I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 172 Hot Springs? Mixed Bathing? (Seeking votes at the beginning of the month!!)

The campsite outside the clubhouse.

Someone started playing guitar and singing. After listening for a while, Tsukino Gen finally realized it was the song titled "That Day I Became Melancholy." No.

The boy, who was fairly full, sat on a small folding chair and opened a can of chilled beer.

The setting sun cast its rays over the distant mountain peaks, turning the lush green trees orange-red.

Although the people there sang somewhat haphazardly, drinking and singing together was still a way of expressing youth.

It seems that there are always people expressing youth in their own way, to the point that youth seems to have become something commonplace and not worth mentioning.

"Tsuno-kun."

Aoki Shin walked over carrying a bottle of beer.

He sat down next to Tsukino Gen with a smile.

In truth, Tsukino Gen didn't harbor much hostility towards him, perhaps due to his own refined manners. Although he had some lingering thoughts, he never went too far. He always considered the feelings of everyone present and wouldn't let anyone embarrass themselves, even though he appeared to be an easily dealt with orphan.

"Aren't you going to sing karaoke with them?"

Gen Tsukino asked with a smile.

Aoki Shin smiled and said, "I'm fine with it. I've been tone-deaf since I was a child. And I haven't gotten any better as I've grown up."

Actually, what Tsukino Gen was thinking was that the singing over there was just so-so, and that being tone-deaf might have made it more fitting.

"Me too."

"Hahaha, still being modest. I believed you when you said you couldn't play tennis. Now you play tennis so well, and you grill meat so deliciously. Is there anything you can't do?"

Aoki Shin felt he had discovered the boy's attractive qualities to Asagiri Rin.

Perhaps it is this ability to bring surprises anytime, anywhere that allows him to prove to everyone that he is not only capable, but exceptionally capable, when everyone else thinks he is not good enough.

"Tennis is just my brute force, it's really not that great. As for barbecue and cooking, it's just that, it's my situation, I need to cook for myself, so it's not surprising."

Aoki Shin smiled and nodded, then extended his hand to clink glasses with the boy.

He wanted to say something, but then he saw a girl not far away who kept glancing in their direction. She looked like a princess and was sitting with several other girls, talking and eating fruit.

He thought for a moment and said, "Another feature here is the hot springs. I've heard they're quite good, would you like to try them?"

"Is this a hot spring?"

On a sweltering summer day, one might prefer to be stuffed into a refrigerator rather than bathed in a warm fountain.

"Of course, this weather is perfect for detoxification, weight loss, and improved sleep. As long as you don't soak for too long, there won't be any problems."

"Can you still understand?"

"Hahaha, it feels really special to be praised by Tsukino-kun. If you're interested in giving it a try, I won't bother you any longer."

"Okay, thank you for reminding me."

Aoki Shin carried the bottle of alcohol to the singing area; they were clearly closer friends. It seemed that Tsukino Gen was rapidly building a closer relationship with them through tennis and barbecue.

But in reality, they still belong to two different worlds.

However, he himself had no desire for any of these things, and the reason he came here was not to hope to get involved with the circles of these rich kids or to connect with higher-ups. It was simply because of Asagiri Rin.

Gen Tsukino tilted his head back and drank the ice-cold beer, then got up to find a place to lie down for a while. He wasn't particularly tired, just a little bored.

But before he could get up, a familiar yet unfamiliar scent wafted from behind him, causing him to stop.

Turn around.

Then I saw the rose gold swaying.

"Hmm? Ms. Miura."

Ayaka Miura then circled around from behind Gen Tsukino to the side of the boy.

Instead of going to the side with the empty chair, she squatted down right next to Tsukino Gen.

Her legs were pressed together, highlighting her full, beautiful knees, which were free of any dark color.

"Your grilled meat was delicious."

She was holding a bottle of Ramune soda, orange flavor.

There were traces of bright lipstick left on the tip of the straw inserted inside.

"Hmm? You ate some?"

Gen Tsukino was somewhat surprised. Although quite a few people came to share the meat when he was grilling, he clearly remembered that Ayaka Miura wasn't among them. It was normal to have a strong impression of Ayaka Miura. After all, she was arguably the most unique woman present, second only to Rin Asagiri.

Ayaka Miura nodded, her ponytail still tied up, the middle parting in front of her forehead swaying with it.

It makes it look even more blank.

"I had someone else share it with me, and I was wondering who baked it so deliciously, only to find out it was you who baked it."

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, it's not that exaggerated."

Ayaka Miura hugged her knees with a hint of regret, took a sip of soda, and said softly, "I'm not exaggerating, it's a pity I only got to eat one piece."

Why didn't you come to pick it up later?

"Don't dare."

"Ok?"

Gen Tsukino paused for a moment, then followed Ayaka Miura's gaze to the other side, where the young lady was watching him.

Those pitch-black pupils seemed to transform into tangible rays, like something out of a science fiction movie, severing him and Ayaka Miura in half at the waist.

Clearly, she was more concerned about her interactions with this woman.

However, he is not her boyfriend, so theoretically he has the right to be completely free.

