I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 176 The White Horse and Its Prince

After the rain in the empty mountains, autumn comes late.

No, it's not autumn yet.

But when Gen Tsukino opened his eyes, he felt as if he were waking up from a warm bed in winter.

Not only does it have a comfortable temperature and a soft bed, but it also has a lingering fragrance that makes you not want to wake up. It feels like arms wrapped around your collarbone and neck, and a warm body almost embedded in your body.

They all seem to be experiences that haunt one's dreams.

Especially that flawless profile, like a piece of beautiful jade. Even just one side, even with much of it hidden by her black hair, reveals its beauty.

She was asleep, and dawn was breaking outside, but the light in her eyes had not yet appeared.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her eyes and brows were as serene as a spring that had not yet awakened.

The boy, who wasn't used to sleeping naked, wore a shirt and turned to look at the sky outside, where the rain had stopped.

There was an indescribable sense of beauty and peace, perhaps because the girl was by my side, and the fact that she didn't say a word was like a double blessing.

However, as far as I can remember, this is one of the few times I've spent the night away from home.

The phrase "few" sounds reassuring, but in many cases, once it happens, it happens countless times. Doesn't this encourage certain unhealthy trends?
"Ugh"

A sigh for no apparent reason.

It caused a commotion nearby.

Her eyes opened a crack, and she glanced at the boy beside her, seemingly not quite understanding what was happening. Everyone's mind was equally blank after just starting up.

She quickly realized that this was not an accident. The memories of last night were still vivid in her mind, and she pressed her head even closer to the boy's arm.

"Um"

It emitted a soft, reluctant whining sound that any ordinary person would make when they wake up in the morning.

It's like being forced to open your eyes and face another day of hard work—that's incredibly painful, of course it is. Otherwise, why would so many people, even when they're exhausted, stay in bed scrolling through their phones until the wee hours? Isn't it just to experience their precious moments of 'freedom'?

"Wake you up?"

Gen Tsukino tilted his head and asked softly, while reaching out to gently tuck the strands of hair covering her face behind her ear, revealing a more complete profile. Her delicate, milky-white skin was breathtakingly smooth and beautiful, even just a light touch of his fingertips was enough to amaze one.

"You woke up really early."

She muttered something and reluctantly turned over.

He lay flat on his back with his hands by his sides, like a protagonist lying at a funeral.

"It's alright, my biological clock forces me to wake up at this time, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Then why are you sighing? You found yourself lying next to me first thing in the morning, are you in a bad mood?"

She turned her head to the side, and Tsukino Gen always felt it was a great pity that her beautiful face was only used for glaring at people.

He thought for a moment and said, "There's a kind of strong woman who has adhered to the principle of drinking with others but never sleeping with them for a long time, but in the end she still couldn't resist the temptation and finally broke her bottom line. That's the feeling of helplessness."

"Pfft."

The girl burst out laughing, her body trembling with the laughter.

"I didn't know you used to work in Kabukicho!"

"It's a capacity for empathy, which we boys are born with."

"Stop being disgusting. You're probably secretly overjoyed, and after waking up you're probably still wondering if you're dreaming, right? Being able to wake up in the same bed as me is a blessing you've accumulated over several lifetimes, understand?"

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment.

"So, you got your period last night, does that mean you've used up all your good fortune?"

".ill."

The girl turned her back, so the specially prepared nightgown was naturally not enough; it should be said that it was meant to be unique and charming.

So even with her back to Gen, the boy could clearly see the perfect curve of her back.

very nice.

truth.

I really want to give her some cupping therapy.

Gen Tsukino gently covered it.

He wrapped his arms around the girl's shoulders and easily pulled the naughty early-morning cat into his embrace; Asagiri Rin didn't struggle at all.

On the contrary, it was as if a long-awaited moment had finally arrived. She adapted naturally, even leaning back slightly.

Just this instinctive action reveals a man's natural instincts.

She blushed and shrank back.

"Are you never going to stop?"

Tsukino Gen pressed himself against her, leaving her unable to struggle and allowing her to fully experience the sensation.

Then I heard Gen Tsukino's teasing voice in my ear.

"You were shaking quite a bit yesterday, but now everything's been refreshed? Are you getting shy now?"

"Boom."

The girl swung her elbow back and delivered a direct blow to Tsukino Genmamba.

Gen Tsukino wasn't in much pain, and he saw the girl's rosy cheeks. Whether or not that was true, nothing could stop the two from becoming increasingly intimate.

