Shinji quickly withdrew his hand, sucking in a sharp breath, and couldn't help but gently shake it.
His hand had just been mercilessly slapped away by Kurenai.
He raised his hand to look at the back of it, which was slightly reddened and tingling with a faint numbness.
Shinji looked at her pitifully: "Kurenai, you're too harsh."
"Serves you right! Who told you to push your luck?"
Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed with embarrassment, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help curling into a faint smile.
She withdrew her legs, placed her hands on the bluestone beneath her, and stood up.
Shinji inwardly lamented the loss, his gaze lingering for a moment longer on her slender, jade-like legs.
They were truly worthy of being admired for years; there would definitely be more opportunities in the future!
Kurenai Yuhi clasped her hands behind her back and whispered, "Next time... if you really like them, then next time..."
She gently bit her lower lip, lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.
Though usually lively and outgoing, when facing someone she liked, Kurenai Yuhi would also show this shy side.
She subtly pressed her legs together, clearly feeling Shinji's intense gaze, yet a faint, sweet sense of secret delight welled up in her heart.
She knew better than anyone that it was Shinji's undisguised infatuation with her.
Shinji also understood the implication behind her words. He walked up to her with a grin, reached out to ruffle the top of her head, and said softly,
"Then it's settled. No going back on your word."
Kurenai Yuhi also smiled, actively linking her arm with his.
Shinji looked up at the sky; the light was gradually fading. A series of "gurgling" sounds came from his stomach.
He patted his belly and looked at Kurenai: "It's getting late. Let me treat you to dinner."
"Alright," Kurenai Yuhi agreed with a smile.
The two exchanged a smile, arm in arm, and left the Third Training Ground together.
They had a simple meal at a snack shop in Konohagakure's commercial district. Afterwards, Shinji walked Kurenai Yuhi all the way to her doorstep.
The lights inside were bright, as if someone was quietly waiting for Kurenai's return.
Parting was imminent.
"Kurenai, goodnight," Shinji waved.
As soon as the words left his mouth, a faint, fragrant breeze brushed against his face.
Kurenai Yuhi suddenly took a step forward, reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and gently kissed his cheek.
A fleeting touch, then she pulled away.
With her hands behind her back, she slowly retreated a few steps, waving at Shinji with a smile: "Goodnight, Shinji!"
With that, she turned, pushed open her front door, and went inside.
Shinji raised his hand to gently touch the cheek she had kissed, where the warmth of her gentleness still lingered.
Watching Kurenai's figure disappear behind the door, he sighed softly in his heart:
"Kurenai really is a good girl..."
"A girl like this, I absolutely must not miss out."
...
The next day.
Shinji left home early in the morning, directly crossing through most of Konohagakure to arrive at the western side of the village.
He walked familiarly into Tsunade's residence, took a pair of slippers from the shoe rack in the entryway, changed into them, and unceremoniously headed inside.
Every so often, Tsunade would check his progress in learning Medical Ninjutsu.
On previous occasions, he had sent Shadow Clones over. Both Tsunade and Shizune had never treated him as an outsider, always welcoming him warmly.
Since Shinji was happy to be generous, his unpretentious attitude actually brought him closer to Tsunade and Shizune.
After all, he was the disciple Tsunade had personally accepted.
No matter how casual Tsunade appeared on the surface, Shinji had already been marked as part of Tsunade's lineage.
Inside the house, Shizune was wearing an old coat with an apron tied around her waist, clearly in the middle of cleaning. Seeing Shinji enter, she took off her mask and greeted him with a smile.
"Shinji, you're here."
Shinji nodded slightly. "Where's Teacher Tsunade?"
Shizune sighed softly and pointed upstairs.
"Lady Tsunade is still sleeping in," she said, pursing her lips. "She drank late into the night again. If you're looking for her, you'll probably have to wait a while."
Shinji felt a bit embarrassed inwardly and glanced at the clock on the wall, its hands steadily pointing to nine o'clock.
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
It seemed Tsunade had enjoyed herself drinking again last night; otherwise, she wouldn't still be in bed at this hour.
This teacher of his had really let herself go since returning to Konohagakure.
The image of Tsunade in his mind crumbled once more, inexplicably taking on the aura of a slovenly middle-aged man.
And yet, she herself was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
Shinji shook his head, feeling the contrast was almost overwhelming.
He stepped forward, picked up a broom, cloth, and other cleaning tools, and offered to help Shizune.
"Then I'll wait here for Teacher. Shizune, let me help you."
Shizune thanked him. "Thank you so much."
With Shinji's assistance, the cleaning of Tsunade's house progressed quickly, and before long, the entire place was spotless.
Shinji wiped the light sweat from his forehead and sat down on the living room sofa. Shizune brought over two cups of hot tea, handing one to him.
"Thanks for your hard work, Shinji."
Shinji took a sip of tea and smiled. "It's only right. We're both Teacher Tsunade's students, after all."
Shizune covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"By the way, how are things between you and Kurenai lately?"
Shinji nearly choked.
"Cough, cough, why ask that all of a sudden?"
"Do you think I didn't notice? Last time in the capital of the Land of Fire, Kurenai went out with you at night, didn't she?"
"...Alright, I was with her that night."
"Shinji, you're something else. Don't worry, I won't gossip about it to outsiders."
The two chatted idly, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.
The clock on the wall slowly chimed eleven o'clock.
"Dong—dong—"
Shinji looked up at the ceiling, faintly hearing some movement from upstairs.
"Lady Tsunade seems to be awake," Shizune said, immediately standing up.
Then, both of them turned their gaze toward the staircase.
They saw Tsunade holding her forehead as she slowly descended the stairs, her bare feet making soft sounds on the wooden floor.
"My head hurts so much. A hangover is truly awful."
She rubbed her temples, and the strap of her blue-and-white camisole slipped off her left shoulder, revealing a patch of smooth skin.
Shinji coughed lightly and quickly averted his gaze.
"Ah!"
Shizune's cheeks flushed bright red, and she rushed over immediately.
"Lady Tsunade! Shinji is here, please mind your appearance!"
She hurriedly adjusted Tsunade's clothes to cover the exposed area, then turned to Shinji and shouted, "Shinji, don't look!"
Shinji kept his head turned away, nodding repeatedly. "Uh, I won't look, I won't look."
Only then did Tsunade notice Shinji in the living room. Unconcerned about whether she might be exposed, her tone carried a hint of teasing instead.
"Oh? It's you. Today isn't the day to check your study progress."
"What's the matter?"
Shinji shook his head helplessly, his expression turning serious.
"Teacher Tsunade, I came to see you today because I wanted to ask you to help me check my body."
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