I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 160 Now I'm the one protecting you (7500 words~)

It seems unsafe to meet anywhere late at night.

So we simply chose the entrance of the apartment complex.

Shinji Yamaguchi arrived quickly; this was the first time he had done something like this, playing the role of a villain that was clearly in his own mind.

It shouldn't be like this.

I am a doctor with a respected social standing. How could I do such a thing?
But when did this mindset change, making it increasingly difficult to control oneself, to the point that one couldn't even endure a single day?

Was he drunk, or did he suddenly realize something when he saw that hot woman get into that old man's car?
This kind of woman should not be respected.

This kind of woman is a commodity, a commodity waiting to be sold!
Why does Sakuraba Yuki look down on me? Or is it because I've given her too much respect, making her feel that she has enough value and that I'm not good enough for such a good 'goods'?
So why should I need to be soft-hearted?
I want to show her what I'm capable of, to make her understand that I'm not such a cheap man. Since she doesn't want my respect, then I don't need to give her any dignity!
Shinji Yamaguchi himself didn't realize that what was originally just a regular blind date had no deep feelings between the two of them. They hadn't been in contact for many years.

Why did so many things change after just one meeting, even my own moral character?

Essentially, he's just become arrogant and complacent after achieving a certain social status, even before settling down. On his first blind date, he naturally hopes to gain admiration, a form of affirmation of his current achievements.

But I didn't get it.

Furthermore, the unexpected encounter with the paper airplane later on, where she saw Sakuraba Yuki chatting and laughing with a young man, caused her to lose her composure.

Everything he overheard in front of the restroom became the final catalyst, leading him step by step to this location.

Upon seeing the woman wrapped in a coat at the entrance of the residential area, she appeared wary, as if trying to hide all her alluring beauty.

But what's the use now?

Shinji Yamaguchi's demeanor became even more relaxed and at ease.

His first words to the furious Sakuraba Yuki were, "Are you cold? Why are you wearing so much?"

Sakuraba Yuki didn't want to talk about these fancy things with him. If he was threatening her with this kind of thing, then there was nothing more to say. It had already reached the point of no return.

"Is there any point in saying all this? What exactly do you want?"

Shinji Yamaguchi stood still, not in a hurry, and leisurely lit a cigarette.

Of course, as the smoke filled the air, he suddenly realized that he was enjoying the feeling of the moment, and that he seemed to be better at doing this than he was used to.

It's as if they possess a talent they never imagined.

He smiled. "Can I do whatever I want?"

Sakuraba Yuki clenched her fists and gripped the hem of her clothes tightly.

"Don't overthink it! Do you think you can threaten me with something like this?"

Shinji Yamaguchi smiled and took a deep drag on his cigarette.

He didn't know if this was an epic experience, but his mind was now filled with unprecedented excitement. So this is what it feels like to have leverage over someone and watch them struggle in their death throes.

No wonder so many people in the world are willing to become 'villains'. How many people can resist the thrill of it?
"Zhao Ri Private High School is such a good school. You must be quite reluctant to give up this job, right? The salary is so high, it's enough for you to afford rent in Zhao Ri."

"Moreover, I heard that there was a scandal involving a homeroom teacher and a student at this school before. It caused quite a stir. If your rumors circulate again, what do you think the school's reaction will be? I probably won't even need to release the photos."

He even took out his phone, easily unlocked it with one hand, and then pulled up a slightly blurry photo.

The main problem was the poor lighting, and I could only take photos secretly, so I could only capture a side view of Sakuraba Yuki and the boy standing close together.

If placed next to Sakuraba Yuki, you can still tell them apart.

If it were Tsukino Gen, it would be even more obvious.

After all, such a unique young man seems to be one of a kind.

Sakuraba Yuki's eyes flickered, as if she was deliberately suppressing her emotions that were about to erupt, she said.

"You can still delete the photos now. Considering we knew each other before, I can let bygones be bygones. But if you insist on doing this, I will call the police."

