I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 156 Being handsome means you can do whatever you want
Downstairs in the apartment building, under the dim streetlights.

Two people were standing in different directions, and another person was sitting on an electric scooter with its headlights on.

Kazama Sakura hesitated slightly, unsure what her mother wanted to say to Tsukino Gen in private. But if it was a private conversation, it must contain some important information.

She had warned her mother that Tsukino Gen came from an orphanage.

Essentially, she wanted her mother to be prepared, to know that she wasn't the kind of person who would use her beauty to gain status, and that she would only be with someone she liked.

He didn't want his mother to care about other things, and therefore look down on him.

"Mom, I."

What does Kazama Sakura want to say?

But the woman gently squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, Tsukino-kun is our family's benefactor, I understand. You go up first, there are some things you can't say here."

"."

Sakura Kazama could only look at Gen Tsukino.

Gen Tsukino nodded. "It's alright. I'll just talk to Auntie for a bit. You can go upstairs and rest first."

"OK then."

Now that things have come to this, the girl seems to have nothing more to say and can only leave everything to them.

Even if you look back every few steps, it won't make a difference.

Seeing the girl leaving so worriedly, the woman couldn't help but laugh and look at Tsukino Gen.

"It seems that in her eyes, I have become that kind of wicked mother."

Gen Tsukino stopped the car and shook his head.

"That's not true. It's just that you are a very important person to her, and she's afraid of putting herself in a difficult position."

The woman looked at Tsukino Gen with a mischievous grin, "It's probably because we're both important people to her, and she's afraid of seeing us have conflicts, right?"

"Auntie, you've hit the nail on the head."

Gen Tsukino flattered her, and the woman couldn't help but laugh heartily.

To give birth to such a beautiful girl as Kazama Sakura, she herself was certainly not an ordinary-looking woman; however, the years and a long, miserable life had indeed left many scars on her.

"Tsukino-kun is so good with words, no wonder Sakura likes you so much."

"It's not bad."

"No need to be modest. This is the first time I've seen Sakura care so much about a boy. You might not know, but back in junior high, a naughty boy confessed to her at school, and she even went to tell the teacher, which made me come to the school."

Gen Tsukino really didn't know these things.

However, just by looking at Uda Yu whom she met today, one can see that Kazama Sakura is indeed very conscious of her boundaries. She doesn't like what she doesn't like, and she won't accept any more ambiguous or intimate advances.

"Kazama-kun is indeed a very sensible person."

"But even the most sensible girl will lose her principles and become blind and foolish when she meets a boy she likes. Just like I was back then."

The woman sighed.

Gen Tsukino quietly looked at the other person.

She said softly, "You might not believe it, but I think I married her father because of love. He was just a junior employee at the time, not particularly outstanding. My parents even advised me to think it over carefully, but I felt that if you like someone, you like them. If it's not someone you want to spend your life with, then no amount of material wealth will help you suffer. Who could have imagined it would turn out like this?"

Gen Tsukino nodded. "There's nothing we can do. People change. Some things are unpredictable and unguaranteed. Even if we make guarantees, when changes happen, there are many things we can't force."

“So,” Kazama Sakura’s mother looked up at the sky and sighed softly, “because I’ve been through something like this, I’m especially worried about her future. It’s a mother’s selfishness, and I hope Tsukino-kun can understand.”

Gen Tsukino's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't seem particularly frightened. He simply looked at the other person and asked.

"Is there something you want me to promise?"

She shook her head.

“That’s not what I meant. I know you’re a very special kid, and I won’t look down on you just because you came from an orphanage. After all, those things aren’t something an ordinary high school student can do, and I understand that.”

"Then you?"

Gen Tsukino didn't quite understand what this woman meant.

I thought she felt she didn't have much of a future and wanted me to quit while I was ahead, giving Kazama Sakura a bright future. It seems that's not the case, but even with that thought, Tsukino Gen had nothing to say.

After all, time will prove some things right, and there's no need to torture each other with meaningless conversations.

She said softly, "I just hope that Tsukino-kun can care for her a little more, even if something happens in the future, and you no longer have feelings for each other, or you don't like her anymore. I also hope you can be decisive. She's very strong and can handle a lot. It's indecisiveness that hurts people."

Gen Tsukino didn't expect the other person to say such a thing.

He thought about it and decided not to make any promises to the other party at this time, such as that he would never change his mind or anything else.

Instead, he nodded. "I understand. Even if I don't like a girl, I wouldn't have the heart to hurt her. Besides, I like her very much."

