I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 237 I used a special edition Desuwa
When the final whistle blew.

Cheers, celebrations, shouts, and even sighs of regret filled the entire stadium.

Whether on the field or in the stands.

On the green field, both sides' players had almost given their all. It could be seen that apart from Tsukino Gen standing in the center of the field and still looking relaxed, the others were exhausted and lying on the field.

After all, for most young people, running on the field for ninety minutes is definitely not an easy task. Moreover, the weather is quite hot, and with the pressure on their shoulders and their nerves constantly on edge, this fatigue is exacerbated.

Fortunately, there are losers and winners.

The cheers spurred the white team members to embrace and celebrate, but the disappointment of defeat also overwhelmed the blue team members.

However, the difference in the final outcome was that they had nothing to say about this defeat.

Because they didn't lose to any one person today, but to the entire opposing team.

Even Fujii-sensei in the audience, after watching the match, no longer felt the same sense of dissatisfaction as before. Instead, he felt a sense of loss, and then finally let go with a bitter laugh.

She looked at Sakuraba Yuki beside her and said with a smile, "Congratulations this time, but if there is a next time, we will definitely win."

After seeing Tsukino Gen's performance, Sakuraba Yuki seemed to understand some of the boy's intentions.

Indeed, he no longer needs much attention, since he won't be working in this field in the future and has no plans for it. Perhaps it's more appropriate to let his teammates decide their own future.

But the most crucial thing is that he was telling himself.

He wasn't as concerned about winning or losing as he thought; he wasn't truly competitive.

He can be in the limelight, he can save everything, but he doesn't want to be the center of the storm, or an ark carrying the hopes of others.

These people could be his teammates, or the crowd watching him play from the sidelines. Of course, who's to say he wasn't among them?

It seems that many of her actions illustrate this point. When she says she wants to change him, isn't she also adding her own selfish motives and expectations? She smiled and took Fujii-sensei's hand.

"I hope there will be a next time, but this time we won, albeit somewhat by luck."

"Ha ha ha ha."

The celebratory laughter continued all the way into the locker room.

Clearly, this victory was more exciting for everyone than Tsukino Gen's heroic rescue of the team, as if they had all become part of the decision-making process, rather than just being accessories.

Gen Tsukino didn't participate much in their celebration; he simply took a shower and changed his clothes.

When she came out after changing her clothes, she ran into Suzuki, who had come looking for her.

He looked at himself, with a hint of something he wanted to say but hesitated.

Gen Tsukino smiled indifferently, "Just say what you want to say. We're all men, what's with the coyness?"

Suzuki scratched his head sheepishly, then said, "Thank you again today."

"Why thank me? You guys won, and I didn't even score the goal."

But Suzuki said, "I know your abilities. If you want, you can easily take this opportunity. But by choosing to come to midfield to fight for possession, you are undoubtedly sacrificing yourself."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It's not that serious. Constantly seeking the limelight won't do me any good. I don't want to go professional, and too much attention will only bother me more. Doing this is in my own best interest, so there's no need to thank me. You all earned it yourselves."

Hearing Tsukino Gen say that, Suzuki was somewhat dazed; the boy had smiled at him.

Then he patted his own shoulder and walked past him, leaving the locker room.

This time, Suzuki neither tried to persuade the other party to stay nor convinced them to attend any celebration banquet.

Because he knew that the other person's life was much more colorful than he had imagined, and that they didn't need any extra entertainment.

He simply felt genuinely regretful.

It would be incredibly wonderful to be teammates with someone like Tsukino Gen in the future, or even to compete professionally together. However, he also knew that if this boy were to actually go professional, he probably wouldn't be able to reach the same level as him.

Therefore, it is destined to remain just a fantasy.

But who says such memories aren't precious? Memories of youth aren't just about relationships with the opposite sex; sweat and tears are equally indispensable.

This time, Tsukino Gen was finally able to escape the obstruction of the 'luxury team'.

Jun Asagiri did not appear, nor did Rin Asagiri.

However, the young lady still sent her a message: "Get some rest, we're going home now."

It seems they are genuinely worried about the boy's physical strength.

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment, wondering if there was some misunderstanding because of his special behavior today. A man can relax and slack off, but he must never be considered incompetent; that's the only bottom line.

Fortunately, there are still people who can vouch for him.

"You've had a tough day, do you want to take a good rest?"

Kazama Sakura appeared almost as soon as Tsukino Gen appeared. She is always like the first ray of light in the morning, perfectly shining into one's life at any time.

