, I occasionally hear news about you two, but you rarely come back to the club."

The two talked and sat down on either side of Kirito.

Whether it's called tacit understanding or not, neither Asuna nor Akane mentioned anything about Kirito being dressed as a woman...

Furthermore, Kirito also felt that he was somewhat superfluous right now...

"Well, you guys chat first, I'll go get some food."

"Well, let's go."

"it is good."

……

"The current development is just like the melodramatic plot of a novel." Carrying his tray away from the center of attention at the party, Kirito muttered to himself, "If it weren't for that older single woman in Kousaka with her outrageous sense of humor, I might be a little worried that Asuna might hit her... well, Asuna isn't that kind of violent person."

"But! But... who has been staring at me all this time?" With a piece of watermelon in his mouth, Kirito looked around and finally locked his gaze on the windowsill of a certain room.

The moonlight wasn't very bright at that moment, but because the courtyard was so large and enviable, it was well-lit, allowing Kirito to see the shimmering reflection in the room. Especially after Kirito locked his gaze on the target, the reflection disappeared.

"What is this guy... looking at with binoculars in the middle of the night? Is there some kind of striptease show nearby?" Kirito pursed his lips slightly, but quickly realized, "Just now... was she spying on me?"

I never expected you to be this kind of Eriri!

He actually enjoys spying...

Well, whatever. Everyone has their own hobbies. It's not a mistake, but proof that this person's mind is still functioning normally. I'll consider you lucky that I discovered it. I won't tell anyone.

Back at the flowerbed, the atmosphere was different from before. Asuna and Akane were now chatting and laughing. Although they were still a little distance apart, Kirito could clearly hear that Akane was now bringing up his embarrassing past from shortly after joining the club...

Ugh, this is really annoying...

You have just as many embarrassing pasts as I do, you big-breasted, neurotic foodie with an uncle-like personality.

Don't hit someone in the face, don't expose someone's shortcomings—don't you know that after all these years?

No wonder you can't find a boyfriend... You're almost as unlucky as Xiaojing!

"Hey, Asuna, do you want some?" Kirito didn't sit back in his original spot, which was between the two of them. Instead, he quietly sat down next to Asuna and brought the plate to her.

"No need, I don't have much of an appetite today..." Asuna shook her head slightly. During the time Kirito was away, she had come to understand Akane Kousaka—a formidable foe! The kind that's extremely difficult to deal with.

"I see..." Kirito scratched his head, then laughed, "They say listening to jokes can make people more hungry, how about I act like an idiot and talk to you?"

"Huh, you even know how to say idiots?" Akane Kosaka asked, somewhat surprised.

Kirito glanced indifferently at Akane Kousaka, instantly giving her two bad premonitions, and his tone was almost identical, "Eh, Kazuto, you even know how to say something stupid?"

Akane Takasaka: "..."

P.S.: A friend asked how well this book is doing lately...

Then I recounted the painful truth: I had the best grades when I started at the same time as everyone else, but now everyone else's grades are doubling, while mine are steadily declining...

Is it because there are too many updates?

144

[NO.142 The End of the Weekend]

"I've met most of the people I needed to know. Can I go home now?"

With dead fish eyes, Kirito looked listlessly at Akane Kousaka, whose complexion was slightly off.

Although it's just a formality, the creation of the identity of Kiritani Kazuko seems to be very important to Kosaka Akane. In the end, she will also have to go with Kosaka Akane to get to know a few influential people in the industry... By the way, why does she have to use the identity of Fujiwara Tsukuyuki? Why not Fujiwara Echizen?

However, Kirito admitted that he couldn't fathom Akane's thoughts; she always seemed to have a reason.

Perhaps she has some new project she wants to develop...maybe?

"That's enough." Akane Kosaka smiled faintly, looking at the two who had been inseparable since earlier, as if she was completely oblivious to the sparks. "Thank you for your hard work this time. Sword Art Online will be officially published on Friday. If you want to check the initial release data, remember to come to the Chiyoda Ward branch. I'll be staying here for a while."

