I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 97 No One Has a Sincere Heart (Second Update, 5200 words)

What is the purpose of life? These wide-eyed viewers couldn't figure it out for the time being.

But they could say they saw everything that was about to happen clearly.

I could clearly see how this fat man was about to knock down a young couple one moment, and the next moment, as if he had stepped on a banana peel, his entire obese body flew out heavily like a cannonball.

Then it fell heavily to the ground.

It's no exaggeration to say that the moment this fat man fell to the ground and failed to get on stage was like an earthquake.

Even Rin Asagiri, who was in her seat, felt the tremor clearly.

Fatty.

男孩
Fortunately, it won't explode. Asagiri Rin thought indifferently.

Asagiri Rin didn't see clearly how the fat man suddenly flew out, but with a little thought, she could figure out who had silently orchestrated it. She wasn't surprised at all, and didn't even feel a hint of anxiety or tension when she witnessed it.

It seems that all the trust in this boy was placed on this aspect.

"Miss Wangyue"

The fat man on the ground didn't seem to care how he fell; his eyes seemed fixated solely on Mochizuki Miki.

At this moment, the host on stage realized what was happening and hurriedly shouted.

"Where's security! Take him out!! Now!!"

The security personnel, a bit slow to react, rushed in from all directions. Although it was a bit strenuous and caused quite a commotion, they managed to practically carry the suddenly appearing, enthusiastic fan out of the screening room.

For some reason, it reminded Tsukino Gen of the idea of ​​slaughtering a pig for the New Year.

Sakura Kazama looked at Gen Tsukino with lingering fear, "Are you alright? That was way too much. Are there really fans that fanatical?"

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It's okay, let's go up. Didn't we want to take a picture together?"

"What's a photo with you compared to this? Are you really okay?"

Kazama Sakura was still a little worried.

The boy smiled and reached out to pat the girl's head, turning her worried look into a slightly nervous shyness.

"I'm really fine. Even though the movie theater was razed to the ground, I'm still safe and sound."

"Pfft. You think you're Superman? You arrogant jerk!"

Watching the two of them walk onto the stage chatting and laughing, even patting their heads...
Asagiri Rin felt nauseous and turned her gaze away to see Morita Kaoru looking at her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Morita Kaoru thought for a moment and said in a low voice.

"Just now, when that person passed by, Tsukino Gen extended his foot. It seemed like he tripped him, but a simple trip wouldn't have caused such a commotion. But no other part of his body touched that fat man. Could it be that he knows martial arts? Is there another explanation for that kick?"

"." Goodness.

Are there any normal people around you?
One is a spoiled brat, one is a nuisance, and one is a martial arts fanatic, right?
"Is that all you wanted to think about?"

Morita Kaoru shook her head honestly, "I was thinking, if Miss is too shy, I can go up and take a picture with you."

"Where did you see that I was embarrassed? Never mind, you'd better not say anything."

"Oh."

Morita Kaoru clearly remembered that when the boy asked the young lady if she wanted to come along, she visibly shifted her body. But what she said was a refusal.

Is she willing to accept it, or not, or is it because she can't let go of her pride?
The topic of youth and adolescence is too complicated; work is much simpler.

She thought so.

"Congratulations to the two lucky audience members! Is there anything you'd like to say to Ms. Mochizuki before taking the photo?"

The host enthusiastically handed the microphone to Kazama Sakura.

Kazama Sakura looked at Mochizuki Miki with some nervousness, trying her best to maintain a smile, and said, "I...I really enjoy watching Mochizuki-san's works. Um, I hope Mochizuki-san can continue to act like this, I will support you. I hope you are healthy and happy."

Health and happiness?

It seemed like a perfectly normal blessing, but when Mochizuki Miki saw the indifferent-looking boy next to Kazama Sakura, she felt a strange sensation.

She felt as if she lacked something in his eyes, something to cover herself up. This was especially noticeable below her lower abdomen, making her want to close her legs together.

Thank you, and I wish you success in your studies, as well as good health and happiness.

Mochizuki Miki rarely smiled, which was enough to cheer Kazama Sakura up.

"Let's take a photo."

The host took the microphone from Kazama Sakura's hand and made arrangements.

