I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 8 Would you like a bowl of oden?
"Are you okay?"

When Gen Tsukino came out of the office, Sakura Kazama was very nervous.

They didn't care about their own affairs anymore, fearing that Tsukino Gen would get himself involved because of them. As for Yamazaki Jihei, his fearlessness was not without reason.

But she was confident that no one could force her to do something she didn't want to.

So as long as Gen Tsukino doesn't do anything foolish, everything will be fine.

Gen Tsukino shook his head.

"What could possibly happen to me? But it seems like I can't be of any help with your situation."

Hearing Tsukino Gen say that, Kazama Sakura was not disappointed.

Because she knew that she shouldn't place her hopes on others in the first place; on the contrary, she felt somewhat comforted.

After all, it's already good enough that he was willing to make such an attempt for himself.

And it would be even better if I didn't become a burden to him.

She smiled and shook her head, suppressing the sadness that made her feel as if she could already see the ending.

Say it softly.

"It's okay. It's okay."

Throughout the afternoon until school ended, Kazama Sakura suppressed all her emotions.

She looked no different from usual, still chatting and laughing with her classmates, still optimistic and cheerful, still sweet and charming.

Even more severe than usual.

Even after school, he and Tsukino Gen still walked on the way away from the school.

Looking up at the setting sun, the girl raised her head and gazed around, murmuring softly.

"It's so pretty."

Gen Tsukino stopped and looked up. "Is it pretty much the same every day?"

Sakura Kazama pouted slightly. "Nothing is ever the same every day. Besides, in different places, with different people, you see different scenery."

"makes sense."

Gen Tsukino answered in this way.

Sakura Kazama glanced at the boy's profile; he was still so handsome, so languid. Even his frequent lack of romantic understanding made him hard to dislike.

She suddenly felt a little sad.

Because it seems like it will be hard to see such a young man again in the future, she doesn't think that just because some people miss out, they will actually find a so-called replacement.

How can it be replaced?
What can replace the most special person who accompanies you through a particular period of time?

She could even recall the first time she saw this boy walk into the classroom. He was just like that, wearing a white shirt, nonchalantly walking to the seat behind her, ignoring everyone.

Then he looked up at himself and smiled at himself.

"Hello. I'm Tsukino Gen."

This is enough to surpass all the romantic encounters in movies.

"Hey, Tsukino."

"Ok?"

If you never see me again, will you often think of me?

She asked.

Tsukino Gen looked at the girl strangely, "What, do you have cancer?"

".No!!"

The girl blushed and scolded him angrily.

Gen Tsukino was even more puzzled. "You're not going to die, so how can you say you'll never see me again? You have two legs, so can't you come find me again?"

"Then why couldn't you come to me?!"

Also.

This is not a matter of life and death.

In the future, we'll just be in different schools. If I think of you, we can still call each other and meet up occasionally.

But because of this, he has much less time to be alone. Who knows if he might meet a more interesting or beautiful girl?
Forgetting yourself should be easy then, right?

After all, many so-called friends become estranged over time.

Gen Tsukino blinked. "Because I definitely won't leave you on my own. If you're thinking of leaving me, why would I have to come looking for you? Wouldn't that be too much of a simp?"

"No way! You're so annoying!"

Even as she said this, she couldn't help but feel inexplicably shy.

Won't they leave me on their own?
Does he see himself as such an existence?
I really don't want to leave.
Take one last look at the school gate.

She suddenly remembered the girl who confessed her feelings to Tsukino Gen before transferring schools.

Because she was leaving, she expressed all her feelings, simply because she didn't want to leave any regrets and hoped he would know that there was a girl who liked her.

So, do I have anything to say?

Looking at the boy's straight nose, perfect jawline, and even his prominent Adam's apple.

She suddenly had an urge to disregard everything.

"Tsukiye."

"Kazama-san."

Suddenly, Tsukino Gen turned around and looked at Kazama Sakura seriously.

The words that seemed about to slip out were instantly swallowed back in fright.

Kazama Sakura blushed and blinked at him.

"What, what's wrong?"

You seem to be acting strange today.

"Do I... do I have one?"

The girl was at a loss, because Tsukino Gen was approaching her with his eyes narrowed.

The familiar scent rushed towards her, making her want to escape, yet she felt a pang of reluctance.

Despite being shy, she wanted to experience more.

"If not, why say such strange things? Why does every sentence sound like a farewell to me?"

We've been...discovered?
Sakura Kazama felt a little nervous and guilty; she didn't want Gen Tsukino to know her thoughts beforehand.

