After night fell—
Akira and Kurenai returned together.
Kurenai, still flushed—
Her beautiful face carrying lingering traces of shyness—
Made it obvious something had happened.
"You two…"
Anko narrowed her eyes—
Looking back and forth between them—
Her expression full of suspicion.
"What were you doing all day?"
"Training."
Akira answered calmly.
Kurenai, however—
Avoided her gaze slightly—
Her cheeks heating up again.
"Training?"
Anko clearly didn't believe it.
She crossed her arms—
Snorting lightly:
"You think I'm that easy to fool?"
Her sharp intuition—
Had already sensed something unusual.
Especially—
The way Kurenai looked now—
Radiant, glowing—
Completely different from before.
Even her chakra—
Seemed stronger.
"What, don't tell me you're jealous?"
Akira smiled teasingly.
"Jealous? Of you?"
Anko scoffed—
But her eyes flickered slightly.
"Who would be jealous of a little brat like you?"
"Really?"
Akira stepped closer—
Leaning slightly toward her:
"Then why do I feel like someone's a bit sour?"
"You—!"
Anko glared at him—
But didn't deny it immediately.
In fact—
Seeing how close he and Kurenai had become—
She did feel a little uncomfortable.
After all—
She had known him longer.
"Fine!"
She suddenly crossed her arms tighter—
Lifting her chin:
"If you can make Kurenai this strong in one day…"
"Then I want in too!"
"No way I'm falling behind her!"
"Kurenai-sis, what do you think?"
Akira turned—
Smiling at Kurenai.
"This…"
Kurenai hesitated slightly.
Thinking about everything that had happened today—
Especially the… special training—
Her face reddened again.
But—
After a brief pause—
She nodded softly:
"If Anko wants to join… I don't mind."
"Good!"
Anko's eyes lit up instantly.
She stepped forward—
Grabbing Akira's arm directly:
"Then it's settled!"
"When do we start?"
"Tomorrow."
Akira said with a faint smile.
"But… my training isn't something ordinary people can handle."
"Hah?"
Anko raised an eyebrow:
"You're underestimating me?"
"I'm a jonin too, you know."
"I know."
Akira chuckled:
"But don't cry when it gets tough."
"Who would cry!"
Anko snorted—
Clearly unconvinced.
Watching the two—
Kurenai couldn't help but smile softly.
But deep down—
She felt a strange mix of emotions.
After all—
What she and Akira shared—
Was no longer something that could be simply called "training."
Yet—
She didn't stop it.
Perhaps—
She had already accepted—
That this young man—
Would never belong to her alone.
...
The next morning—
A new round of "training"—
Was about to begin.
You can read extra chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023