Upon hearing this, Shinji Yamaguchi remained completely unmoved.

He even thought he was a genius, that he had foreseen such a situation, and it actually happened.

The words that had crossed my mind many times now truly echoed in my ears.

He wouldn't have taken this step if he hadn't been fully prepared, anticipated countless scenarios, and had contingency plans. It was precisely because he was absolutely certain of victory that he dared to overturn his own destiny.

"Then go ahead and call the police. I've already prepared backups. Even if I get arrested now, I can guarantee that the photos and my statement will appear in your school. Maybe on forums? Maybe in a deluge of flyers? I don't know. The worst outcome is that we both die. The question is, do you have the courage? Are you willing to give up everything you have now?"

He threw away the cigarette in his hand.

He stomped it under his foot and extinguished it, then looked at Sakuraba Yuki.

"Are you willing to take the bet?"

Sakuraba Yuki took a deep breath, and loosened her clenched fist, but not out of resignation.

"What do you want?"

Shinji Yamaguchi seemed to see the dawn of victory; it was even easier than he had imagined. Yes, it should be this easy. With a woman like this, the plan didn't need to be too complicated.

"Break up with him, be my woman, don't worry, I will marry you."

Will he really marry her?

That's not necessarily true. After all, in Shinji Yamaguchi's eyes, Yuki Sakuraba is no different from a used woman now. Getting her is just to satisfy his own desires and vent his frustrations.

Once I'm tired of her, what value does she have? Does this kind of woman deserve to be my wife?

He understood that to gain the other party's willing submission, he needed to offer a little something sweet.

But after he finished speaking, he saw the other person's cold smile.

"I will resign from the school tomorrow. You see if I can afford to take the gamble."

Upon hearing this, Shinji Yamaguchi's face stiffened.

"You're really going all out. You're willing to risk your future for a student? You're truly devoted!"

Sakuraba Yuki's expression was icy. "So, am I worth you throwing away your future? However, I might be in a slightly better situation than you, since I won't go to jail. As for you..."

Shinji Yamaguchi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

His laughter sounded so abrupt in the darkness that it directly interrupted what Sakuraba Yuki was about to say.

Then, with a strange excitement and a ferocious look on his face, he looked at Sakuraba Yuki, causing the woman to involuntarily take a step back.

He said.

"You're so willing to go all out, but can you really protect him? Sure, such rumors might not affect him much. But when the rumors spread and you resigned, doesn't that mean those rumors have been confirmed?"

"So at that time, how will his classmates view him? How will his teachers view him? Will the parents feel comfortable letting a student who looks dangerous and has been rumored to be having an affair with a teacher stay in school?"

"I've heard that many students at that school have wealthy and influential parents. If they put pressure on the school together, what do you think will happen to their future? Could the person you've been so painstakingly protecting be ruined by your own hands?"

Sakuraba Yuki's face turned pale.

She hadn't really thought that much about it. At first, she just thought that if things went wrong, she could quit her job. She couldn't let her situation affect the boy.

She was not prepared to compromise with such threats; she would not be such a weak woman.

But when she heard what Shinji Yamaguchi said, she panicked a little.

It seems that in her heart, Tsukino Gen is more important than she imagines.

Once you have a weakness, you seem to be in danger of being manipulated, and it can become a fatal flaw.

At this moment, she was truly at a loss.

Shinji Yamaguchi, standing before him, clearly saw this, and he grinned maliciously without any attempt to hide it.

"Have you figured it out yet? Things aren't as simple as you think."

"Dating a student must be exciting, right? Well, you should have thought about these consequences before you even started!"

So you shouldn't resent me, you should thank me.

"Thank you for what? You scumbag!"

"I said angrily," Sakuraba Yuki said.

But Shinji Yamaguchi now only sees these as praise for himself, and he enjoys it immensely as he spreads his arms wide.

