Master of the Machete Style Manga

Chapter 174 Will they do it with you?
Haruna Mikazuki: "What do you mean 'two'?!"

Natsume Mio: "What do you mean there's more?!"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and although they focused on different key points at first, they quickly aligned their information.

So, both pairs of eyes widened and stared directly at Sakamoto Ken sitting opposite them.

Ken Sakamoto was drenched in sweat.

He never expected Ai Hoshino's "assistance" to be like this.

The initial plan was that Ai Hoshihara would help him stabilize Haruna and Mio's emotions, and then proceed slowly step by step.

I never expected her to drop such a bombshell!

That sentence was definitely something she had planned carefully, from suddenly changing her address to "Xiao Jian," to the crucial "and," and then mentioning "two girlfriends" in such a casual tone...

Ken Sakamoto's eyelids twitched slightly as he pondered how to respond.

Ai Hoshino then added, "Oh? So you're not Ken's girlfriends?"

Ken Sakamoto glanced at Ai Hoshihara and gave her a wink, but she didn't respond at all, continuing to stare at the two people opposite her.

"Ken, you...you mean, I'm your girlfriend?" Natsume Mio asked Sakamoto Ken.

Haruna Mikazuki nudged her arm and said, "She was talking about the two of us!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could Ken tell outsiders that we are both his girlfriends at the same time?" Natsume Mio said.

“I never said anything like that…” Ken Sakamoto said.

Ai Hoshino looked at Ken Sakamoto and raised an eyebrow.

Ken Sakamoto immediately knew that this guy was up to something again.

Then, he saw Ai Hoshino reach out and grab his hand: "That's not what you said to me last time."

When he holds hands with a girl, Ken Sakamoto doesn't feel any "electric shock" or anything like that; he just feels that she's soft and squishy and easy to pinch.

But this time, it truly felt like an electric current had drilled into his palm, making him instinctively want to pull his hand back.

But Ai Hoshihara held his hand firmly, even raising it up as if to show it off to Mio and Haruna.

The two girls opposite were practically frozen in place.

My gaze shifted from Sakamoto Ken and Hoshihara Ai's clasped hands to the smiling face of this older woman, and then to the slight twitching of Sakamoto Ken's facial muscles...

Just then, Ken Sakamoto saw a familiar figure approaching.

It was Kaji Keiko.

She quickly walked to the booth next to Sakamoto Ken. Sakamoto Ken never made a grasping motion with his hand; it was Hoshihara Ai who held his hand the whole time, and she didn't let go until this point.

When Keiko Kaji walked over, she looked perfectly normal, but when she saw Ken Sakamoto and Ai Hoshihara holding hands, she was slightly taken aback.

She quickly turned her gaze to Haruna and Mio opposite her, and naturally noticed that their expressions were not quite right.

However, Keiko Kaji still moved closer and, barely managing to maintain a normal tone, said, "Mr. Sakamoto... the awards ceremony is about to begin, and you'll need to go to the front to prepare..."

Sakamoto Ken replied stiffly, "Okay, I'll be right there..."

He glanced at Ai Hoshihara one more time, and this time, she finally let go of his hand.

"Go on," Hoshino Ai said softly, then picked up a fork, speared a piece of mango, and put it in her mouth.

Keiko Kaji felt a little awkward standing there, and her admiration for the writer she was in charge of grew even stronger.

It turns out that Sakamoto-sensei not only has ambiguous relationships with Mio and Mitsuki-haru-sensei, but even the judges of this call for submissions...

Ken Sakamoto had already walked towards the seats over there, and she quickly followed.

Ken Sakamoto glanced at Keiko Kaji, who was walking about two meters away from him, and sensed that she was deliberately keeping that distance to avoid some kind of misunderstanding.

He remained silent the entire time until he arrived at this row of seats.

Keiko Kaji then quickly walked over to Ken Sakamoto and guided him to sit down in a spot with his name on it.

She herself sat in the next seat, with her name on the back of the chair, since Keiko Kaji was Ken Sakamoto's editor.