"It's not that scary, is it? Asagiri is actually quite kind."

As he said this, Tsukino Gen smiled at the gaze directed at Kiri Rin, but the girl merely snorted and proudly turned her face away, refusing to look at him again.

It was as if he was silently telling Tsukino Gen with this gesture: You better watch yourself!
"Really? So it seems that Miss Asagiri is only kind to you?"

Ayaka Miura blinked and smiled as she spoke.

"I'm not so honored. Aren't you tired of squatting like that?"

Gen Tsukino looked at the other person curiously, just squatting there, although the posture was actually very beautiful, like taking a photo.

But it made me seem rather ungentlemanly. There were so many empty chairs right there, yet I didn't even offer one to the other person.
"It's okay. Someone else sat in that chair just now, so I didn't really want to sit there."

"And he's a germaphobe?"

It seems like there are more and more people with obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness these days. I don't know if they're just trying to create a persona or if they're genuinely obsessed with cleanliness.

She looked at herself and said, "But I can sit in this chair of yours."

Sure enough, she's trying to create a persona.

Gen Tsukino smiled and brought over the chair that was far away; it was the one that Shin Aoki had never sat in.

No one has sat in this seat.

Ayaka Miura blinked curiously. "I thought you would give up the seat you were sitting on."

"Don't you have OCD?"

"Just kidding, hehe."

She even stuck out her tongue playfully, behaving like a little girl.

Creating disharmony also creates a certain contrast.

However, Tsukino Gen had already stood up. "Where are you going?"

Ayaka Miura asked curiously, biting her lip.

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "I heard the hot springs here are nice. I'm planning to go soak in them."

"Did you know there's a mixed-gender bath here?"

Ayaka Miura suddenly uttered this somewhat strange and ambiguous statement.

"I don't quite understand what you mean, Ms. Miura?"

Ayaka Miura feigned surprise, widening her eyes as if she belatedly realized something.

“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. I meant that you might want to give it a try with Ms. Asagiri.”

"Thank you for reminding me."

Gen Tsukino smiled kindly and then walked towards Rin Asagiri.

Having grown accustomed to being a lone wolf, it seems time to return to the harbor. Lighthouses are for those who are lost, while the shore is for heroes.

Among the people next to Asagiri Rin was Ms. Matsushita, who had previously played tennis with Tsukino Gen.

When Gen Tsukino came over, Matsushita glared fiercely at him.

It was as if they wanted to devour the boy alive.

"What are you doing here? Xiao Lin is mine!"

She grabbed Asagiri Rin's arm as if to show off. It was clear that Asagiri Rin was somewhat resistant to physical contact with both men and women, and her expression seemed a little embarrassed.

However, she did not break free at this moment, as if she wanted to deliberately see the boy's reaction.

"Nothing, just bored. How about we go play a few more rounds of tennis?"

Gen Tsukino asked with a smile.

Upon hearing the word "tennis," Matsushita reacts as if he's in a state of stress, much like Hakimi.

Her face turned pale instantly, and her wheat-colored skin looked like it was turning the color of a dandelion.

"You...you're trying to bully me again!"

Hajison's speech became slurred.

Tsukino Gen chuckled and said, "No, I just heard you were the third-place winner in the national tournament, so I was just planning to learn a few moves from you."

"Learn what?! You're playing so well just to embarrass me. Xiao Lin~ look at her~"

This sounds strange.

Where did the green tea come from?
Asagiri Rin finally managed to escape Matsushita's embrace. She straightened her clothes slightly and then looked at Tsukino Gen.

"What are you doing here? We were having such a pleasant chat, aren't you going to chat a bit more?"

Upon hearing Asagiri Rin's words, Matsushita realized something and immediately became sarcastic.

"Oh yeah~ You're having a great chat with that guy Miura. What's wrong? Are men's interests so short-lived? You're already getting bored and want to try something new?"

Gen Tsukino smiled and glanced at Matsushita.

Matsushita shuddered.

I always feel like the other person is about to do something terrible to me with just a glance.

Then, Tsukino Gen's gaze casually shifted away, staring straight at Asagiri Rin.

"Want to go soak in the hot springs? I heard the hot springs here are nice."

Asagiri Rin narrowed her eyes and stared at the boy. "He has ill intentions."

Matsushita snapped out of her daze. "What are you thinking? Even if we're going to soak in a hot spring, Rin will be with me!"

Gen Tsukino completely ignored the girl's words and then reached out his hand to Rin Asagiri.

Every time a man reaches out, it is a brave adventure, representing the courage to face rejection and the ability to maintain dignity and elegance even in the face of failure.

"There's a mixed-gender bath here, wanna go?"

Matsushita was furious.

"What a pervert!" Then she looked nervously at Asagiri Rin, "Don't agree to this bastard's request! He was just chatting with other women!"

Asagiri Rin, on the other hand, kept her eyes half-closed as she looked at Tsukino Gen.

Do you know how to give massages?

"The technique is top-notch."

"Give it a try."

She gracefully extended her hand and placed it in the boy's palm.

And so, to Matsushita's astonishment, they walked toward the cluster of buildings not far away.

……

(End of this chapter)