I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 119 Attracting Bees and Butterflies (Second Update~)

The boy arrived a little early.

It wasn't that I was particularly eager for this 'date,' but rather that I had nothing else to do and had practically wandered around all the way from home to here.

The journey seemed a bit long, but it wasn't even enough to make Tsukino Gen sweat.

Interestingly, Tsukino Gen arrived at the paper airplane station around eight o'clock. He hadn't done much preparation beforehand, but the people there seemed to remember him.

They politely prepared water and snacks, so Tsukino Gen didn't even need to order anything.

The waiter was also very respectful and didn't rush the boy to order.

Perhaps Tsukino Gen left a deep impression on the staff here on his previous two visits, and of course, Asagiri Rin's influence certainly played a role. But it's unlikely that there was any prior notice; it was just some divergent thinking among these 'lower-level' staff.

Yes, everyone is eager to improve.

"Handsome, are you alone?"

However, this situation still occurs, since they weren't seated in a private room but in the crowded lobby on the first floor.

Whether it's a girl with a playful personality, a career woman who's usually too repressed, or someone looking to relax and unwind, they can't help but want to try their luck when they see such a young man.

Gen Tsukino was already used to this.

"Excuse me, I'm waiting for someone."

A polite refusal with a smile.

Most girls who already lack confidence would back down after receiving such a response, since many people believe that a unique and dazzling individual deserves a better partner.

Without absolute self-confidence, one can only rely on luck and then withdraw promptly.

However, there are also those who are a little more 'persistent'.

"It's okay, handsome. Wait for your friend to arrive. If you don't feel comfortable with it, I can leave. You're bored by yourself right now."

Women who wear heavy makeup seem to believe that this glamorous appearance is their true self.

But actually, it makes no difference to Tsukino Gen. He doesn't need to seek out thrills like romantic encounters.

The boy with the unchanging smile would tell this girl, "I don't think it's appropriate now. Do I have to say something really harsh?"

"What's so great about him? Just because he's handsome doesn't mean he's amazing!"

Such anger and frustration are to be expected.

It was almost nine o'clock, close to the appointed time, and Tsukino Gen drank a Negroni made here. The strong bitterness might seem unacceptable in the food, but it tasted exceptionally sophisticated in the alcohol.

Just as I was thinking it was about time, I heard footsteps approaching.

When Tsukino Gen looked up, he saw a face that was somewhat familiar, but mostly unfamiliar.

"Huh? Is that Tsukino Gen?"

She's a girl around my age, and her looks are decent, above average. However, compared to the girls around me, she seems quite ordinary. But in most situations, she'd probably be the type people people would want to get close to.

However, Tsukino Gen didn't immediately recognize who the other person was.

"Ok?"

"It's me, Yuriko! I even borrowed your books when I was in the orphanage!"

The young girl spoke with some excitement.

Gen Tsukino then found some clues from his distant memories.

This girl named Yuriko was a couple of years older than me. I vaguely remembered her from the orphanage, but the memory wasn't pleasant. She hadn't done anything particularly heinous. Perhaps if you asked some people who had been to the orphanage now, they would find her quite endearing.

However, Tsukino Gen didn't have a good feeling about her.

It's not anything else, but this girl is quite adept at using subtle methods to demonstrate her precociousness and excellence, thereby attracting the attention of better families who will adopt her.

For example, when some nice families are choosing other children, she will appear at just the right time, seemingly considerately praising the other children for those families, but in reality, it is to show her politeness and thoughtfulness.

And it had happened to me before.

A well-off couple once took a liking to Tsukino Gen and attempted to adopt him. Gen can no longer remember the couple's names or faces, only that they owned a small but sizable company. However, due to health issues, they were unable to have children. Therefore, they hoped to choose a sensible, healthy, and promising child to inherit their business or to care for them in their old age.

Tsukino Gen had no interest whatsoever, but Yuriko suddenly appeared and, quite seriously, came to return the book while they were communicating with Tsukino Gen.