Gen Tsukino actually preferred a photo of the two of them alone, without including himself, but he couldn't resist Sakura Kazama's insistence. Ultimately, all three of them ended up in the same frame.

As an actress, Mochizuki Miki knows how to face the camera, and Kazama Sakura often takes selfies. As for Tsukino Gen, it's quite difficult for him to control his tendency to make a peace sign.

"Thank you, Ms. Mochizuki. I wish you all the best in your work."

Sakura Kazama politely said goodbye, without making any further requests. This maintained the appropriate distance between fan and idol.

Mochizuki Miki glanced at Tsukino Gen, who had remained calm throughout the entire process, from the beginning until he stepped off the stage.

He didn't even glance at me, as if in his eyes I wasn't even a minor celebrity. It wasn't that I felt any sense of loss or disparity.

However, given her complicated background and experiences, she didn't believe in any simple help from the start.

So this time I was wrong?
This is indeed what I wanted. Let's pretend that accident never happened, and there won't be any risk of it being leaked. I should be happy about this.

But why am I even more worried now?

Especially when that fanatic fan rushed towards her, no one noticed that the first person to react and tense up was Mochizuki Miki herself.

But things didn't go as expected; before he even passed the boy, he flew away.

Others might think it was just the boy's quick thinking, a clever move that achieved great results with minimal effort. But Mochizuki Miki didn't think it was that simple. This boy was definitely not simple.

Especially his own illness. When all the doctors were helpless, he was able to cure it in a short time. Just who is he?
"Welcome! I heard you were coming, so I prepared all the seats in advance. Luckily I prepared early, otherwise you might have come for nothing."

At Hinata Kokomi's hot pot restaurant, the three of them gathered together again, this time including Morita Kaoru.

The main issue was that they hadn't reached a satisfactory conclusion about going out for dinner along the way, so Tsukino Gen just brought up the idea of ​​coming here anyway. Surprisingly, neither Kazama Sakura nor Asagiri Rin refused.

Huh? This is the first time Tsukino Gen has heard that hot pot is good for world peace.

Upon arriving at the hot pot restaurant, Hinata Kokomi greeted them warmly, and they weren't too surprised or strange about the trio's combination.

She still felt sorry for Tsukino Gen, and hoped that he wouldn't be torn into too many pieces on the day he finally exploded.

"It's so lively today!"

Kazama Sakura blinked and looked around. The hot pot restaurant was almost full, and apart from the seat that Hinata Kokomi had specially reserved, there were really no other seats available.

Hyuga Kokomi nodded. "After all, tomorrow is the weekend, and many people want to relax today."

"Can we drink today?"

Kazama Sakura blinked and asked.

Hyuga Kokomi frowned. "It's not good for students to drink."

"It's just a little bit, anyway I don't have class tomorrow, and beer is fine~"

"What do you think?"

Hyuga Kokomi suddenly looked at Tsukino Gen, who was taken aback for a moment before turning his head to look at Asagiri Rin.

"What do you think?"

Asagiri Rin: Meow meow meow?
What does this have to do with me? Am I the biggest drunkard at this table?
She turned her head and saw Morita Kaoru looking at her.

"I don't care."

"Then drink some."

"Great!"

Sakura Kazama seemed exceptionally excited; clearly, the impact of meeting Miki Mochizuki was quite significant for her.

Even when they were about to get up to get the seasoning, Kazama Sakura pressed down on Asagiri Rin's shoulder.

"What?"

Asagiri Rin looked at the other person strangely. What was this little fox up to now?

Unexpectedly, Kazama Sakura said with a grin, "Asagiri-kun, just sit down and try the seasoning I made for you~"

Why would I need you to adjust it?

"Oh, never mind, I made it really delicious!"

Asagiri Rin found it somewhat strange, or rather, she wasn't used to Kazama Sakura's sudden show of goodwill. Although she didn't know much about this girl, she felt that a girl who could make Tsukino Gen pay attention to her was probably not the kind of person who liked to flatter others.

What was the purpose of that?

Unsure, she didn't move. When Kazama Sakura and Tsukino Gen returned, her portion was ready and placed in front of her.

