I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 242 You wish!
The last day of the sports festival.

After changing into their school uniforms, all the students arrived at school on time, as expected.

There was no trace of fatigue on his face; on the contrary, he was remarkably energetic.

"Hmm? You look radiant today."

The basketball finals were in the afternoon, while Akihiko Miura's long jump competition was in the morning. Right now, on the sidelines, two teenagers were joking around.

Miura Akihiko changed into his sportswear and warmed up on the sidelines while looking at Tsukino Gen with a strange expression.

"Have it?"

The boy asked casually.

Actually, I've noticed this myself, and it's not some compliment from Akihiko Miura. Of course, what good friend would constantly praise your looks, saying you're even more handsome than yesterday? It's not like I'm a girl.

It happened between men, which makes it seem particularly valuable.

Tell me why.

It's probably related to what happened last night. This morning, Tsukino Gen felt a slight change in his aura. It wasn't that his facial features had changed, but rather an indescribable quality; he appeared even more ethereal and stunning.

It was as if he possessed the aloof and detached air of a hermit.

If it weren't for the fact that he was deliberately wearing a school uniform and hadn't cut his hair, the radiant glow on his face would probably be even more noticeable.

It seems that only non-mainstream culture can save me now.

"It's not my imagination, you look like you haven't even fully grown up yet! Is there any justice in this world?!"

Miura Akihiko said, clearly displeased.

The boy smiled with youthful innocence. "You're about to compete, and you still have the mood to care about this kind of thing?"

Hearing Tsukino Gen say that, Miura Akihiko sighed, "I'm just here to make up the numbers. I'm not a professional athlete. You don't think I have any chance of getting good results, do you? I'd be lucky to even get into the top three."

At Zhaori Private High School, sports have always been one of its signature programs. A significant proportion of students are admitted through special admissions programs based on their athletic abilities.

Therefore, many events are basically dominated by these athletes. They are also aware that there is a significant gap between ordinary people and athletes who have undergone specialized training.

Not everyone is like Gen Tsukino, with his near-terrifying physical abilities and what others call talent. Only then does it seem possible to bridge this gap.

"You can't say that. Anything is possible. What if something unexpected happens? But if you're not prepared, there's nothing you can do if something unexpected happens."

Miura Akihiko appeared indifferent to Tsukino Gen's words.

"Who would believe such a thing? Sigh, I'm about to embarrass myself."

Seeing the people gathering over there, Miura Akihiko decided to head over as well.

I simply greeted Gen Tsukino and said goodbye.

The boy simply wished him good results, without putting any pressure on him or offering much comfort.

This isn't really that important. If people treat everything like they do themselves, either not doing it at all or doing it to the best of their ability, then life becomes too tiring.

"one person?"

Hearing the sound, Tsukino Gen looked up.

Then she saw a woman wearing a white baseball cap, slim-fit jeans, and a simple long-sleeved T-shirt, looking very plain and even a bit 'plain', appear beside her.

Gen Tsukino noticed that Ayaka Miura was quite suited to Korean-style dressing. Although she wasn't particularly tall, she had a great presence. Her slender figure, slightly pointed chin, and sculpted features were all very Korean.

More importantly, there doesn't seem to be any sign of surgery on her face.

"Are you here?"

"Yes, my brother has a competition, so of course I, as his older sister, have to come and watch."

He was saying things that were completely unconvincing.

Gen Tsukino didn't find anything about Akihiko Miura's matches particularly appealing to her.

"That's it."

"Hmm, it's rare to see you alone."

Ayaka Miura sat down gracefully beside him.

The woman exudes a fragrance, possessing a sunflower-like aura. It seems that sitting next to any man, she can bring him a unique sense of vanity.

"That's true. I have plenty of personal time, and I don't need someone to accompany me all the time."

Gen Tsukino answered with a smile.

There was no deep-seated hatred between him and this woman; in fact, she was a former friend of Kiyono Mizuki. It was only natural for him to be polite to her.

"That's not necessarily true. After all, it's normal for a guy like you to be surrounded by beautiful girls."

"That's why it's easy to have no market, since everyone thinks I don't lack companionship, so it's easy to be alone."

Gen Tsukino made a joke.

In fact, such a situation does not exist.

Since there was no match of her own, Asagiri Rin had no interest in watching it and preferred to relax and play on her phone in the activity room.

As for Kazama Sakura, she also has the task of forming a support team, so it's impossible for her to actually form a support team just for herself; that would be too much of a favor.

Ayaka Miura laughed lightly, "How could that be? Don't you know that it's precisely in situations like this that those confident women unleash their boundless competitive spirit? They want to see who can stay by your side, and they want to see if they can even squeeze into this position."

