I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 232 Special Gift

"How long have you been in there?"

"It's been almost an hour."

"Oh."

The aroma of tea leaves rises with the rising steam, and the mist can swirl and take any shape it desires.

But the ice, though seemingly solid, melted away on the woman's mature and delicate face.

She calmly and gently put down her teacup, her rosy lips glistening with moisture, giving them a jelly-like texture.

Looking at the woman's expression, Morita Kaoru was actually somewhat terrified.

After all, those two teenagers were just too exaggerated.

I've been in the massage room at home for so long.

It's hard to imagine that they were doing a proper massage. Morita Kaoru, who had witnessed the two of them together, knew that the most amazing and incomprehensible thing about that boy was that he could turn any situation into an ambiguous and romantic atmosphere.

It's as reassuring as knowing that any movie he directs will inevitably have some kind of R-rated content.

Would this be seen as a provocative act by this woman?
Although I've never been a mother, and I don't even have any experience in dating, just imagining it, I doubt any parent would tolerate this kind of thing happening right under their nose.
The boy seemed to have absolutely no sense of propriety, which was perhaps even more infuriating.

However, things seemed a little different from what she had imagined. Asagiri Jun, who was calmly sipping her tea, put down her cup and simply said one sentence.

"It should be out soon, get ready to serve the food. Young people really don't know how to take care of their bodies."

Her slightly alluring face and faint smile made it impossible to know what she was thinking.

Morita Kaoru had long since learned not to guess the woman's true thoughts from her expression, but her calm demeanor did not seem fake or forced.

What are they thinking?

When I went to inform the chef in the kitchen to serve the dishes, the boy and girl had already arrived in the hall.

Everything seemed normal; there appeared to be nothing amiss.

To talk about the differences
It's like the boy really did go through a relaxing spa treatment, appearing leisurely, lazy, and free.

However, this girl, who should have been noble and elegant, had a slight blush on her cheeks, and there seemed to be lingering moisture in the corners of her eyes.

hiss.

An expression that seems to easily evoke the imagination.

"Didn't you send someone to give him a massage? How did you get in there yourself?"

Once the two were seated, Jun Asagiri seemed to belatedly ask the question.

The tone wasn't very intense; it was more like a casual chat.

Upon hearing her mother's question, the girl, who had changed her clothes, glanced at her casually.

"Am I mistreating him by personally giving him a massage?"

Asagiri Jun slightly curled the corners of her lips, "No, it's just that people work so hard participating in so many projects every day, and I'm afraid you'll make things difficult for them again."

Rin Asagiri:
The girl turned her head away, making the redness of her ear tips even more noticeable.

Only two people know exactly what happened in the massage room, one of whom is himself, the person involved.

It has to be said that the boy was really good at pestering people; you could even call him a scoundrel.

He interpreted it as acting cute or coquettish.

But to rub your legs with oil and then give him "help" – what kind of coquettishness is that? It's just being shameless.

Even though I washed my feet several times in the massage room, they still feel strangely slippery when I wear shoes now.

The burning sensation still lingered on the soles of my feet. Looking back now, I think I must have been crazy to agree to such a shameless request from this boy.

But it doesn't seem like much.

After all, that girl was already so far ahead of him, and he had thoroughly enjoyed watching him exercise today. He'd consider it a reward; it was a rare day that made him feel so good.
The boy next to him didn't have time to think about all that. How should I put it?

This is indeed the ultimate enjoyment. Massage is nothing special; Rin Asagiri's massage is something else entirely.

As for resorting to some tricks and being a little shameless, that's quite understandable. Of course, who could resist? I certainly couldn't, and I don't like pretending to be a gentleman; I'm just a lecherous old man.

Knowing full well that some opportunities, once missed, will never come again, how can one not make experiencing every wonderful moment a goal?
My feet are slippery.

Applying oil makes it even more like five ants.

Just as Asagiri Rin seemed to be struggling to answer, the boy snapped out of his lingering enjoyment.

He looked at Jun Asagiri and smiled, saying, "It's alright. I appreciate Jun's dedication more than her skillful technique. Besides, I'm not comfortable being in a room with strangers."

Asagiri Rin glanced at Tsukino Gen, unsure of what to say.

That bastard, doesn't he know that saying it like that is more likely to cause misunderstandings?
Jun Asagiri didn't seem to think much of it. She smiled and replied, "That's good. Putting everything else aside, Rin always does well what she's willing to put her heart into. But unfortunately, it seems there aren't many things or people in this world that are worth her effort."

This sentence seems to mean something.

Tsukino Gen's expression remained unchanged.

“Auntie is right, but I think that putting 100% of your heart into everything will also be exhausting. Just like socializing consumes energy, so too does focus. Sincerity is most afraid of being betrayed. So the less you use it, the less harm it does. From this point of view, I fully support Asagiri.”