She looked across at the person sitting down, opened a beer, and handed it to Kazama Sakura.

"You seem so strange."

The girl asked directly; keeping things bottled up wasn't her style. It was as if she couldn't tolerate any potential threats around her and wanted to eliminate them completely.

Sakura Kazama smiled and shook her head, saying innocently, "It's nothing. I'm just very grateful to Asagiri-san for letting me meet Ms. Mochizuki today, so I thought I'd give her a little something in return. I hope my cooking suits your taste~"

Faced with such a smile and clear, innocent eyes.

Asagiri Rin couldn't bring herself to say: "That's so naive, so childish."

Instead, she found it difficult to meet the other person's gaze. It was as clear as a mirror, and a mirror always reveals all your flaws and imperfections immediately. She lowered her head slightly and picked up her chopsticks.

"I have very picky tastes, so don't expect me to say anything nice."

"It's okay, if it's not to your taste, I'll make you another bowl with a different flavor until you're satisfied~"

hiss.

She's so difficult to deal with!
Asagiri Rin secretly glanced up at the opposite side and saw Tsukino Gen precisely pick up a piece of tofu, stuff it into his mouth, and then exhale loudly as if he had been burned.

Even more annoying.

Why does it seem like everyone's just being themselves, and I'm the only one at the whole table with mixed feelings? Especially this jerk.

She now genuinely admires Tsukino Gen. Whenever she and Kazama Sakura are around, this boy can minimize his presence, remaining silent whenever possible, like a ninja who has learned to become invisible.

"By the way, let's have a toast to celebrate the success of our first club activity!"

Kazama Sakura suggested energetically.

Asagiri Rin frowned subconsciously, "Can't you just eat in peace?"

Sakura Kazama laughed and said, "If you want to eat quietly, you don't need to come here. You see, this place is all about liveliness. Asagiri-kun, don't be shy."

"Shy? You're funny."

Asagiri Rin chuckled to herself. She was embarrassed by something like this?
She picked up her glass. "I just never toast with anyone. I'm just considering whether or not to bestow this honor upon you."

Well, I still feel a little guilty saying this, because Tsukino Gen glanced at me at that moment.

She almost immediately recalled that night when she was delirious.

Kazama Sakura seemed oblivious to the girl's presence; she simply smiled and clinked glasses with her, saying, "Thank you so much for the honor, young lady. It's truly a pleasure~"

"Is that an expression of honor on your face? You're clearly being sarcastic."

"Huh? I've been found out? Oh no, I guess I still don't have Ms. Mochizuki's acting skills."

"Talk less, eat more."

Asagiri Rin felt that if things continued like this, she would soon become a part of their game.

They're all increasingly adept at making things difficult for people, and their manner of speaking is becoming more and more similar.

Does it make it seem like you're the only outsider?

Even so, she couldn't resist Sakura's infectious charm; she was constantly toasting, eating, and forced to talk about topics she wasn't interested in. For a moment, they really did seem like long-time, good friends.

However, the word "friend" was somewhat unfamiliar to Rin Asagiri.

She doesn't think she has any friends in the strict sense in her circle, but they get close to each other and use each other because of mutual interests.

My own background doesn't allow me to be naive.

She felt their relationship wasn't real, but she had to admit it. Seeing Kazama Sakura's clear and sweet smile, she found herself surprisingly not finding her annoying anymore.

"Have you eaten enough? I'll go pay the bill."

Gen Tsukino pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Hey, are you going to buy it?"

Sakura Kazama asked curiously, and Rin Asagiri also looked at the boy with some confusion. He usually took advantage of any opportunity; when had he ever paid the bill?

It couldn't possibly be because he wanted to show off his masculinity in front of me, could it? He wouldn't do something so childish.

Gen Tsukino simply nodded. "Yeah, Kazama-kun brought desserts, and the young lady is treating us to a movie. I can't just do nothing, can I? What if I get kicked out of your palace intrigue one day?"

"Pfft, who wants palace intrigue? We're good friends."

Who are you on good terms with?

Asagiri Rin glanced at the girl, but did not speak at this moment.

Gen Tsukino went to pay the bill.

