I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 310 Narrative Trick
Gen Tsukino isn't always this sharp-tongued.

However, he didn't think that his words were too much, since they were indeed his true feelings, and he was expressing his true thoughts in advance to avoid causing more trouble later.

Well, after he said that, his eyes honestly fixed on the other person's steering wheel.

There's a fear that a single 'accident' could lead to a fatal accident involving two lives. It's best to avoid letting the driver experience significant emotional fluctuations, regardless of gender, but rather their personality.

Fortunately.

Ayaka Miura is not the type of person who reacts strongly or hysterically to the slightest setback or emotional fluctuation.

Tsukino Gen only noticed that the other person's hands tightened on the steering wheel, but quickly relaxed.

As if her words had caused no harm to the other person, she even nodded slightly.

"I've thought of that too. After all, having seen the elegance of that young lady, I think you'd be hard-pressed to be interested in ordinary women."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It's not because you're some kind of common, ordinary girl. On the contrary, in my opinion, you're very beautiful."

"Then why do you say it has absolutely no appeal?"

"It's very simple. Being pretty and being interesting are two different things. You might not believe it, but I think you'll eventually believe that I'm actually someone who values ​​the soul."

"."

There was no laughter in the response to this question, only silence.

Clearly, Ayaka Miura didn't think this was a lame joke worth laughing at.

This means that she truly believed the truth of that statement, even if it was somewhat of a joke.

In this era, people often say that the soul is the most precious thing. Anyone who has ever been to a pet market knows that cats and dogs of the same breed can have vastly different prices depending on their appearance.

Being good-looking means you can sell for a higher price and attract more people's favor.

To put it more simply and bluntly, if you don't have a good-looking face, how many people will be willing to appreciate your interesting soul?

Besides, is your soul really that interesting?

“If you had told me this before, I probably would have thought it was a joke, but now I’m starting to believe it.”

"It's good that you believe it."

"But how can you be sure I'm not an interesting person? You haven't even tried to understand me."

"Getting to know a new person again is exhausting."

"You're only a sophomore in high school, you're still so young."

"That will be tiring too. There are already quite a few people around, what if something unexpected happens when you're overwhelmed?"

"Are you still afraid of this?"

"I am human, of course I have things I'm afraid of."

Gen Tsukino stretched lazily, his gaze returning to the scenery outside the car window.

The matter has been discussed to this extent. Even the most persistent person has a limit. Not everyone is like those characters in Korean dramas, clinging to the past and endlessly entangled, able to drag out a small relationship for over ten episodes.

This era is moving too fast, just like a budget hotel.

Because a brief attraction can establish a long-term relationship, and because of a temporary lack of novelty, there is no need to find a way to solve the problem and directly resolve the relationship between the two people.

This is the typical process, and then the same mistakes are repeated in the next relationship.

"That's amazing, but I have a suggestion."

"Ok?"

"That's something we'll talk about later."

"Is this still possible?"

This is a solution that Tsukino Gen didn't expect. Can we put it off for now? It's good to leave room for maneuver in life, but isn't it a bit much to always leave room for maneuver?

Ayaka Miura smiled beautifully, without any sign of burden.

"Of course, this isn't like giving birth, where you can decide when to have the baby without any delay. Do you really like to judge someone you've only met a few times? I think that's irresponsible."

"That's my business, isn't it?"

"So I'm just offering a suggestion."

"Thank you for your suggestion, I will think about it carefully."

This was clearly a perfunctory response, but the other party didn't seem to care and simply drove the car smoothly to its destination.

Contrary to what I had initially imagined, many of Akihiko Miura's relatives also came, in addition to myself.

Gen Tsukino was unfamiliar with these people and seemed to have fallen into a situation where he could only rely on the woman beside him, but fortunately, Akihiko Miura did not forget him on this day.

"finally come!"

Upon seeing Tsukino Gen, he smiled and walked forward, opening his arms to give Tsukino Gen a very intimate hug.

It's clear that he was genuinely happy today.

Although I always tell myself: What's so great about birthdays? They happen every year, so there's nothing to commemorate.

But when it really comes down to this, when these people actually gather together because of him and have a meal together, he still feels that sense of being valued and satisfied.

"So many people."

Gen Tsukino glanced inside the house; it was quite lively, though not like the usual summer scene. They hadn't even eaten yet, but they were already gathered around the table, with leftover snacks and melon seeds scattered all over the floor.

However, in my own experience, it's quite a lively event for someone's birthday to have so many people attend.

It refers to a number of relatives that one may never see in their entire life. Seriously, do I even have relatives?

"Yeah, they're all gossipy aunts and uncles. Don't worry about them too much. Let them chat as they please, we'll leave after we finish eating. We've already booked a KTV room."

"Isn't this your birthday? Why is it like this is just a formality?"

