I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 96 A person lives for Mochizuki Mihime! (4500 words)

"The movie's about to start, why are you only just getting back?"

When Gen Tsukino returned to his seat with a normal expression, Sakura Kazama immediately looked over with some curiosity.

"It's nothing, I just had a stomachache so I sat on the toilet."

"Huh? Are you feeling unwell?"

Sakura Kazama asked with some concern.

Meanwhile, Asagiri Rin, who had been silently watching from the side, glanced over discreetly.

She gently sniffed the air. She couldn't be mistaken; after he returned and passed by, he had a strange fragrance. It hadn't been there when he left.

It's not the scent of air fresheners that waft from the bathroom.

What a nasty man.

There are also naive girls who are completely unaware that they have been deceived.

"I don't know, maybe it's because I ate your cookies?"

Tsukino Gen said with a smile.

Sakura Kazama's eyes widened immediately. "Heh, you want to blame me? I ate some too, and Asagiri-san ate some too, so why are we okay?"

"There's nothing we can do; men and women are naturally different. It's also possible that you specifically poisoned a man."

"Go to hell!" Kazama Sakura snorted, then, as if remembering something, she secretly glanced at Asagiri Rin, only to find that the other person wasn't looking in their direction.

So the bolder girl leaned close to Tsukino Gen's ear, her voice carrying a warm, damp fragrance and a slightly sticky quality.

"Yes, this poison will make you completely unresponsive to other girls in the future, except for me~"

The breath he exhaled seemed to gently envelop him, like the mist rising from a hot spring, dazzling to the eye.

Before Tsukino Gen could answer, the girl next to him, unable to bear the sudden clinginess between the two, spoke up coldly.

"The movie has started. If you have other business to attend to, there's a hotel right next door."

"What are you saying, Asagiri-kun? What hotel? Hahaha."

Sakura Kazama, her face immediately flushed, returned to her seat and sat ramrod straight. She could be unrestrained in front of Gen Tsukino because she knew that the boy would tolerate her occasional greed and audacity. But Rin Asagiri was different after all.

She was there, like a mountain that I had to climb over.

Gen Tsukino's expression was alright. Although this level of temptation would be quite good even for Sakura Kazama, his self-control was at an all-time high school level.

There's nothing I can do; I'm just a man with such pride and self-respect. How could I possibly be easily won over?

but
His gaze turned toward Asagiri Rin as the movie theater lights went out and the film was about to start.

The girl seemed to disappear into the darkness, her demeanor blending seamlessly with the dim environment.

She seemed to sense something, and her gaze shifted towards Tsukino Gen for a moment.

She looked at herself.

It was still the familiar disdain, but with an added hint of annoyance.

I don't know what she's angry about, but that expression is strangely comforting.

Gen Tsukino smiled.

"nausea."

Asagiri Rin looked at the screen, and there seemed to be no one beside her retorting. After a while, she secretly glanced over out of the corner of her eye.

That idiot.
Why do you laugh even more after being scolded?

The movie has started.

The entire screening room fell silent. Tsukino Gen, who wasn't particularly interested in movies, still didn't fall asleep and watched the whole film.

Actually, there's not much to say about the plot. It's just a story about a civilian taking revenge on a corrupt police officer, played by the female lead, Mochizuki Miki.

The concept isn't particularly original, and the special effects aren't especially stunning. The large-scale scenes are somewhat inferior to those in Western films. However, it excels in the depth of its dialogue and the psychological portrayal of the protagonist and antagonists. These aspects are handled very well, fully showcasing Mochizuki Miki's strengths.

Her face seemed born for revenge.

However, Tsukino Gen looked a little strange now, because this face had been seen in the restroom not long ago. She had even witnessed an even more shameful and humiliating scene of Mochizuki Miki—powerless, limp on the floor, incontinent, and even disoriented.
Now he understood why some people wanted her to film intimate scenes; even though the scene in the bathroom looked so disheveled, it was incredibly alluring. The black lace hanging from her thighs, the boundless cleavage exposed by the lack of safety shorts...
Gen Tsukino is really going all out.

It's just fortunate that she met herself.

The film ends with the character played by Miki Mochizuki perishing together with the final villain, which isn't particularly original. Some of the cinematography is good, and the soundtrack is also well-placed, making it a commercial film that's above average.

Moreover, most of the people in the audience were fans of Mochizuki Miki, so after the movie ended, the entire VIP screening room erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Kazama Sakura, who was standing next to her, clapped enthusiastically; she was also a fan of Mochizuki Miki.