However, the boy didn't go too far. After all, this girl wasn't love-struck and wouldn't let him do whatever he wanted just because the relationship had progressed to a certain point.

Gen Tsukino actually admires this kind of personality: passionate enough when he's passionate, but also maintaining enough clarity.

A certain degree of selfishness is not unpleasant, especially since she possesses a truly convincing independent personality.

The two of them lay there in that position for a while.

Instead of a natural separation, Tsukino Gen's phone rang first.

When I picked it up, I saw it was a call from Sakuraba Yuki.

Gen Tsukino glanced at Rin Asagiri in his arms, but the girl had already broken free and sat up on her own, casually leaving behind the words, "If you're feeling guilty, don't answer."

That's what I said.

Gen Tsukino answered the phone directly.

"Hello, Sakuraba-sensei."

They even revealed the other person's name without any attempt at concealment.

However, Asagiri Rin didn't seem to pay much attention to this. She got up on her own, picked up her clothes, and went to the bathroom.

"Hmm, how are you now?"

The greeting this morning was rather odd. "How am I? I'm fine. Should I report my morning health to the teacher?"

"Get lost, stop talking nonsense."

"Hmm? I meant to say I'm a little groggy, because I just woke up. Why am I talking nonsense?"

"This one"

"What else does the teacher think?"

Gen Tsukino glanced down. Good. His self-control was excellent. As soon as Rin Asagiri left, he would be able to suppress his emotions and return to normal quickly.

He is clearly a saint.

"No, it's nothing."

Gen Tsukino glanced at the phone with amusement. "Why is the teacher calling me so early, teacher?"

"Oh, by the way, Shinji Yamaguchi apologized to me. He said he wanted me to forgive him. Does that have anything to do with you?"

Upon hearing this, Tsukino Gen knew that Yamaguchi Shinji's apology to Sakuraba Yuki went far beyond that, containing an element of 'complaint.' For example, he might have said things like his life was completely ruined and his future was bleak. However, Sakuraba Yuki naturally wouldn't say these things, because doing so would seem blaming or resentful. Even if this whole situation was truly caused by Tsukino Gen, what right did he have to blame him?
She was indeed determined to be a good teacher, but as she grew up, she also realized that not everyone deserved her respect. Besides, Shinji Yamaguchi's actions had almost ruined two people; even if she herself was kind, what right did she have to represent Gen Tsukino's will?

She didn't know what she was thinking when she made that phone call. She didn't really want Tsukino Gen to be the one who did it, because it would mean that the boy was more terrifying than she thought, and had a more complicated background and relationships.

But she also understood how difficult it would be for a boy like that to survive in this society if he didn't have the means to protect himself.

So she herself didn't understand the meaning of that phone call. Perhaps she just wanted to hear his voice at that moment.

"Oh, what does that have to do with me? I'm just a high school student, do you think I have connections to everyone?"

"But if that's the case... um, I understand."

An instinctive rebuttal, a growing suspicion, and then it all vanished.

This clever woman clearly realized that if the other person was unwilling to tell her, it meant that the less she knew, the better.

Doesn't this make people even more worried about his own situation?

"Hmm, maybe it's just a sudden pang of conscience. After all, I've always believed in karma and retribution. He was just unlucky, and his retribution came a little faster."

"Pfft. What a coincidence. Okay, I won't ask about that anymore, but you need to be careful. No matter what, you know, all I ever wanted was for you to live a healthy and normal life in this city, just like everyone else."

"That's all."

The last few words were spoken so softly they were almost inaudible.

The boy holding the phone remained silent for a moment.

This seemingly inconsiderate "kindness" actually crossed some of Sakuraba Yuki's own bottom lines as a person.

The sacrifices made in terms of spirit can be considered a kind of dedication, making it impossible to criticize them further, especially since there was nothing to blame them for in the first place.

He said it softly at the end.

"I'm doing well. I wish Sakuraba-neechan a wonderful holiday too. Good morning."

"Well, good morning."

Hang up.

Asagiri Rin just came out of the bathroom.

She had changed into brand new clothes, not even the same outfit as yesterday. A loose black T-shirt and denim shorts.

She looked less dignified and elegant than usual, but more youthful and vibrant. However, any style suits her perfectly.

"Finished?"

Gen Tsukino nodded and then looked at the other person, "I also need to change my clothes, could you excuse me for a moment?"

"You seemed to be having a lot of fun licking it yesterday, and now you've refreshed your memory too?"

Even with her face slightly flushed, the girl retorted, truly the most vengeful cat ever.

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. It's not like I have some kind of special fetish."

