I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 137 A Proposal Without a Ring (Bonus Chapter 1!)
Anyone with eyes to see could tell that the situation was definitely not as simple as who bullied whom.

The boy standing there making his accusations looked so indignant and self-righteous, he really seemed like a victim. So why were the others all bruised and battered?

"Excuse me, could you please make way? I'll handle this."

At this moment, Saionji Karen seemed to have figured out the situation. She stopped the others at the door and then walked in on her own.

"Senior."

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person.

Karen Saionji stared intently at the boy, then sighed inexplicably, "You're something else, even on my birthday you can cause trouble."

Gen Tsukino shrugged innocently. "I really didn't start it."

Saionji rolled her eyes at the boy. "Of course I know, but it just has to be this way, right?"

It was clear that Saionji Karen had a rough idea of ​​what had happened. Although she hadn't watched the surveillance footage and didn't know the whole story, she was still somewhat aware of Izumi Nami's little tricks.

Her reputation within the industry was already so-so, and she was known for being jealous; her favorite thing to do was to make other people's boyfriends her lovers. You don't know if she was just trying to hurt people she didn't like, or if she genuinely had this kind of fetish.

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "I've already been very considerate of my senior's feelings, at least we're in this room, don't you think?"

At this moment, Asagiri Rin was outside the door and naturally had no idea about the conversation between the two people inside.

Karen Saionji didn't intend to say much. She nodded and said, "You can go out now and go downstairs with Rin. It'll officially start soon, so I'll handle things here."

"Can you handle it?"

The boy seemed to worry about even her.

Karen Saionji looked at the beautiful eyes in front of her with amusement. "I'm still your senior, don't underestimate me."

"Okay, then I'm leaving."

Gen Tsukino walked easily towards the door, but before leaving, he didn't forget to look back at the few people still trembling in that corner.

"Goodbye~"

Looking at the boy's smile and listening to his relaxed words, the group couldn't help but shudder again, as if they were reminded of some unpleasant past events. In fact, it had all happened in this very room just a few minutes earlier.

Everything they never dared to imagine.

Saionji Karen approached the group.

Izumi Nami realized what was happening and immediately tried to stand up, demanding an explanation from Saionji regarding this matter!

"Snapped!"

The flame that had just been lit was extinguished instantly. No one expected that this girl, who seemed to be the most easy to talk to in the circle and always had a kind smile, would actually raise her hand and slap Izumi Nami across the face.

How dare you!

Izumi Nami stared in shock at Saionji Karen, whose expression had turned cold.

They're supposed to be in the same circle, how could they be so disrespectful?!
Those around them were equally bewildered. Who was that boy? Why would Saionji Karen treat them like this for him? Were they destined to never see each other again?

Karen Saionji coldly replied, "This slap was given on behalf of Rin. Go ahead and complain if you want, I will stand with Rin."

"you"

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking, Izumi Nami. I invited you here today not because you have a lot of influence, or because I'm so concerned about your family. I just wanted to give you a way out, considering our childhood friendship, hoping that you and Rin could at least put aside your past grievances. But you're still going to pull your old tricks, and I'm very disappointed."

Izumi Nami bit her lower lip in grievance. She suddenly realized that some things were not as she had imagined.

For example, she doesn't have that much control; she doesn't have every situation under her control.

For example, what she once thought was fearlessness and arrogance was nothing but a fragile illusion, as delicate as a mirage, easily broken with a touch.
"Alright, now, are you going to leave on your own, or should I ask you to leave?"

"."

While Saionji Karen was cleaning up the mess inside, Tsukino Gen came out and saw the young lady staring straight at him, as well as the crowd behind her with inscrutable expressions.

He didn't recognize these people, but they were all dressed smartly, and their appearance and demeanor seemed to tell the world just how extraordinary their backgrounds were.

In a small place like Zhaori, there are countless monsters and demons.

What were you doing just now?

Asagiri Rin asked in a low voice, clearly not wanting the people behind her to hear their conversation.

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "It's nothing."

"Did she contact you?"

Asagiri Rin clearly understood the crux of the matter. The situation seemed somewhat difficult to comprehend at first glance, but it became clear after a little analysis. She probably wanted to use Tsukino Gen's relationship to embarrass herself, but Tsukino Gen turned the tables and taught her a lesson.

This seems normal; it's something that bastard would do. But... was it really something he did for himself?
"I guess so. I didn't know I was so popular. And who are these people?"

Gen Tsukino is someone who is good at ignoring the gazes of others, but aren't they looking at him too intently, so much so that he can't ignore them?

The best approach is to bring it up in a way that is as polite as possible.

Asagiri Rin turned around and looked, "Oh, these are some old friends. Some of them just returned from studying abroad and I haven't seen them in a long time."

She introduced herself in a seemingly normal manner, albeit with a touch of awkwardness.

