I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 56 Baby, Don't Be Angry

Chapter 56 Baby, don't be angry~
Someone once said that a person's life has only one summer.

Every summer that followed was nothing more than a poor imitation of that summer.

Gen Tsukino doesn't know if his one and only summer has arrived, or if it has already passed.

However, he was certain that he was content with the status quo and enjoyed this kind of life.

There's a very real truth: I can't live like this forever. As I meet more people, or as the needs of my practice increase, my peaceful days will inevitably be disrupted.

But how to maintain calm amidst increasingly turbulent waves seems to be an interesting question.

An ordinary weekend.

The boy returned to his residential compound after his morning run, but was stopped by the security guard at the entrance.

"Tsuno-kun!"

The security guard was an elderly man in his fifties or sixties who got along very well with the residents of this old neighborhood, and they often talked about their fishing experiences.

"what happened?"

Tsukino Gen slowed down and walked over, and saw the old man handing him a package.

"This looks like a package addressed to Ms. Kiyono. Aren't you dating her? Could you take it to her for me?"

Gen Tsukino paused for a moment, "Who said I'm dating her?"

Where did this gossip come from? My buddy is still a perfectly innocent and single Xiao Chunan.

Upon hearing what Tsukino Gen said, the old man's eyes widened instantly.

"Not dating? Then you're taking advantage of her! She's not feeling well, so you're deceiving her feelings? Wait, I'm going to tell Mrs. Kato right now, let her have a good talk with you!"

Mrs. Kato is the grandmother that Tsukino Gen often sees when he goes out.

She has a great attitude, so everyone is willing to call this lady, who is not young, "wife".

Gen Tsukino had a headache and took a deep breath.

"We haven't officially started a relationship yet. You're making things awkward for us, sir. Do you really want to ruin our beautiful relationship because of this?"

The old man blinked, then reached out and patted Tsukino Gen's shoulder.

"I knew you were a good-hearted guy. Don't worry, we're all your strong support, we're all cheering you on silently!"

"Excuse me for asking, sir, have you been working a lot of air force lately?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? There's no air force involved. It's just that the time hasn't come yet."

“I understand,” Tsukino Gen nodded, muttering as he walked away with the package, “No wonder he’s so free.”

Hey! What are you muttering about, kid! Don't run away!

Holding a package in my hand.

The address was a bit strange; it seemed to be the address of an office building in Zhaori. The things inside were also very light, as if they were just a few sheets of paper.

Ok?
Somewhat familiar.

Isn't this the package that Kiyono Mizuki asked me to mail a couple of days ago? The weight is about the same, only the sending and returning addresses have been switched. At the time, Tsukino Gen guessed what it was, although Kiyono Mizuki was very mysterious and wouldn't tell him.

Arriving at the other person's door, Tsukino Gen thought for a moment about how to hand over the package. After all, what was inside was not a pleasant fact.

After a moment's thought, Tsukino Gen still knocked on the other person's door. Some things always require trying, and then accepting results that don't meet expectations. Very few people can achieve success in one fell swoop; the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment—this is the norm in life.

This time, Tsukino Gen waited for the other party to slowly open the door.

As the summer heat intensifies, even the slender Kiyono Mizuki can only dress in revealing outfits.

The simple white sundress and shorts made her look like a young woman who rarely went out but always exuded an artistic temperament.

Her legs, not covered by a blanket, were fair and shapely, seemingly well-maintained even when immobile. Every time Tsukino Gen saw these legs, which were veritable works of art, he felt a deep sense of pride.

Yes, it's all thanks to myself.

It is I who have preserved this treasure for all mankind. Although only I can see it.

Of course, you have to grow your own radishes and pull them yourself; you can't share even a little bit.

"So early even on the weekend?"

Kiyono Mizuki seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but Tsukino Gen was used to her dissatisfaction.

It's all just pretense anyway.

He acted as if nothing had happened, saying, "I didn't want to bother you so early, but the gatekeeper said there was a package for you, so I brought it up for you."

He casually handed it to the other person as if he had no idea what was inside.

But after Kiyono Mizuki took the package, her expression changed instantly. A deep sense of desolation was evident on her face.

She gave a wry smile. "So fast?"

Gen Tsukino's voice softened, "Do you know what's inside?"

Kiyono Mizuki chuckled self-deprecatingly. "What's there to not know? It's just a rejection from the paperback. Don't you know what was in the package I asked you to send before?"

Gen Tsukino turned his gaze to the wall. "How would I know? I don't have a habit of snooping on other people's privacy."