At most, I'd just kiss her fair and delicate legs.
I'm not a bloodthirsty butcher, I can't just eat anything I want, can I?
"Hmph, wear it now, no one cares about the few pounds of flesh on your body."

"Really? Who was it that had their eyes light up when they saw abs yesterday?"

Asagiri Rin turned her head away. "Who knows who you're talking about?"

Gen Tsukino had already gotten up, but fragments of last night were still swirling in her mind.

It was an inescapable, alluring clue. As the budding desires of young boys and girls began to intertwine, every inch of his body unexpectedly drew their attention in the darkness.

Whether it's her sculpted collarbones and chest muscles, or her perfectly proportioned waist and hips, she couldn't help but reach out and touch them.

They prefer to leave their own mark with their lips and teeth.

Who says only male animals mark their territory? Everything that belongs to her must bear her own mark.

Is it difficult to admit that you are also a womanizer?

Gen Tsukino easily put on his pants, walked past the girl, and headed to the bathroom.

When he started brushing his teeth and washing his face, he noticed bright red marks on his neck and collarbone. They weren't lipstick marks; they were evidence of their past fierce struggle.

"Probably someone born in the Year of the Dog."

He smiled and didn't deliberately use his internal energy to clear these things away. He wanted to let her sense of accomplishment last a little longer.

What are you talking about behind my back?

In the mirror, there was a picture of Asagiri Rin leaning against the bathroom door, coldly staring at herself.

Tsukino Gen smiled and said, "I say, as expected of Rin-san, even her strawberry cultivation has such an artistic flair."

"You can get it tattooed on your body if you like."

"I'm not a delinquent, and I don't have a penchant for tattoos."

"Really? How could a delinquent youth ruin a doctor's reputation?"

Gen Tsukino paused, turning his head, not out of surprise that the other knew about this, but...
"You were originally planning to handle this for me?"

Asagiri Rin rolled her eyes. "Narcissist."

She then turned around gracefully and said, "Come out and have breakfast quickly. I want to go to the horse farm."

"Oh."

Although she denied it, the answer was obvious: if she hadn't intended to help him, he wouldn't have learned so much.

Miss Cat is vengeful; she holds grudges no matter whose it is.

After leaving the bathroom, Tsukino Gen and Asagiri Rin had breakfast in the lobby on the first floor of the club. It consisted of some breakfast items that looked high-end but weren't particularly delicious. The only thing that Tsukino Gen found appealing was the refreshing iced black tea.

He then walked with the girl to the horse farm; it was almost ten o'clock by then.

The club manager enthusiastically introduced the horses in the stable to the two of them, but Asagiri Rin seemed uninterested and didn't even bother to look at what the horses looked like.

She simply looked at Tsukino Gen and asked, "Which one do you like?"

Gen Tsukino feigned surprise as he looked at the girl. "Are you going to give me a horse? But we're not in the age of cold weapons anymore. You can't just ride a horse around the city, can you?"

The person in charge next to him twitched at the corner of his mouth.

What a joke! Who gives away horses these days? Remy Martin or a BMW?
"You're overthinking it. I'll take some pictures of you riding it."

Am I your photo model?

"If you won't film me, find someone else."

Gen Tsukino pulled on the reins of a white horse, saying, "I'm your personal model."

"Humph."

The girl hummed softly, but the corners of her lips had already unconsciously turned up.

Soon they arrived at the horse farm together. The smell wasn't very pleasant, and the somewhat fastidious young lady didn't want to experience riding a horse, so everything was just as she had initially described.

Gen Tsukino rode his horse around the horse farm, while Rin Asagiri took photos.

There was no particular reason, it's just that I haven't updated my photo album in a long time. The last photo was one he took of me sleeping on his shoulder.

The instructor, who was in charge of teaching people to ride horses, looked a little embarrassed. After all, he had prepared to 'serve' this distinguished guest, but he did not expect that this seemingly ordinary-looking boy did not need his help at all.

Mounting the horse was a smooth and easy process.

Even with the sunlight shining on him as he rode his white horse, he looked like a real prince on a white horse, only he had chosen to travel incognito.

This attracted the attention of tourists, and it wasn't just Asagiri Rin who was taking pictures.

Soon after, a large, obese man rushed into the horse riding area and shouted at Tsukino Gen, who was still riding a horse.

"Why are there still people riding horses? Where is the person in charge? Didn't we tell you to start clearing the area? This is Miss Mochizuki's performance! You want to impose a penalty for breach of contract, huh?!"

……

(End of this chapter)