I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 102 He is a scalding hot knife (Second update~)

It is drizzling.

It slides down the old eaves and gathers in shallow and deep puddles.

A stray cat was drinking water when a fallen leaf fell into a puddle, mistaking it for a river that could reach the ocean, but instead just swirled around in the small pool.

When Tsukino Gen learned the other person's identity, he immediately looked to his side. His eyesight was far beyond that of an ordinary person, and his perception was also much more exaggerated than before.

It can be said that if someone's gaze is fixed on you, you will basically feel it wherever that person can see you.

Gen Tsukino quickly concluded that everything was normal; the other party had simply made a phone call and had not specifically arranged for anyone to monitor him.

So, what does this sudden, inexplicable phone call mean?

Holding his phone, he calmly walked back, even flashing a friendly smile as he passed the elderly security guard at the gate.

"Ms. Mochizuki, you're not calling at this hour to tell me you participated in some lucky event and became a lucky audience member, are you?"

The woman on the other end spoke slowly, with a clear and resonant voice, as if she were reciting lines from a script.

"That's not what I meant. Contacting you was a personal matter and has nothing to do with my profession."

"Private matter?" That raises another question. "How did Ms. Mochizuki get my phone number?"

Gen Tsukino quickly returned home, too lazy to even dry his rain-soaked hair with a towel. He simply sat on the sofa and turned on the television, which had only a few channels.

"I hope you don't mind this. It was obtained through personal information left at the movie theater. I specifically asked them to do it."

Personal information left at the movie theater?

what.

I vaguely remember registering my personal contact information before entering the VIP screening room. Tsukino Gen didn't seem to care that much about privacy issues like personal contact information; after all, he was just an ordinary high school student, and being too secretive about it would seem abnormal.

"It's hard not to mind this kind of thing, after all, the movie theater promises not to leak personal information. In this situation, it should involve a personal privacy case, right?"

The other party was silent for a moment.

Then, in that distinctive voice, she said, "If you are bothered by this, I can compensate you on your behalf."

Compensation? They're really going all out. Tsukino Gen didn't show any delight at those words; instead, he frowned.

The more the other party is willing to give, the greater the result they seek.

He thought for a moment, then got straight to the point, "Ms. Mochizuki, please just tell me why you specifically sought out my phone number and contacted me in a private manner."

"It's not easy to talk about this over the phone. Do you have time today?"

"You chose to call today because you know I don't have classes this weekend, so you have time, right?"

".Um."

He was quite honest.

"But even if I don't have classes, I might have other things to do. Besides, what you said was so vague, which makes me not very interested. I should have the right to refuse, right?"

"Of course. This is just my personal request, but if you are willing to meet with me today, I am willing to compensate you for the time I have wasted and for any offense to your privacy."

"how much is it?"

"One million yen. Is that alright?"

"You big stars really like to judge a person by their material possessions," Tsukino Gen said lazily, leaning back on the sofa.

"Sorry. We can discuss what you'd like instead."

"Where is morality? Where is the bottom line? Tell me, where is it?"

"."

First of all, I must say that I am definitely not a money-grubber.

I have never dreamed of getting rich overnight by playing cards or scratch-off lottery tickets.

It's simply about enjoying the thrill of gambling and earning a little extra money for life.

As for why he said that, it was just a flaw that Tsukino Gen deliberately created. He didn't care if the other person felt any disgust towards him because of it, since he didn't need the other person's affection anyway.

It would be better if they had a bad impression of you, as it would save you trouble. But why go to the appointment if you anticipate trouble? Well, since they've already found your contact information, who knows what they might do next?

From his perspective, Mochizuki Miki didn't seem like a simple celebrity. He clearly remembered the incident at the premiere when an overzealous fan caused an accident. That woman's behavior was strange; she seemed calmer than everyone else.

Her behavior at the time was also different from others, who were trying to avoid the situation or seek help from others. This is the subconscious behavior of the weaker party, an instinctive self-protective measure in the face of an emergency.

But Mochizuki Miki just stood there, watching coldly, her body tense, but not trembling with fear. It was as if she knew she could handle this unexpected situation if no one intervened.

No matter what, meeting him won't hurt me.

After obtaining the address, the two arranged to meet at 1 p.m. The location was in the relatively bustling and prosperous Qingchi District, and the more youthful Xiayuan District.

During this time, Tsukino Gen didn't make any special preparations; he ate lunch, took a shower, and went out.

As the light rain drizzled down, I put on a white long-sleeved shirt, rolling up the cuffs to my forearms. My black straight-leg trousers were clean and crisp.