After taking his seat, Ken Sakamoto looked around. As the winner, his seat was quite close to the front.

Among those sitting around were several familiar faces from the Shueisha editorial department. They all nodded politely when they saw Ken Sakamoto.

As for the writers present, he didn't recognize them much.

After all, those who participate in such call for submissions are mostly new authors who haven't debuted yet or have only recently started writing. Established, famous writers wouldn't participate in such selection-based competitions.

However, Ken Sakamoto's mind was not on the awards stage at all.

Ai Hoshino's actions just now completely baffled him.

First, he deliberately referred to Mio and Haruna as his girlfriends, and the key point is the word "also".

Moreover, while they were still in shock, she grabbed his hand in front of everyone and wouldn't let go, and then gave him that meaningful look at the end...

Now, only the three of them were left in the booth at the back; who knows what they would say.

As expected, Mio and Haruna should be intimidated by Ai Hoshihara's powerful aura.

But when these two get together, plus the unpredictable Ai Hoshihara...

Last week, Ken Sakamoto was indeed dating all three of them at the same time, but he had never experienced anything like this before.

When the three of them met offline, it was already their final moment.

And now, this is just the beginning.

This is making me a little uneasy...

Ken Sakamoto turned slightly to the side and glanced back.

His gaze traveled through the gaps between the seats to the booth area, where he could see the spot he had just been sitting.

Hoshino Ai remained as relaxed as before, even exuding an air of complete control.

She crossed her legs, her toes hooking her high heels, one arm casually draped over her thigh, gently swirling a cup of barley tea in her hand, leaning slightly forward as she spoke to Mio and Haruna across from her.

On the other hand, Natsume Mio and Mikazuki Haruna were sitting opposite her.

The two sat side by side, behaving like elementary school students being scolded by their teacher.

Ken Sakamoto was slightly surprised.

Has Ai Hoshino already won them over?
What exactly did she say to make these two guys behave so well?

wrong.

This current situation is the worst possible scenario.

They didn't start arguing, so doesn't that mean they've reached some kind of consensus?
Just like last week when they reached a consensus to kill him...

Upon noticing that Natsume Mio had turned her head in their direction, Sakamoto Ken immediately looked away.

Let them talk privately first...

In short, there should be no danger to my life; at worst, I'll just be severely punished by them sometime in the future.

If you can be open-minded enough, then you can consider it a reward.

Furthermore, Ken Sakamoto was very good at providing them with emotional support, making them feel that he was truly punishing them severely...

At this moment, the lights in the venue dimmed and music started playing.

The surrounding chatter gradually subsided, and everyone's attention turned to the stage in front.

Editor-in-Chief Tomohiro Ohno straightened his suit and walked steadily onto the awards stage.

He took the microphone from the staff and said, "Distinguished guests, writers and teachers, good evening!"

"Welcome to the 'Future Stars of Film and Television' Awards Ceremony, co-hosted by Netflix and Shueisha."

The audience burst into warm applause.

Tomohiro Ohno gave a brief welcome speech, thanking all the writers for attending and Netflix for its generous support of the event.

He then immediately got to the point.

"The main purpose of this award is to discover outstanding stories that are suitable for adaptation into film, television and animation. This is also one of the important strategies for Netflix to officially enter the Japanese market."

Tomohiro Ohno's tone became serious: "We promise that all the winning works will be eligible for film and animation adaptations. Shueisha will join hands with Netflix to mobilize the best resources to jointly promote the adaptation projects of these works..."

Film and television adaptations mean huge exposure and the fame and fortune that come with it, an opportunity that countless authors pursue.

After some opening remarks, Tomohiro Ohno began to announce the winning entries from the call for submissions.

First, there are the awards for excellence, third place, and second place in each of the two tracks.

As names were read out, the winners excitedly went on stage to receive their awards and give their acceptance speeches.

Ken Sakamoto sat in the audience, clapping politely, but he seemed somewhat distracted.

Finally, the grand finale has arrived.

"Next, we will be awarding the first prize of this competition!"

