I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 118 Goddess of Beauty (5000 words~)

No one expected Saionji Karen's sudden appearance.

Well, Tsukino Gen had to admit that he did sense it. But how to put it, he didn't think it would be shameful for him, or cause him any trouble.

So it didn't matter, especially since he had already sensed that this person was Saionji Karen and not someone else.

If I had to put it that way, it could also be part of my own quirky sense of humor.

"bass!"

Asagiri Rin immediately adjusted her expression and got up cleanly and neatly from Tsukino Gen.

"boom."

He casually kicked the boy's shin, the motion as subtle as kicking a stray dog ​​on the roadside.

The boy, rubbing his calf, looked calmly at the pretty senior student at the door who was apologizing but showed no intention of leaving.

"Good afternoon, Saionji-senpai."

"How polite you are, Tsukino-kun." Saionji smiled, but the cunning in his eyes clearly said: You always say that there's nothing going on between you and Rin, but now that I've caught you red-handed, what else can you say?

Asagiri Rin frowned as she looked at Saionji. "That was an accident. Nothing happened."

With her schoolbag slung over her shoulder, Saionji Karen smiled at the pretty girl. "I know that accidents and misunderstandings happen all the time in this world, and I understand. Really."

"You'd better not go around saying that."

Asagiri Rin squinted. She really didn't trust this woman. She felt that if she saw this, she might cause some trouble.

And as if to confirm the girl's idea, the next moment, Saionji Karen's expression became playful.

"Eh, so Rin worries about things like this too?"

"I just don't think it's necessary."

Asagiri Rin's curt reply was an attempt to demonstrate her toughness.

However, in Saionji's eyes, it seemed that there was nothing to fear at all.

"Since Xiaolin said so, I feel that it would be a waste of such a good timing not to take advantage of it."

Timing? Do you even know what timing is?
"What do you want to do?"

Asagiri Rin walked confidently toward Saionji.

However, Saionji showed no sign of backing down; the closer the other party got, the brighter her smile seemed to become.

"It's nothing, it's just that it's my birthday the day after tomorrow, and I'd like to invite you all to join me."

"Together?"

Asagiri Rin stopped in her tracks, her expression strange.

Saionji nodded and glanced at the handsome young man who was standing silently beside her.

"That's right, you and Tsukino-kun together."

“I won’t go with him. If you invite him, I won’t go.”

It seemed as if the girl really didn't want to have any more dealings with this boy, but unexpectedly, Tsukino Gen obediently raised his hand at this moment.

"If she goes, I won't go."

Why shouldn't you go?

The kitten, its breath puffing, immediately turned its head and glared at Tsukino Gen.

They practically have the word "double standard" written all over their faces.

Tsukino Gen replied matter-of-factly, "When I go to places like this with you, according to common sense, it usually happens that one or two guys who admire you suddenly appear in front of me and start trying to bully me with their designer clothes, sports cars, and family backgrounds—that kind of cliché plot."

"Are you crazy?"

Asagiri Rin's irritating comment.

"Pfft." Saionji was amused and laughed. "It seems that Tsukino-kun really enjoys reading web novels with a summer theme."

Gen Tsukino winked at Saionji, "You watch that kind of thing too, Senpai?"

"Oh, I don't read them. I've just heard about them. Lately, I've been enjoying sweet youth romance novels. There's a new author named Qingyue who writes really good ones; I recommend you check them out."

Qingyue?

This seems to be Kiyono Mizuki's pen name.

"Can you two go outside to talk about the novel? Or can I make room for you?"

Asagiri Rin was very annoyed by the sight of the two seemingly sharing similar interests and instantly becoming congenial. This kind of harmony was repulsive to her. It gave her the feeling that a scumbag and a scumbag woman had met their match and were kindred spirits.

Karen Saionji shook her head. "I already told you, you all have to come together. What, you're not even willing to support me? Do you expect me to pretend I didn't see what just happened?"

"Tsk." Asagiri Rin made an annoyed sound.