Because I had finally made up my mind, I didn't want it to be shaken.

She didn't want to involve this already unfortunate boy in her own affairs.

"No, that's not true. I'm probably just in a bad mood lately, so I'm being a bit sentimental."

"That's it."

Gen Tsukino left Kazama Sakura's sight and stood at the intersection, in front of the zebra crossing.

Looking at the red light across the street.

"The streetlights won't turn on if it's not dark."

"what?"

Kazama Sakura didn't understand the meaning of those words.

Gen Tsukino blinked.

"I'm going home, goodbye." This goodbye is not a final farewell.

As the red light was about to turn green, it seemed like we were about to part ways.

Kazama Sakura was somewhat anxious.

"Tsuno-kun!"

she shouted.

"Ok?"

Gen Tsukino stopped and turned around.

He saw the girl blushing slightly, giving him an incredibly sweet expression; the color on her face outshone the stunning beauty of the sunset.

"Live happily every day."

Gen Tsukino smiled, revealing his teeth.

"You too."

"Ok!"

Isn't it a bit of a pity?
Of course it's a pity.

He had disappeared from sight, but he still didn't have the courage to say everything.

You're not even as brave as that plain-looking girl. You're absolutely terrible, Kazama Sakura.

However, she had already made up her mind. After returning home, she told her mother that she would give up continuing her studies at this school.

She would try to tell her mother that she would study hard and live up to her expectations.

for sure.

When she arrived at her doorstep.

"boom!"

The deafening shattering sound left her frozen in place.

A familiar voice came from inside, almost a roar.

"It's all because of you! I haven't had a single happy day since we got married! You're such a jinx! And this daughter you gave birth to, what's the use of raising her? Her tuition is outrageously expensive every year. Do you know how many drinks I have to drink with clients every day, how many smiles I have to put on just to support you and your daughter?! And when I come back, I still give you attitude. Go to hell!"

"boom!"

Something else was smashed.

The door in front of me was angrily pulled open.

Sakura Kazama looked up blankly and saw her father, who was reeking of alcohol, standing in front of her.

He froze for a moment.

But it seems that his anger has not subsided.

"I don't eat at home, hurry up and go inside, don't wander around outside!"

Done.

The man carrying his coat left, reeking of alcohol.

Kazama Sakura walked in like a zombie, where the place was a complete mess.

A broken vase.

A broken ashtray.

Those fragments, piece by piece, reflected the mother's blank face.

When she saw her daughter, the woman forced a smile.

She said softly as she casually swept up the trash.

"It's okay, don't be afraid. After I divorce him, I will raise you no matter what. You just need to focus on your studies."

"If you get into a good university and find a good job, then Mom's life will be worthwhile."

Sakura Kazama forgot how she responded.

That familiar feeling of suffocation rushed over me, as if a hand was not only choking my throat, but also squeezing my heart from my chest.

Could it be a nod?
Perhaps he just hummed in response?
She forgot.

She didn't even know how she got back to her room and closed the door.

She buried her face in the pillow.

"what"

Even crying should not be hysterical.

She had never felt the future so close, nor had she ever felt that life had lost all its color as it did at this moment.

The overwhelming despair at that moment was like a sudden surge of tide in the room, engulfing me completely.

Does she have a choice?
Is she going to give in and compromise?
No.
no way.

I must never be like my mother, placing my hopes on others.

But I'm really sad.

"Dong dong dong."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Sakura Kazama looked up in surprise.

"Mother?"

A woman's voice came from outside the door.

"Sakura, your classmate is here to see you. Come out quickly."

"Huh? Classmate?!"

Kazama Sakura was stunned for a moment.

Not many of my classmates knew that I lived here, perhaps because of my "ugly duckling" mentality, as most of my peers came from privileged backgrounds.

So I'm also worried that if they knew I lived in such an old neighborhood, they might have a different opinion of me.

And it's so late already. Night has fallen.

Who will come looking for me?
As she carefully opened the door, then walked out of the living room to the doorway, she reopened the half-closed door.

What came into view was that familiar and handsome face.

His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking at me with his usual warm smile.

"Good evening, want to grab a bowl of oden?"

Kazama Sakura's eyes widened, as if some intense emotion was about to burst forth from her heart and uncontrollably gushed from her throat.

Her face flushed instantly.

"Wait a mininute!!"

"boom."

She hurriedly closed the door and then rushed back to her room.

While looking at her tear-stained face in the mirror, she quickly put on makeup.

"Why did they come at this time? Waaah, they must have seen me crying, I'm doomed."

……

(End of this chapter)