I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 185 What's meant to happen will happen.

A place with many high-quality women is indeed a feast for the eyes when they gather together; just sitting there is a pleasure.

But the problem remains the same: it's too noisy.

Everyone was talking at once, chattering away. It seemed like any topic could resonate with everyone; one person chimed in, another chimed in, and the conversation kept teetering on the edge of its seats. It was fine if you didn't think about it, but if you actually followed these women's conversation and tried to understand what they were saying...

You'll soon find that it's even worse than accidentally falling asleep in math class.

It's practically time travel; the topics jump around like they're from interstellar travel.

Fortunately, Tsukino Gen has the manners of a proper man; he simply keeps quiet in such situations. When someone looks over, maintain a polite smile, and you'll be a qualified mascot.

In this situation, there's really no need for the man to do anything; trying to show off will only make him look like a clown.

However, Tsukino Gen could also see that while the friendship among these girls wasn't earth-shattering, it was at least genuine. At least it wasn't mixed with worldly matters.

When Tsukino Gen prepared the hot pot and the group of people sat down to eat, they could hear them chatting about their own family matters.

So-and-so got married.

So-and-so, who had a previous rumored relationship, is now unexpectedly dating someone else.

Drinking beer and talking about long-forgotten topics, Kiyono Mizuki's smile became much wider.

In a daze, Tsukino Gen seemed to see her as she was still in school. She wore the same innocent smile that only a young girl would have during her student days.

During the meal, despite her beauty being no less than that of Kiyono Mizuki, Miura Ayaka did not stand out in any particular way.

She talks about the same topics as everyone else, only occasionally mentioning her study abroad experiences when someone asks. Even then, she keeps it brief and doesn't boast. This is a truly admirable quality.

Sometimes, what we call showing off isn't entirely a conscious act. It can be an unintentional habit, or a lack of consideration for one's manner of speaking, that inadvertently reveals a boastful side.

Words that sound harsh to others don't seem to apply to Ayaka Miura.

We ate hot pot from the afternoon until nightfall before it finally ended.

"Alright, we've bothered you for quite a while now, so it's time for us to take our leave."

The guests were preparing to leave.

Kiyono Mizuki smiled at them, "Thank you for coming today. I haven't been this happy in a long time."

Immediately, someone teased Kiyono Mizuki, "Has it really been a long time since you've been this happy? I feel like you're probably even happier than usual when we're not around."

What are you saying?

The blushing girl glanced discreetly at the boy who was silently starting to clean up the mess.

Someone had already whispered in Kiyono Mizuki's ear.

"I hope the next time we all get together, it will be at your wedding."

"oops!"

"Hahaha, let's go."

"Um, let me see you off."

The girl, who was pushing her own wheelchair, seemed to want to do her best to be a good host one last time. Tsukino Gen put down what she was doing and wiped her hands.

"How can you give someone away like this? I'll take them. Don't worry about it."

The women didn't refuse, and said with smiles, "Thank you very much, Tsukino-kun~"

After seeing the group downstairs, without Kiyono Mizuki present, gossip about Tsukino Gen quickly began, and they couldn't contain themselves at all.

"How does Tsukino-kun know Mizuki? I've never heard of him before."

"We were neighbors, but we probably weren't familiar with each other back then."

"So, has Tsukino-kun been taking care of Mizuki all this time?"

"It's not really about taking care of each other, it's just helping each other out, after all, we're neighbors."

Gen Tsukino didn't boast about his achievements and answered these questions modestly, always using "neighbor" as an excuse when asked about any so-called relationship.

It has a subtle, almost imperceptible quality.

It was clear that their gossip hadn't been completely satisfied, and they were still somewhat unsatisfied, but they couldn't really say too much about other people's private affairs. In some ways, the fact that this young man had been willing to help this penniless girl to this day was already quite remarkable.

And the best thing is that Kiyono Mizuki seems happy.

"In any case, thank you for your help, Tsukino-kun. Please feel free to contact us anytime you need any assistance in the future."

"Okay, please be careful and take care."

He watched several women leave one after another, but one person remained by his side.

"Why don't you leave?"

Gen Tsukino looked at the young woman with rose-gold hair with a strange expression. Under the streetlights at night, the already striking hair color became even more translucent, giving it an unreal, dreamlike quality.

"I drove here."

Ayaka Miura's answer was perfectly natural.

"Then drive away."

"But I drank alcohol."

So the two pairs of eyes stared at each other under the streetlight, seemingly for no apparent reason.

They both had very beautiful eyes, as if the two, favored by God, had finally met.