"You should thank me for giving you the opportunity to end the mistake early."

"Everything I'm doing now is saving your life."

"You can break off contact with him right now and become my woman. You'll have far better material conditions than before. Moreover, my future is bright, with excellent opportunities to climb the social ladder step by step. You might become... the director's wife? A professor's wife? Or even the dean's wife?"

"Isn't that a reason to thank me?!"

He almost shouted out in excitement.

Then, the next moment, he heard a fierce gust of wind.

"boom!"

When he realized what was happening, he only had time to raise his arms to cover his face.

But something still hit his arm hard, so hard that the pain was almost unbearable.

The glass bottle shattered into countless fragments scattered on the ground.

Shinji Yamaguchi staggered back two steps.

"who!"

Before he could even open his eyes in anger, the figure was already in front of him.

"boom!"

Was it a fist? Or a truck charging at us?
Why can't I see the car lights?

Shinji Yamaguchi tumbled to the ground in a sorry state, rolling several times as if he were a ball.

Shinji Yamaguchi, whose eyes were barely open, whose nose felt numb, and whose mind was racing, heard a muttering sound before he even opened his eyes.

"Where did this speed bump come from? It's so soft."

Shinji Yamaguchi was absolutely furious.

That voice clearly belongs to that boy!

He actually dared to show up? He actually dared to attack me?

What is this? This is an opportunity presented to us.
By sending him directly to prison, he ruined his chance at a better life.

Or perhaps it's a chance for Sakuraba Yuki to beg for forgiveness on his behalf!
Sakuraba Yuki never expected this to happen; she had no idea that Tsukino Gen was actually nearby.

By the time she realized what was happening, the situation seemed to be out of control, and she was worried that Tsukino Gen's impulsiveness would lead to even more uncontrollable consequences.

But Gen Tsukino didn't care about any of that.

He looked at the other person with icy eyes. Shinji Yamaguchi did not struggle, but endured the excruciating pain and spoke under such circumstances.

"I didn't contact you, yet you came to me on your own?"

Gen Tsukino knew perfectly well what the other person was thinking.

He laughed too, but his laugh was more real and more terrifying than that of the 'clumsy' Shinji Yamaguchi.

"This is just a small gift from me."

He squatted down next to the other person and easily took out their wallet.

I could clearly see Shinji Yamaguchi's personal business card in the wallet.

"Zhaori Central Hospital"

He read those words aloud.

For some inexplicable reason, Shinji Yamaguchi had a very bad feeling; he didn't know why.
He's clearly just a high school student, what does he want to do?
Then he saw a cruel smile that he would never forget for the rest of his life.

"Very well, now you will witness firsthand how your life is destroyed."

Shinji Yamaguchi immediately became a little anxious.

His urgency stemmed from an unknown fear and anxiety.

"There are security cameras here! They saw you hit someone. What else do you want to do? Aren't you afraid I'll call the police?!"

Gen Tsukino had already stuffed the wallet into his pocket, only taking the business card.

He patted the other person's cheek.

"That's a good opportunity to let the police see how you threaten Sakuraba-sensei. Want to try?"

"."

Enraged, Shinji Yamaguchi was speechless.

Gen Tsukino stood up and glanced at him without any pity.

"But don't worry, it won't end here. If you want to ruin Sakuraba-sensei, I'll ruin you just the same way."

After saying this, Tsukino Gen didn't turn around and directly grabbed Sakuraba Yuki's hand, as if deliberately showing off his fearlessness in front of the other party.

"Wait! Stop right there! You all stop right there!! What are you trying to do?!"

The growing sense of unease made Shinji Yamaguchi unable to help but call out, unable to resist the urge to hold the other person back.

This feeling of unease was very unpleasant; he disliked the feeling of the situation gradually slipping out of his control, even if it was just a premonition.

Even if he felt that the other party had no way to deal with him.

In any case, there was no concrete evidence to prove how he threatened Sakuraba Yuki. Besides, he was the one who held the leverage over her.