"It was just confirmed, are you sure you'll be fine with this?" Kirito raised an eyebrow. The official publication date was only discussed in the evening, but Akane Kousaka looked so confident...

Well, Kirito isn't in a rush to publish Sword Art Online, but he has some drafts saved up and definitely wants more people to see it as soon as possible. Besides, this work is... of special significance, and the sooner he sees it become popular, the better.

However, nothing can be rushed. If certain aspects are not properly prepared, the consequences will be far more serious than simply failing to publish the article.

Akane Kosaka was slightly displeased. "Can't you trust something I personally handled?"

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just…” Kirito seemed a little uneasy, “Even with all the promotional methods and preparations you’ve done, the pen name Fujiwara Echizen is already past its prime, not to mention that it’s an erotic artist coming out of retirement. I’m worried it won’t be appealing enough…”

"This doesn't sound like something you would say." Akane Kosaka smoothed the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes and said calmly. "Many manga artists in the industry started as erotic artists, so there's no need to worry about this. As long as the story of Sword Art Online is good enough, who cares what the creator did before?"

“And based on the story…” Akane Kosaka patted Kirito’s shoulder confidently, her tone as proud as if she had come up with the story herself, “No matter what kind of script it is, as long as you are in charge of preparing it, I have never been worried. Similarly, you have quite a reputation as a producer, screenwriter, director… and so on.”

"I see..." Kirito nodded slightly, pursing his lips. He hadn't paid attention to these things in a long time, but since Akane Kousaka mentioned it, it must be true. As for the reason...

It's obvious that Akane Kosaka has definitely added the name Fujiwara Echizen to some of her past works. In the industry, two or three years isn't enough to make a colorful name disappear completely and become just another face in the crowd.

Unless, during this period, a number of geniuses emerge in the industry...

"In short, just relax and wait for the work to be officially published." Akane Kousaka opened the car door, took Kirito's backpack out of the car and threw it to Kirito. "Remember to come to the branch office on Friday, whether it's to check the work data or to help me optimize the engine... Okay, that's all, see you another day."

"...See you another day." Kirito pouted, then turned to look at Asuna beside him. "Let's go home then."

"Ah."

……

Perhaps because of what happened later, Kirito remembered some troublesome things.

For example, Kirito plans to recommend Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha, two promising talents, to Rouge en rouge for further training...

Of course, it was just for learning. Kirito planned to keep the two of them as the future core of the studio, but Akane Kousaka's decisive way of doing things didn't give Kirito a chance to speak.

Naturally, Kirito believed that Akane Kousaka had definitely noticed Eriri and Utaha Kasumigaoka, but their performances were not yet dazzling enough for her to make a move to win them over.

"Still taking a wait-and-see approach... and you say you trust me." Kirito said, pouting. "If you really trusted me, you wouldn't have waited for me to bring it up myself..."

As for the rest, such a simple thing as engine optimization, at this stage, there's no one in Rouge en Rouge who can compare to me, but if you have to bother me with such a small thing, you might as well have had someone learn something from me in the first place...

Hmm, it's a waste to let Yui help out. It would be better to let her play with Maid-chan more.

Oh right, there's also Ryunosuke, that shut-in guy. It's definitely the right thing to do to give him this kind of extra income, otherwise it's hard to say whether he'll be able to pay his rent later.

"...Then, all I need to do now is speed up the artwork." Sitting in the passenger seat, Kirito, his eyes half-closed, let out a slow sigh. What a long weekend...

Unfortunately, this seemingly endless weekend wasn't as relaxing as I'd imagined.

It was past ten o'clock when they got home. Asuna walked ahead and opened the door, while Kirito tried to hide himself, afraid of being seen by acquaintances. He only relaxed after entering the house and closing the door.

The lights in the room were all on, as if there were no water or electricity bills to pay. Shiina Mashiro was not seen in the living room, but the fact that the study door was only partially closed indicated that Shiina Mashiro was still engrossed in her writing.

That's good, at least Kirito is happy.

The fewer people who see this, the better!

"I'll go change my clothes first..." After putting down what he was holding, Kirito was too lazy to do anything else. The most important thing was to change out of this kimono as soon as possible.

