I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 150 The storm is coming

"Thanks for the hospitality."

Gen Tsukino slowly picked up a wet wipe and wiped his lips, just like an elegant gentleman.

His gaze naturally fell on the gray-haired woman next to him, who was eating awkwardly with one hand.

Shiramine Koyo lowered her head slightly, but her cheeks were visibly flushed, as if the temperature was constantly rising even with the air conditioning on.

Mochizuki Miki on the other side seemed unaware of this scene, and simply smiled and said.

"Please forgive us for the poor hospitality today."

Gen Tsukino smiled and said, "No, that's not true. I ate very well. You could say it was the most special dinner I've ever had."

It is certainly special, but its specialness lies not in the dishes on the table, but in...
"Crench!"

Seemingly having reached her limit, Shiramine Koyo finally stood up, quickly turned around, and hastily left with the words, "I need to use the restroom first, sorry."

Then rushed out.

Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a 100-meter race, with everyone racing against the clock at the starting line.

Mochizuki Miki's gaze shifted from the departing figure back to Tsukino Gen's handsome face. She clearly saw Tsukino Gen put his hands down on the table, as if he were tidying up something.

"Tsukino-kun acted even more decisively than I expected. He had seemed so aloof from women before."

Speaking of actors, Mochizuki Miki felt that if this young man was willing to take this path, he must be someone with far more superb acting skills than herself. Even though she saw herself in such a disheveled state in the movie theater, she didn't feel the slightest bit of covetousness.

He didn't even think of using that matter to threaten himself.

She couldn't even imagine what other people would do if they saw this scene—take a picture and use it to blackmail her?

But he did nothing, and even avoided contact with himself.

Until we met today, I realized that there seemed to be an unavoidable conflict of interest between us. That's when my attitude started to change.

In fact, she could quite understand Tsukino Gen's actions. Since it was unavoidable and something that had to be done, then being decisive and not hesitant would leave people with the impression that he was a man of his word and that there was no room for negotiation once he made a decision.

If it were her, Mochizuki Miki would have done the same.

Whether one suffers a loss or loses everything in the process is not important.

As she herself had said, she had a good impression of this young man. Both his mystery and his undeniable good looks piqued her interest as she faced her impending doom. At least, she had never met a man like him before.

That's right, it should be said that it's a man, not a boy.

Gen Tsukino didn't leave much of a scent in the air, which was due to his own abilities and was also the main reason why Miki Mochizuki was willing to swallow it.

The boy reacted calmly to the woman's slightly teasing words, even with a smile.

"Let's keep things separate. I'm still a kind person at heart. I'm not someone who'll grant every request, nor am I someone who doesn't care about the return. But as long as it solves the problem, I won't ask for more than I give."

That's true. Besides, this reward wasn't because he particularly needed or coveted the beauty of the aunt and niece. It was simply a reassuring reason.

It's like why people like to give gifts to their superiors to get things done; if the other party dares to accept them, it proves that the matter can be accomplished.

He judged that Mochizuki Miki was willing to do such a sudden thing today for the same reason.

As for Shiramine Momiji, she's a risky woman, so she needs to be tamed and made to face reality. Don't let the idea that Tsukino Gen is a detached and unambitious hermit inflate her ambitions.

He needed to slap her rising smugness and inflated confidence. He wasn't actually that lusting after Bai Feng Hongye's beauty; he had plenty of those things around him. It was just the best way to temporarily suppress her. He wanted her to face reality—even if he successfully helped her achieve this, it didn't mean she wouldn't need to consider his feelings anymore.

Some shadows should be suppressed. Even if she's not a puppet, she must still be subject to control.

And now.

"Crash!"

The water in the sink was pounding violently.

Bai Feng Hongye immediately turned the tap on full blast, not caring that the rushing water would stain her red dress. She frantically scrubbed her hands, trying to wash away the scalding heat completely, hoping to leave no trace.

Indeed, no trace was left, but it felt as if some brand had been burned into his skin and entered his flesh.

I want to be reminded of that scene that made me feel incredibly ashamed, disgusted, and repulsed whenever I see these hands.

The eldest daughter of the Bai family actually did such a thing for that bastard. It's simply unforgivable.

Even if it's for his aunt, he's still a bastard!
But what could she do? His abilities were undeniable, and she couldn't allow him to stand against her. Even her own aunt was absolutely certain of this, so what reason did she have not to comply?

But it's precisely this kind of price to pay.
The resentment and anger that had just been burning fiercely in my chest were gradually extinguished by the torrential rain.

……

When Shiramine Koyo returned to the front hall after things calmed down, she found Tsukino Gen sitting alone, looking towards the courtyard, while her aunt, Mochizuki Miki, was nowhere to be found.

She frowned. "Why is it just Tsukino-kun alone?"

Her way of addressing him naturally became more polite, without her even realizing the source of this subconscious behavior.

Gen Tsukino calmly replied, "They said there was a notice from the company, so I rushed back."