As soon as Asagiri Rin finished speaking, Aoki Shin stepped forward and said, "Hello, my name is Aoki Shin. I'm Rin's friend. I've been studying abroad."

Xiao Lin?

Gen Tsukino glanced at Rin Asagiri without making it obvious, and saw the girl's slightly furrowed brows, but Shin Aoki couldn't see it from this angle.

Looking at the outstretched hand and the smile on the other person's face, there was no obvious hostility. Naturally, one wouldn't hit a smiling face, and Tsukino Gen wasn't arrogant or domineering. He also extended his hand to shake the other person's.

"Tsukino Gen. Asagiri's classmate."

His way of addressing them was much more polite, as if to suggest that their relationship wasn't anything special.

Upon hearing Tsukino Gen's words, Aoki Shin's expression relaxed, and he said with an air of elegance, "I really didn't expect Rin to bring a classmate here, especially such a handsome one. You must have taken good care of Rin at school, right? Thank you."

This statement is rather intriguing.

It's true that you've taken care of me since I was little, but who are you, and from what standpoint are you expressing your gratitude? Tsukino Gen smiled brightly.

"You're welcome."

After saying that, I felt a heat in my wrist.

Aoki Shin's smiling face suddenly froze, and his gaze couldn't help but fall on the boy's wrist.

Asagiri Rin easily and naturally took his hand. She glanced at the boy, and the girl, whose expression seemed normal, said, "Let's talk about it downstairs."

Then he pulled Tsukino Gen away.

Before being dragged away, Tsukino Gen glanced back at Aoki Shin, whose expression had suddenly changed, and said, "Let's talk again next time~"

The footsteps hurriedly left the area in front of them.

The handsome, well-dressed young man's smile was gone.

After a while, he turned to his friends and asked, "Have you heard of this person?"

They all looked bewildered, except for the quiet, rose-blonde-haired young woman who whispered, "I might know her."

"Aihua.?"

……

Is it really okay to be so disrespectful to your friend?

Dragged down by Asagiri Rin, she wasn't sure if it was because her mouth was dry or she simply needed to do something to ease the awkwardness of having grabbed the boy's wrist earlier, but she picked up a glass of red wine and took a small sip.

This time, the lip gloss didn't remain on the rim of the glass; the swirling crimson liquid between her lips and teeth made her look like a noble vampire princess.

"We didn't have much of a relationship to begin with, but Saionji insisted on dragging me over to say a few words. I don't know what we had to say."

She seemed to disregard those sentiments.

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "They were just looking out for you and they've been very good to you."

It's clear that Saionji's intention was that while there might have been a slight mishap with Izumi Nami, overall, Saionji hoped that the girl could adapt to such social interactions in advance and prepare for the future.

"What's so good about it?"

She hummed softly and asked.

Gen Tsukino looked over and said, "Even if you don't face it now, you'll always have to deal with these interpersonal relationships in the future. There's no way around it; this is a problem that a rich young lady like you has to face."

"That sounds pretty fair."

"It won't be difficult for you either."

Gen Tsukino gave a curt reply.

At this moment, Asagiri Rin glanced at the boy's profile, then, as if remembering something, looked away.

At that very moment, the lights in the hall suddenly went out, as if the whole world had lost power and returned to primitive society.

The entire hall was momentarily noisy and chaotic, but the next moment...

"Clap."

A spotlight shone on the front of the hall, and someone slowly pushed a cart loaded with a three-tiered cake onto the stage.

It seems the most important ceremony of this birthday party is about to begin.

"However, it's not like there's absolutely no way."

"Ok?"

Gen Tsukino's gaze did not shift; he only heard Rin Asagiri's indistinct words.

At this moment, Saionji Karen slowly walked onto the stage. She hadn't changed her clothes, but her already captivating charm was enough to make her the most dazzling presence in the entire hall.

“I said, there is a way so that I won’t have to face these kinds of social interactions in the future.”

"is it?"

Gen Tsukino gave a casual reply.

While seemingly focused on Saionji on the stage, he could clearly feel the girl's body moving slightly closer to him.

"My mother said so."

Her voice lowered slightly.

In the somewhat noisy hall, only the boy could hear her voice.

It rippled slightly, as if whispering softly.

"Just find a capable husband, and that will be enough."

"Pfft."

Caught off guard, the boy's laughter sounded jarring.

With slightly flushed cheeks, Chao Wulin looked at her with displeasure, "What are you laughing at?"

Then he saw Tsukino Gen turn around and face him. The spotlight in the distance shone on the stage, and he and Asagiri Rin looked like people abandoned by the light.

Behind the crowd, in the unpredictable shadows, their romance and ambiguity were brewing.

Gen Tsukino extends his hand toward Rin Asagiri, with the back of his hand facing up and his palm facing down.

"If you're proposing, won't you have a ring?"

And their romance.

……

(End of this chapter)