I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 151 Selling Insurance, Right? (4000 words~)

Is Ryoji Kono a successful person?

Without a doubt, as one of the editors of Kawakazu Bunko, he is young enough and considers himself exceptionally talented.

Before he was even forty, he had already established himself in the bustling metropolis of Shōri, owning a car and a house, and had built up considerable prestige in the industry. He even had a firm grip on the publishing aspect of Kawakazuki Bunko.

There's no other reason than that he can now be considered Kawakazu Bunko's most successful published author. Although his focus has gradually shifted to being the editor-in-chief, it doesn't stop him from frequently coming out to find inspiration.

He searched every corner of the city for an opportunity to unleash his soul. This, he believed, was the elegance of a writer, the nobility of the soul.

Despite his apparent success, Ryoji Kono remains unmarried, not because of any aloofness or excessive self-absorption in his creative work. It's simply because, as his social class has risen, he has become increasingly disdainful of the women around him.

Those with beauty but no soul, those with soul but no beauty—it always seems impossible to achieve perfection. Or perhaps, as most writers suggest, we should seek a certain feeling. But where does this feeling come from?
He's been really into this coffee shop lately, which is in a pretty good location.

Here, he felt as if he could write the words that satisfied him most, as if he had returned to ten years ago. It wasn't because the location was particularly unique, or because he was particularly pleased with the café's decor.
It's purely because this coffee shop recently hired a new, inexperienced waiter.

She possesses an invincible youthful charm, and her appearance and figure make her stand out from the crowd wherever she goes. It gives people the feeling that being around her makes them feel younger.

So he created art here more and more frequently, feeling that a successful person of his age could attract young girls fresh out of school. He believed he possessed elements that these girls craved and were curious about, yet found difficult to access.

He also put more and more effort into his appearance, even styling his hair before going out. He wasn't the kind of rigid writer who only knew how to bury himself in writing; on the contrary, he believed he had his own unique insights into dealing with women.

Don't be too proactive. Use your own charm to attract her, and at the same time, deepen your impression of her through some 'unintentional' little interactions.

Age may be a problem, but if material resources are used to compensate, the problem will not be a problem, but rather the icing on the cake.

These small details of interaction, such as accidentally leaving something behind when leaving, make her notice.

For example, when your coffee is served, smile and ask the other person what brand of milk and sugar they used. It might seem unnecessary, and the other person might not even know the answer. But it gives them the impression that you drink coffee often, that you know a lot about it, and that you have the air of someone from a privileged background.

Many things change subtly in this way.

She will gradually come to understand, under her influence, that she and those seemingly young and handsome boys belong to completely different worlds.

Maturity and material abundance are even more valuable qualities.

When will she take the initiative to show interest in me, ask for my contact information, and then pretend to be curious about my work, thus increasing the chances of spending time alone with me or even going on a date?
This seemed to be a done deal, and he spent quite a long time in the coffee shop that day, until it was almost time for the other party to get off work.

But none of this has happened.

Ryoji Kono felt he couldn't wait any longer; a mature man should take the initiative when the time is right.

"Sister Rimi, I'm leaving get off work now. I'm going to change my clothes~"

The voice of a young girl, brimming with youthful energy, rang out, seemingly every day, full of vitality. In this vibrant summer, it gave one the feeling of being back in their student days.

He remembered that when he was in school, there was a girl like this in the class next door.

I would always go to the corridor after class, pick up a book, and pretend to study, but actually I just hoped that the girl would pass by me by chance and see me standing out as particularly quiet among a group of noisy and naughty boys.

But such a thing never happened, and he gradually realized that what attracts women is not something so simple.

At this point, a mature and successful man should be able to easily defeat such a girl.

"Okay, you've had a good day. Be careful on your way home, Sakura~"

"Good~"

Her name is Kazama Sakura.

It wasn't that she told him on her own initiative, but rather he learned it through her conversations with other employees. They didn't have much opportunity for casual conversation, but her politeness, courtesy, and tact, even refusing his only chance to give a tip, were qualities that Kono Ryoji valued even more.