She displayed her studiousness and obedience, even mentioning that she had made some of her own insights and notes in the book for Tsukino Gen. At the time, Tsukino Gen had no intention of being adopted. So, after much deliberation, the couple took Yuriko away.

This was nothing to Tsukino Gen, and he didn't think it was anything particularly malicious.

People always want a better environment and to climb the social ladder. This is especially true for these insecure orphans. It's understandable that they would strive for something for their own lives.

And I don't need it myself.

While she may understand, it's impossible for Tsukino Gen to think she's a particularly good person.

I never expected that after all these years, the other party would be able to recognize me at a glance.

The Yuriko who appeared before him at that moment was not only prettier, but had also grown into a graceful young woman. Judging from her clothes and attire, she was also quite sophisticated.

There were three or four young men and women beside him, looking at him curiously.

One girl's eyes widened. "Wow, your orphanage has such handsome guys! You should have told me sooner, could I adopt one and have him as my future husband?"

Another girl with short hair grinned mischievously and said, "Now that such a good opportunity is right in front of you, aren't you going to try to seize it?"

The conversation seemed normal, but Tsukino Gen had already sensed the other boys' wary gazes and became somewhat alert. Males have a strong sense of territory, especially when their female companions are paying attention to outsiders who don't belong to their circle.

The resulting aversion is very close to hostility.

Gen Tsukino had no intention of doing such a thing, so he simply looked at Yuriko indifferently.

"Yes, I remember. What a coincidence."

Yuriko seemed oblivious to the subtle distance in the boy's words, remaining quite excited as if she were seeing an old friend she hadn't seen in years. In truth, in Tsukino Gen's memory, their relationship wasn't actually that good.

They are even more indifferent than many children of the same age.

It seems that time deliberately beautifies some memories, or rather, changes in the environment can also change people, giving rise to things that did not originally belong to her.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't make fun of him. This is a friend of mine from the orphanage. He's really amazing. Back then, many people wanted to adopt him, but he refused. Now, Tsukino, are you working on your own?"

It seems that in her mind, a child like Tsukino Gen, though seemingly special, actually has an eccentric personality and is incomprehensible. So many good families have wanted to adopt this boy more than once; it's something countless children dream of.

But this boy showed no interest in any of it, as if the life others dreamed of was worthless to him. A saint emerged from an orphanage? That's roughly the feeling. However, in ordinary people's lives, the existence of saints often feels troublesome. Because once their morality and abilities are taken as the benchmark, everything about ordinary people seems inferior.

They were living life to the fullest, yet it seemed that because of one person's existence, they were reduced to something insignificant. This fueled their discontent.

Since he doesn't want to be taken in by any family, he probably won't have the opportunity to study and have a better living environment, right? But looking like him, I wonder what he's been doing out there. How come he's going to bars? Could he be... a gigolo or something?

Her subtle thoughts never showed on her face. She often felt like a natural actress, knowing exactly what expression to wear for whom, such as her adoptive family. She was obedient, considerate, and sensible.

As an orphan, he tried to integrate into the circle of rich kids around him, constantly lowering his posture and relying on his natural ability to get along with everyone, speaking to people in a way that suited them.

Now I'm considered a small core member of this circle.

All of this seemed to belong to this young man. It was as if he had stolen it all from him, but this feeling brought not shame or regret, but pride.

This statement is worth pondering.

This was certainly not something Tsukino Gen would like to hear, and he had no intention of getting entangled with the other party too much, so he said it calmly.

"I'm not working; I'm studying."

"Studying?" Yuriko had no idea that Tsukino Gen later obtained the qualification for the entrance exam of Shōri Private School through self-study and the connection of Dean Chishima Kazuko. He then achieved excellent results and was able to get a full tuition waiver and a full scholarship.

She subconsciously thought it was some kind of adult school.

This is a way for some ordinary people who missed the opportunity to study to try to comfort themselves.

"Ah."

The boy didn't respond, while the boy next to Yuriko was getting impatient. "Why don't we go sit down first?"