Hinata Kokomi naturally gave him the highest employee discount, glancing at the distant location. Then she smiled and said to Tsukino Gen.

"Not bad. Last time I saw those two girls, there seemed to be some tension between them, but today they seem much more harmonious. Don't you feel any guilt about being a scumbag?"

Tsukino Gen said irritably, "What do you mean by 'scumbag'? Do you know how much I've sacrificed to maintain world peace?"

"Don't give me that crap. I've already been very lenient by not calling you out on bringing another girl last time."

Gen Tsukino scoffed, "What's this talk about exposing each other? We're all friends, and I have a clear conscience."

"Really? Then I'll go tell them now."

"Sister Xinmei is beautiful and kind-hearted. I don't think she would do anything boring or meaningless, don't you think?"

"Humph~"

Hinata Kokomi proudly raised her head, then looked into Tsukino Gen's eyes and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

She sighed softly, then patted the boy's head.

"However, your current demeanor is much better than before when you would just bury yourself in your work but have no interest in anything."

"Is that so?" Gen Tsukino felt that he hadn't changed anything, but it seemed that the results were different depending on the observer.

Hinata Kokomi nodded sincerely.

"Of course. I knew you used to be focused on your work and seemed more mature than most of your peers, which made you seem very reassuring because you knew exactly what you wanted to do and what you wanted to achieve. But that kind of life is just too boring."

Hinata Kokomi's eyes softened, and she whispered the last sentence.

"Youth is precious and fleeting, and everything about it is worth cherishing, even the naive things. Go and feel it, enjoy all the naive moments, and truly live like a teenager."

To live like a teenager, or to enjoy youth—these are all false propositions in Tsukino Gen's view.

Everyone has regrets and missed opportunities; everyone can only choose one path at a crossroads.

What can we feel, what will we gain, and what will we ultimately regret losing?

It doesn't make any sense.

After leaving the hot pot restaurant together, Kazama Sakura and Tsukino Gen did not refuse Asagiri Rin's suggestion that Morita Kaoru take them home first.

After a day of commotion, the car was unusually quiet, and even the energetic Sakura Kazama was feeling drowsy.

Finally, they took Kazama Sakura home first.

"Take care on your journey. Thank you again, Asagiri-kun, for giving me the opportunity to meet Ms. Mochizuki! Thank you~"

".goodbye."

Asagiri Rin turned her head away, not quite used to such a warm thank you. As the car window rolled up, her pretty figure disappeared into the distance.

How does it feel to be genuinely thanked?

A boy's laughing voice came from the side.

The girl frowned her pretty brows. "I don't feel anything. It's their business if others want to be grateful to me. I don't need to get emotional about it."

Gen Tsukino nodded. "That sounds nice, but it would be even better if you could actually do it."

".What do you want to say?"

Asagiri Rin was somewhat annoyed that this boy was always sarcastic and sarcastic towards her, as if he understood her very well.

He knows nothing!

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "It's nothing, I just wanted to tell you. Kazama is very simple-minded; she's kind to whoever is kind to her. There's no need to be hostile towards her."

"She'll be nice to whoever's nice to her, you don't mind?"

She couldn't help but mock the boy.

Gen shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Her kindness to me is different from others; she's very sensible."

Showing affection, right?

So you two trust each other so much that your relationship is stronger than gold and unbreakable, right?
That guy is a jerk, disgusting.

"I don't know about anything else, but I do know that you will definitely let her down."

"Why?"

The boy smiled and asked in return.

Asagiri Rin gazed out the car window, where his smiling reflection was visible.

"Because you are a person without sincerity."

Even the kisses were casual and lacked sincerity.

There was a brief silence, as if she had easily hit the nail on the head. But she didn't feel as happy as she had imagined about hurting the other person.

The feeling of something stuck in her throat remained, but she simply didn't want to keep quiet about it.

After a moment of silence, the neon lights were arbitrarily cut into fragmented rainbows in the fleeting street scene.

She finally heard Tsukino Gen's reply.

"My true feelings have always been here. From the beginning until now, the only person who has never changed is me."

"."

The street scene flashed by, and inside the smoothly driving car, there was no more conversation, only the roar of the engine.

……

(End of this chapter)