He didn't have a fancy hairstyle, but his hair, which hadn't been trimmed in a while, was slightly touching his eyebrows. On the contrary, he didn't look messy or greasy at all, even in the rain. And in the camera lens of the girls waiting for the train.

His handsomeness and gentleness were almost unreal. It was as if such a young man would never appear again, only to be glimpsed in their sight.

It wasn't until the boy boarded the bus he was waiting for and disappeared from sight that he realized how regrettable it was that he hadn't been brave enough to step forward and maybe get his contact information.

Mochizuki Miki booked a rather private tea room.

There are separate cubicles, and the soundproofing seems to be quite good. At least when you walk inside, Tsukino Gen can't clearly hear what people are saying in conversation.

When he arrived at the private room designated by the other party, he opened the door.

He then saw the woman already inside, sitting on the tatami mat.

He was dressed very conservatively for the weather, wearing a light green trench coat and a black baseball cap. Even inside, he didn't take off his sunglasses and mask. The tea on the coffee table remained untouched.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was wearing a wilderness survival camouflage outfit. Tsukino Gen calmly walked in and closed the door.

Then, rather impolitely, he sat cross-legged opposite the other person. He couldn't help it; his knees were too stiff, and he wasn't used to kneeling.

Only then did the woman slowly remove her sunglasses, mask, and hat.

This scene is a bit strange. I have a feeling that she might take off all her clothes at any moment.

She appeared to be without makeup, a slight difference from the polished look she sported at the premiere. She exuded a noticeable weariness and a touch of haggardness. However, her overall demeanor remained unchanged.

Her features still exuded a sense of world-weariness, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye was clearly visible. Her indifferent gaze still easily stirred impulses within one.

For example: I want to pin her down on the tatami mat, grab her hair, and say to her fiercely: Do you hate it? Even if you hate it, you have to swallow it all!
"Have you been here long?"

Gen Tsukino asked.

Mochizuki Miki shook her head. "It wasn't long, but since I made the appointment with you, I didn't want to keep you waiting."

"I didn't ask you that."

"Oh."

The woman's reaction to the boy's rude interruption was indifferent. She seemed neither surprised nor particularly angry. This attitude was interesting; it made one want to bully her even more.

Gen Tsukino casually picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and asked, "Is there something you can't say over the phone that you have to say here?"

Holding the teacup in both hands, Mochizuki Miki sat upright, like an elegant lady, never losing her composure under any circumstances.

"You must have noticed my problem on the day of the premiere."

"question?"

"My illness."

she said softly.

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person with a strange expression. "I'm sorry, but if you want to see a doctor, I suggest you go to a proper hospital."

Mochizuki Miki looked at the fine tea leaves floating in the teacup with a calm, even strangely indifferent, expression.

Compared to Asagiri Rin's pretentiousness, or rather, her kind of armor, she was more thorough and seemed more real.

"I've been to hospitals big and small, and I've given my data to many research labs abroad. But there's been no progress. All we know is that it's a genetic defect from my family. There's no treatment plan, and even emergency medications might not be able to save my life in time."

The boy's expression wasn't particularly surprised. In fact, when he helped Mochizuki Miki back then, he sensed that it wasn't just simple epilepsy.

"So, you suddenly fell ill in the bathroom?"

When this matter was mentioned, a rare unnatural look finally appeared on Mochizuki Miki's face.

She glanced at the boy, then looked away.

"Well, I've probably been too tired lately, so I haven't been paying attention to my physical condition. I never expected to fall ill in such an embarrassing place, and I certainly never expected that you would save me."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It was just a coincidence, and it's not necessarily that I saved you. I didn't do anything; I just called your name a few times, and you got better. Maybe your illness isn't as serious as you think."

Mochizuki Miki stared intently at Tsukino Gen.

“I know my illness very well. Although the frequency of my attacks has decreased, I have never recovered on my own. I understand that you may have reasons that you can’t talk about, but I don’t believe you if that’s the reason.”

"Really? So you came to me because you think I can cure you? That I'm more trustworthy than all the doctors and professors you've met?"

“I know you want to say that I’m grasping at straws in my desperation.” Mochizuki Miki raised her head slightly, her eyes sharpening even more, as if with a strange obsession. “But people who have truly encountered the gates of hell are truly willing to hold even a burning, scalding knife tightly.”

Gen Tsukino silently met the other's gaze.

He seemed to understand where this woman's unique sense of world-weariness came from, and he also roughly understood why she had specifically sought him out after only one day.

The boy put down his teacup, his tone unchanged.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you."

……

By the way, I can't thank everyone individually for the tips and monthly passes, but I'm truly grateful for everyone's support. I've recently gotten back on track, and I hope you enjoy reading. Thanks again!
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(End of this chapter)