I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 63 Little Glutton~
Tsukino Gen watched as Asagiri Rin, who had sat down next to him without any warning, suddenly appeared so fresh and beautiful.

He was indeed a little surprised.

Even though this girl always claimed to be indifferent to him, she somehow knew everything about him. But never before had she said goodbye and then suddenly reappeared like this.

Perhaps this decisive and resilient nature, this ability to rise to the challenge, is part of this girl's inherent character?
Sakura Kazama, however, had completely different thoughts.

Logically speaking, even if she were to come, shouldn't she sit next to me? Why is she just sitting next to Tsukino Gen? Is she not even going to pretend anymore?

It's absolutely true that she's not a straightforward young lady.

Perhaps because such an affordable hot pot restaurant suited her aura, Kazama Sakura didn't feel scared.

Instead, she looked at the other person with great interest and a smile.

"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into Asagiri-kun here."

skillful?
Interesting, is this someone making excuses for me?
Asagiri Rin also wore a smile, as if there was no tension between the two, and they were like familiar old friends.

"Yes, we just happened to have a sudden craving for hot pot today, and there just happened to be no other seats available. It seems we're quite destined to meet. By the way, you probably don't mind me bothering you, right?"

Listening to the sound, Tsukino Gen couldn't immediately tell where the aroma of tea was coming from.

No, are you two longtime rivals?
Kazama Sakura understood that this girl probably hoped she would appear angry or petty to provoke Tsukino Gen's dislike. So, of course, she couldn't say she minded.

She simply continued to smile, just like those TV presenters who remain calm no matter what outrageous things the other person says.

Perhaps they are also like those passengers on the tram in the movie who are oblivious to what is happening, or the drunken husband.

"Of course I don't mind. But I'm curious, Asagiri-kun, you usually eat different things than us. Will eating hot pot all of a sudden cause you stomach upset?"

Is this implying that I'm spoiled and pampered?

Very good, the tea ceremony was surprisingly good.

Asagiri Rin narrowed her eyes slightly. "It's alright. I'm tired of eating delicacies, so I need to eat some common people's food to balance my appetite. Do I look like a spoiled brat?"

Her background and demeanor make it perfectly natural for her to speak as an ordinary person. In fact, this is a natural way of suppressing her emotions.

Sakura Kazama was not injured, and she nodded slightly.

"Indeed, Asagiri doesn't seem like a pampered person; she looks very independent and strong."

"Say a few more words, I'd love to hear it."

"You must feel uncomfortable sitting next to A-Xuan, right? How about we switch seats? After all, Asagiri always keeps to herself and seems to deserve plenty of space to herself."

She was smiling with her eyes narrowed, almost turning them into crescent shapes.

Even Tsukino Gen, who seemed to have almost become deaf and mute because of Asagiri Rin's appearance, couldn't help but sigh.

What a brilliant counterattack! Just like Tyson's butterfly step, he dodged the opponent's straight punch and delivered a side hook to the enemy's head!

Watching the girls' open and covert attacks is really entertaining! Where are the sunflower seeds? Why are there no sunflower seeds again?!
Gen Tsukino glanced to the side and saw Kokomi Hyuga pretending to serve food to the table next to him, standing there with an empty plate, her ear practically touching Gen Tsukino's face.

Gossip sounds so good? Excitement is so easy to get into? Then why don't you grab a plate of melon seeds!
Caught off guard by this sudden attack, Asagiri Rin realized that this girl was more difficult to deal with than she had thought.

So you're playing this game?
"Oh, right, I just remembered something, I'll make a phone call."

After saying that, Asagiri Rin ignored their gazes and made a phone call.

She said a simple sentence in a low voice.

Then I hung up the phone.

Not long after, a young woman dressed in a suit and uniform, who still looked meticulous despite the weather, appeared in the hot pot restaurant and went straight to the spot where the hot pot hadn't even been served yet, but the air was already thick with smoke.

Gen Tsukino and Sakura Kazama were still somewhat confused.

Asagiri Rin reached out to the empty seat next to Kazama Sakura and said, "You can sit there."

"Yes, ma'am."

Kazama Sakura watched helplessly as this woman, who seemed like an emotionless robot, sat down next to her. Without sunglasses, she looked quite attractive.

Beautiful, with a healthy and well-proportioned figure.

Especially its cold, mechanical aura, like a beautifully textured AK47, it just looks intimidating.

"This is?"

Tsukino Gendo asked.

Goodness, we were playing Dou Dizhu (a card game) a moment ago, and now we can start a game of Japanese Mahjong.

Speaking of which, it seems like this club could really play Japanese mahjong if it had just one more person. Should we recruit some talent for this purpose?

Asagiri Rin had no idea that Tsukino Gen was thinking about these things amidst this back-and-forth of open and covert attacks; otherwise, she would have dumped the hot pot broth that had just been served on his head.

"My personal driver, Morita Kaoru, don't worry about him. I saw Kazama sitting there all alone, so I found someone to keep you company."

Kaoru Morita? Is Morita a very common surname? It reminds Gen Tsukino of an old friend.

Sakura Kazama never expected such a move.

It's like participating in a talent show where it's supposed to be a two-person competition, and then your opponent suddenly announces that she's bringing in a backup. Isn't that foul play?!
"Asagiri-kun is so thoughtful."

She was practically gritting her teeth.