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person with amusement. Miura Akihiko had even dressed up specially today.

Not only were her clothes flashy, but her hairstyle was also clearly done.

Akihiko Miura seemed used to this, shrugging, "It's just a formality anyway. It's different from a normal person's birthday. Actually, my dad is quite pragmatic. It's very common for him to use his child's birthday as an opportunity to socialize."

"So you don't blame your dad?" "What's the use of blaming him? After all, I don't know if I'll end up like him. Who knows?"

Upon hearing this, Tsukino Gen looked at the other person with slight surprise.

"Okay, that's a well-chosen statement."

"What's so great about it? Alright, alright, let's go in, or we won't even get a drink of water later."

Miura Akihiko's parents treated Tsukino Gen quite well, not just going through the motions like they were going through the motions. They were very attentive and caring towards the boy, as if he were their own child.

Gen Tsukino also knew that this was probably more due to Rin Asagiri's existence.

However, this special situation did not last long, just as Miura Akihiko said.

At the beginning of the meal, few people cared about what the dishes were, and there was very little mention of the birthday celebration, with only a few words exchanged at the start.

Then soon came the so-called business matters.

Gen Tsukino could understand, but he was too lazy to listen. What he found interesting was that Akihiko Miura's father would even take the time to ask him a question or two about his opinion on these matters.

He was very curious, and the gossipy women were even more curious.

However, Gen Tsukino only responds to other people's expectations occasionally, and he is selective about who he responds to. Most of the time, he doesn't like to make others have expectations of him.

So at this point, he would act like a normal high school student, saying that he doesn't understand anything.

Until the dinner finally ended.

In the end, even Tsukino Gen had forgotten what the meal tasted like. Perhaps it was the warmth of human connection.

Towards the end, these relatives remembered that it was Miura Akihiko's birthday, and then they started to fuss over the boy.

This had nothing to do with Tsukino Gen, so he made an excuse to go to the restroom and left first, not intending to go back in.

But then I heard the sound of high heels beside me, and I knew who it was without even turning around.

"Why did you come out?"

Gen Tsukino looked at his phone and asked calmly.

In my memory, the young woman at the dinner table behaved quite appropriately and normally. She wasn't overly persistent, nor did she have any strange thoughts or reasons.

It's the kind of child everyone praises – the kind of child everyone admires.

So why are you acting so strangely in front of me?
Ayaka Miura tilted her head slightly to look at herself in front of the flower bed at the entrance.

The sky was already dark, the streetlights were a bit far away, and the entrance wasn't very bright.

The distant light shone blurrily on her hazy hair, creating a somewhat beautiful scene, though Tsukino Gen was unwilling to admit it.

"It was boring inside, so I came out, for the same reason as you."

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "Don't label me like that. I'm just waiting for Miura."

Ayaka Miura withdrew her gaze and stood beside Gen Tsukino, side by side, thus avoiding any eye contact.

But you can look up and gaze at the same vibrant, dark night sky.

"Actually, it's been like this since we were very young; that's how the atmosphere at home has always been. Mingyan and I used to both enjoy holidays like Chinese New Year. But ever since we realized that these holidays are just an opportunity for adults to socialize, we've found them meaningless. He probably told you that he doesn't actually like birthdays, right?"

"Similar things have been said before, but it's not to the point that I dislike them."

“That’s it. There’s nothing I can do about it, but now that I think about it, I’ve neglected my brother too much. The positive role I played in his life was probably far less than yours, and that’s the gratitude I haven’t fully expressed.”

Gen Tsukino watched as the other person tilted their head back, revealing their long, fair neck.

The hair has a hazy, indistinct look.

Add to that the moon that always hides behind the clouds this autumn.

Everything is beautiful, everything is good.

A cool breeze would blow through her hair, bringing not only a refreshing feeling but also carrying her delicate fragrance.

Gen Tsukino suddenly smiled.

"Maybe it's because I'm an orphan that I can't empathize with your feelings. But there's nothing wrong with being a little selfish. Even your own brother isn't your whole life. In the end, people live for themselves, don't they?"

She nodded slightly.

The earrings on her earlobes sparkled.

Like bright stars on the snow-white earth, not in the sky.

"Tsukino Gen".

"Ok?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you already."

"No, this time it's ahead of schedule."

"Ok?"

The boy said he didn't understand, and the young and beautiful woman turned her head in the moonlight, revealing the same silly, overly innocent smile she had when they first met.

"There may be more times in the future when I need your guidance and help, so thank you in advance."

"I didn't say there would be a future."

Gen Tsukino scratched his head in distress.

The woman's smile grew even brighter.

"It's okay, life is a narrative trick. When you're old and look back on your life, I may not exist, but that won't stop you from having a lot of space in my story."

"."

That's really persistent.

What narrative trickery? It's clearly a cunning person.

……

(End of this chapter)