Such a beautiful girl, who is not greedy for fame or fortune and is self-reliant, is so rare. The thought that in the not-too-distant future, such qualities might be changed and distorted by reality makes Ryoji Kono feel a duty to protect this beauty.

So he put away his expensive laptop from his desk and picked up his BMW car keys. He did this at just the right time, just as the girl finished changing and headed towards the coffee shop entrance.

He then stopped restraining himself, picked up everything, and walked neatly and confidently toward the door.

Confidence is a valuable quality and is highly contagious. Of course, the prerequisite for confidence is that you truly have the right to be confident; otherwise, in the eyes of others, it will become arrogance and conceit worthy of dislike.

As the girl reached out to open the door, he simultaneously reached out his hand, intending to create a beautiful surprise.

Unfortunately, the girl seemed to sense something and quickly withdrew her hand.

He was disappointed.

Then, somewhat awkwardly, they met each other's eyes.

"Please go first."

This is the self-awareness of a waiter: customers come first.

However, Kono Ryoji felt that this was her way of making amends after her instinctive restraint, which created an opportunity for conversation.

He opened the door, but instead of rushing out, he made a gentlemanly gesture of invitation, with a mature and confident smile, "Ladies first, especially a beautiful lady like you."

Kazama Sakura: ? ? ?

What's he laughing at? So greasy. Do people really use that kind of flirting these days?

She gave an awkward smile.

"Oh, I suddenly remembered I still have something I forgot to take. You can go ahead now."

After saying that, he turned around and went back.

Kono Ryoji, who was standing at the door and opened it, was stunned, not expecting this situation.

Just then, a young man carrying a guitar arrived at the door. He looked at Kono Ryoji and said, "Uncle, are you leaving or not? If not, don't block the door."

"."

Kono Ryoji was too lazy to waste his breath on such a short-sighted young man and walked out first.

But to his surprise, the young man carrying the guitar came out and gave him a strange smile, saying, "Wearing a suit in nearly forty-degree weather, what a show-off."

Kono Ryoshi:? ? ?
Seriously, are all young people these days so rude?!

Forget it, I can't be bothered arguing with him. I have more important things to do today. The girl's behavior just now was somewhat unexpected; it couldn't be explained simply as shyness.
But he didn't know why, this inexplicable panic, which was beyond his control, made him desperately want to confirm his guess.

So he didn't go to the car immediately, but stood at the door with his laptop.

Until the girl wearing a light green T-shirt and a pleated skirt came out of the door.

She seemed oblivious to Kono Ryoji standing by the door, and walked straight outside.
"Wait a moment."

Sakura Kazama paused, then instinctively turned her head and saw Ryoji Kono looking at her.

She was getting a little annoyed. Why hadn't they left yet?
No, it's so hot outside, and he's standing at the door in a suit. Is he an insurance salesman? How can he be so patient? "Were you calling me?"

Kazama Sakura's way of addressing him has changed, and I don't really hope he's actually calling me that.

Ryoji Kono nodded. "Off work?"

"Yes, sir, aren't you leaving yet?"

Isn't this obvious? If it's not after get off work, what else could it be but a business trip?

Kono Ryoji smiled maturely, ignoring the fact that large beads of sweat were already dripping from his forehead.

"Don't call me sir, my name is Kono Ryoji."

No, who asked?!
Kazama Sakura gripped the shoulder strap of her bag tightly, already on high alert.

"Hehe. Is that so?"

"Also, I'm here waiting for you."

"Wait, wait for me?"

Are you crazy?! Who told you to wait?!
Sakura Kazama was a little annoyed. If she weren't a regular customer of this store and happened to be standing at the entrance, she wouldn't have bothered to answer and would have just left.

Can these self-proclaimed dashing and debonair middle-aged men who are actually greasy and awkward just get out of here?
Kono Ryoji looked at her slightly widened eyes and assumed that the girl was flattered, so he kept his smile.

"Yeah, I drove. It's so hot, you must be tired from taking the subway and bus. How about I drive you home?"

