I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 73 Flying Demon

"Fifty years in the human world is but a tiny thing compared to the heavens."

Glug,

I tilted my head back and took a sip of the beer in my hand: bitter and unpleasant.

"Looking at the affairs of the world, they are like dreams and flowing water; life is but a fleeting moment, and death is imminent."

"Ha~~"

Setting down the beer can, the unkempt man shook his head slightly at the taste in his mouth.

The book describes beer as having a unique yeasty aroma, mixed with different layers of malt and hop flavors, gliding across the mouth like delicate silk.

Ultimately, it's like drinking water; only the person drinking it knows whether it's hot or cold.

I just can't get used to it.

Placing the beer can on the railing, the man looked up at the shimmering sea before him. The sea was not unfamiliar to the islanders, after all, this was a country surrounded by the sea. But the numerous verdant islands scattered across the sea were quite a sight to behold.

Sendai, Matsushima.

Known as one of the three scenic wonders of the island nation, Songdo Bay is dotted with 260 small islands of varying sizes.

The island is home to many black and red pines, hence its name, Pine Island; it also boasts the Zuigam-ji Temple, a national treasure, attracting a constant stream of visitors throughout the year.

It is an important part of a man's childhood dream of 'traveling around the island nation's famous scenic spots and historical sites'.

Now, faced with such beautiful scenery, all that remains is a sigh.

"Indeed, it was the right decision not to take the main road."

"Won't my appearance affect the tourists' mood?"

The man was dressed in black trousers, a white shirt, a black tie, and a black jacket—the most standard office worker attire imaginable. However, unlike the meticulousness of an office worker, his suit was noticeably wrinkled, as if it hadn't been tidied up for days, making him look somewhat sloppy.

Moreover, he was very unkempt: his cheeks were thin, his eyes were bloodshot, and his beard was unkempt. He exuded an aura of despondency.

There's nothing we can do about it, after all, he
"Hey, uncle."

The crisp voice beside him pulled the man out of his sadness.

"Is there something you need, classmate? *cough*"

Turning his head, the man saw a young girl and instinctively called her "classmate." Although he quickly corrected himself, the girl was still slightly taken aback by the form of address.

This is a short-haired girl who isn't exactly beautiful, but exudes youthful energy and is the object of many middle-aged men's fantasies.

The girl made a 'rubbing' gesture with her thumb and forefinger.

"Only 2000 yen!"

"what?"

"2000 yen. What? Could it be—"

The dejected man looked astonished; this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

Isn't it usually only found in 'special areas'?

"How are the hotels over there?"

The girl hesitated for a moment, then took the man's hand and pointed to the hotel not far away.

Seeing that the man was still in a daze, she twirled her finger:
"If that doesn't work, I know a deserted alley. Follow me."

???

The man, who had just been feeling sad, was completely stunned, and the girl pulled him forward. Fortunately, he hadn't completely lost his mind, so:
"Wait, wait a minute!"

The man being pulled or dragged along repeatedly called for a stop.

"I'm not that kind of person, and..."

"Excuse me, is something bothering you?"

The man, struggling to stop, looked intently at the girl turning her head in front of him.

"If you encounter any problems at school, you can tell me; if you have family difficulties, I will do my best to help."

Snapped,

The girl shook off the man's hand, her face showing disgust.

"What are you doing?"

"Who do you think you are, to say such things?"

Tsk, I originally wanted to 'eat' this guy, but I didn't expect him to be such a troublesome fellow. Oh well.

"Get lost, you slovenly old man!"

"I'm not in the mood for this anymore, bye-bye~~"

After saying that, the girl turned away alone, her disgust undisguised.

Hmm, where should I look for a new target next?

"Oh, miss, are you alone?"

"Want to play with us?"

She hadn't gone far when two young men with dyed yellow hair approached her. Facing these two shady-looking guys, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and when she looked up, her smile had turned into an innocent and naive one.

"Great! I know a small alley that would be perfect."

"stop!"

Just as both sides were overjoyed, a shout interrupted their next move.

? !
"Uncle?"