Asagiri Rin stopped watching their conversation, lowered her head and ate her meal by herself, seemingly lost in thought.

Asagiri Jun glanced at the boy again.

"What you said makes sense, but there's a saying in the summer: 'Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.' I wonder if Tsukino-kun can actually live up to that."

"What?"

"Dedicate your only sincerity to one thing or one person."

Her smile remained kind and friendly.

But behind those eyes, there seemed to be a layer of dark mist, making it impossible to see the depth within. Yet, just like gazing into an abyss, one could feel the invisible pressure emanating from them.

Is this a reminder, a warning, or perhaps a threat in her own unique way?
Gen Tsukino's expression remained unchanged. He did not contradict her, but simply said it casually.

"Please rest assured, Auntie, I only do what is within my capabilities." "Is that so? That's good."

Jun Asagiri smiled and nodded, and then the three of them ate their meal as usual.

During the meal, they talked about some trivial topics, none of which concerned their future, their relationship, or their character.

In fact, in front of Tsukino Gen, Asagiri Jun rarely talked about teaching juniors how to be good people; instead, she was more like a clueless housewife. She would always ask Tsukino Gen curious questions.

Gen Tsukino naturally answered all of them.

When dinner was over, Jun Asagiri didn't insist that Gen Tsukino stay at home to do anything or take a nap. He just said to Rin Asagiri...

"Alright, Tsukino-kun has had enough work for today, Rin, you can take them home now."

"Do I really have to deliver it myself? I'm not a driver."

The girl continued to say this, and as she spoke, she stood up.

The mouth subconsciously refused, but the body seemed to follow its instincts more.

Jun Asagiri didn't mind giving his stubborn daughter a way out.

"Anyone can be a driver, but not everyone can take Tsukino-kun home, right?"

Gen Tsukino saw the girl who walked up to him, and also saw Jun Asagiri behind her, with a look in her eyes that seemed to enjoy watching a show.

He understood it very well.

There's no need to guess what this woman is thinking or what she's trying to test about you.

It doesn't matter.

He doesn't need to be too vigilant, otherwise he won't be able to be his true self, and he doesn't need to change some of his preconceived decisions because of her presence or intervention.

So he smiled and then extended his hand.

For the first time, he took the initiative to hold the girl's hand in front of Asagiri Jun.

He saw the surprise in Asagiri Jun's eyes, and also the girl's momentary panic. But his actions weren't for obtaining these meaningless things; he simply wanted to do it and was too lazy to pretend.

"Let's go, take me back."

He led the girl out the door.

The hand in his was soft, and the girl behind him was so obedient, it was as if she had been given a new soul chip.

Gone was his usual arrogance; instead, he displayed a rare yet endearing unease.

The young figure disappeared through the doorway.

The surprise in Asagiri Jun's eyes finally disappeared.

She leaned back in her chair and picked up the tea again, which had been heated and steeped repeatedly but was still scalding hot.

Although she said that Asagiri Rin would take her home, Morita Kaoru was still the one driving.

On the bus, Asagiri Rin didn't look at the boy, but stared at his obvious reflection in the window, as if talking to herself.

"You really dare to talk to my mom like that. Aren't you afraid she'll expose you right there and then?"

"Of all that you've said, which sentence are you referring to?"

"sincere."

Well, it's obvious that girls remember this topic best, while the boy smiled indifferently.

"If my answer has to consider what my aunt thinks, then it's definitely not the truth. Such an answer is meaningless. Actually, whether I lie to my aunt or not doesn't matter to me."

"Then why take the risk?"

"Because I don't want to lie to you."

The young man answered in a low voice.

The lights in the back seat weren't too glaring or bright; in the dim light, the boy's eyes, hidden beneath his hair, appeared somewhat dull.

Like an unpredictable dark cloud, yet his own temperament is always so stable and reassuring.

She shook her head, finally sat up straight, adjusted her posture, and looked at the boy properly.

She looked at the other person, not dwelling on the topic any further, and asked instead.

"Are you tired today?"

Tsukino Gen replied with a smile, "To be honest, I'm a little tired. Are you going to comfort me?"

The girl's cheeks flushed slightly. "I've already comforted you, why are you still so greedy?"

"That way, I'll have the motivation to keep working hard for you tomorrow."

"Is it for me?"

"It's to meet your aunt's expectations, and it's essentially for your sake."

The girl didn't dwell on the topic too much. Instead, she reached out and placed her hand on the back of Tsukino Gen's hand, whispering in the dim light.

"I'll give you a present after the sports festival is over."

"A gift? What is it?"

You've already given me a reward today, and now you're still promising me a gift?

Today is such a wonderful day; it feels even more precious than a general amnesty.

Her hand gradually closed, covering the back of the boy's hand while seemingly trying to hold the man tightly in her grasp.

"The most special gift."

……

(End of this chapter)