"Yeah, I almost forgot she's a celebrity."

Bai Feng Hongye said with a hint of sarcasm, perhaps because of what she saw on the monitor, which still made her somewhat dissatisfied.

She dared not vent this dissatisfaction on Tsukino Gen, and could only attribute it to her aunt who hadn't consulted her beforehand, silently yielding and putting her in a passive position. "She doesn't come home much?"

Gen Tsukino asked this casually.

After thinking for a moment, Shiramine Koyo tentatively sat down next to Tsukino Gen.

Then she said softly, "I've seen her very few times since I can remember. Most of what I know about her comes from my father. But their relationship has always been pretty good; at least my father has never shown any sign of complaining about her."

Gen Tsukino smiled. "Because you've become a star, it's only natural to stay away from any triad background. These days, paparazzi are very skilled; they can dig up even the smallest clues. It seems your aunt has done a good job of keeping things private."

“I know that I wouldn’t have informed her if the family hadn’t been in such a critical situation, and I’m very grateful that she was willing to come back and help me at this critical moment.”

"It seems you don't hold a grudge against her very much."

"Why should I hold a grudge against her?"

Shiramine Koyo didn't quite understand Tsukino Gen's meaning, or rather, at this moment, a strange sense of guilt welled up inside her. Looking at the boy's handsome profile, she momentarily forgot how she had previously harbored deep hatred and curses towards him in her heart.

Gen Tsukino didn't hide anything and turned to look at the gray-haired young woman. Surprisingly, this unconventional hair color suited her remarkably well, even with the added layer of her identity as a wealthy heiress from a yakuza organization.

"It's simple. If she hadn't taken it upon herself to do these things first, your situation wouldn't seem so awkward."

It struck a chord with Shiramine Momiji, but the crucial point was that she couldn't genuinely agree with the boy. After all, she shouldn't harbor any resentment towards Mochizuki Mihime.

She could only lower her head slightly and say, "She was only thinking of the family; there's nothing to blame her for."

"That's good if you think so."

Bai Fenghongye:? ? ?
No, you really think I'm telling the truth?!

Tsukino Gen stood up, and Shiramine Koyo looked up at him.

"correct."

She spoke somewhat hastily.

"how?"

"It's not difficult for you to know the information and power distribution of all of Nakajima Daigo's businesses. It's just that it might be a bit difficult to arrange a negotiation with him, since he should already know that you've been to Chosuiin."

She hoped to find a breakthrough, but she had no clue whatsoever about this crucial issue.

Gen Tsukino said coldly, "Then that's your own problem. I'm not your uncle, I can't solve all your problems. Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

"."

This bastard!

It's really clearly divided, with the boundaries laid out perfectly!

But there was nothing she could do; she couldn't stop Tsukino Gen from leaving.

After a long while, the woman, gritting her teeth, could only dial Mochizuki Miki's number.

After she hesitated, she finally finished explaining her troubling question.

The other party was silent for a moment.

“Indeed, if you were to bring it up yourself, it would be too obvious. Daigo Nakajima, who is already on guard, certainly wouldn't agree. But, have you forgotten about Representative Kitano?”

Bai Feng Hongye paused for a moment, then said softly.

"But... Representative Kitano is clearly siding with Daigo Nakajima now, isn't he? Anyone with eyes can see that he doesn't think highly of us."

Even yakuza organizations operating in the shadows need to rely on these politicians. After all, having their protection makes things much easier, so they generally use a sycophantic approach, each getting what they need. These politicians also give the yakuza organizations the green light for certain land transactions and nightclub businesses.

This Representative Kitano held an undeniably important position at Showa Ichiban; when his father was still alive, many of Shirakawa's business dealings required his approval. Therefore, siding with Daigo Nakajima naturally led to the flourishing of some of Nakajima's businesses.

This is why Daigo Nakajima's side is gaining more and more momentum.

Mochizuki Miki replied coldly, "Don't forget, the Hakukai is a yakuza organization. No matter how they try to whitewash it, they can't change its true nature. As a yakuza organization, it should have the methods of one. If they sense that you're trying to overturn the table and leave everyone without food, wouldn't they take the initiative to do something within their power to help you sit down and have a proper talk?"

"He doesn't care who has the power; he only cares about his safety and whether he can continue to make money and live a life of revelry."

".I see."

Hang up.

Shiramine Koyo took a deep breath and then called Kitagawa Shiro, who was waiting outside.

"Now compile all the records of our interactions with Representative Kitano over the years, and then have someone keep an eye on his dealings with Nakajima's side. At the same time, dig deep into his background. The sooner the better."

"Yes, ma'am."

When the Butterfly Water Courtyard fell silent again, it felt as if I was the only person left in the entire courtyard, as darkness enveloped the whole earth.

The summer wind, which seemed particularly fierce tonight, rustled the branches and buds of the trees in the courtyard.

She understood that this was the prelude to an impending storm.

……

(End of this chapter)