I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 37 Let's pretend this never happened

"Hello. I'm homeless. Could you please take me home?"

At the subway station entrance, a girl carrying a suitcase looked shyly and hesitantly at a boy carrying a backpack.

This world is very different from the Japan I imagined, in many ways, such as place names, architecture, and some folk customs that arose from historical events. However, there are still many things that conform to stereotypes.

For example, young girls carrying suitcases are a common sight in places like subway stations.

Gen Tsukino glanced at the other person and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just a student."

The girl looked at the boy anxiously, "No, it's okay! I can help you with housework. I don't eat much and I don't need to buy clothes often. I can do anything."

It seems that such girls should be like most of their 'colleagues,' quietly standing aside, or squatting or sitting on the steps, waiting for middle-aged men who look like they have some spare money but aren't good-looking to come and chat with them.

This kind of proactively seeking out people doesn't seem to be that common.

But no matter what it is, Tsukino Gen's attitude is very simple.

"If you can do anything, go home, or earn money with your own hands. Of course, you can continue to wait for the market to turn around; it has nothing to do with me. Goodbye."

Gen Tsukino left peacefully.

Ignoring the girl's earnest pleas and calls behind him, he walked into the subway station.

In fact, some situations that seem difficult to understand before have their specific reasons. There's no need to simply belittle or hate them. Just like life, it is essentially life that makes everyone different, but its most ingenious deception is that these people, tormented by fate in different ways, hate and misunderstand each other.

Some may have their own difficulties, while others may simply be enduring hardship without any real suffering.

Regardless of the choice, it's a lifestyle option.

Just like when Tsukino Gen was in the orphanage, he didn't choose to rely on anyone or integrate into anyone's family, but chose to grow up and live alone until now.

Whether others see you as admirable, pitiful, or pretentious doesn't matter. Living a life where you can laugh is already a success.

The school was still overcrowded; the hustle and bustle before the school bell rang resembled an amusement park.

After the school bell rang, it became as quiet as a prison.

"Hey, eh, eh."

As soon as he sat down, Akihiko Miura came over.

Gen Tsukino looked at him. "What's wrong? Why are you so excited so early in the morning? Did you take your medicine?"

"You're the one taking your medicine. Tell me, what did Sakuraba-sensei call you into her office for yesterday?"

A strong sense of curiosity arose in Miura Akihiko's eyes. Tsukino Gen knew that this boy always managed to get his hands on some strange and unusual information, whether it was about teachers or students; it seemed he always had 'first-hand' information.

But surely this information couldn't have been obtained by simply forcing questions out of them?

Genya Tsukino also saw the hidden excitement in the other person's eyes, which was not just gossip.

"They just talked to me about my studies, hoping I could maintain this level of grades and such."

"Huh? That's all?"

It seems a pity about Akihiko Miura.

Tsukino Gen chuckled and said, "Otherwise what? What are you expecting?"

Miura Akihiko glanced around warily, seemingly worried that someone might overhear what he was about to say, and then he leaned closer to Tsukino Gen and whispered.

"Wasn't there even a hint of something exciting happening? You're so handsome, and Sakuraba-sensei looks so charming. At this age of youthful vigor, a lone man and woman alone in a room, and the teacher and student being such a classic combination full of taboos and immorality."

"I will tell Sakuraba-sensei exactly what you said later."

Miura Akihiko:? ? ?
He grabbed Tsukino Gen's arm, his eyes pleading.

"You must be joking, right?"

"Of course, if you're willing to treat me to a four-meat-two-vegetable set meal for lunch."

".hateful!"

It's normal for Akihiko Miura to have such fantasies about the lower realms, after all, in this country and in this era, similar messages can influence these young people far too early.

Moreover, a teacher like Sakuraba Yuki is incredibly alluring to young men. They can sense the gap between themselves and Sakuraba Yuki, and know she wouldn't be interested in guys like them. So they start fantasizing about outstanding people around them. Replacing themselves with these idealized figures makes the fantasy seem more plausible.
Hmm? That sounds a bit creepy.

As they spoke, the noise in the classroom gradually subsided.

Because Sakuraba Yuki had already entered the classroom with her textbooks.

She seemed unchanged, still wearing light makeup and maintaining her dignified and intellectual demeanor. Her smile held no trace of sadness, as if yesterday's drunkenness had no effect on her whatsoever.

Does it really have no impact?
Sakuraba Yuki knew very well how much effort she had put into putting on her makeup early in the morning to cover up any possible swelling or abnormal color in her skin.

She didn't know if it was because she was young and healthy and recovered quickly, or what, but the problem didn't seem as serious as she thought.

She didn't experience any hangover headaches or dizziness. Of course, she didn't remember how Tsukino Gen helped her "sober up" or how she could eliminate those aftereffects after she woke up.

When she arrived at the classroom, the first thing she saw was a handsome young man sitting in his seat, looking relaxed and carefree.

All she could remember was the scene of herself getting drunk in front of him last night. She couldn't quite remember how she got home, but clues told her that it must have been this boy who took her home.

So, what was the attitude of the self that I can't remember during this process?
Was he completely drunk? Or was he acting like one of the many drunkards, causing trouble for the young man?
There were no signs of her being taken advantage of; everything was perfectly preserved, and she remains innocent to this day.