Asagiri Rin gracefully tossed the ends of her hair, perfectly showcasing her beautiful neck. It was like an MVP displaying their hero-level weapon.

Gen Tsukino just stared longingly at the hot pot. It's fine to toss your hair around, but if it ends up in the hot pot, don't blame me for tying it up for you.

Just then, Hyuga Kokomi, who was serving the dishes at the table, walked over and saw Morita Kaoru wearing a suit.

She was taken aback. Another one? And with that rather sophisticated, aloof air about him.

Are you collecting stamps, or playing mahjong?

Looking at Tsukino Gen with disbelief, Tsukino Gen gave an innocent look, indicating that this really had nothing to do with him and that he was also one of the victims.

Hyuga Kokomi didn't believe it at all. She put the dishes on the table and then smiled at the three high-quality women.

"A friendly reminder: We operate a small business, so please refrain from any acts of vandalism under any circumstances. Please be patient and let's dine together harmoniously, thank you!"

Gen Tsukino scoffed at it.

Wanting to watch the excitement but afraid of losing money, no wonder they can't even get the hottest gossip.

"What are you standing there for? Start cooking!"

Asagiri Rin directly gave orders to Tsukino Gen beside her.

The boy looked at her strangely: "Should I do it?"

"Or I can cook for you?"

It's quite nice to see Miss Asagiri soaking naked in the steaming hot soup.

Tsukino Gen was too lazy to indulge her. "Just cook whatever you want to eat. Don't you have hands?"

At that moment, Sakura Kazama picked up a piece of meat and said with a sweet smile, "You like meat, let me cook it for you~"

These words startled Morita Kaoru, who sat up straight and looked at Asagiri Rin seriously.

"Miss, what would you like to eat? Let me make it for you!"

You startled me! Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you using all your energy on your mistress?

However, Asagiri Rin didn't criticize the other person too much, and she quickly gripped her chopsticks tightly.

"It's okay. Just eat well by yourself since I called you here. Don't worry about me."

"Oh."

You're really not going to abandon me, are you? At least give me some seasoning!

Gen Tsukino had already gotten up to get the seasoning, while Sakura Kazama looked at Rin Asagiri with a smile, "Would you like me to get you some seasoning? I have some experience in this area."

Then look at Tsukino Gen. That scoundrel is so even-tempered. He definitely won't give both of them condiments, so he just gives them his own. He darted to the condiment station the moment Kazama Sakura spoke.

Asagiri Rin smiled slightly, "No need. Although I don't have much experience eating this kind of thing, my aesthetic sense and taste requirements for food are probably different from yours."

Sakura Kazama wasn't angry. "Okay, okay, then I'll ignore you~"

She skipped and hopped to the condiment station, practically glued to Tsukino Gen. It wasn't like she was mixing condiments; she practically wanted to mix the two of them into her own bowl!
She glanced at Morita Kaoru, who was looking at her from across the room.

Have you ever eaten hot pot?

Morita Kaoru thought for a moment, "Having eaten sukiyaki before, it should be about the same, right?"

"Never mind, I'll go by myself. Oh, by the way, you can come with me."

"Yes, ma'am."

After thinking for a moment, Asagiri Rin turned around and glanced at Morita Kaoru, who obediently got up.

"This meal isn't part of your job duties, so you don't need to talk to me like you're giving an order. Just be normal."

"?"

Morita Kaoru looked at the girl, who was usually aloof and unapproachable, and who always seemed to be getting close to the lady of the house, with some disbelief. It seemed as if such words should not have come out of her mouth.

However, Asagiri Rin ignored her and went to prepare the ingredients herself.

She went to the condiment station and stared blankly at the dazzling array of seasonings—vinegar, salt, chili, cilantro, soy sauce, and the like. She was completely bewildered. She usually ate top-quality food, prepared by top chefs. But she had no interest in how it was made or what seasonings were used.

So she chose the safest option at that moment.

I took out my phone and started searching.

How to make delicious hot pot dipping sauce?

Countless search results appeared instantly, the sheer volume of information almost triggering her trypophobia.

"Cilantro and garlic? Aren't they easy to make flavorful? But I brought a spray bottle, so it's okay. Hmm, what does it taste like with less spicy soy sauce? What's sesame oil? Eh, is vinegar the soul? Is scallion the soul? How come there are so many souls!"

Just as Asagiri Rin was choosing her weapons for the battlefield like a greenhorn, a girl with her hair in a bun floated past her.

"As expected of a young lady from a wealthy family, Asagiri-kun is so meticulous. Hehe~"

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly as she left.

Asagiri Rin was left standing there, her face flushed.

What is she laughing at? What the hell is she laughing at! This is called craftsmanship, don't you know? This is a naive woman with no ideals, no soul, no spirit, and no ideology.

Tsukino Gen, who had just finished preparing the seasonings, happened to pass by. He looked at Asagiri Rin in astonishment, his face full of surprise.

"You look redder than a chili pepper! Did you sneak a sip of hot pot broth, you little glutton?"

“Get out of here!!”

I'm really getting angry!
……

I just recovered from a fever, but now I have conjunctivitis and tonsillitis, and I can barely open one eye. But I'll still insist on writing what I want to write, even if these few chapters are a little bland. But there's no other way; I need to lay the groundwork. These two chapters are about enough; the necessary arrangements and foreshadowing are done. I hope everyone enjoys reading the rest!
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(End of this chapter)