"Hey, who are you?"

The girl looked back and exclaimed in surprise, only to find the disheveled middle-aged man who had been her target chasing after her.

The other two blond-haired youths were unhappy and bypassed the girl, aggressively approaching her.

"You dare to ruin our plans? You think you're so brave?"

"and many more,"

What you are doing is illegal!

The disheveled man in the suit raised his hands and quickly explained:

“Starting last year, the crime of ‘forced sexual intercourse’ has been changed to ‘crime of non-consensual sexual intercourse’.”

In other words, as long as the other party agrees and there is no coercion or violence, then it will not constitute a crime.

However, in reality, when sexual assault occurs, it is difficult for anyone to deliberately preserve evidence of 'coercion' or 'violence,' making it easy for perpetrators to escape justice.

Therefore, starting last year, the island nation's House of Representatives passed an amendment to the criminal code, stipulating that if one party is more than five years older than the other, the other party will be guilty of a crime.

? !
"asshole!"

"Who are you trying to scare—"

The two blond-haired men were startled, then their anger turned to fury.

How dare this slovenly old man lecture them?

Thump,

A punch landed on the man's face, startling the blond-haired man who had done it. Because:
"Blood?"

His fists were covered in blood.

It wasn't that the man had any special intention of 'reflecting damage'; it was simply because blood was constantly dripping from the other person's nasal cavity.

Even if she agrees, you will still be committing a crime!

Covering his nose, which was dripping blood, the disheveled man spoke righteously, causing the two blond-haired men to instinctively take a step back.

This aura, and this appearance:
"madman."

"This guy's gone mad, let's go!"

They were just thugs; when faced with the prospect of imprisonment, they immediately became terrified.

The sight of the man bleeding profusely, looking as if he might die at any moment, terrified them even more.

If you inexplicably become a 'murderer,' you'll spend your next life in prison.

They don't have the money to hire a good lawyer!
Don't let us see you again.

"Damn guy"

The two blond-haired men quickly left, grumbling and cursing.

The girl, who had been standing there in a daze, hesitated for a few seconds before walking toward the disheveled man.

"Are you OK?"

"fine,"

That's what they say, but the man's constantly dripping nosebleed and his increasingly pale face didn't look like he was 'okay' at all.

"Hey, sir, you don't look like you're alright at all!"

The girl, who was originally about to leave, frowned and, as if possessed, stayed.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I have medicine in my pocket."

The man pointed to his coat pocket and pinched the sides of his nose as he answered.

A few minutes later, the man, whose nose was covered in blood, finally stopped bleeding, with two wads of sanitary napkins plugging his nostrils. "Thank you,"

Even the young girl couldn't help but sigh at the man's muffled thanks.

"He's sick and still dares to act like a hero, I really don't understand."

"Haha, this is my job~~"

The man wore an embarrassed smile, his collar, tie, and coat covered in large patches of blood.

"As a teacher, if you turn a blind eye to your students' problems, you'd be too ashamed to face anyone even in hell."

"I'm not your student,"

The girl retorted verbally, but the previous disgust was gone.

"He doesn't even have many days left to live, and yet..."

The girl helped the weak man sit down on a nearby bench and couldn't help but ask him a question out of curiosity.

"Uncle, why did you become a teacher?"

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the medicine bottle in her hand, where the words "for leukemia" caught her eye.

"This one,"

Sitting on a bench, looking at the sea not far away, the man, covered in blood and looking even more disheveled, reminisced about his student days.

"It's quite embarrassing to admit."

“I was a bullied student during my school years.”

"It's not your fault, what's there to be ashamed of—"

Turning his head to glance at the girl who instinctively retorted, the disheveled man revealed a gentle smile.

“You’re right, this isn’t the victim’s fault.”

"The perpetrators are at fault, as are the administrators who turn a blind eye."

Recalling how he had once asked his teacher for help, only to receive answers like, "Teachers are busy too," or "If you become more cheerful, you won't be bullied," the slovenly man lowered his eyes.

"So I thought: when I become an adult, I can stop this from happening."

I'll be the teacher myself!