"No, that's not necessary, it's too much trouble."

She maintained her composure and politeness as much as possible, not out of fear of him, but because she didn't want to bring any negative impact to the coffee shop. As for what he wanted to do and what his purpose was, she wasn't stupid; she knew perfectly well what he meant.

But Kono Ryoji thought she was still being reserved and polite. As expected of the treasure girl he had identified, she was so proper in everything she did.

He looked at the other person with increasing satisfaction.

"It's okay, it's on the way anyway. I know you have a lot of things you want to ask me, let's talk in the car."

No, who asked you that!

This time, Kazama Sakura was truly at her wit's end. She gripped the shoulder strap tightly and stared at the other person.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kawada."

"My name is Ryoji Kono."

"Okay, whatever it is, I really don't intend to remember your name, nor will I get in your car. Are you misunderstanding something?"

"A misunderstanding?" Kono Ryoji immediately realized from the other person's reaction that he seemed to have misjudged something. She didn't seem to have a strong liking for him.

Or perhaps I was too proactive and scared the other person away?
No, we need to fix this quickly. We can't let one mistake cause us to miss all our opportunities.

So he immediately said, "I'm sorry, maybe I was a bit too enthusiastic. I just thought it must be tough for you to work like this in this weather, at such a young age. I didn't mean anything by it. Maybe we can exchange contact information, and I can explain things to you slowly."

Do you still want to leave your contact information?

Crazy!

Just as Kazama Sakura was about to lose control of her temper.

"Sakura."

A calm and clear sound came from the roadside.

It not only caught the attention of Kazama Sakura, but also Kono Ryoji.

He looked over and saw a handsome young man sitting astride an electric scooter by the roadside, wearing a helmet and looking in his direction.

Wait.

Something's not right about this scene.

Then look at the BMW car keys in your hand.

Damn it, are you not going to give me some kind of plot where the female lead would rather sit on the back of an electric scooter and laugh in the sweltering summer heat than cry in her own BMW? Don't be ridiculous!
Just as his eye twitched, the girl in front of him turned around and looked at him.

"Excuse me, my boyfriend is here, I have to go now."

She didn't even say goodbye, and then ran eagerly towards the electric scooter.

For some reason, a sentence came to mind for Ryoji Kono: "When I go to see you, I always run."

Boyfriend? Could it just be an excuse to reject me?
The next moment, he saw the girl take the helmet the boy handed her, put it on with a smile, and then hug the boy tightly around the waist. She didn't seem to care about the sweltering heat at all.

They were so intimate, it was as if they wanted to stick to each other.
They were young, oblivious to the weather and the long journey. They kicked up dust and disappeared into the distance.

The inexplicably beautiful scene seemed to allow Ryoji Kono to feel the clarity of youth.

But it also allowed him to clearly hear the sound of something in his heart suddenly shattering.

Is the beauty of youth truly so solid and unbreakable? He really wanted to play the villain and let that stranger experience the reality of this world.

It's all this girl's fault for being so tactless. Once she gradually realizes that the world isn't as simple as she thought, she'll definitely regret it.

So he adjusted his mindset and got into the car.

As he was about to start the car, someone walked by out of the corner of his eye. It was the young man with the guitar from before, walking and chatting with a few friends.

"Hahaha, let me tell you, I went to buy coffee earlier and ran into a greasy middle-aged insurance salesman. He had such a big face and he was trying to chat up the waiter, which scared the waiter so much that he went back home. It cracked me up, hahahahaha."

Kono Ryoshi:? ? ?
"grass!!"

Suddenly, a mournful horn blared in the parking lot.

Meanwhile, Kono Ryoji, who was inexplicably overcome with grief, was unaware of this.

The girl he longed for was on the back of the electric scooter, her arms around his waist, a smile on her face.

Tsukino Gen asked, "Who were you talking to at the door just now?"

Sakura Kazama thought for a moment, "Oh, an insurance salesman hit on me. He startled me. If you hadn't come, I would have been about to yell at him."

……

(End of this chapter)