"Hmm, are you hungry?" Asuna walked to the study door, glanced at Shiina Mashiro inside, and then turned to ask.

"...Then I'll have to trouble you." Although I ate twice at the party, each time I only ate a little before my stomach sank, and there was no chance of filling my stomach at all... Besides, it was all cold, so how delicious could it be?

"Go wash up first."

"it is good."

He quickly went into the bathroom, then began filling the bathtub with water. Faint sounds came from the kitchen next door. With a warm smile on his lips, Kirito sank into the water and slowly began to blow bubbles.

"For everyday life... I'm more used to it this way."

P.S.: I looked at it for a long time, thought about it for a long time... and then I got writer's block.

145

[NO.143 My daughter is still so fair-skinned]

"Mmm, taking a bath is definitely the most comfortable thing, even in summer..."

The bathroom was brightly lit, and Kirito, soaking in the water, looked lazy and didn't even seem to want to get up.

However, practicing with the students in the dojo during the day naturally consumes a lot of energy. Although I don't want to move now, the bruised areas on my arms have started to ache slightly after I relax.

"Those bastards really don't know how to hold back..." Kirito pursed his lips. Although I didn't hold back either, I am still the senior brother. Even if I rarely come back to the dojo, they don't have to keep attacking me. Aren't you worried that Suguha will make things difficult for you?

Despite the pain, Kirito still made sure to remember the feelings he had. He was confident that he could use these feelings to transform the art style, which was originally only suitable for romantic and angsty stories, into a more action-packed one...

Of course, Kirito knew that these things couldn't be rushed. It took him quite a while to master the original art style, and now he wanted to complete it in the blink of an eye... If it were Shiina Mashiro, she could probably do it, but Kirito felt that he wasn't up to the task.

So let's take it slow, gradually improve our comic book skills, and feel the joy of success step by step... that must be pretty good too.

"But...but...didn't you know someone was taking a bath in there?" With only half his head showing, Kirito's gaze shifted to the doorway, where he looked at Shiina Mashiro, who was wearing only a loose-fitting top that revealed her snow-white thighs, with a somewhat blank expression.

This washroom includes a toilet. Since Kirito has come in to take a shower, it's highly unlikely that anyone else will come in at this time, so he didn't close the shower curtain next to the bathtub... However, Kirito forgot that Shiina Mashiro lacks any common sense.

Although Shiina Mashiro has learned a few things about interacting with others during this time, such as greeting acquaintances—currently limited to all members of the manga club—and knowing to take a Baumkuchen to the cashier if she sees it in the supermarket and wants to eat it—generally, if you pay, you eat it; change? What's that?

In short, it still stems from a lack of common sense.

However, when they are in the apartment, they still need to be taken care of; otherwise, they wouldn't have come into the bathroom at this time.

But that's all fine. But since you came in and saw that there were other people there, could you please leave first?

I know I'm good-looking, but why are you staring at me like that?

"How about giving me a little reaction?" Kirito stared blankly at the adorable girl, reached out and stroked her long hair that was soaking in the water, gathering it in front of her. Then he stopped trying to hide it. "I don't know how much you saw, but I'm not so petty as to want to see back. So, could you please leave now? I need to come out."

"...I need to pee." With an expression as calm as could be, Ms. Shiina seemed oblivious to the sorrow in Kirito's words, and said leisurely.

"Then go ahead and pee. I didn't stop you from peeing. I just want you to get out of here quickly, okay?" Kirito's expression grew increasingly wooden. He already knew how Shiina Mashiro would react and knew that she wasn't the kind of girl who could easily understand his feelings... Kirito was just worried about what to say if Asuna came in later.

—Speaking of which, it seems that this country has a custom where daughters bathe with their fathers before they come of age or get married?

"Kirito is strange." After staring blankly at Kirito for a while, Shiina Mashiro came to this conclusion. Perhaps it was because of his long hair, but in any case, she understood Kirito's desire for her to leave.

Then, Shiina Mashiro started taking off her panties...

"Oh my god!" Kirito couldn't help but cover his face. This must be Char's test for me.