The woman smiled and said, "That's good. Thank you again for what happened last time, Tsukino-kun. If it weren't for you, not only would I be living in hell, but it would also have a much more serious impact on Sakura. Because of things like this before, my weakness and selfishness put all that pressure on her without me even realizing it. Now that I think about it, I really am not a good mother."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "No, that's not true. Auntie, your presence is her best source of strength. Because of you, she can be so strong."

"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer. That's all I wanted to say. Take care, Tsukino-kun."

Tsukino Gen nodded, got on his electric scooter, and disappeared into the darkness below the apartment building.

The woman slowly returned home, and sure enough, her daughter hadn't even taken a shower and was waiting in the living room.

When she returned, Kazama Sakura immediately looked over anxiously and asked worriedly, "Are you done talking?"

The woman nodded with feigned helplessness and said, "Yes, Tsukino-kun is a reasonable person and easy to talk to."

Kazama Sakura paused, sensing something was wrong, and looked at her mother. "What...what did you say? You didn't say anything strange to him, did you?"

She hurriedly got up and went to get her phone.

The mother glared at her daughter, "Do you think I'm such a vicious person? What did I say? That you should stay away from my daughter if you're not good enough, Tsukino-kun?"

Kazama Sakura looked at her suspiciously, "That's not what you meant?"

The woman couldn't help but roll her eyes, almost fainting from exhaustion.

"If I had even a shred of gratitude, I wouldn't have said such a thing, would I? You child, I've spoiled you for nothing."

Hearing this, Kazama Sakura finally felt relieved. Her expression changed instantly as she hugged her mother's hand in a flattering manner and said in a coquettish tone, "Oh dear~ I was just worried, I didn't mean it that way."

"Why don't I see you worrying about me like this usually? A handsome guy has completely stolen your heart."

"There's nothing I can do, I guess I was born in the Year of the Fish."

"???"

"Hehe~ Just kidding, because Tsukino-kun is such a good person. Once you miss him, you'll never have another one. I can't see anyone else like him."

Kazama Sakura said sincerely.

Looking into her daughter's earnest and determined eyes, the woman sighed and gently stroked the hair on her daughter's forehead.

"You really are just like me in the past," she said, then her smile softened. "But you're luckier than me; you'll probably have a different ending."

"Why are you saying that, Mom? Your life isn't over yet. I'm still here, and things will only get better for us from now on."

"Now you know how to say these things? You were just blaming me, weren't you?"

"No way~ By the way, what exactly did you guys talk about?"

Her mother rolled her eyes at her. "It's nothing, just that you two should be careful when you're together and take precautions. Don't let me hold my grandson before I even graduate."

Upon hearing this, Kazama Sakura suddenly blushed.

She stared wide-eyed at her mother. "He...he told you?"

The woman was completely confused. "What did you tell me? Wait, what are you doing?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Kazama Sakura! You're quite the warrior, aren't you? Why are you in such a hurry?! Come here, don't run away!"

……

Tsukino Gen, who was driving home, was unaware of what had happened afterward. He had just arrived home and parked his car.

I took a shower and changed my clothes.

I'm getting ready to begin today's practice. I've been a little lax lately. How should I put it? I've been indulging in beautiful things, and it seems like I don't really want to do anything else.

From then on, it was right for the emperor to stop holding morning court. Beauty can indeed be harmful.

Just as Tsukino Gen was about to begin, his phone lit up.

The boy looked at his phone curiously. Who would be calling at this hour?
But to my surprise, the name displayed above was 'Sakuraba Yuki'.

Either nothing's wrong, or there's a mountain of things to do. Before even answering the phone, Tsukino Gen already felt his head tightening.

This is completely different from the energy-saving lifestyle we were promised.

He answered the phone, "Hello, Sakuraba-sensei."

"Are you occupied?"

The sound on the other end seemed a bit noisy, as if the other person was calling from a lively place.

"I'm at home, not busy at all. What's wrong?"

"Do you have time to meet up? The teacher's battery is dead and needs to be recharged."

Gen Tsukino: ? ? ?

Did you hear this just recently?
Am I some kind of power bank? Everyone who's out of power comes to me.

"What are you saying? If you're out of power, just rest. I'm not a power bank."

"Ugh, but I'm so tired. I don't have any friends, and even you don't want to come out and keep me company. Waaah, I don't want to live anymore."

Gen Tsukino gets a headache every time he hears this woman talk like that.

Goodness, at her age, she's more coquettish than a little girl. That crying voice, it's got a whole repertoire.