But I've never gotten so drunk in front of anyone that I can't remember anything. Why am I so comfortable getting drunk in front of him? Is it some kind of subconscious instinct, or am I just starving?
Her chaotic and complicated thoughts made her feel inexplicably ashamed whenever she saw this boy, and a strange excitement seemed to be hidden in her deep regret.

It's that hidden expectation of touching taboo boundaries and eagerly trying something new.

She immediately looked away, then began the morning meeting in a normal voice, as if no one had noticed anything amiss.

Of course, there was also the time she would suddenly see Tsukino Gen pick up his water cup and drink it down in a big gulp while she was in class.

Drinking water seems perfectly normal; everyone needs to drink water, and some people even spray water.

But his movements didn't look like he was drinking water; they looked like he was drinking alcohol.
"vomit!"

In an instant, a feeling of nausea and vomiting welled up inside me.

The hangover that hadn't even appeared this morning seemed to be showing up now. She forced herself to stop for a while, taking several deep breaths to suppress the nausea. "Teacher, are you alright?"

Some students noticed and asked with concern.

Sakuraba Yuki's complexion gradually returned to normal, and she shook her head.

"It's okay, you probably just didn't sleep well last night, don't worry. So remember that going to bed early and waking up early is the best way to maintain your health. Getting enough sleep can prevent 90% of your illnesses."

After saying this, she secretly glanced at the boy.

Gen Tsukino, who had already put down his water glass, was also looking at her, but his smile was a teasing and mocking one.

The woman's cheeks flushed slightly, almost unnaturally.

That wretched little brat even started playing tricks on the teacher.

Bad student!
At noon, Miura Akihiko treated Tsukino Gen to the most luxurious set meal in the cafeteria.

The boy, who ate salmon like he was chewing beef, didn't really find it delicious, but he felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the faint pain on Miura Akihiko's face.

"Why are you making that face? You're supposed to be a young master, you shouldn't be worried about this little bit of money, right?"

Miura Akihiko said irritably, "Do you think my dad would be very generous to me given my family's situation? He might be worse off than you. Money is just for show, not for use; it's practically worthless."

Gen Tsukino nodded approvingly at him, "That's the most philosophical thing you've ever said."

"Get out of here! I'm treating you and you're still mocking me? Have some decency!" (Tsukino Gen)

"Ha ha ha ha."

Just as he was laughing, a message popped up on Tsukino Gen's phone.

He glanced at it and then put his phone away. "You keep eating, I have something to do."

"What's up? It's not Kazama looking for you, is it?"

Miura Akihiko said in a sarcastic tone.

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person with amusement, then stood up and patted Akihiko Miura on the shoulder.

"Don't ask about adults' affairs."

Miura Akihiko:? ? ?
Feeling increasingly frustrated as he ate, Miura Akihiko suddenly remembered something, finally decided to put down his chopsticks, and then made a phone call.

After he cautiously said something to the person on the other end of the phone, a middle-aged man roared from the other end.

"Plastic surgery?! What the hell are you going to get?! Is it shameful to look like your old man? I'm warning you, if you keep thinking about these nonsense things, I'll send you abroad to study and give you two million a month. I'll starve you to death!"

Tsukino Gen, walking along the relatively lush green paths of the school with his phone in his hand, was completely unaware of the little incident that would follow.

Even if they knew, they wouldn't have any particular thoughts. A teenager's fantasies are always new, one after another.

Instead of going anywhere else, they went straight to the office, which was mostly empty during lunch break.

The woman in the business suit sat there; the soles of her high heels were alright, not too sharp.

Those long, slender legs, encased in black stockings, reflected the luster of the sunlight.

"Sakuraba-sensei."

Gen Tsukino said politely.

Sakuraba Yuki glared at the boy.

Is it fun to pretend?

Gen Tsukino looked surprised. "Why do you say that? Oh, did I do something wrong in class?"

"You're just pretending, aren't you? Drinking water like that on purpose reminds me of last night."

That's where we stopped abruptly.

The woman's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Tsukino Gen seemed completely unaware, instead looking at the other person with curiosity.

"What happened last night?"

Sakuraba Yuki looked at the boy's beautiful eyes. She hadn't noticed them when he was still young, but now that he was an adult, she realized that his eyes were indeed exceptionally beautiful and unique.

The eyes are neither too big nor too small, and there is no particular pupil color or pupil size. The pupils are also normal.

But when you look into it, it's like there's an alluring whirlpool drawing you deeper into it.

It's like the unknown that brings both fear and curiosity.

Her cheeks burned even hotter, and she couldn't help but avoid the other person's gaze. Then she began to tidy up the already clean desk pointlessly, as if trying to appear busy.

"Um... did I do anything strange last night? Like... after drinking alcohol?"

I heard the other person say that.

Gen Tsukino pondered for a moment, and Yuki Sakuraba's heart jumped.

However, Gen Tsukino did not speak immediately. Instead, he took a chair and sat down in it rather abruptly, like a peer, without the respect a student has for a teacher.

Instead, she looked at the other person's beautiful, intelligent, yet slightly flustered face and said...

"Sakuraba-sensei, let's pretend that what happened last night never happened."

Sakuraba Yuki: ? ? ?

Sakuraba Yuki: !!!

……

(End of this chapter)