Gen Tsukino looked completely unconcerned. "Go ahead and tell everyone. I don't mind."

"Wow. Tsukino-kun has even more no bottom line than I thought."

“I call this being open and honest, how is it having no bottom line?”

"Actually, I wanted to say shameless, but I was afraid it might hurt you, so I chose to be more conservative with my words," Saionji said earnestly.

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, senior."

Gen Tsukino said this.

Rin Asagiri inexplicably felt that she was somewhat superfluous, caught between the two of them.

Are you guys performing manzai here? What do you need me for?
She made a decision immediately, picked up her bag, and said, "You two keep chatting, I'm leaving now."

"Is Xiao Lin coming the day after tomorrow? I'll send you the address then."

Asagiri Rin looked at Saionji impatiently, "Do I really have to go with this guy?"

Saionji nodded. "Of course, otherwise what if Tsukino-kun doesn't know where the place is? And if the situation that Tsukino-kun is worried about really happens, you can help him prepare in advance."

"Are you crazy? You actually believe in that kind of fantasy plot? And even if it does exist, why should I help him? That kind of place is not for him."

To be fair...

This wasn't really Asagiri Rin looking down on Tsukino Gen's background or social status; it was a genuine feeling that Tsukino Gen wouldn't like that kind of setting. A group of young people who hadn't even finished their studies were acting like adults because of their families, chatting about random things, each trying to appear precocious.

She didn't like those kinds of occasions, let alone this boy.

Saionji's smile remained unchanged. "I don't know about that. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to your arrival. Don't let my birthday wish be ruined, bye-bye~"

Saionji didn't stay long this time. Before Asagiri Rin, who was carrying her schoolbag, could even leave, she was the first to leave the activity room.

A faint fragrance of hair lingers in the air.

However, the enchanting scene from before was completely extinguished by her appearance.

Standing at the door, Asagiri Rin looked at Tsukino Gen, who was slowly getting up, with a displeased expression. "Are you really going to say yes to her?"

"You really want her to tell everyone about what just happened?"

"An accident? You didn't do it on purpose?"

For some reason, she could tell Saionji that what happened earlier was an accident. But hearing Tsukino Genya's opinion made her very uncomfortable. He even looked down on her—did he even deserve that?

"How could it be that I did it on purpose? If you were going to kick me, I could only defend myself; it was purely out of instinct."

Asagiri Rin sneered, "Yes, your instinct is to pull people into your arms. Are you just naturally lewd?"

"Unlike some people, I wasn't born loving to climb trees."

"I'll climb over your head!!"

When she spoke of something she could instantly recall from a long, distant past, the girl's face couldn't help but flush.

Her judgment was correct; this boy did indeed possess the ability to easily manipulate his emotions. Moreover, his methods were varied and unpredictable.

Gen Tsukino had already stood up.

He looked at the slightly angry girl with a smile, "It's the holidays, and you still want to argue with me?"

Asagiri Rin snorted lightly, "You're the one who's deliberately trying to make me angry."

"Really? I'm such a likable person. If you feel like I'm always going against you, you'd better reflect on yourself."

"You really want to die."

Then, in front of the boy, the girl started opening her schoolbag and reached inside to rummage for something.

Gen Tsukino's eyebrows twitched. "Don't tell me you brought a gun."

"Snapped."

It wasn't the sound of a gunshot, but rather a single-pack of wet wipes being thrown onto Tsukino Gen's chest.

The boy took it and looked at Asagiri Rin strangely.

The girl deliberately avoided looking at him, but her expression seemed a little awkward. "Wipe your collar."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"There's a mark."

mark?

Gen Tsukino took out his phone and looked at the collar of his school uniform shirt, discovering faint pink lipstick marks.

The boy immediately looked up at Asagiri Rin, "When did you kiss her?"

"Who kissed you? That was an accident!"

"Oh, I thought you did it on purpose."

If it were intentional, would I have reminded you to wipe it off? No, there's no possibility of it being intentional!