"Where are you?"

"I'll send you the address, hurry up, or I'll be really sad."

"."

Genji Tsukino looked at the address the other party had sent.

Isn't this a paper airplane?

Is there only one bar left in the entire city of Zhaori? Why is everyone crowding into that place?
When Tsukino Gen saw the location was a paper airplane, his first reaction was resistance. Wasn't this just handing Asagiri Rin a gun? Although Asagiri Rin seemed to be becoming more and more honest and charming lately, that was no excuse for the boy to go further.

But thinking about it, it's just a teacher I knew well before, so it doesn't seem like much.

He didn't have anything to pack, so instead of riding his electric scooter, he took a taxi directly to the paper airplane shop.

When Tsukino Gen entered the brightly lit bar, he found it quite crowded, and the music was more energetic than the previous soothing tunes. It seemed to be to match the atmosphere and better suit the vibrancy of summer.

Several times, I saw my waiters looking at me with slight surprise.

She was probably curious why Asagiri Rin wasn't there, but she herself had come.

Gen Tsukino ignored the stares and quickly found a seat.

Contrary to expectations, Sakuraba Yuki, who sounded very serious on the phone, was not actually in a drunken stupor.

Instead, he idly held his wine glass, glancing at his phone.

When Tsukino Gen walked over, the other person looked at him with a clear face and said, "You're here? What would you like to drink? It's on me."

It seems that she doesn't like to call herself a teacher outside of school.

Her beauty remained striking; without glasses, her face fully revealed her alluring charm. She herself might not have realized that it was a face that easily aroused desire.

Her long, curly hair and the form-fitting bodycon dress that revealed her arms.

Wearing gray stockings and high heels is a combination that easily makes one's breathing heavy.

"How much did you drink? You seem perfectly sober."

"What are you going to do if I'm not sober?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sakuraba Yuki blushed and regretted it. How could she have said such thoughtless things to this boy? She hadn't even drunk that much. Their statuses didn't seem suitable for such direct and explicit remarks.

However, Tsukino Gen didn't seem to sense anything and calmly sat down.

"Of course we'll take you home, or we'll sell you to a meat processing plant?"

You're the pig!

Sakuraba Yuki said with a slight blush.

"I'll have a Negroni."

"Okay, I'll place the order for you."

After ordering her drinks, the woman placed her phone on the table without any suspicion. She didn't cover it; instead, she simply turned the screen upside down.

Then she rested her elbows on the table, cupped her beautiful cheeks in her hands, and let out a long sigh.

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person with amusement.

"You look so worried. What happened? Why did you suddenly want to ask me out for a drink?"

Sakuraba Yuki blinked and looked at Tsukino Gen, "Can't I ask you out for a drink if there's nothing wrong? We don't have to go to class anyway."

"That depends on my schedule. A handsome guy like me is usually very busy."

"You think you can do whatever you want just because you're handsome? Then try and see if you can get us a free meal tonight!"

Sakuraba Yuki gave a soft hum.

It was essentially just a casual joke. After all, everyone knows that the owner of such places is someone else, so how could the people below possibly decide to give away free meals?

But to her surprise, Tsukino Gen reached out his hand right in front of her.

"waiter."

A somewhat familiar-looking waitress cautiously approached, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Go ask your manager if we can get our table a free meal."

Sakuraba Yuki: ? ? ?

Her eyes widened. No, he actually asked!

Who's drunk? Has this kid gone mad?!

In theory, a waiter would only take such an inexplicable request as a joke and politely banter with the customer.

"No, he was joking, you guys..."

Unexpectedly, the waitress simply nodded and said, "I'll go ask."

"Go."

Looking at the boy in front of her with his legs crossed, Sakuraba Yuki looked left and right, then pressed her brow.

"Should we run? I have a feeling they might think we're trying to dine and dash, and they're probably calling for backup now."

Gen Tsukino, however, just smiled and looked at the woman without saying a word.

Until the waitress returned, she said with a smile.

"Your meal is already on the house, and the next two people's meals will also be completely free. Please enjoy yourselves."

Sakuraba Yuki was speechless on the spot, "This works?!"

A well-dressed young man at the next table noticed what had happened and witnessed the whole thing.

Does being handsome mean you can get a free meal?

He immediately waved his hand, "Waiter!"

"What's up?"

"I'm handsome too, so I want my meal for free."

The waitress glanced at the brimming with confidence in the young man, then pressed her earpiece.

"Someone here is trying to dine and dash. Could you please call security?"

"."

……

(End of this chapter)