The walls are quite white, but not as white as her legs.

Kiyono Mizuki shook her head. "Never mind, it's nothing."

She seemed to easily conceal her emotions, but Tsukino Gen felt that her mindset wasn't yet that stable.

Not right.

After thinking for a moment, he pushed the other person's wheelchair inside.

The other person didn't speak, and the air in the room was as silent as a stagnant pool.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "This kind of thing is normal. Even the most talented writers are sometimes overlooked and their work is rejected. Kafka, for example, even asked his friends to burn all his unpublished works after his death. Yet he is still widely recognized as the father of modern literature and a pioneer of expressionism."

Kiyono Mizuki raised her head slightly, revealing a smooth and delicate neck without any wrinkles. From this angle, her well-defined collarbones were clearly visible.

And it has a full, rounded shape that I've nurtured quite well.

"You really dare to say that? Can I compare to Kafka?"

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "I'm just stating a point. Besides, I'm pretty sure Kafka isn't as pretty as you."

"You're talking nonsense again."

She sighed. She still seemed to be in a bad mood.

Gen Tsukino understands. Whether it's painting, writing, or music, it's all the result of the creator's hard work. No matter how bad or immature it is, it shouldn't be judged as worthless garbage.

Rejection might not be that serious, but it's still a blow.

He pushed her into the living room, released her hand, and then stood in front of her, staring at the girl.

"I like to talk nonsense sometimes, but I think giving up what you love and are good at is more regrettable than being rejected. What do you think?"

Kiyono Mizuki raised her head and stared straight at Tsukino Gen.

"You've suddenly become much more talkative today."

"I usually talk quite a lot too."

Are you trying to comfort me?

"If you think so, then so be it, but this is what I truly believe."

So you're feeling sorry for me?

When those words were spoken, Tsukino Gen felt an even more obvious sense of unease.

He squinted. "Is that important?"

Despite being unable to get up from her wheelchair, Kiyono Mizuki's eyes held a cunning glint in them.

"Just say you feel sorry for me. Why is it that you're so awkward when you try to comfort people?"

Gen Tsukino slowly crouched down in front of the other person, seemingly changing his perspective to be more respectful, but in reality, he was closing the distance between their eyes.

He smiled.

"Are you kidding me?"

Kiyono Mizuki could barely contain her laughter.

"There's something I forgot to tell you. Although Kawakazuki Bunko rejected my manuscript, their website editor has approved it. They suggested that I serialize it online first, rather than relying on the currently unstable physical publishing. Perhaps that's why they rejected it?"

After saying that, seeing the strange expression on Tsukino Gen's face, the girl smiled happily.

She was so happy that she forgot her limits.

I couldn't resist reaching out and pinching the cheek that was so close to my face.

"Were you thinking about how to comfort me before you came in, afraid that I would lose my enthusiasm for life again because of this blow?"

Gen Tsukino sighed and looked at the other person helplessly.

"So you were just waiting to see me make a fool of myself?"

Kiyono Mizuki thought for a moment, "It's kind of funny. But then again..."

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her eyes held an undisguised joy and delight.

"It's so cute when you're worried about someone but don't want to offer normal comfort~ Tsukino-kun."

He described himself as a man like an eagle, but such words couldn't make him smile.

Well, that's right.

"How did you become so malicious? Who taught you that?"

Kiyono Mizuki let go of her hand, wanting to smell the lingering scent on her fingers.

But with him right in front of her, she abandoned such a perverse idea.

"You're the only person I see all day long. Guess who I learned this from?"

Gen Tsukino stood up and spoke with righteous indignation.

"You didn't learn any of my many good qualities, and all you learned were these?"

Kiyono Mizuki blinked her eyes innocently.

"Advantages? Does Tsukino-kun mean secretly copying the key to a girl living alone and then barging in to wake her up without saying hello? Or... casually touching a disabled girl's legs without any restraint, even kneading them forcefully?"

Ok?
You've really gotten to know things!

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but recall a famous quote from a writer who sadly didn't die young.

Everyone has a little monster inside them.

This girl seemed fine before, so why is she now trying to control me?
Seeing that Tsukino Gen was silent and seemed to be deep in thought.

The girl blinked again and asked softly.

"You're getting angry already?"

"I am not angry."

"Sweetie, baby, we're not angry."

"Who is your baby?"

"Pfft, hahahahaha."

The girl was trying to suppress her laughter, and her face turned bright red.

Gen Tsukino took a deep breath.