I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 311 Auditory Hallucinations
Gen Tsukino genuinely believes that this kind of dialogue should be called Rashomon, and calling it a narrative trick is a bit pretentious.

After all, the technique of deriving different stories from the perspectives of different narrators has long been a filming method.

There's no point in dwelling on these issues.

That concludes the conversation with Ayaka Miura, and Akihiko Miura finally emerges.

"You chatted for a while? What did you and my sister talk about?"

Miura Akihiko looked at the two warily, not for any particular reason, but because Tsukino Gen was someone you should be wary of and careful about.

You never know when he'll hook up with someone else, since only he has that kind of ability.

Why does my older sister seem like a lamb to the slaughter, completely oblivious to her own predicament?

Gen Tsukino shook his head, and before he could even speak, Ayaka Miura laughed and said...

"Just chatting for a bit. By the way, you guys are going out to have some fun, right?"

"Yeah, are you coming too?"

Akihiko Miura extended an invitation, but Ayaka Miura glanced at Gen Tsukino for no apparent reason.

The boy immediately averted his gaze, focusing on his own thoughts, knowing he wouldn't get any advice from him anyway, and he wouldn't have any opinions of his own.

Miura Ayaka finally shook her head. "Forget it, I won't go. You guys go have fun. They're all young people, it wouldn't be right for me to force my way in."

No way, you're still so young.

Miura Akihiko was just going through the motions with the invitation; after all, with his older sister present, there were bound to be many things he couldn't do himself.

"Okay, okay, if you keep trying to persuade me, I'll really go."

"Uh"

"Let's go."

Gen Tsukino looked at Akihiko Miura.

The two set off for the karaoke bar, and along the way, Miura Akihiko still looked at the boy with some concern.

"What did you two talk about? My sister seems a bit strange."

"I also thought she was acting strange, but it had nothing to do with what we talked about."

"You don't really intend to harm my sister, do you?"

Miura Akihiko became wary.

Tsukino Gen chuckled and said, "Do I look like the kind of person who likes to flirt? Also, although I often say things like 'be your brother-in-law,' I don't mean it at all. Don't worry, I'm telling the truth this time."

Seemingly seeing Tsukino Gen so serious for the first time, Miura Akihiko paused for a moment, then smiled and said.

"I was just joking before, I didn't really suspect anything. Okay, today's a happy day, time to enjoy ourselves. It's on me today, let's have some fun!"

It's clear that Akihiko Miura was very happy today.

The people invited to the karaoke bar were all classmates, including Suzuki and others, and of course, Kazama Sakura was there too.

Gen Tsukino was somewhat surprised.

"I thought you couldn't get out."

The tall girl, who was wearing a knitted cardigan but a pleated skirt and over-the-knee socks, smiled as she spoke.

“I didn’t think I could get out, since it was nighttime. But my mom asked if this classmate had invited me to her birthday party, and I said yes, so she let me out.”

"Oh? So I have that much influence?"

Sitting in the KTV room, Miura Akihiko was already leading his group in a lively singing session.

Gen Tsukino couldn't make out what the other person was singing at all. He recognized the scene, but why couldn't he understand the tune when the other person sang it? He just didn't get it.

The tall, sweet-looking girl naturally leaned closer to the boy's arm, not wanting to hide it any longer, even though everyone around them was someone she knew.

Anyway, we've come this far, so there's no point in being stubborn anymore. After all, we're all high school students, not kindergarten kids.

Besides, kindergartens are quite enthusiastic about joking these days, and it's probably impossible to hide it from those little kids.

Who can resist the overflowing love in their eyes?

"Pfft, what does it have to do with your pride? But it seems my mom really trusts you."

Gen Tsukino immediately nodded.

"Of course, there aren't many reliable men in this world, but you're lucky, I'm one of them."

"Hahahahaha."

The girl laughed like a goose next to Tsukino Gen, leaning naturally against his arm as if she were about to fall into his embrace. Tsukino Gen's actions were equally natural; he simply didn't want her to actually fall, so he put his arm around her shoulder.

But to other people, this is clearly a public display of affection.

Miura Akihiko didn't even know how to sing anymore. The others pretended not to see it, but under their whispers, many were making faces.

Later, a lot of alcohol was ordered in the private room.

Gen Tsukino had never seen Sakura Kazama drink alcohol; she didn't seem like Rin Asagiri.

She really loves to drink; she can drink whether she's alone or with someone, but she rarely drinks beer.

As the girl raised her glass, Tsukino Gen specifically instructed her, "If you can't drink, just drink less. It's Miura's birthday anyway, he won't mind."

Kazama Sakura smiled and shook her head, "It's okay~ Anyway, you're here when I'm drunk, so I can indulge myself a little."

Tsukino Gen looked at her amusedly, "What if I get drunk too? Who will take care of you?"

"You would never drink too much. Rin-chan told me that you've never drunk too much. You're the kind of person who can't possibly drink too much."

"It seems you guys talk about me quite a bit in private."

"Otherwise, would you like us to discuss other people?"

The girl's eyes blinked, and she looked incredibly cute holding the beer can. Tsukino Gen thought she was adorable enough to be the spokesperson for this beer.

It should be a very good advertisement, even though she has no fame whatsoever.