However, the color under his eyes was rather indescribable.

Gen Tsukino finally couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Then why don't you call a designated driver? Wait for me to drive you back."

"Designated drivers are so expensive."

She said hesitantly, her face slightly flushed. Tsukino Gen remembered that she had drunk quite a bit of beer. But having witnessed her drinking capacity, was this person who could easily chug a bottle pretending to be drunk?

"Don't give me that crap, are you short of money?"

"You haven't been drinking, what's wrong with giving me a ride? Calling a designated driver would just mean waiting. It's so hot outside."

She pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved.

Gen Tsukino glanced at her, his hands in his pockets, showing no intention of compromising.

"Then go wait in the car."

"You are my younger brother's classmate."

She blinked.

"Why? Your brother doesn't have the face to let me take him home."

Tsukino Gen said irritably.

He suddenly realized that Miura Akihiko had kept his sister a closely guarded secret from him, not even letting him see a picture of her. Wouldn't his resolve crumble if he knew what his sister was like in front of him?
It seemed there was no other way, and Ayaka Miura and Gen Tsukino were staring at each other blankly.

The boy wasn't in a hurry to leave, and the other party didn't seem to be planning to call a designated driver.

As the moon rose higher, Tsukino Gen said irritably, "Are you waiting here for the alcohol to metabolize? Why don't you go call a designated driver?"

"Take me back, and I'll pay you for the valet parking."

she said suddenly.

It seems that, generally speaking, talking about money with friends is considered an insult, a hurtful act. After all, talking about money can damage relationships.

But Tsukino Gen paused for a moment, "How much?"

"Anyway, it's more expensive than the market price."

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Where's the key?"

Ayaka Miura:
He almost laughed out of anger at the woman, but he still handed over his keys.

Gen Tsukino actually took the keys and got into the car. It wasn't that he was greedy for money; money was just an external thing. He just really didn't want to waste time with this woman at the entrance of the residential area.

People coming and going all day can negatively impact one's reputation within the community.

The car started smoothly, and Ayaka Miura looked at the other person with some curiosity, "Did you even get a driver's license?"

"Is this difficult to understand?"

"I don't think anyone would consider getting a driver's license while studying, let alone someone like you."

Point to end.

They didn't directly reveal the other person's orphan status, perhaps out of some concern that it might offend them.

Gen Tsukino seemed completely oblivious to this, saying, "That's precisely why I want to have as many skills as possible."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. But didn't you go out to work or do any part-time jobs during the summer vacation?"

The woman sat in the passenger seat. Tsukino Gen didn't want to be distracted while driving, but his gaze couldn't help but drift to the side, noticing the seatbelt digging deep into the crease, leaving a beautiful mark.

Ayaka Miura was dressed very modestly today, in a simple short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans, not showing any legs. But it couldn't hide her naturally stunning figure; she is indeed a very well-endowed woman.

"Working is too tiring. Once I have enough money, I'm too lazy to work."

"Actually, if you want an easier job, you can come work for me." "Your place?"

Gen Tsukino looked at her strangely.

Ayaka Miura nodded, seemingly unaware that her current demeanor resembled that of a borderline blogger. She was as innocent and unsuspecting as a naive college student fresh out of college.

"Yes. I'm managing the family company now, it's in the clothing industry, and you're perfectly suited to be a model for us. You'd just need to do things like fittings and photoshoots."

"That sounds easy."

"It's definitely easier than other jobs."

"But I refuse."

"why?"

Ayaka Miura turned her head in surprise, thinking that her suggestion had seemed natural. Even if the other person wasn't short of money, they didn't seem like someone who complained about having too much. Something so easy for them shouldn't be something they would refuse.

"I don't want to expose my body to the whole world in a blatant way."

"Is that a reason?"

Ayaka Miura frowned in dissatisfaction and muttered something.

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "Besides, summer vacation is coming to an end, and I don't have that much time. This kind of work attitude is not good for you either, and you'll be accused of using connections, so it's really unnecessary."

For good reason.

But Ayaka Miura laughed and said, "I feel like you're deliberately avoiding suspicion, not wanting to be associated with your classmate's older sister? Don't worry, he's been afraid of me since he was little. He's not a sister-complex, and I'm not a brother-complex either."

Gen Tsukino: ? ? ?

Who asked this?!
No, what kind of things do you usually watch? I feel like your hobbies are quite dangerous.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think our relationship has reached the point where we can talk about such private matters."

Gen Tsukino quickly changed the subject.

"You're so cold, Tsukino-kun."