But why didn't he use force to threaten me into deleting the photos after that punch?

Why does he seem so confident, with no follow-up information? Is it because he really has backup plans?
But Tsukino Gen is destined not to give him an answer tonight.

It's like letting a death row inmate know he's going to the execution ground tomorrow, giving him a sleepless night.

He turned around, took Sakuraba Yuki's hand, and led her into the apartment, disappearing into the thick, cold darkness.

As for Shinji Yamaguchi, he stopped his meaningless shouting.

But he was completely at a loss, not knowing what to do next. Was it just a bluff? Should he just let it go?

As the effects of the alcohol wore off, it seemed that the wicked intentions that had been brewing within him also lingered.

……

When Tsukino Gen led the woman into the elevator, Sakuraba Yuki gradually realized what had just happened. It's no wonder she was slow to react.

It's because she had never seen this side of Tsukino Gen.

Brutal and vicious, decisive and swift.

The unreasonable are like a predator that has been lying in wait for a long time and finally caught its prey.

This is a version of Tsukino Gen that Sakuraba Yuki has never seen before.

In her memory, this boy should be a boy who is sometimes gentle and refined, sometimes a little unserious, but very reassuring.

It seems I shouldn't get involved in this scene, this messy situation, especially since I have my own reasons for it.
"What are you doing here?"

she asked softly.

He even picked up the other person's hand to take a look and found that there were no injuries, which put him at ease.

"I didn't go back, I'm just wandering around here."

Gen Tsukino answered easily.

It was as if nothing had happened before; that fierce demeanor had never existed in him.

As for why he's here, it's certainly not just for fun; he's not a homeless vagrant.

He had noticed Shinji Yamaguchi's presence in front of that restroom earlier. Although he didn't necessarily think the other party would cause trouble, he lingered there a little longer and, sure enough, stumbled upon these things.

I don’t know if it’s my own cultivation method causing this, but I always feel that I have a much higher probability of encountering troubles than ordinary people, and it’s not without reason that they happen so often.

Hmm. The spiritual energy is going to be abundant again soon, I guess.

"What do you mean by 'wandering around'? Who would hear that if word got out? By the way, why were you acting like that just now? Aren't you afraid he'll call the police?"

The woman asked with considerable concern. She already felt guilty enough for dragging him into this mess, and now he had hit someone because of her. If Shinji Yamaguchi really took it seriously, she didn't want to add a line to his resume that said intentional assault.

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "Don't worry, he won't. How much of a risk do you think he is? The idea of ​​dying together with someone else is just to scare Sakuraba-sensei. He wouldn't give up his bright future at all."

Of course, this future soon became bleak.

"What are you trying to scare me with? I wasn't scared at all. Besides, if it really comes down to it, I'll just quit my job. I definitely won't let this matter hold you back."

The possibility that Shinji Yamaguchi mentioned was something Yuki Sakuraba didn't tell Gen Tsukino, and she didn't know if he heard it.

But she was indeed prepared for that.

The elevator doors opened, and Tsukino Gen was about to step out when he realized that he had been holding her hand, but now she was holding his.

Their eyes simultaneously fell on the part of their hands that were clasped together.

Sakuraba Yuki blushed slightly and let go of her hand. "I...I was just checking if your hand was injured."

He was the one who grabbed my hand first, so how come I'm the one who has to explain this now?

Gen Tsukino smiled nonchalantly. "It's nothing."

Sakuraba Yuki lowered her head, hurriedly walked ahead, and then took out her keys to open the door.

Gen Tsukino looked at Yuki Sakuraba with amusement, noting her somewhat ostrich-like posture. "Sakuraba-sensei is quite self-protective."

"Ok?"

Sakuraba Yuki was about to take out disposable slippers when she heard this and hesitated, looking at the boy.

Gen Tsukino pouted, "You even know to put on a coat."

