I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 208 Sweat and Tears

I'm riding my electric scooter home.

The gentle summer breeze felt like a final attempt to hold on, bringing a touch of coolness to the still somewhat sweltering weather, though it only appeared at night.

Thinking about how summer was almost over, Tsukino Gen bought a large watermelon on his way home.

When I got back to the apartment, the lights in the next room were still on.

The light was on, and there was the girl next door.

The thought of this scene is strangely heartwarming. Is the other person waiting for me to come home? Maybe not, but it still feels nice.

He went home first, cut the watermelon, not into too many slices, but in two. Then he took two spoons, put them in a bag, and went next door.

They opened the door directly with the key without giving prior notice.

They noticed that the lights were still on in the other person's living room, but no one was there.

The boy quietly placed the watermelon on the table and then walked towards the bedroom. There was a dim light in the bedroom, but it wasn't a bedside lamp.

The unlocked door was gently pushed open, and Tsukino Gen saw a lit laptop and a girl lying prone on the table.

Tsukino Gen walked in, somewhat amused, and looked at the content on the screen.

It was text that the other person was typing. At a glance, it seemed to be a scene of the male and female protagonists having a conflict.

The disabled and weak-willed male protagonist wallows in self-pity, saying that he is such a terrible person. He believes that if he had known he was like a quagmire, the female protagonist should have left him decisively instead of treating her as a savior and thinking that anyone can save him.

"What are you daydreaming about all day?"

The girl, slumped over the table, breathed evenly. It was unclear how long she had been busy that day, but she had fallen asleep right there on the table. Perhaps she was too tired to get into bed and rest on the spot because of her limited mobility?
After thinking for a moment, Tsukino Gen didn't touch the other person's computer. Instead, he gently reached out and easily lifted the girl from the chair.

Of course, no matter how careful you are, it's impossible for the other person not to notice the noise. Besides, how could someone sleeping on the table be in a deep sleep? Almost as soon as you picked them up, their eyelashes trembled slightly.

Then she slowly opened her sleepy eyes and saw Tsukino Gen looking right at her.

"Hmm, I'm asleep?"

She seemed a little confused and didn't quite understand what was going on.

Gen Tsukino nodded. "If you're tired, go to bed and rest. Why did you fall asleep on the table?"

The girl shook her head, looking somewhat troubled, and said, "I'm having writer's block. I feel like no matter how I write, I can't get the effect I want. I just fall asleep while thinking about it. I'm not sleepy now."

Gen Tsukino turned around and walked directly out of the bedroom.

"If you're not sleepy anymore, have something to eat. If you can't think of anything, think about it again tomorrow."

"But it's really uncomfortable to have it stuck like that."

The girl said with a hint of helplessness, but she didn't struggle stubbornly in the boy's arms. She liked this position and the scent of his body; the tangible warmth and reliability he provided was addictive and irresistible.

"Then I'll make you feel better later."

Qingye Mizue:? ? ?
Gen Tsukino looked at her. "I meant that eating something would make you feel better. What are you thinking?"

"Oh, I thought you meant you'd feel better after a good night's sleep."

As she said this, her cheeks involuntarily turned red.

She also saw Tsukino Gen smirking here, and couldn't help but angrily punch him in the chest twice.

"You're such a wicked person!"

"What's wrong with me? It's your own thoughts that are becoming increasingly impure."

"Can I remain pure if I spend too much time with you?"

"So I'm just a big melting pot?"

"Anyway, he's full of bad intentions."

"You say that about me? Sigh, I even cut up a watermelon for you, it turns out I was wrong."

Place Kiyono Mizuki on the chair next to the table, and you'll see a watermelon that has already been cut in half.

This is the perfect way to hold someone while eating.

It's a magical thing that everyone who sees it in the summer will want to eat a spoonful; anyone who can resist is a genius.

"Huh? How did you know I wanted to eat watermelon?"

The girl looked at Tsukino Gen with some surprise, her expression not just a compliment, but genuine.

"Because I'm the tapeworm in your stomach."

"Ugh, that sounds disgusting."

"It's disgusting, so don't eat it."

Kiyono Mizuki snatched the half of the watermelon away, "I'll eat it, I'll eat it! Mmm~ So sweet~"

Seeing the other person watching the drama unfold, Tsukino Gen couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it really that delicious? I've never seen you like the fruit I buy for you this much."

"Watermelon is the perfect summer fruit, of course it's delicious. No fruit can compare to watermelon in summer, I'm telling you."

Kiyono Mizuki said proudly.

"You talk as if you cultivated watermelons. Are you some kind of watermelon spokesperson?"

"Hmph, mind your own business. But why are you only coming back now?"

She asked questions as she ate.

Gen Tsukino glanced at her and said, "Just mind your own business, why are you asking about this?"

"Can't I ask you something? Besides, you just opened the door and came in without saying hello. What's wrong with me asking you a couple of questions?"