Gen Tsukino turned to look at the bright and elegant young woman.

Curious, someone asked, "Didn't you come to watch Miura's match? Why are you talking about this?" Miura Ayaka didn't seem embarrassed by being exposed; instead, she nonchalantly smoothed the ends of her rose-gold hair. Maintaining that hair color probably takes a lot of time, but it's undeniably beautiful, especially in the sunlight.

"Maybe it's because they saw you that the conversation naturally turned to you. In the end, it's still Tsukino-kun's problem."

"Are you so good at shifting blame? I'm thinking maybe I should change positions."

"Pfft. Does Tsukino-kun hate me that much?"

The young woman asked with a smile.

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "That's not the case. My attitude towards people isn't polarized. It's not a matter of either hating or liking."

"So, are we friends?"

"Of course, you're still Kiyono's good friend."

It might seem like a casual remark, but it actually tells the woman that their closest connection might lie with Kiyono Mizuki. As for other connections or their daily interactions, those aren't really that important.

He's never been a kind person; he won't always speak gently to you or show any attitude just because you're a pretty woman.

Sometimes, a necessary amount of harshness is the best way to maintain a relationship.

And clearly, Ayaka Miura understood the unspoken meaning in the boy's words.

However, she didn't seem to change her expression at all, as if everything was within her acceptable range. It must be said that this woman was quite composed; it seemed unlikely she would ever turn hostile.

"Yes, don't worry, I will be best friends with Jian Yue for life."

"That's good. She doesn't usually have many friends, so you can visit her more often."

"I will. But honestly, I envy her."

Ayaka Miura suddenly spoke.

Slightly bend your knees.

Her long, slender legs formed a very attractive angle, almost like a perfect composition, suitable for taking a picture and viewing repeatedly.

Elbows resting on thighs, hands supporting her cheeks.

She looked at the sports field, where Akihiko Miura was competing.

High jump and long jump don't really ignite people's passion; they seem rather bland, perhaps even less refreshing and invigorating than the gentle breeze of early autumn.

"Is there anything about her that you envy?"

Gen Tsukino said with a hint of amusement.

If I could have Kiyono Mizuki's beauty, would it be worth losing both my legs?
Ayaka Miura nodded. "Although losing both legs in an accident is unfortunate, without that accident, she might not have received such meticulous care from you. Now she can stay home and write books, living in a world she loves and feels comfortable in. I think that's already a level of happiness surpassing that of the vast majority of people in this world."

Gen Tsukino remained noncommittal; he simply withdrew his gaze and looked into the distance.

"Not everyone is so lucky after an accident."

"I think the most amazing thing about this luck is that she was able to meet you."

"I'm not as amazing as you say, I'm just an ordinary high school student."

So, when Kiyono Mizuki's legs have truly recovered and she can stand confidently in front of her friends like an ordinary person, how should she explain this situation? Will they believe it's because of her 'meticulous care'?

“Actually, taking good care of someone is something many ordinary people can do. But the problem is, there’s no such thing as a filial son who stays by the bedside of a chronically ill patient; most people don’t have that kind of patience. They also can’t willingly let themselves get bogged down in a quagmire and trouble. I think Jian Yue didn’t want you to take care of her like this from the beginning, did she?”

The boy remembered the beginning and couldn't help but laugh.

"She had quite a temper back then. Most of the strength of a person who has lost both legs is used for arguing. Her little mouth was like it was coated with poison, as if she wanted to talk me to death."

"Ha ha ha ha."

As if she could picture this scene, Ayaka Miura laughed lightly.

She looked at Tsukino Gen with sparkling eyes.

"So what's most enviable isn't how amazing you are as a person. It's your attitude towards her, which is more sincere and rarer than any sweet words spoken or any touching story written in a book."

The wind blew through the boy's hair.

The strands of hair on his forehead were slightly blown away, making his handsome face even more clearly visible.

So much so that Ayaka Miura was slightly dazed.

I knew he was good-looking before, but seeing him up close now, there seems to be something else I can't quite put my finger on.

It's like a finished wine; you finally smell its intoxicating aroma, rather than just a simple liquid.

Then she heard a clear, gentle voice that seemed to drift from beyond the heavens, like a mountain spring, mysterious and ancient, yet crystal clear.

"I believe that as long as you are dedicated and patient, everyone will encounter people who treat you sincerely. So there's no need to envy anyone; you can look forward to your future self."

Upon hearing the boy say those words...

Ayaka Miura turned her head and looked him in the eyes.

"I think if this person were you, it would be the most beautiful story."

Genya Tsukino smiled.

"I'm telling you to think positively, not to think the best. You're so beautiful, and your thoughts are just as beautiful."

……

(End of this chapter)