She shifted her position, crossing her legs and crossing her arms over her chest, expressing her dissatisfaction through her actions. But Tsukino Gen didn't see any emotion; he only saw the magnificence of the mountains.

"Indifference is the norm; I'm just a cold and ruthless person."

My blood is cold, my heart is cold, and my knife is cold.

I suddenly remembered this sentence.

"Pfft, if you were really that kind of person, you wouldn't have helped Mingyan so much. Come to think of it, I haven't properly thanked you for this yet."

"It's okay, your parents have already treated me to a meal."

Tsukino Gen said indifferently, but Miura Ayaka shook her head, "That's different. Although my father isn't a bad person, he's been in this industry for a long time. His first thought is always about profit, so his invitation to you to dinner isn't exactly innocent. He either values ​​your abilities or he's interested in the connections you might have. It can't be considered a simple expression of gratitude."

That's true. Although Miura Akihiko's father didn't mention these things at the dinner table, his intention to get along with Tsukino Gen was quite clear, and anyone with eyes could see what his purpose was.

"Gratitude is gratitude; the key is whether the person being thanked receives any benefit. Whether it's purely platonic or not isn't that important."

Gen Tsukino drove the car steadily.

He maintained an indifferent expression throughout, while Ayaka Miura beside him seemed much more unconcerned, fully enjoying the sight of the young man driving so intently.

The muscular lines of the arm gripping the steering wheel, the beautiful profile, and the sculpted jawline are all rare sights.

"You're quite optimistic. Sigh. If only Mingyan could be as mature as you."

she whispered.

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "What's the point? Just do what you should do at the right age. It's good enough that you have a personality that's appropriate for your age. Besides, he's quite sensible. Demanding too much is not a good thing."

"So what do you consider yourself at this age?"

The woman's eyes seemed to be gleaming slightly, like a cat in the night.

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment, "Of course, my situation cannot be generalized."

"So you yourself also feel that you are a special person."

"Of course, isn't that obvious?"

"Hahahahaha."

Ayaka Miura smiled happily, though she didn't say anything particularly insightful along the way. But that didn't stop it from being a pleasant trip.

Unfortunately, amidst all the laughter and chatter, the car quickly arrived at its destination.

The woman was about to get off the bus when she thought for a moment and asked, "Are you going to take a taxi back now?"

"if not?"

"Why don't you take my car back? I'll have someone pick it up tomorrow."

she says.

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It's too much trouble, there's no need. It's not hard to get a taxi at this time."

"Aren't taxis very expensive?"

"Don't you want to get reimbursed?"

Ayaka Miura blinked and looked at Gen Tsukino with utter innocence. "We didn't discuss taxi fares in our negotiations."

Gen Tsukino narrowed his eyes. "Bad woman."

"How can you say that? I'm your classmate's older sister."

"I always felt that your purpose in emphasizing this matter was not pure."

As I listened, I suddenly got angry.
"Okay, I'm off then~ Take care on your journey, Tsukino-kun."

The woman smiled and waved, her specially applied nail polish still sparkling.

As soon as she got off the bus, she stood still, because she saw a boy standing not far away, staring blankly at her.

It was fine at first, a very normal scene.

He was just about to speak.

"Bang."

"I'm leaving now. Okay?"

He then saw a familiar-looking boy appear in his field of vision.

His eyes widened almost uncontrollably.

"Tsukino?! What are you doing here? Why did you get out of my sister's car?!"

Ayaka Miura didn't say anything, but just glanced at Gen Tsukino across from her.

The boy awkwardly touched his chin.

"This question is actually easy to explain, but I'll explain it to you another time. I have something to do, so I'll go now."

"Wait! Stop right there!! What did you do? Explain yourself!!"

Of course, it was impossible for Tsukino Gen to be caught up by Miura Akihiko.

My phone is already being bombarded with all sorts of information.

Akihiko Miura is like a haunting female ghost in a movie, with a lingering, persistent spirit.

[Tell me! What exactly did you do with my sister?]

Are you on this vehicle?

You wouldn't actually go after my sister, would you, you bastard!

[Say something! Say something!]

Gen Tsukino, of course, did not reply.

It's a very easy question to explain, but seeing how anxious he is, I suddenly don't want to explain anymore.

Just as I was about to mute the messages, a phone call came in.

It's the red leaves of Baifeng.

Gen Tsukino frowned and answered the phone.

"Hey?"

The other person's voice sounded more serious than usual, as if they had taken a deep breath.

The content, however, is quite simple.

"The negotiation with Daigo Nakajima is the day after tomorrow. I will send you the location and time."

What's coming is finally here.

……

(End of this chapter)