Hearing the other person's reminder, Yuriko felt a pang of regret, because seeing this boy again evoked extremely strange feelings. She felt she needed to prove something, like she had taken away an opportunity that originally belonged to him, as if she had stolen his potential life. Not because she was despicable, but because she deserved it. It was because of his unfounded pride that she had missed out.

She not only wanted to prove that she deserved all of this, but also subtly wanted to tell him how much of a wonderful life his pride had caused him to miss out on.

However, if it were him, he might not be in the same situation as he is now.

But he clearly didn't want to talk about it further. Perhaps he wasn't doing well in life and wasn't meeting his initial expectations?
Yuriko suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, my friend and I are here for drinks, do you want to come join us? It's boring to be alone anyway, right?"

This teenager was seen as a typical example of someone drowning their sorrows in alcohol.

Several young girls nearby chimed in with interest, "Yeah, handsome, you don't have to pay, how about we grab a drink together?"

Because of the girls' keen interest, the boys' gazes became even stranger, and their hostility seemed more obvious, though they couldn't show it on the spot.

After all, arguing with an orphan would only lower their standards and make them seem too naive.

"No need, I'm waiting for someone, you guys have fun."

"Oh, I see. Let's play together again sometime!"

Yuriko smiled broadly, an expression that seemed to perfectly convey her thoughtfulness and understanding. Even some of the boys felt that Yuriko was overly considerate, showing empathy for the difficulties faced by this boy in a challenging situation.

Lacking confidence in associating with their circle, she was both concerned about saving face for him and mindful of the friendship they shared from growing up together in an orphanage.

"Ah."

This seemed to be the boy's last act of courtesy.

Unexpectedly, Yuriko suddenly remembered something, took out her phone, and said, "Oh right, I don't have your contact information yet. Do you have a Self account?"

Gen Tsukino's phone was casually placed on the table; it wasn't a high-end model, nor was it a new one this year.

They're definitely a budget-conscious student, so it's reasonable to suspect that they don't even play the "self" game.

Gen Tsukino was happy to satisfy the other person's curiosity at this time.

He laughed. "Sorry, I don't play that game."

"Eh? Is that so? Oh, I think I was being presumptuous, sorry."

"It's okay, don't keep your friends waiting, you guys go have fun."

This statement clearly urges the other person on, seemingly expressing the boy's dissatisfaction.

But Yuriko was still not satisfied. She blinked. "What about your phone number? If you don't give me that, there's really no way to contact you. Otherwise, it feels like I'm just being polite when I say I'll treat you to dinner next time."

Having said all that, it seems there's really no fault to be found. No matter how much Tsukino Gen doesn't want to have any more involvement with this girl, he seems to need to give her face. Otherwise, he'd seem undignified.

However, Tsukino Gen was never the type to be easily swayed by atmosphere or social niceties. If he was upset, he truly wouldn't care about maintaining appearances.

"Den."

"Den."

"Den."

But this time, it seems we won't be able to wait for Tsukino Gen's outburst.

They stood still.

An aura that comes with it.

She possesses a natural, diamond-like physique that automatically attracts attention without needing to make a sound. Standing there, the entire bar transforms into a stage to showcase how exceptionally outstanding she is.

The boys had no time to spare for their hostility towards Tsukino Gen; their attention was automatically drawn to the girl who had suddenly appeared.

A tall and elegant figure.

A black off-the-shoulder dress that exudes elegance.

The collarbone necklace is just the right touch, without appearing cluttered or overly glittering.

The presence of any object in her life would not overshadow the main subject; on the contrary, it would only further highlight how precious this girl is.

Her long, slightly curly black hair cascaded lazily over her snow-white shoulders, and her indifferent expression merely swept across the faces of the astonished crowd.

Then it landed lightly on Tsukino Gen's face.

"Why do you attract so many admirers wherever you go? Should we go to the second floor, or should I have someone remove them?"

"."

……

(End of this chapter)