I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 31 The Most Vengeful Girl

Gen Tsukino isn't used to hugs.

Even during his childhood in this orphanage, he was still not that old, so he felt a bit awkward and pretentious.

Of course, in the eyes of others, this becomes a sign of being withdrawn and autistic.

Fortunately, Tsukino Gen was otherwise behaving normally, so it didn't cause too much concern.

However, the old woman named Chishima Kazuko still cared about Tsukino Gen in her daily life. When Tsukino Gen felt that the time was almost up and finally proposed to go out and support himself, she was quite worried.

She even offered to help Tsukino Gen find part-time work, and if he wanted to go to school, she was willing to contact suitable schools.

Most of the books and materials that Tsukino Gen used for self-study at the orphanage were brought by her.

So when she hugged Tsukino Gen, the boy didn't feel anything was off. Feeling her familiar scent and warmth, even the boy, who never thought he was favored by fate, felt a little lucky.

He smiled and said softly, "I didn't encounter any difficulties, I just came back to see you."

Kazuko Chishima released her hand and nodded with a familiar smile.

"Don't hide anything from me if anything happens. You have no idea how worried I've been since you left. I was afraid you weren't doing well out there."

She pulled the boy to sit down on a chair and kindly poured him a cup of hot tea.

Gen Tsukino nodded, holding the tea and snacks. "I understand. But really, there's no need to worry too much. You know I can do anything well."

"Ha ha ha ha."

The old woman laughed heartily, a look of reminiscence on her face. "That's right. Back then, in the whole orphanage, you were the most sensible one. You never cried secretly, never made a fuss, and never caused trouble for others. You even helped with things like organizing the books. Actually, you were the one I could trust the most."

Then, she let out a soft sigh.

Then, her gentle gaze fell on the boy, "But I don't know why, it's because you're the most sensible that I feel the world has wronged you the most."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "That's not true. Actually, it's already good enough to have a place where I can grow up. It doesn't really matter whether it's my parents or not."

Even Gen Tsukino felt there couldn't be a better start.

Because there are no biological parents, there is no need to be bound by 'false' family ties, nor to adapt or pretend.

"You silly child. By the way, you came back to see me? Nothing else?"

Kazuko Chishima asked with a smile.

Gen Tsukino took an envelope from his pocket and placed it on the table under Kazuko Chishima's surprised gaze.

"It's nothing special, just a small token of my appreciation. You don't need to worry that this money is ill-gotten; I earn it through part-time jobs and school scholarships. I have enough for living expenses, and there isn't much money here, so I hope you can accept it."

Kazuko Chishima looked at Gen Tsukino in disbelief. "How can this be? How old are you to be thinking about donating money to an orphanage? You need to take care of yourself first. It seems like you have enough now, but what about later? You're such a good student, you still need to go to high school, right? And if you're dating, you'll need money for rent and stuff."

She immediately shook her head and pushed the envelope back.

“I absolutely cannot accept this. I am very touched by your kindness, but my greatest wish since becoming the director is not for you to give back to me, but for each of you to live a good life outside. Especially for you to let me know that you are still the kind and gentle Tsukino Gen, that is the best thing.”

As she spoke, her lips trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but reach out to wipe the corners of her reddened eyes.

Gen Tsukino was silent for a moment, then reached out and took the money back.

He knew that this woman was definitely not the type to be polite to people; if she said she wouldn't accept it, then she really wouldn't accept it, and there was no point in saying anything.

The main problem is that my identity as a student isn't convincing enough; I'm still in a more worrying role.

Gen Tsukino felt the atmosphere was a little heavy, so he thought for a moment and asked softly.

"By the way, when I came here I saw that the road was under construction outside, and the signs were also taken down. Is the orphanage doing renovations?"

Kazuko Chishima nodded. "Yes, the roads are going to be repaired soon, and the orphanage will be renovated inside and out. The children's living environment, as well as their places for learning and playing, will be improved. It's a pity that we didn't have these conditions when you were here."

Gen Tsukino smiled. "What's there to regret? I had a lot of fun during that time. But how come you suddenly have these conditions?"

"Oh, it's because a large corporation recently invested in us. They're probably working on some kind of social welfare project. I'm not sure, but it doesn't really matter. As long as it's real money invested and can help those children, it doesn't matter if it's just for show or whatever."

Next, Tsukino Gen and Chishima Kazuko chatted about some other trivial matters, some about the past and some about Tsukino Gen's current situation.

Knowing that the boy was doing well and had excellent grades, ranking among the top students in his grade at Zhaori Private High School, Chishima Kazuko was very pleased.

When the boy was about to leave, Kazuko Chishima even saw Gen Tsukino to the door.