"What strange things are you saying? Change your shoes."

"Oh."

The boy changed into disposable slippers and walked in. Hearing the sound of his footsteps, Sakuraba Yuki glanced at him.

I was thinking to myself, these shoes don't look good on him, and they seem a little too small for disposable ones. Maybe I should get him a pair of men's slippers?

"Sakuraba-sensei? Sakuraba-neechan?"

"Huh? Hmm? What?"

Sakuraba Yuki was still thinking about these random things when she heard the other person change their form of address, and she looked at Tsukino Gen with a slightly flushed face.

Honestly. After something like that just happened, what was I thinking?

Tsukino Gen seemed oblivious to anything amiss. He simply sat casually on the sofa and looked at the other person, saying, "I was just asking you how you dared to go downstairs to meet him so late at night, especially at your own doorstep."

Sakuraba Yuki said somewhat shyly.

"There's no other way but to avoid meeting him, since he's threatening me with this. But I'm prepared; the police station is not far from my apartment. If he really wants to do something, I'll definitely call the police immediately. I'm even wearing flat shoes."

Gen Tsukino saw the pair of flat shoes that the other person had just taken off at the door.

I couldn't help but want to laugh.

"The plan is quite good, so why were you helpless just now?"

Sakuraba Yuki lowered her head slightly. In front of Tsukino Gen, she looked like a child who had done something wrong, completely lacking the authority of a teacher.

"I didn't expect him to be such a shameless person. But don't worry, I wasn't planning on giving in. At worst, I'd just confront him. I'm not someone to be trifled with, so don't even think about threatening me."

"So Sakuraba-sensei is this amazing. It seems like there's nothing to worry about at all."

Hearing Tsukino Gen say that, Sakuraba Yuki felt somewhat ashamed.

After all, she really didn't have a better solution, and if she really chose to do so, and if Yamaguchi Shinji went all out, it could very likely affect Tsukino Gen, which was not the situation she wanted to see.

"But if that really happens, it might affect you."

Why are you worried about me?

Gen Tsukino seems to find this strange.

Sakuraba Yuki replied matter-of-factly, "After all, this happened because of me, and you're completely innocent. If I could just walk away from these rumors, what would happen to you at school?"

Gen Tsukino smiled and shook his head, "You can't even protect yourself, and you're still thinking about me?"

Sakuraba Yuki's face flushed slightly, but she couldn't bring herself to argue.

The boy's smile faded, and he looked at the woman gently.

"Don't worry, nothing you're afraid of will happen."

Sakuraba Yuki looked up uncertainly.

"But he's completely broken off all pretense of civility today, and you still hit him. What if he gets cornered and does something drastic?"

Gen Tsukino shook his head, his tone more certain this time.

"He won't have the chance to resort to desperate measures; you might even see him kneeling before you, begging for your forgiveness."

"what?"

"It won't keep you waiting long. The day after tomorrow? Maybe it'll be tomorrow."

“Wait, wait a minute!”

Sakuraba Yuki seemed to realize something. She hesitated, then looked at Tsukino Gen, and said urgently, "You...you mustn't do anything dangerous. Listen to me, it's not worth ruining your life for such scum! Really!"

She worried that the boy might do something terrible in a moment of impulsiveness. It might seem like he could vent his anger and solve the immediate problem, but it would have far-reaching consequences.

She didn't want this boy to go down a path of crime because of something like this; that's not the kind of life a boy like him should have.

Damn it, it's all my fault.

I wish I hadn't asked him to come to the bar to keep me company.

Gen Tsukino reached out his hand.

"Clap."

"Oh, what are you doing!"

Sakuraba Yuki, covering her forehead, glared at the boy with a flushed face.

He actually flicked his finger on his own forehead! Does he still think he's an elder or his homeroom teacher?
Tsukino Gen chuckled and said, "I don't know what you're thinking. I'm not going to kill or hurt anyone, so what are you afraid of?"

