Romantic comedy with all members, why am I single?

Chapter 268 Hori Kyoko's Anxiety

"What would you like to drink, Senior? Although the variety of drinks in my house is not as many as the ones in Sister Hongxia's house, there are also coffee, mango juice, oolong tea, and fat house happy water~"

"Since you're reading comics, then of course it's fat otaku happy water."

"Understood~!"

Chie Takasago smiled sweetly, then turned around and asked others what they wanted to drink, and went to prepare drinks for everyone.

As for Iura Hide, he didn't even wait for the fat otaku's happy water to be brought up. At the urging of Ichichi Hongxia and the others, he picked up the comic and started reading it with a helpless look.

"The painting style is OK, and quite refined, but in terms of characteristics, it is still far behind the distinctive painting styles of Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and One Piece. It seems that it may still be possible to challenge the championship of the next quarter, but it is unlikely to challenge the throne of the annual hegemony."

After reading only a few pages, Iura Hide had already made a preliminary evaluation of this comic in his mind.

Although not every anime that becomes the top series of the year has a distinctive style like "Demon Slayer", "Jujutsu" and "Attack on Titan", but in today's increasingly inward-looking Japanese comics world, the more sophisticated and distinctive the style, the more likely it is to compete for the top series of the year.

Unless the story is really exciting to a certain extent.

For example, "Spy Play", which came out in 2022, although its style is not too distinctive, it is just exquisite and cute, but it has relied on its interesting story to surpass works with distinctive styles such as "JoJo Stone Ocean", "Chainsaw Man", "Lonely Rock", "Demon Slayer: Yuukaku Arc", "Summer Return", "Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season ", "Attack on Titan Final Season", and "Mob Psycho Season ", and won the throne of the annual hegemony with absolute advantage.

but
"This comic should still be about the same old-fashioned adventure story in another world, right?"

“Then unless the production of the animation can reach the level of “Re:Zero” or “Re:Zero”, and there happens to be no particularly strong rivals in the same year, it will have a chance to become the annual hegemonic show.”

“By the way, April was also the most popular anime of 2014.”

While reading the comic in his hand, Jingpu Xiu couldn't help but think absentmindedly.

The competition for the annual hegemony of "April" was not very fierce that year. Its main competitors were "JoJo Stardust Crusaders", "No Game No Life", "Noragami", "Parasyte" and "Haikyuu!!"

Other works like "Order a Rabbit" and "Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun" were also excellent works of the same year, but they posed no threat to "April".

If it was brought forward to 2013, it would have collided with "Attack on Titan", which was at the level of the "decade of hegemony". If it was pushed back to 2015, it would have run into "One Punch Man", which was also a breakthrough blockbuster that swept that year.

"April" may not lose in terms of word-of-mouth ratings, but if we compare popularity and influence, it is indeed inferior to these two works.

After all, in terms of audience, mainstream hot-blooded comics have always far surpassed other types of works.

It is worth mentioning that one year earlier, in 2012, the annual dominant series was not a duo of "Sword Art Online" and "JOJO", but the latter unilaterally crushed the former.

Even though "Sword Art Online" has achieved amazing results in the light novel industry, its performance after being animated is far inferior to "JOJO".

The key reason for the loss should be the unique painting style of "JOJO".

Compared to "JOJO", the picture quality of "Sword Art Online" can only be considered decent, and it does not give people a refreshing feeling at all.

"In this world and at this time, if April still wants to win the crown of the annual hegemony, I'm afraid it needs to improve the picture quality."

Jinguraxiu thought secretly in his heart.

What’s interesting is that in the competition for the 2011 annual hegemony in Japan, the six works that won the championship were "Gintama Season 2011", "Fate/Z", "Hunter x Hunter ", "Madoka Magica", "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day", and "Steins;Gate".

It is neither the "Fate/Z" with the best picture quality, nor the "Magic Circle", "Anohana" or "Steins;Gate" with the most explosive plot, but the funniest "Gintama Season 2".

This was beyond the expectations of many people, including those in the industry.

After all, when "Gintama Season 1" faced off against "Fate Season 1", it was almost crushed.