It seems perfectly normal to have a preference for girls like this.

Gen Tsukino smiled and looked at the other person, "Aren't you dissatisfied with my performance today?"

"Dissatisfied? Why?"

The girl seemed unable to understand.

Tsukino Gen said, "After all, there were no goals, and there weren't any particularly outstanding moments. It seemed a bit boring, didn't it?"

"Nope."

The girl shook her head, her ponytail swaying with her movements, like the moon hanging over the bridge, rippling across the lake.

"I felt that you were shining on the field all the time. Although I don't really understand football, I think your contribution was no less than anyone else's. And we won, that's enough."

The girl spoke softly about her feelings.

Gen Tsukino looked relaxed. He hooked his arm around the girl's hand and walked confidently across the playground outside the changing room.

"I thought you would think I performed terribly."

"No way, I know you're just trying to avoid getting too much attention and trouble, and also to let others shine, that's why you're being so reserved. But I still think your role is irreplaceable." "Didn't you say you didn't understand football? I think you know quite a bit."

"Hehe, I was just saying, I'm glad you like it."

"So you were just trying to fool me?"

"Hmm? What's wrong? Don't boys need to be comforted? Boys aren't invincible either; they also have times when they're sad, upset, or disappointed. So if you're feeling this way, just tell me, and I'll comfort you however I want~"

Sakura Kazama said lightly.

It seems like they're really looking forward to this happening.

Gen Tsukino regrets that he is a special person, not an ordinary boy.

Because if I were more ordinary, I would feel happier at this moment.

But that's enough.

She made herself realize that none of the favoritism towards her was wrong.

I had dinner with Kazama Sakura. Tomorrow is the last day of the sports festival, and Tsukino Gen still has one last basketball final match to play.

However, compared to the intensity of football, the upcoming basketball final was hardly surprising to many.

We parted ways after the meal.

Before Tsukino Gen had even returned home, he received a phone call from someone he hadn't heard from in a while.

【Chinatsu Morita】

"Why is Officer Morita calling me at this time?"

"Here's the thing, I have a mission for you. I strongly suspect that a certain cross-dressing organization is using the guise of a fan club to sell illegal drugs, so I hope you can cooperate with the police to go undercover and join this organization by dressing in women's clothing."

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'm hanging up."

Tsukino Gen said irritably.

"Hahahahaha."

Then came a bright laugh from the other end, clearly just as he had thought—it was a joke.

Even if the story were true, anything is possible in Zhaori. But it's absolutely impossible for me to become such an outrageous undercover agent.

"Was my lie so clumsy? Why did you figure it out so quickly?"

"Whether it's true or false, I won't accept it. You know that."

"Hmph. Why not accept it? Is cross-dressing something so hard for you to accept?"

"Of course, my chauvinism wouldn't allow me to do such a thing."

"So old-fashioned? That's a bit out of touch with the times."

"I suggest you find a male escort for this kind of thing. They'll do anything as long as you pay them."

"I'd only consider patronizing a male escort as handsome as you."

"That's a pity, such a possibility probably doesn't exist in this world."

"Ha ha ha ha."

After laughing for a while, Chinatsu Morita finally revealed the purpose of her phone call.

"Do you have time tonight? It's been so long since I've seen you, and I haven't had a drink in ages either."

The boy's expression turned strange as he walked home.

"Drinking? I always feel that your drinking isn't so simple."

"What? Are you afraid because you're not innocent? Am I some kind of woman who makes things difficult for you?"

"No, that's not it. I just hope that Officer Morita won't do anything illegal. Why do I feel like you can't hold it in?"

"Get lost! Do you really think you're a succubus, that everyone who sees you will be tempted to commit a crime? Besides, I'm a police officer. Who commits the crime is up to me, isn't it?"

"So you really want to commit a crime, huh?"

"Hmph, stop talking nonsense. A grown man acting all coy like this. It's just a drink, it's not like I'm going to eat you. Can't we just treat it as a gathering of friends?"

I have to go to school tomorrow.

"You're not saying you'd get drunk because of me. Hurry up, or I'll come to your house right now if you don't agree."

"Okay, okay, send me the address later. See you then."

"This is so good~"

"Clap."

The boy hung up the phone without saying a word.

Outside the subway station.

A young salesman approached the boy, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Sir, would you like to try our company's new products? We have ultra-thin models, spiral-patterned models, and some with a delay function!"

Gen Tsukino glanced at the small packaged items in the other person's hand.

Then ask.

Do you have an extra-large, extended version?

"???"

……

(End of this chapter)