Tomohiro Ohno raised his voice a few decibels and turned his gaze to the first row of the audience.

Sitting next to Ken Sakamoto, Keiko Kaji was even more nervous than the person in question.

She quickly and gently patted Sakamoto Ken's shoulder: "Sakamoto-sensei, it's your turn!"

Ken Sakamoto adjusted his facial expression, preparing to go on stage. Tomohiro Ohno glanced at his cue cards and announced loudly:

"The winning entry in the Reality category of this Future Film and Television Stars Writing Contest is—'Looking Back Suddenly'!"

Congratulations, Mr. Ken Sakamoto!

The spotlight instantly shone on Ken Sakamoto.

Amid applause, Ken Sakamoto stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and calmly bowed slightly to those around him.

"And we are especially honored to have invited our award presenters today—"

Tomohiro Ohno turned to the side and pointed to the other side of the stage.

"Mr. Xiang He, Chairman of the Yiqiao Group!"

Hitotsubashi Group is a behemoth that controls numerous publishing giants such as Shueisha, Shogakukan, and Hakusensha.

As the chairman of the entire group, Mr. Aiga rarely attends such specific events.

It seems that the group's senior management attaches great importance to the cooperation with Netflix. The quality of "Looking Back" is very high, and it just so happens to have the opportunity to be promoted. It may become more popular than the original work from the previous week.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, an elderly man with gray hair but a vigorous spirit walked out from the side of the stage.

He wore a well-tailored dark gray handmade suit, and although he was quite old, he walked steadily and stood up straight.

This is Chairman Xiang He.

Ken Sakamoto walked to the center of the podium.

On the other side, President Aiga also walked up to him.

At the edge of the stage, a hostess walked up carrying a tray with a trophy on it.

The trophy is designed as a hand holding a pen, gleaming under the light, but it is only gold-plated, not made of pure gold.

President Aiga picked up the trophy and handed it to Ken Sakamoto.

"Thank you, Mr. Sakamoto." Ken Sakamoto bowed slightly in thanks.

Unlike some other contestants, he did not bow deeply to the award presenters with trepidation.

On the one hand, he did not have the habit of bowing. On the other hand, although Aiga was the chairman of the entire Hitotsubashi Group, the relationship between the writer and the publisher was not one of superior and subordinate, but essentially an equal partnership.

President Aiga turned around, faced the audience, and said a few words briefly into the microphone:

"I have also read 'Looking Back', which is a rare masterpiece. The emotions in it are sincere and moving, leaving a deep impression on me."

"Furthermore, I've also been following the ongoing series 'Chainsaw Man.' Sakamoto is a particularly promising writer who could become a pillar of JUMP and even the entire manga industry in the future."

Congratulations to Ken Sakamoto for winning the first prize in the Reality category!

Applause erupted again from the audience.

Ken Sakamoto held the cold, heavy trophy in his hand, offering a polite smile to the audience.

His gaze swept past the guests, editors, and authors sitting at the very front.

After passing through layers of people, I landed in the slightly dimly lit booth area at the back.

There, Natsume Mio, Mikazuki Haruna, and Hoshihara Ai all stopped talking.

They were all staring intently at the stage.

Especially Ai Hoshihara, after noticing Ken Sakamoto's presence, had a playful smile on her lips, gently raised her teacup, and offered him a distant toast.

Ken Sakamoto looked away and took the microphone.

According to the procedure, he needs to give an acceptance speech.

But he didn't intend to go on at length.

"Thank you for your support, readers. Thank you to the organizers of the competition, Netflix and Shueisha, as well as the judges. I will continue to create more wonderful works in the future. Thank you."

After saying that, he took a step back.

Tomohiro Ohno immediately took over the conversation and guided the process forward.

Ken Sakamoto and President Aiga walked down from opposite sides of the award stage.

Next came the writers' dinner, where waiters moved through the crowd, carrying exquisite dishes to the table.

Holding the trophy, Ken Sakamoto politely declined several authors who wanted to come up and chat, and walked straight to a booth in the corner.

What should come is always coming.