Her face flushed slightly, but she tried to look at the boy with a stiff expression. "Do you think I'm like you, doing this on purpose?"

Wow, this kitten has such a good memory!
Instead of being embarrassed, Tsukino Gen laughed and looked at the girl's lips, which were lightly tinted with lip gloss.

"You're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, aren't you?"

Rin Asagiri:? ? ?

She now really wants to get out of the car and look for the gun.

Fortunately, just before she was about to have an outburst, Tsukino Gen smiled and said, "I was talking about alcoholism."

Asagiri Rin glanced at the boy. "It's not even dark yet and you want to drink? And why should I drink with you just because you want to?" I'm not a hostess.

"Oh, if you don't want to drink, that's fine too. I was just saying."

The boy sighed and picked up his schoolbag.

She looked utterly pitiful and forlorn. What terrible acting! Even worse than Morita Kaoru. Asagiri Rin thought to herself, then said as she watched the other person's figure reach the door.

"Go to Paper Airplane at 9 PM."

The boy stopped and turned around, winking at the girl. "Is it okay to go with the paper airplane?"

After all, it seemed to be right under the noses of the other family, and some people might not want to see this girl having too much contact with a guy like them.

"What does it have to do with you? It's none of your business."

"Why are you swearing more and more? Be careful, it might even change your appearance."

If things have changed, it's because of you, you bastard.

Rin Asagiri didn't say that. Instead, she grabbed her schoolbag and forced her way through the door, bumping into Gen Tsukino's shoulder.

"Even if I become a hundred times uglier, I'll still be the prettiest girl in this school, so you don't need to worry about me."

The girl left the activity room with pride, and Tsukino Gen also slowly walked downstairs with his schoolbag on his back. By the time he reached the bottom of the stairs, the other girl's car was no longer in sight.

Walking home, I remembered my promise to Rin Asagiri.

He wondered with some curiosity, "Does this count as a date?"

Of course, more importantly, does it count in the other person's mind?

Rin Asagiri returned home.

It seemed no different from usual. I ate with my mother as always, and my mother, as always, appeared calm and serene.

"Is today your final exam? How did it go?"

"Fortunately."

Asagiri Rin doesn't aspire to the pinnacle of academic achievement; maintaining an upper-middle level is enough for her, and she doesn't strive to be in the top ten of her grade.

The woman nodded. "Then summer vacation is coming soon. Is there anywhere you want to go? Snow Island is nice. Didn't you say you wanted to go to the old capital before?"

Asagiri Rin shook her head. "I don't have any plans. It's very hot this summer, and there are crowds everywhere. I don't want to go out in the crowds."

"That's true. But wouldn't it be too boring to just stay at home? It would be fine if you went out and played with your friends like any other kid."

Upon hearing this, Asagiri Rin looked at the woman in front of her with a strange expression. She was not young, but her charm and elegance had only become more outstanding with the passage of time.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

This is not a question, but a rhetorical question.

The woman clearly understood her tone and smiled.

“Am I a harsh mother? I know you’ve heard some things that might make you misunderstand me. But I want you to believe that I did those things because I don’t want you to follow in my footsteps.”

Asagiri Rin looked down at her rice bowl, her expression calm and indifferent.

"I've finished eating. I have something to do tonight, so I'll be going out."

The woman blinked, looking at her daughter with curiosity.

Are you going out tonight?

"If it doesn't work, I won't go out."

"Of course~"

Asagiri Rin looked at the other person strangely.

She smiled charmingly, "Would you like Mom to give you a makeover? My makeup and styling skills are just as good as any professional stylist."

"No need for makeup before going out."

"Isn't this a date?"

".no."

How could I possibly date that person? At most, it would be like using alcohol as an excuse to hurt each other.

Ok.

It's a friendly exchange.

This time, the girl's mother didn't say much, but just kept smiling and watching her, making her leave the table in a disheveled state, as if she were fleeing.