Looking excitedly at Tsukino Gen, she exclaimed, "How is it? Isn't it great!"

Gen Tsukino smiled and nodded. "It's alright."

"What? It's just okay? This is the best I've seen all year~ By the way, what do you think, Asagiri-kun?"

Asagiri Rin yawned lazily.

"It wasn't to the point where it would make me fall asleep immediately."

"Still as harsh as ever."

"Alright, everyone. Now, let's welcome the film's creators and stars!"

The host, who had walked up from behind, took the microphone and began the most important part of the evening for many movie fans. The media staff, who had been waiting for a long time, couldn't wait to push forward to find the best shooting angles and possible opportunities for on-site interviews.

By the time the group took the stage, Tsukino Gen hadn't even clearly seen who they were before the cheers and shouts from the fans in the audience erupted into a chaotic cacophony. The movie theater seemed to have nothing to do with quiet anymore.

"Wow, it's so beautiful! It looks this good in the movie, but it's even more amazing in person!"

Kazama Sakura couldn't help but crane her neck from her seat and sigh.

Following the other person's gaze, Tsukino Gen saw the young woman who was 'steadily standing in the center'.

She had clearly changed her clothes, and even put on flat shoes. She went from a pencil skirt to jeans and a shirt, a more mature look. She seems to be able to pull off any style quite well. Only her expression remained the same, as if she didn't care about anything, as if she loathed and disdained the entire world.

For some unknown reason, when Tsukino Gen looked over, the other person seemed to sense something. Even from a considerable distance, her gaze met his.

They only made eye contact for a moment.

It was like two migratory birds flying at high speed, briefly meeting in the sky.

Then avoid it.

"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to take a photo with Ms. Mochizuki."

Kazama Sakura blinked.

Gen Tsukino leaned back in his chair without moving. "I'm more concerned about when we're going to eat."

"So Ah-Xian is a good-for-nothing?"

"No matter how good-looking a celebrity is, they won't give me the money they earn. Compared to that, the food I eat makes me feel more at ease."

"Pfft. Then wait a little longer, it'll be over in a bit. If the interview takes too long, let's go."

Kazama Sakura didn't intend to force the two to accompany her. After all, she was only able to come here thanks to Asagiri Rin, so she really didn't have the confidence to force or act coquettishly.

Gen Tsukino leaned back in his chair and smiled at the girl. "I'm not in such a hurry. Let's wait a bit longer."

"Hmm~"

Like many premieres, most of the time was reserved for interviews by professional media.

The questions were numerous, and most of them were directed at Mochizuki Miki. Questions included, "Was acting in this drama a challenge for you? What kind of preparation did you do for it?"

And: "Compared to your previous roles, what is the biggest difference between this role and your previous ones?"

These may seem professional, but they don't actually have any nutritional value issues.

Mochizuki Miki's answers were brief, usually just a sentence or two, delivered in a cold tone and at a rapid pace. It was unclear who she was worried about wasting, but Tsukino Gen felt as if she needed to rush to catch the subway after answering the next question.

Of course, there were also some gossip questions that were deliberately designed to create sensationalism.

Questions such as: "Actor Hoshimiya recently said that you are his ideal type. What would you like to say about that?"

Faced with this kind of question where people in the audience were heckling.

Mochizuki Miki frowned without hiding her disdain, her expression becoming even more obvious.

"I'm not familiar with him."

"Ms. Mochizuki, you're almost thirty. Do you have any plans for dating or marriage recently? There are rumors that you've had a childhood sweetheart boyfriend, but you haven't made it public. Is that true?"

Mochizuki Miki stared intently at the other person.

"Are you planning to wait for my court summons, or are you going to leave now?"

"."

Kazama Sakura quietly turned her head to look at the two of them, "Is it really okay to talk to the media like this?"

Gen shrugged. "It seems like she offended someone, but it's not all bad. She's established a persona of standing up to the media and paparazzi, showing that she's upright and has nothing to fear. Fans will even say her reaction was cool."

"But she didn't do anything wrong, did she? These kinds of questions are so annoying. She's an actress who acts in serious movies, not a pop star. Why are you so concerned about her private life? Right, Asagiri-kun?"

Rin Asagiri, who hadn't spoken until now, didn't know how the topic had shifted to her.

However, seeing Kazama Sakura's overly innocent gaze, she felt she should have some of the wisdom of an 'elder.' Otherwise, she might really be mistaken for an ordinary high school classmate.

