Kurenai Yuhi suddenly sucked in a breath of cold air.
That small face, which had just been flushed with a rosy hue, instantly crumpled in pain.
She subconsciously raised her right hand, wanting to press her neck and shoulder, but her movements were stiff due to the pain.
Aokawa's brow furrowed, and the tenderness in his eyes was quickly replaced by concern.
"What's wrong? Where are you hurt?"
He took a step forward, wanting to check her injuries.
Kurenai Yuhi dodged a bit out of embarrassment, rubbing her shoulder with a bitter smile. "No... I'm not hurt."
"It's just that I've been doing special training with my dad lately, practicing hand signs and Genjutsu release every day."
"I've stayed in one position for too long, and my whole body is aching terribly."
Hearing that it wasn't an injury, Aokawa breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at the young girl's shoulders, which were unconsciously hunched even as she endured the pain, his heart stirred.
"This won't do. If the muscles stay tense for a long time, it will affect the flow of Chakra."
Aokawa said solemnly, "And if it's not relieved in time, it will leave hidden injuries, which is detrimental to your future cultivation."
Kurenai Yuhi blinked, somewhat confused.
"Then... then what should I do?"
"I'll give you a massage," Aokawa said naturally.
"Ah?!"
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened, her ruby-like pupils filled with panic.
The crimson flush that had just faded climbed back up her cheeks at an alarming speed.
Even her naturally pink earlobes turned bright red.
"No... no need! I can just rub it myself!"
She waved her hands repeatedly, subconsciously wanting to back away.
A man and a woman alone.
In the same room.
And... a massage?
Just thinking about that scene made Kurenai Yuhi feel like steam was about to rise from her head.
"What are you thinking?"
Aokawa was perfectly calm, even carrying a bit of the seriousness of a healer.
"I am a Medical Ninja; no one understands the structure of the human body and the distribution of Acupoints better than I do."
"Your muscles are already showing signs of strain. Ordinary kneading won't do anything."
"It must be combined with Chakra to stimulate specific Acupoints to completely relieve the fatigue."
He spoke logically, his tone full of professional confidence.
It was completely impossible to refute.
"Is... is that true?"
Kurenai Yuhi was intimidated by his serious attitude, and the panic in her eyes turned into hesitation.
"Of course. Would I harm you?"
Aokawa didn't take no for an answer, grabbing her wrist and leading her toward the narrow camp bed.
"Come, lie face down."
"But..."
Kurenai Yuhi was still hesitating, but her body had already been half-pushed and half-led to the bedside.
Looking at the bed covered with clean sheets, she swallowed hard.
Ultimately.
Under Aokawa's encouraging gaze, she still blushed and obediently took off her shoes.
She carefully climbed onto the bed.
Like a startled quail, she lay properly on the bed, her body stiff and straight.
As soon as she lay down, she suddenly sat up with a start.
"What's wrong?" Aokawa asked in confusion.
"I, I..." The flush on Kurenai Yuhi's face deepened.
She lowered her head, her voice becoming barely audible. "Lying face down... I can't breathe..."
Upon hearing this, Aokawa's gaze subconsciously drifted toward her chest, and he suddenly felt a surge of blood to his head.
He quickly took a deep breath to calm his churning emotions and grabbed a nearby pillow. "It'll be fine if you prop yourself up a bit."
"Mm." Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head with a red face, took the pillow, and lay down again.
She shyly buried her face deep into the pillow.
In an instant.
A crisp, clean scent entered her nostrils.
It was the smell of something dried in the sun, mixed with a faint scent of ink.
And a refreshing scent unique to Aokawa.
This was... where he slept every day.
As soon as this thought popped up, Kurenai Yuhi's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
Thump, thump, thump.
It was so violent it felt like it would leap out of her throat.
"Aaaah, what am I thinking!"
She squeezed her eyes shut, her hands death-gripping the pillow beneath her, her knuckles turning white from the force.
It felt like countless deer were crashing around in her heart, smashing her reason to pieces.
"Relax, don't be so nervous."
Aokawa's gentle voice came from above.
Immediately after.
A pair of warm, large hands gently rested on her shoulders.
Kurenai Yuhi's body instantly stiffened.
Her whole body was like a fully drawn bow, and even her breathing hitched for a beat.
Through the thin layer of her kimono.
She could clearly feel the temperature of those palms, continuously seeping into her skin.
It was a bit hot.
Yet it was surprisingly reassuring.
"Inhale... exhale..."
Aokawa's voice was low and magnetic, as if he were performing some kind of induction.
His fingers were long and powerful, his fingertips bearing thin calluses from years of holding Kunai.
When that slightly rough texture brushed against the delicate, porcelain-like skin of her nape.
Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but tremble slightly.
A tingling current of electricity quickly spread down her spine and throughout her body.
"Mm..."
She couldn't help but let out a very soft moan.
Aokawa's technique was indeed very professional.
His palms condensed a faint amount of Chakra, kneading her stiff Trapezius muscles with moderate pressure.
That feeling of soreness mixed with relief was like waves, constantly crashing against her nerves.
Her originally tense muscles gradually softened under the soothing of those large hands.
"The muscle knots here are a bit severe."
Aokawa said in a low voice, pressing down firmly with his thumb on an Acupoint on the inner side of her shoulder blade.
"Ah... it hurts..."
Kurenai Yuhi let out a soft cry, a layer of physiological mist appearing at the corners of her eyes.
"Bear with it, it'll be fine once it's rubbed out."
Aokawa didn't stop. Feeling the smoothness under his hands, he instead increased the pressure.
His gaze fell on the snowy-white neck exposed from her collar.
That skin was dazzlingly white, glowing with an ivory-like luster under the dim lamp light.
The fine downy hairs were clearly visible.
With his pressure, that skin was dyed with a faint pink hue, looking exceptionally enticing.
Aokawa's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
But his movements didn't pause for a second as his fingertips slowly moved down along the muscles on both sides of her spine.
The young girl's delicate and tight skin.
Even through her clothing.
That smooth sensation was still clearly transmitted.
Aokawa's eyes flickered slightly, but his movements remained very steady.
He slowly applied force, his thumbs following the texture of the muscles.
Kneading in circles, the warmth of his palms continuously seeped deep into the muscles.
After the initial tension and shyness passed, the aching muscles gradually melted under the warm kneading.
That mixture of soreness and pleasure made Kurenai Yuhi unable to resist letting out a comfortable murmur.
"Mm..."
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