"Okay, okay, you're absolutely right. It's nothing, I just went to a female classmate's house and was warmly received by her mother."

Kiyono Mizuki looked at Tsukino Gen suspiciously, blinked, and then chuckled.

"You're bragging. You scumbag, you actually dared to go to someone's house? Be careful someone comes with a knife to your head." The boy's eyes widened. "How could that be? What parent wouldn't like a boy as likable as me? I'm the kind of 'other people's child,' you know?"

Kiyono Mizuki thought the boy was acting, so she reached out her hand and said in a doting tone, "Yes, yes, that's right, our little Gen is the best. Come here, Mommy will give you a hug~"

You're even playing the role of a mother now? This boy, who's even more shameless than Wa's junior, craned his neck.

"Mommy, I want to drink milk."

"Drink my ass! You shameless bastard, hmph~"

As for the 'truth' the boy had said earlier, he had forgotten it all and it was all gone now.

Having eaten almost all of her food, the slightly bloated girl comfortably slumped in her chair, then gave Tsukino Gen a seductive look.

"You got me pregnant."

"Are you crazy?" the boy laughed and cursed. "If you've got the guts, give birth to one and show it to me."

The girl, her cheeks slightly flushed, argued, "What if a watermelon grows out?"

"Xiao Chunu even mentioned having a baby. Is she in such a hurry?"

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but ask.

"Who's getting angry! You scoundrel!"

It was clear that Kiyono Mizuki's mood brightened considerably upon the boy's arrival. It seemed there was nothing she couldn't say in front of him; the withdrawn girl who had been so dramatic and aloof had vanished without a trace.

"Is this what you call being a hooligan? I won't dare give you massages anymore, I'm afraid you'll call the police and arrest me."

"Hahahahaha."

The girl was laughing so hard she was shaking.

Then she gave a soft snort, "Don't even think about it, my leg isn't healed yet, you have to keep pressing it."

Gen Tsukino nodded. "I'll massage your leg too, once it's healed."

"Hmph, trying to take advantage of me, huh?"

"No?"

"Humph~"

The bedroom was dimly lit, with only the bedside lamp on.

The girl lying on the bed had a slightly flushed face as she gazed at the boy sitting on the edge of the bed with a serious expression. It seemed that just looking at his face made the sensations on her legs lessen.

In fact, not every massage from Gen Tsukino can be described as comfortable; it is always accompanied by bursts of sharp pain to stimulate the nerves.

But she got used to it, after all, she had come from a period when she had no feeling in her legs. More than the pain, she was afraid of losing all feeling altogether. Like being in a vegetative state, that might be even more painful than death.

She also noticed that Tsukino Gen was not having an easy time during this process.

Fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead, as if this massage was more tiring than anything else he did normally.

She knew perfectly well that this massage wasn't some ancestral technique or some scientific explanation he claimed; it was closely related to the mystery surrounding him. Although curious, she had no intention of asking unless he offered to explain.

Everyone has secrets, and right now she feels more sorry for what this boy has done for her.

"If you're tired, take a rest."

Gen Tsukino gently shook his head, tenderly stroking the other's legs. It wasn't out of lust or a desire to take advantage, but rather a genuine and meticulous control over his inner energy. Since entering the fourth level, his control over his inner energy had become even more precise.

It's like wielding a scalpel, precisely controlling the other person's meridians and even nerves.

This process requires utmost care, as everything is interconnected and any mistake can have consequences. Therefore, he needs to be more focused than usual, which naturally takes a lot of energy.

This can be described as an activity that far exceeds the usual daily consumption.

If her legs are already like this, it will probably be even more difficult for Mochizuki Miki by then.

But there are always things that need to be done.

Half an hour later, Tsukino Gen finally let go of her hands.

The girl didn't immediately care how her legs felt; instead, she handed over a tissue.

"Are you ok?"

Gen Tsukino wiped the sweat from his forehead and then lay down in the other person's direction.

He closed his eyes slightly. "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."

Kiyono Mizuki hugged the boy tightly with a touch of tenderness. Although she wasn't tall or slender, her overwhelming emotions made her feel like a warm ocean.

She could feel the other person's heartbeat was rapid and erratic, noticeably more so than usual.

It pressed against the boy's forehead, not caring whether there was still sticky sweat on it.

"You've worked hard, please rest here for a while."

"I haven't showered, I'm covered in sweat."

Gen Tsukino closed his eyes and said with a wry smile.

Kiyono Mizuki shook her head, then hugged Tsukino Gen's body even tighter, feeling his intense heat and burning passion.

Who says summer is over?

My summer is right here in my arms.

"It's okay, I love everything about you. Even your sweat."

Gen Tsukino opened his eyes and glanced at the girl who now showed no shyness, only heartache.

He nodded. "Me too."

"Your everything, even your tears."