"Celebrities are commodities; they don't have any privacy or personal lives. Essentially, they gain value by exposing their lives, and this is already tied to the money they earn. No matter how much their acting skills are praised, it's useless. When they're valuable, everything they do is valuable. When they're not valuable, no one will care if you fall down in the street."

"That sounds really harsh, Ah-Xian, what do you think?"

"Yes, my opinion is similar to that of the young lady."

Ok?
This was something Asagiri Rin hadn't expected. She glanced at Tsukino Gen, whose expression was very calm, as if his words didn't represent anything else, but simply reflected a shared set of values.

Anyone who shares his values ​​is clearly just clumsily following their own path and seeking their own approval.

hum.

"I feel like I'm turning into a child again when I'm with you guys. Asagiri-kun, what are you laughing at?"

"I wasn't laughing."

"You still won't admit it? I clearly saw it just now."

"Alright, alright, that concludes the Q&A session. Now, let's invite Ms. Mochizuki Miki to select lucky audience members to come up on stage for a group photo!"

It seems that Mochizuki Miki's way of answering questions was too direct and sharp, which caused the atmosphere at the scene to get a little out of control.

So the host immediately moved the program forward to prevent the awkward and strange atmosphere from continuing.

Upon suddenly hearing this segment, Kazama Sakura's attention was immediately drawn, while the girl on the chair finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Really.
As the saying goes, "one is influenced by one's company." Spending too much time with that bastard Gen Tsukino has even made Sakura Kazama so adept at embarrassing people.

I've already said I wasn't smiling, I wasn't smiling. Those naturally smiling lips are something you neither understand nor don't.

As she was thinking, she suddenly felt a gaze. She turned her head slightly, and through the gap in her long hair, she saw the boy's upturned lips.

"tsk"

I want to yell at him.

Unexpectedly, the boy's calm voice came first.

"You're quite good at mimicking my speech."

"."

I'm mimicking his speech? Have you no shame?!
If narcissism could be a criminal offense, this idiot should be riddled with bullets by a Gatling gun.

Mochizuki Miki's gaze seemed to be sweeping aimlessly, but in fact she had already made her choice.

Holding the microphone, she pointed to the three people in the somewhat conspicuous area.

"Those three, I guess. They're probably students; it's not easy for them to support my work."

The reasons are reasonable, and the appearances of these individuals are inherently convincing; it's normal for them to catch the eye at first glance.

But for Kazama Sakura, it was an unexpected surprise.

"Is it us?!"

Actually, when Mochizuki Miki looked in his direction, Tsukino Gen already had a premonition. He didn't quite understand what this woman was thinking. Since she recognized him, even if it was to protect those ugly moments and her secrets, she shouldn't have chosen him.

What if he were to fall for her and think that helping her once would win her heart? Although he didn't think there was anything shameful about him.

Voices of regret and envy rippled through the crowd. Urged on by the host, Kazama Sakura excitedly stood up and grabbed Tsukino Gen's arm.

"Hurry up! This is a rare opportunity!"

Gen Tsukino was forced to stand up, and he glanced at the girl sitting motionless beside him.

"are you going?"

Asagiri Rin shook her head and refused, "You go."

"Oh."

The boy didn't press her, knowing she genuinely wasn't into idol worship. He wasn't interested himself, but seeing the girl's enthusiasm, he didn't want to spoil the fun.

Just as the two left their seats and walked towards the area in front of the big screen...

As Kazama Sakura's long hair bounced slightly in front of the boy's eyes.

Sudden.

I heard hurried footsteps behind me, along with heavy, excited breathing.

"Miss Mochizuki!! Please take a picture with me, please be with me! Miss Mochizuki!!"

Gen Tsukino frowned and took a look.

A fat man, weighing at least 200 pounds, wearing glasses, with greasy hair, and wearing a T-shirt that even featured a picture of Mochizuki Mihime, charged at them as if he had lost his mind.

Many people noticed this scene.

But perhaps it's because of the size of this fat man that he gives the impression of a rampaging tank.

Perhaps it was because he exuded an indescribable odor, as if the food had gone bad.

Perhaps it was because his expression was too excited, even to the point of being ferocious, with saliva flying everywhere, and the momentum of him running and shouting made people subconsciously feel fear.

So surprisingly, no one stopped him along the way; no one tried to block a dump truck.

In his eyes, there seemed to be no one but the woman on the stage. Not even Tsukino Gen, who was right in front of him, or Kazama Sakura, who turned around a beat too late.

"We live for Mochizuki Mihime!!"

"boom!"

……

(End of this chapter)