As he got closer, he noticed that something seemed off.

Natsume Mio and Mikazuki Haruna sat upright, their expressions... well, they were a little strange.

Upon seeing Sakamoto Ken approach, the two girls' expressions instantly turned serious, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

Only Ai Hoshihara remained calm and composed, watching him approach with a smile.

Ken Sakamoto walked to the table, sat down in the empty seat next to Ai Hoshihara, and casually placed the trophy on the table.

As soon as he sat down, he was immediately surrounded by three pairs of eyes.

This feeling is even more stressful than being stared at by everyone on stage just now.

Ken Sakamoto forced a smile and said, "The main courses and other dishes have been served. There's also freshly cut steak over there, which looks to be of pretty high quality. Aren't you going to get something to eat?"

"Don't change the subject!" Natsume Mio said.

Ken Sakamoto paused for a moment, then asked, "Huh?"

"Exactly! Don't change the subject!" Mikazuki Haruna chimed in, arms crossed and chin slightly raised. "Ken, you explain yourself first. Why did you tell others that you were dating both of us at the same time?"

"what?!"

Ken Sakamoto looked at Ai Hoshihara beside him with a puzzled expression.

At this moment, Ai Hoshihara spoke up.

She put down her teacup, turned her head, and looked at Ken Sakamoto with an innocent and surprised expression.

"Xiao Jian, are you not actually in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with them?"

This time, her voice was surprisingly soft and sweet.

This tone was something she would only use in the past when she was deeply in love and murmured "Modo, Modo."

"Xiao Jian, you told me before that you have two girlfriends, so you can't accept my confession... Could it be that you just said that as an excuse to reject me?" Hoshino Ai said.

"No?" Sakamoto Ken's mind went blank. "What did you say??"

This script is wrong, and what is Haji Loves You about?

Didn't you promise to help me keep them calm?
How did it become that I lied to reject you?

And... what does "cannot accept your confession" mean?
Ken Sakamoto's brain raced as he immediately began to mentally replay the events that had just transpired.

When he went to the front to receive the award, only the three of them were left here.

According to what Ai Hoshihara just said...

When they first met, Ai Hoshihara's comment, "I also have two younger girlfriends," was actually foreshadowing something.

The meaning is quite clear: she is one of them, and the "first one" to arrive even before them.

However, after Sakamoto Ken left, Ai Hoshihara clearly changed her story when confronted by Mio and Haruna.

Although the initial "misunderstanding" was clarified, Ai Hoshihara steered the "misunderstanding" in another direction.

Ai Hoshihara fabricated a scenario in which she confessed her feelings to Ken Sakamoto and pursued him, only to be rejected by him using the excuse that he "already had two girlfriends."

That's too cruel...

At this point, Ai Hoshino pressed her advantage, adding insult to injury: "So, Ken, you were lying to me? You don't have any special relationship with them at all~"

As she said this, her eyes sparkled, and her tone was filled with the surprise of "I still have a chance."

“Um…” Sakamoto Ken chuckled dryly, trying to explain, “There are probably a lot of misunderstandings here…”

"What's there to misunderstand? Whether someone is boyfriend or girlfriend, is there any other answer besides yes or no?"

Ai Hoshino didn't give him a chance to explain. She immediately continued, "Since you're not dating them, that means you're single now, right?"

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, her captivating eyes fixed on Ken Sakamoto.

"Since you're single, what right do they have to interfere in what's between you and me?"

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Sakamoto Ken's hand on the table in front of the two people opposite her.

Her fingers were slender and long, and her fingertips lightly traced the back of his hand, with a hint of provocation.

"Your older sister really likes you~"

Ai Hoshino's voice became increasingly soft and sweet: "Whatever you want, your older sister can give you..."

She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping defiantly over Natsume Mio and Mikazuki Haruna across from her.

Then, in a voice that seemed like a whisper, but was actually just loud enough for the two people on the other side to hear:
"I can give you money, go on dates with you, hug you, kiss you, and...love you~"

"Look, would they do these things with you?"

(End of this chapter)