But sometimes, cuteness can conquer all.

"Then let's drink it."

Gen Tsukino was saying this to Sakura Kazama, but also to himself.

It seems like I haven't had a drink in a long time; last time in the city, I only drank a little.

It seems that my life has been stable lately but something is missing.

Let's drink then.

Holding a bottle of wine, Akihiko Miura displayed the demeanor of a host today, though he didn't really know how to liven up the atmosphere.

But it was all based on instinct; it was just drinking, playing games, rolling dice.

The karaoke machine kept playing songs until eventually no one was singing anymore, and they switched to the original recordings.

The private room was filled with the laughter of young people, and occasional, inexplicable shouts. Watching them drink and get drunk, Tsukino Gen, for the first time, felt that he wasn't quite sober.

In other words, one is no longer a bystander.

And it seems that I have also entered this 'grand event', finally not the one who is sober in a world of drunks.

It's amazing.

I used to think that such people had a certain awakening to their potential, like a wise hermit.

Everyone else is inexplicably and blindly partying, but only one person can remain clear-headed until the end. Living a clear-headed and insightful life should be a kind of happiness, right?

Because he is less likely to make mistakes, there is less possibility of regret.

But actually engaging in childish drinking contests with these peers, exchanging knowing glances with the girls beside him, and doing the same things he used to disdain.

He suddenly felt.

Perhaps such people are also pathetic, with too high a threshold for happiness and joy, destined to find it difficult to be happy without doing childish things.

While seemingly observing everything in the world with a clear mind, isn't this just isolating oneself in a space barely enough for one to live alone?
Several cases of liquor were served, and they were gradually finished, with people leaving one after another.

Gen Tsukino was quite loyal; he personally helped Akihiko Miura, who was already somewhat drunk, into a taxi.

This guy was still muttering as he got on the bus.

"You definitely cheated when you rolled the dice! There's no way I could lose to you ten times in a row!"

"Alright, alright, you can come after me again next time, okay? I'll let it go tonight, go home and get some rest."

"Fine! Next time, the next time you'll make sure you call me daddy if you lose!"

Calling him "Dad" isn't an insult, after all, Miura Akihiko has already used this method to escape drinking countless times tonight.

Watching the taxi speed away.

Now, the only person by my side is Kazama Sakura, who has also drunk quite a bit.

The tall and sweet-looking girl's fair cheeks were flushed with a rosy blush. Her natural complexion was the best blush she could have had.

His already beautiful eyes were slightly narrowed, but the color at the bottom of his pupils had a shimmering quality like that of a lake.

He stood still with his hands in front of him, looking quite clear-headed as he watched the boy walking towards him.

Of course, it only means that they appear sober.

It's obvious to anyone who looks at her that she's drunk; the alcohol is taking effect.

Even so, her charm is irresistible; she is as beautiful as a painting.

It's like a treasure placed in front of you, one you can neither refuse nor resist embracing.

"Are you ok?"

Gen Tsukino asked with a smile.

Looking at the girl in front of me, the evening breeze ruffled her hair, and the streetlights stretched her shadow from top to bottom.

Maybe I really did drink too much? Otherwise, why would I feel this moment was so wonderfully incurable?

It was just an ordinary night.

The celebration of someone else's birthday should have nothing to do with your own emotions, but everything is quietly changing.

Sakura Kazama nodded obediently, "Hmm~ That's good. I didn't drink too much."

"Yes, yes, I believe you."

He patted her head like he was spoiling a child.

The girl rubbed against his palm like a cat being stroked.

Then Tsukino Gen said, "Alright, it's getting late, I'll take you home."

But the next moment, Kazama Sakura took Tsukino Gen's hand.

It was so natural and spontaneous, as if it were a move that had been rehearsed countless times.

"Can't I not go home?"

Gen Tsukino gazed into her hazy eyes, a torrent of emotions surging within him, like a richly colored oil painting.

He laughed. "But how will you explain it to your mother if you don't go home?"

She pouted, "I don't know, but I don't want to go home. I want to be with you tonight."

Gen Tsukino gazed into her eyes, and the girl embraced him tightly, wrapping her arms around his waist.

a long time.

The boy sighed softly, "Okay, give me your phone, I'll talk to your mother."

"Hmm~"

The girl obediently handed over her phone, then took his left hand and watched him dial the number in front of her.

Whether she was genuinely drunk or faking it, she was incredibly brave and daring.

However, now that things have come to this, Tsukino Gen has no intention of shirking his responsibility.

The call was connected.

Gen Tsukino spoke directly.

"Hello auntie."

The other party was silent for a moment.

"Is it Tsukino?"

"Yes, it's me. I'm with Xiaoying. It's a classmate's birthday today, and she had a few drinks, but thankfully she's right next to me. I wanted to take care of her tonight, so..."

It's actually quite outrageous to say something like that to someone else's mother.

Is this considered a provocation?

Therefore, Gen Tsukino could only try to make his tone as sincere as possible, so as not to appear nonchalant.

However, the other party's answer was more decisive than I had expected.

"I understand, then I'll leave it to you, Tsukino-kun."

"."

Depend on.

Did I drink too much and start hallucinating?

……

(End of this chapter)