She smiled and teased the boy.

"Zhao Ri Private High School is a very good school. I heard there are a lot of pretty girls there. Haven't you thought about dating or anything?"

"There are no plans to do so at the moment."

"Don't you have anyone you like?"

Gen Tsukino looked thoughtful. "Yes, there is. The problem is..."

"Does he not like you?"

"No, I like more than one person, is that even a problem?"

Kazuko Chishima paused for a moment, then couldn't help but pat the boy's head.

"You silly boy, how did you become so fickle? It's not something a boy should do to betray a girl's heart. I don't want to see you become a scumbag and be condemned on TV."

"Hahaha, don't worry, Dean."

As he walked to the door, Gen Tsukino glanced at the removed signboard.

I remember looking back like this on the day I finally left the orphanage. The sign was already rusty back then.

But now, not even a trace can be seen.

"By the way, Dean, what are you planning to change the sign to?"

At this moment, Kazuko Chishima showed a somewhat strange expression and said...

"Actually, this matter is a bit strange. When they invested, they only made one request."

"any request."

"The Cradle Orphanage is going to be renamed."

"Change to what?"

"Paper Airplane Orphanage".

On the way back, it started pouring rain.

The thunder and lightning soaked the boy's entire body.

Because there were many people and distractions on the subway, it was difficult to use internal energy to evaporate. The soaking wet boy stood in the carriage, watching the scenery rushing past the window.

The sky was gloomy, and the clouds were cracked.

And the rain, relentlessly pounding against the car window, shattered into pieces before his eyes.

The fleeting scenery is like a revolving lantern of life; familiar and unfamiliar things will rush by and disappear.

What will be left in the end?

Under that gloomy, dim skyline, Tsukino Gen seemed to see a paper airplane fluttering by, landing on someone's rooftop, though he didn't know.

Whose windowsill?

Whose courtyard is this?

When Gen Tsukino returned home, his clothes had long since evaporated and his hair was clean and fresh.

This is one of the benefits of the cultivation method. As for bathing, it has become a form of entertainment, since he doesn't like going to Kabukicho or bars.

After taking a shower and changing my clothes, I lay down on the bed.

There was no practice this time.

Instead, he took out his phone and easily found the number that had called him before.

He thought about it and decided he didn't like being indecisive, so he dialed back directly.

"beep."

"beep."

"beep."

The phone call wasn't answered immediately; the sound was like an electrocardiogram, foreshadowing the final outcome of fate.

Or perhaps the person on the other end of the phone deliberately made the boy wait as revenge.

Although Tsukino Gen had no idea what he could possibly do to provoke her revenge.

When he thinks the other party won't answer, or has completely forgotten the number and is about to hang up as if it's some kind of spam call.

"drop."

The connection was answered.

"Hey."

Gen Tsukino took the initiative to speak.

A familiar, calm, and rather indifferent voice came from the other end.

"Who?"

Gen Tsukino stared at the ceiling.

"You know perfectly well it's me, there's no point in pretending not to know, Rin Asagiri."

"Why should I know it's you? Didn't you say you didn't want to contact me? What's the point of calling you now?"

He's still holding a grudge, as expected.

She's become even more petty and holds grudges than before.

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but smile.

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask you why you want to invest in the orphanage?"

"Investment? I don't know anything about orphanages. Oh, you're not talking about your orphanage, are you?"

"Ah."

"I don't know, it might be my mother's investment decision. You don't think I have that kind of say in the family at my age, do you? Or do you think this is my way of 'making up for' you?"

"Why are you so vengeful?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

She really holds grudges.

It's even about returning every single word you've ever said to yourself.

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment and said, "No matter what, thank you. At least on behalf of the children in the orphanage, thank you."

Is that all you wanted to say?

Is this something really boring?

"Boring and meaningless. Even if I did this, it would be boring, because with your limited knowledge you wouldn't know how much wealth I possess. This so-called investment is just a drop in the ocean, nothing at all. It's not even a matter of kindness or goodwill, just a pointless business transaction. You don't need to thank me."

Her reply was cold and curt.

She didn't notice at all that she was talking more and more to the boy.

It also increasingly reminded Tsukino Gen of those past times.

She was talking, and he was listening.

Gen Tsukino replied with a smile, "It's alright, my gratitude is cheap anyway. I don't need to give anything in return except for these words."

"It's good that you know. Let me repeat, I didn't know about this, and I'm not trying to compensate or please you. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Well, hung up."

Gen Tsukino hung up the phone.

On the other end of the phone, a girl in a black dress, with a cool yet stunning appearance, frowned noticeably as she held her phone.

"Why is it always you who hangs up first?"

……

(End of this chapter)