Of course, the dominant anime of that year, 2006, was neither "Fate" or "Gintama", nor the equally masterpiece "Code Geass: Code Geass", but "Death Note", which won with its plot.

So when "Gintama Season 2011" unexpectedly won the title of the most popular animation series in , more and more people in the industry began to try to incorporate more, even excessive, funny plots into the orthodox hot-blooded comics.

For example, it is hard to say that "Demon Slayer" and "One Punch Man", which often perform facial expressions, were not influenced by "Gintama".

In addition, among the many annual dominant animations, there is another interesting one. The annual dominant animation in 2007 was not "CLANNAD", which is still in the top five of the ratings and reputation list, but "School Days".

That’s right, it’s Brother Cheng, an absolute groundbreaking figure!

"Brother Cheng is watching you from heaven."

Jingpu Xiu, who was in a trance, suddenly felt inexplicably cold all over. He always felt that some unknown ghost was holding his head and looking at him quietly from behind.

"Senior, your fat otaku happy water."

"Ah, thanks."

Iura Hide was suddenly awakened and quickly stopped thinking about it. He took the cola with ice cubes handed to him by Takasago Chie and started reading the comics seriously. At the same time, he secretly made up his mind that he must be better to Kitagawa Umi in the future.

"By the way, if you look at Hai Meng's perspective, she should really want to help me, so if I can agree, she should be very happy, right?"

Thinking of this, Iura Hide put down the comic book neatly, picked up the mobile phone in the surprised eyes of everyone, called Kitagawa Umi, and told Kitagawa Umi that he agreed to meet with the other party.

"Eh? Really? Have you read the comics, senpai?"

Kitagawa Umi on the other end of the phone was surprised, but also a little shocked and confused.

"That's not the case," Jing Pu Xiu said calmly with a smile, "but since this is an opportunity that Hai Meng-chan helped me get, how can I not give it a try."

Sure enough, after hearing this, Kitagawa Umi on the other end of the phone was stunned at first, and then she was hit by a strong sweetness that made her smile foolishly unconsciously.

The feeling that one's feelings can be sensed by the person one likes and that the person also gives a positive response is really indescribable in any language. Anyway, if Kitagawa Umi had the superpower of teleportation at this moment, she would definitely teleport to Iura Hide immediately, and then fly into Iura Hide's arms, like a clingy kitten, rubbing against her owner and acting coquettishly.

As for the week's backlog of work
Are you kidding? Whose cat needs to work and earn money?

She wants to be Jingpu Xiu's cat, eat Jingpu Xiu's food, live in Jingpu Xiu's house, and stick to Jingpu Xiu's arms every day. Anyway, she will rely on Jingpu Xiu for the rest of her life!
On the other end of the phone, when Iura Hide heard Kitagawa Umi's silly laughter, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, and his smile became warmer and gentler.

However, he was being affectionate with Kitagawa Umi over the phone and he didn't notice that, except for Hoshino Ai who was relatively calm, everyone else around him showed envious expressions, even a "no-brainer" like Mashiro had a little fluctuation in his eyes.

It was not until Iura Hide hung up the phone and took the initiative to ask Takasago Chie, who had read the comic, about the general plot, character settings, style characteristics, and even information about the author himself that everyone perked up and came over.

"Hey, hey, I'm talking about comics with my senior, what are you guys doing here?" Chie Takasago muttered in dissatisfaction.

However, how could such a small problem stump the clever Noha Sugaya and Nijika Ijichi?
The two of them looked at each other quickly, and then Sugaya Noha said with a smile: "We are members of Thousand Miles of Sunshine, so of course we have to know something about this comic. And when the senior writes a song later, maybe we can provide him with some inspiration~"

"."

Chie Takasago looked at the two of them speechlessly.

If it was Yamada Ryo who said this, it would be fine, but what do these two guys, Sugaya Noha and Ijichi Nijika, know about writing songs! ?
"Why don't you just say that you are also interested in this comic? That's more reliable than giving a reason like you are helping your senior to provide inspiration!" Chie Takasago couldn't help but secretly complain in her heart.

If Iura Hide hadn't been right next to her, she would have wanted to roll up her sleeves and let Sugaya Noha recall the fear of being controlled by her tickling technique since childhood.