She returned to her room and took a shower in the private bathroom.

It's not because there's anything special about today; it's just that she's very clean, and she always washes so thoroughly. Yes, every single time!
It just took a little longer to choose the underwear.

I just had a little headache when it came to choosing what to wear.

I just tried a few different lipstick colors.

I just looked at a few more bottles when choosing a perfume.

Do girls prepare more for going out just to please others? Of course not, just like a general choosing the sharpest weapon and the strongest armor before going into battle.

This is preparation for battle.

This is to demonstrate one's strength to the other party.

It is the pride and dignity that must dominate the entire arena from the moment it enters the stage.

When it was almost time, the girl, having changed her clothes and everything was ready, went out and arrived at the back seat of Morita Kaoru, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Is it to send paper airplanes?"

Morita Kaoru was unaware of the girl's promise to Tsukino Gen; she only knew where the girl usually went when she went out at night.

The girl nodded.

"Ah."

Once the car started, Asagiri Rin, as if remembering something, spoke softly.

"By the way, it's summer vacation now. You can take a break for a while too. I won't be going out much this summer."

Morita Kaoru thought for a moment and replied, "Okay. You can call me anytime if anything comes up, I don't really have anything to do anyway."

Don't you need to spend time with your family?

Asagiri Rin asked casually, but Morita Kaoru remained silent for a moment.

Then a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face. "I probably don't need to come along."

This sentence reminded Asagiri Rin of some stories about this mature and agile woman.

She thought for a moment and said softly, "I'm sorry."

"Miss, there's no need to apologize. Besides, those things are in the past."

"But I remember you seem to have a younger sister, right?"

"Well, but she can take care of herself and doesn't really need my company."

"I'm a little dejected," said Kaoru Morita.

Watching the other person's retreating figure, Asagiri Rin felt strange about why she had the urge to offer comfort. She shouldn't be such a soft-hearted person.

She looked out the window at the rushing night view, where countless neon lights could overshadow the moonlight in the sky.

Beneath this superficial glamour lies an insatiable human heart, a void left by rampant materialism.

"You can use this time to go and see her; she might need you more than you think."

Morita Kaoru was surprised that the young lady would say such a thing. She knew very well that this change couldn't have been brought about by the madam. After all, so much time had passed; how could there be such a drastic change in such a short period of time?

Was it because of the natural changes that occurred during her adolescence, or was it because of the boy she became close to during that time?
She couldn't possibly ask, nor dared to make wild guesses.

Just nodded slightly.

"Ah."

The car arrived at the parking lot behind the paper airplane.

As she got out of the car, Morita Kaoru helped close the door that the girl hadn't closed, as if it were a long-standing habit. It wasn't a matter of whether it was troublesome or not; it was simply her duty.

This time, however, the girl did not walk straight inside; instead, she stopped and stood still.

Morita Kaoru looked at the girl with some confusion.

Then he saw the girl look at him, and for the first time, she showed a hesitant and uncertain expression.

She hesitated and said, "Look, how do I look in this outfit?"

Morita Kaoru was stunned for a moment, not understanding what the other person meant.

Does this girl ever lack confidence?
Asagiri Rin immediately shook her head, "Forget it, you don't care about these things anyway."

"No, miss."

Kaoru Morita immediately gave a serious answer.

"Ok?"

Asagiri Rin looked at the other person strangely.

The woman, who was agile and had a healthy, well-proportioned figure, gave the girl a thumbs up at that moment.

"Young Miss looks especially beautiful tonight, absolutely gorgeous!"

"Pfft."

The girl laughed under the moonlight. Her smile was unusual, yet unforgettable.

"Thank you."

She said so.

Before Morita Kaoru could even react—whether this was the first time this girl had thanked her—she saw the girl in front of her straighten up.

It's like ending a movie with an Easter egg plot.

Then she turned around cleanly and decisively. She was a queen born of the moonlight, ready to present mortals with an unprecedented divine descent.

……

(End of this chapter)