I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 7 Farewell
"It's just grades. I'll tutor you, so don't worry too much. As for the scholarship, I'll talk to the teacher about it."

Sakura Kazama only told the boy that her grades and scholarship were in jeopardy.

There are many things that haven't been said.

For example, his own family situation, and Yamazaki Jihei's vague and ambiguous hints.

She explained her family situation out of selfishness; she didn't want Tsukino Gen to think she was someone whose life was utterly miserable, nor did she want him to pity her and shower her with too much sympathy and care. That wasn't what she wanted.

As for Yamazaki Jihei, she worries that Tsukino Gen might get carried away and do something rash after hearing this.

In that case, given Yamazaki Jihei's complicated background, he would very likely become the victim.

I'm already in this whirlpool myself, how can I drag him down with me?
Therefore, she would rather the end result be leaving the school; she would not accept sinking into depravity, nor could she make such a compromise.

But after listening, Kazama Sakura was taken aback by Tsukino Gen's relaxed words.

Tutoring is certainly an option; Tsukino Gen's academic performance is quite convincing. But what could he possibly discuss with Yamazaki Jihei?
It's possible that Yamazaki Jihei will shift the blame onto him instead, and he might end up being implicated by his own actions!
"Wait, what are you talking to him about? I'll handle this myself."

Kazama Sakura said urgently.

Her slightly reddish eyes were fixed on the boy.

Gen Tsukino smiled easily as before, "How are you going to handle this? You're just a second-year high school student."

"Aren't you the same?"

Kazama Sakura countered with a question.

Gen Tsukino paused for a moment, "Oh yeah, I almost forgot."

What?! You're making people even more worried!
But before Kazama Sakura could speak, Tsukino Gen nodded.

"Then I'll go say hello to Mr. Yamazaki. I think he'll be happy to talk to me."

"Hey? Wait, wait a minute, listen to me!"

Sakura Kazama couldn't keep Gen Tsukino.

He was a boy who always seemed lazy and indifferent to everything, and even his smile seemed fake.

There was an indescribable sense of reality at that moment.

Watching his retreating figure walk towards that nightmarish office, Kazama Sakura felt a sense of security and warmth from him, like a safe haven.

"Crench."

Gen Tsukino pushed the door open and entered.

Yamazaki Jihei was startled because he was smoking. Smoking was strictly prohibited at the school, for both teachers and students. But he knew very well that he would not be punished for these rules.

It's just that it can't be done so blatantly.

He visibly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was Tsukino Gen and not any of the other teachers who had suddenly come to the office.

But soon, an inexplicable anger arose.

It's certainly not in the lower abdomen area. Even though this boy is indeed handsome, he would look great in women's clothing. But he has no interest in that area for the time being.

"Didn't anyone teach you to knock before entering an office?"

Yamazaki Jihei had a gloomy face.

"Mr. Yamazaki is really relaxed. He put so much pressure on a high school student and then he can sit in his office and smoke. What? Does that make you feel accomplished?"

Gen Tsukino approached with a smile that made Jihei Yamazaki feel strange.

His attitude particularly displeased Yamazaki Jihei.

Yamazaki Jihei didn't need to be polite to him. It was true that he had good grades, but so what? He wasn't short of money, nor did he need Yamazaki's achievements to enhance his qualifications.

"Is this how you talk to your homeroom teacher? Do you even respect me as your teacher?"

Gen Tsukino smiled.

"In this high school, which is mostly populated by teenagers, and with a significant proportion of girls, Mr. Yamazaki, you dress up so extravagantly every day. I bet you're not doing it to attract female teachers, are you?"

"What do you mean?"

Yamazaki Jihei's face darkened as he considered a possibility.

Did Kazama Sakura say something to him?
Haha, she really trusts him. Young people's feelings are so pure; they tell each other everything.

But what good would it do to say it? It would just drag each other down, and besides, he was confident he wouldn't leave any evidence against him.

Tsukino Gen's voice turned cold.

"I think Yamazaki-sensei knows exactly what I mean. Just now, Yamazaki-sensei must have said quite a bit to Kazama-kun, right? I think he must have hinted at quite a few things."

Yamazaki Jihei laughed when he heard that.

The kind that you would dismiss with disdain.

Shouldn't you have turned on the recording function on your phone? What a childish trick.

He looked up. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was just doing what a homeroom teacher should do, showing concern for the students' academic progress. I don't know why Tsukino-san has this prejudice against me. Is it because... you like Kazama-san? Oh, perhaps Kazama-san's declining grades are also related to Tsukino-san."

Gen Tsukino took his hand out of his pocket and also took out his phone.

"Stop looking, I didn't record it. You'd better drop your hypocrisy too."

Upon hearing Tsukino Gen's words, Yamazaki Jihei blushed.

He felt as if he had been seen through by this boy who was only eighteen years old. This feeling was shameful, and he, who should be a level above in every aspect, could not accept it.

"Snapped!"

He slammed his hand on the table.

He glared at Tsukino Gen with a cold expression.

"Don't think that just because you're in the top three of the grade you can slander teachers at will! Do you know that with your attitude, I can revoke your scholarship and all the other scholarships you've received for misconduct? Who do you think you are!"

He already knew about Tsukino Gen.

He earned a free degree thanks to his excellent grades. However, he was an orphan.

He has no powerful connections or family background.

A bastard from an orphanage dares to dream of becoming a hero? Does he really think he's living in an anime?

Gen Tsukino, however, did not show the anger or regret he expected.

Instead, she looked at him with extreme indifference.

“I don’t think you have any evidence to prove that I’m misbehaving. On the contrary, because of my grades, the school won’t condone your behavior. There’s nothing you can do to me.”

Upon hearing his words, Yamazaki Jihei laughed instead.

He stood up leisurely and walked towards Tsukino Gen.

Gen Tsukino raised his head and quietly watched him approach.

Until he came close to his ear, lowered his voice, and whispered.

"So what can you possibly do? You're just an orphan, you don't even know who your parents are, nobody wants you. You really think grades can change your life? You can't even walk properly and you're already dreaming of being a hero who saves other people's lives? Don't get your hopes up."

He poked Tsukino Gen's chest with his finger, without any pretense.

Then, speaking slowly and deliberately, with great enjoyment, he said it.

"As your teacher, let me give you another lesson. In the adult world, without power and money, you are nothing. You, who are just trash with good grades, want to turn things around? Even if you had several lifetimes, it would be a pipe dream."

He slowly pulled away and returned to his seat.

This place is as if it were his throne.

Then, with an arrogant smile, he looked at Tsukino Gen, who had no expression.

"Is there anything else? If not, Tsukino-san, you can leave now."

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment, then looked at the other person.

“You say I can’t do anything, but I think changing the homeroom teacher would solve a lot of problems.”

"What did you say? Change the homeroom teacher? Hahahaha. Then you try changing one!"

Jihei Yamazaki laughed heartily, as if he hadn't laughed so happily since he became an adult.

Gen Tsukino also laughed.

"Mr. Yamazaki."

"Do you have any more jokes to tell, Tsukino-san?"

"Goodbye."

After saying that, Tsukino Gen left the office.

Yamazaki Jihei was taken aback for a moment.

The goodbye the other person said was not the kind of goodbye used in normal situations.

This kind of goodbye also carries the meaning of a final farewell.

Farewell?

Looks like I need to be careful around guys like Tsukino Gen lately; boys this age are most prone to getting carried away with their emotions.

They are also most prone to impulsive actions because of girls they like.

The most naive, and the most foolish.

……

Hello, is anyone there? Any comments? Any votes?

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(End of this chapter)