At least in the classes he teaches, bullying is not allowed.

"Unfortunately, I can't continue. Cough cough cough~~"

The man coughed up a clump of blood and shrugged.

"My life."

We're almost at the end.

"Uncle, a good teacher like you shouldn't have ended up like this."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's just normal birth, aging, illness, and death."

The blood-soaked man seemed quite unfazed by the girl's words.

"Everyone dies eventually."

"When he looks back on his life, he will not regret wasting his years, nor will he be ashamed of having accomplished nothing."

"Teacher, please don't use passages from famous works to show off, okay?"

"Oh no, we've been exposed."

The man scratched his head, then turned to look at the girl seriously.

"No matter what difficulties you encounter, there will always be people in this world who are willing to lend a helping hand."

"School or family? Don't let my appearance fool you... cough cough, I do have some social experience and connections."

Take care of yourself.

The girl gave the man a helpless look.

"I could take on ten people like you."

"I'm so sorry I'm so weak~~"

"Pfft~" x2
At this point, both of them laughed.

For them, simply having someone willing to listen is enough.

"Teacher, please rest here for a while."

"I'm going to buy some ice and water. You'll be arrested by the police as a murderer if you look like that."

"and many more,"

The man took out his wallet and pulled out a few banknotes.

"Thank you for your help, classmate."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Oh, isn't that it?"

As the girl walked out of the convenience store, two blond-haired youths noticed her.

"That one just now?"

Their eyes lit up.
The desire to be 'frightened' is stirring again.

"Miss,"

"What a fate, we meet again."

The girl frowned slightly as she glanced at the two people blocking her way.

"Get out of the way,"

"I don't have time for you."

The two blond-haired men were stunned for a moment, then anger rose within them.

We dare not touch that uncle who looks like he's about to die, so why wouldn't we dare touch you?

Thump,

The two blond-haired men, feeling insulted, shoved the girl into a nearby alley. They cracked their knuckles while uttering threats such as "sell her to a brothel" and "just put her in cement and sink her into the sea."

"Just stick your butt out, and it'll be over in half an hour."

"No, it will be over in five seconds."

The girl placed the convenience bag she was carrying on the air conditioner unit in the alley, and her words surprised the two blond-haired youths.

Five seconds?

Whom do you look down on?

Snap, X2
Before they could react, slender hands covered their mouths from both sides!

Given the girl's height, she would need to raise both arms to grab the mouths of the two blond-haired men: the disparity between the two sides was enormous, both in terms of numbers and physique.

but:

"Woooooo~~"

The next second, the two blond-haired men began to struggle violently.

However, let alone breaking free from control, he couldn't even make the girl's arm twitch.

The strength to struggle was rapidly dissipating, and their bodies visibly shrank, quickly turning into skin and bones!
This is not an adjective, but a real description: withered to the extreme, only a dozen kilograms of flesh and skin, wrapped around bones and internal organs, fell down, forming a pitiful little lump among the scattered clothes.

"In that case, I won't be polite."

The girl, her face cold, glanced at the two 'mummified corpses' on the ground and picked up a convenience bag from the air conditioner unit.

Chakra Absorption Technique
You can absorb someone's chakra by making contact with them. But here's the question: what if you absorb chakra from an ordinary person who doesn't have any?
The answer is to forcibly squeeze the power of flesh and blood, turning it into a dried-up corpse.

"Teacher, here it is."

Back on the bench by the sea, the girl handed the water bottle to the man and thought for a moment.

"It's really impolite to always refer to someone by their profession."

"My name is Aioi Aki. Where is your teacher?"

"Ah I"

The man took a sip of water to rinse the blood from his mouth and replied.

“Sakuma Satoru, just call me Sakuma.”

"So, Sakuma-sensei, you're not planning to end your life here, are you?"

"No, no, no, as a teacher, suicide is an act of escapism."

"So that's tourism?"

Before the man could object, the girl named Aioi Aki took his hand and pointed to the islands scattered across the distant sea.

"I've never been to Zuigan-ji Temple before, let's go check it out together!"