It is worth mentioning that Noha Sugaya specifically enrolled in karate classes for two years just to get rid of Chie Takasago's "domination".

Unfortunately, after two years of learning, she realized that karate moves were of no use to Chie Takasago, who was always able to hug her at the first opportunity, and that she should learn judo or wrestling instead.

However, two years of practice had made her much stronger, allowing her to struggle a little under Takasago Chie's control.

"Hey, hurry up and tell me, don't waste the senior's precious time~~~"

".I will endure!"

Chie Takasago couldn't help but move her fingers, but in the end she took a deep breath and began to explain the comic.

While Iura Hide and the others were happily listening to "Teacher Takasago's comics class", Hori Kyoko was at home glaring at Sota across the table with a tense look on her face.

"I want to go play with my big brother~!" Sota spoke first.

Of course, even if I don’t count the times I just said it, I have said this more than ten times today.

"I still want to go find 'big brother' to play~!" Hori Kyoko's mouth twitched, and she complained in her heart.

Doesn't she want to go play with Jingpu Xiu?

What a joke, if it wasn’t for taking care of Sota, she wouldn’t have come back this morning!
Even if she still has homework to do, she can just stay at Iura Hide's house and do her homework with Motoko!
This way, I can communicate more with my sister-in-law and get closer to her.

Isn’t it better than going home to do housework and take care of Chuang Tai?

But can she take Sota to find Iura Hide now?
What if Sota, this big mouth, followed her to Iura Hide's place, saw a bunch of girls surrounding Iura Hide, and then turned around and told Hori Yuriko about it with exaggeration?
"No! Xiu has to rehearse seriously for tonight's performance and has no time to play with you!" Hori Kyoko tried hard to put on a cold and serious face and refused again without hesitation.

However, seeing Sota's pitiful appearance, and thinking that he was only six years old, Hori Kyoko reluctantly switched the mop in her hand to the other hand, and said in a slightly slower tone: "You have finished your homework, right? Then how about I watch cartoons with you?"

"No!" Sota's answer was even cleaner and neater than Hori Kyoko's, which made Hori Kyoko very upset. Her A level fluctuated up and down and almost reached the height of C.

"Then shall I accompany you to the small park next door to play football?" Hori Kyoko asked again, suppressing her temper.

This time, Chuangtai hesitated for a moment. After all, for a boy of this age, going out to play is more attractive than watching anime at home.

However, Kyoko Hori soon discovered that she had underestimated Iura Hide's "attraction" to Sota.

"No! I want to play with my big brother!"

"."

While Hori Kyoko was feeling depressed, she couldn't help but wonder.

It would be fine if it were a girl, but Jing Pu Xiu is handsome, has a good personality, and is talented, let alone these adolescent girls.

Even though those little girls liked and admired Jingura Hide, she understood it very well.

But why is Hori Sota, a little boy, so "in love" with Iura Hide?
Is there something wrong with Sota?
This thought suddenly popped up in Hori Kyoko's head, and her eyes became strange.

"No, if Sota really has any signs of that, we must stop it as soon as possible! But maybe I'm overthinking it, right?"

After another moment of silence, Kyoko Hori finally couldn't help but ask tentatively: "How about I take you to play with Arina-chan from your class?"

As a result, it would have been fine if she didn't mention Okuyama Arina. As soon as she mentioned Okuyama Arina, Sota's heart shuddered and he quickly said, "No, no! I don't want to go find that guy! I just like big brother, I want to play with big brother~~~~!"

At this point, Hori Kyoko's expression couldn't help but change.

She didn't know that Arina Okuyama, who was always well-behaved and sensible in front of her and looked as pretty and cute as a doll, had been secretly imitating her when she was with Sota at school because she admired her.

As a result, when Sota saw Okuyama Yuina, he was like seeing a ghost. No, it was like seeing her. Of course, it was impossible for him to like playing with Okuyama Yuina.

Hearing that Sota kept saying that he liked Iura Hide, even though she rationally thought that Sota was still so young and this "like" should not be that kind of like, she couldn't help but become more worried.

(End of this chapter)