"Then how do you say he'll apologize?"

Gen Tsukino leaned back on the sofa, looking mysterious and unpredictable, his tone relaxed and at ease.

"Don't worry about any of this. Get some sleep and don't even think about quitting. Don't worry, this will all be resolved when you wake up from your sleep."

Sakuraba Yuki recalled a long time ago, when she was still in school, and there were always endless things to deal with and some annoying troubles every day.

My roommates would comfort me, saying, "What's done is done, just go to sleep. When you wake up, you'll find it's not such a big deal."

But she knew perfectly well that such words were just psychological comfort; the real problems would never be solved by sleeping it off.

He's definitely going to do something.
After thinking for a moment, she could only say, "Anyway, don't put yourself in a dangerous situation. The teacher has already caused you enough trouble this time, and we really can't let you get hurt any more."

"So you know you're causing me trouble?"

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person.

Sakuraba Yuki was stunned for a moment. She wanted to retort loudly, but she had no confidence at all and could only mutter in a somewhat sullen tone.

"I didn't mean to. I won't do it again."

"This is not your fault, teacher."

Gen Tsukino said in a gentle voice.

"Those who want to persecute you will find another opportunity, if not this time. It will be either me or someone else."

Sakuraba Yuki really wanted to answer at this moment: besides you, who else could she invite to drink with her?
But after thinking about it, I decided against it. It would be strange to say it out loud, and it would make the atmosphere ambiguous. It's not something I should say either. Wouldn't that be like making an implication?
restraint!

calm down!

wide awake!

Don't let alcohol cause you to act crazy!

"When you encounter this kind of person, how can you look for the problem within yourself? The saying 'flies don't land on eggs without cracks' is problematic in itself; we should be dealing with the flies."

Listening to the boy's words, and considering all his actions just now.

Sakuraba Yuki still felt it was somewhat unreal.

"You seem completely different from before."

Gen shrugged. "Who can be exactly the same every day? But don't worry, my terror is never meant for you."

"Pfft. What's a kid like you doing pretending to be a superhero? Are you making a movie?"

Although Yuki Sakuraba said this, her heart was beating a little fast.

Considering the image of him rushing towards Shinji Yamaguchi earlier, she had to admit that the warmth he was offering now was reliable, practical, and very convincing.

He wasn't a student who needed his protection at all; in fact, he was the one protecting her.

Gen Tsukino propped himself up on his knees.

"Alright, that's all for tonight. You should get some rest, teacher."

"Hey, are you going back?"

"Or should I sleep here?"

Sakuraba Yuki blushed.

What am I asking myself?

She had really drunk too much, and her mind was all over the place. She tried to cover it up by tidying up her clothes, which weren't actually that messy.

"No, that's not what I meant. I just told you to be careful on your way home."

"I'm the one protecting you now, so don't worry about anything else."

His smile was radiant, like the rising sun melting thousands of miles of glaciers.

Even the room lights couldn't outshine his dazzling brilliance.

"."

When the boy left his home.

Sakuraba Yuki seemed to have lost all her strength and sank deep into the sofa.

So many things happened today, so inexplicably, it was like something out of a movie.
His appearance was timely, just like those heroes in movies.

But given her own identity, it seems impossible for her to be the female lead, right?
He said he's fine. Is he really fine?

He really loves to show off; the memory in my mind is stuck on the last words the other person said before leaving.

She was so tired of thinking that she didn't even bother to correct the incorrect suggestions in her subconscious.

Hugging my soft body, I drifted off to sleep on the sofa.

But a smile played on her lips, and she forgot her anxiety and panic, feeling only peace of mind.

After leaving the other party's apartment, Tsukino Gen immediately made a phone call.

"Kawakami, I have something for you to do. It's quite simple."

"Give you one day."

The cruel moonlight coldly shone on the boy's emotionless face.

Like a cold, desolate world, the only remaining human statue.

……

(End of this chapter)