Asuma was still dressed in his classic outfit: a green ninja combat uniform, with the Fire-character waistcloth tied around his waist, symbolizing the honor of guarding the daimyo.
"Yo!"
Behind him, only one dead-fish eye was visible. Kakashi, who had been staring at the little green book in his hands the whole time, also lifted his gaze and raised a hand.
"What a coincidence," Asuma immediately laughed.
"Yeah, it really is quite a coincidence," Kurenai responded very calmly.
She understood his feelings. Even though she had clearly rejected him last time, Asuma obviously had not let go yet.
Mainly because she had been single before, but now things were different. So this was a good opportunity to make things clear.
Although dating her own scumbag student was indeed a bit embarrassing.
But liking was liking, and not liking was not liking.
"Asuma…"
"Aoba and Anko are here too?"
However, before she could finish speaking, Asuma, who had been momentarily stunned, noticed the quietly standing Aoba beside her, as well as Anko wearing a full-on spectator expression, and said in surprise.
"Asuma-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, good afternoon."
Aoba also greeted them with a smile.
But his choice of address made the corners of both men's mouths twitch.
They were considered the same generation as Kurenai and Anko, so the girls got called "Nee-san," while the guys got called "Sensei," right?
Anko also smiled and waved at the two of them.
"Asuma, Kakashi, you're here to eat ramen too?"
Kakashi glanced at the hands of Aoba and Kurenai, interlocked finger to finger, then looked at Asuma, who appeared completely normal, and said nothing.
Asuma, however, shook his head.
"We just thought your backs looked familiar, so we came over to say hello."
"We still have things to do, so we'll be going."
After saying that, without giving Kurenai a chance to speak, he directly let the curtain fall and left.
"So he just left like that," Anko blinked, then said suspiciously, "But was Asuma really just here to say hello?"
Based on past experience, as long as Kurenai did not show any intention of sending him away, Asuma would definitely stay and chat for a bit.
"He probably already noticed my relationship with Kurenai-nee."
Aoba looked at Kurenai and suddenly said in a deliberately affected tone, "Kurenai-nee won't blame me, right?"
"Act normal!", Kurenai could not help rolling her eyes. She tugged on his cheek and continued, "I was already planning to make things clear to Asuma. It's fine that he noticed on his own. That way it won't be too awkward."
"What kind of riddles are you two speaking?", Seeing the two of them ignore her and flirt on their own, Anko leaned her head over, clearly dissatisfied.
"It was just eating together. How did Asuma notice… huh?"
Before she could finish speaking, she saw their fingers tightly interlocked and immediately understood why Asuma had suddenly left.
Finding out that the goddess who had rejected him not long ago was now eating out with another guy, fingers interlaced, rather than staying behind to be awkward, it was better to leave with style.
"Damn it! Kurenai, you sneaked ahead again!"
After realizing this, Anko immediately became indignant and grabbed Aoba's other hand.
"..."
Kurenai could not be bothered to argue with Anko, this hyperactive troublemaker. She simply leaned her body closer to Aoba, as if nestling against him.
And Ayame, who had been quietly observing everything in secret and had just witnessed a full losing-heroine plus love-triangle drama, could not help sighing inwardly.
She suddenly realized that compared to girls their own age like Tenten and Ino, Aoba seemed to prefer older women instead.
Yugao aside, Anko and Kurenai seemed even older than Yugao by quite a bit.
———
"Hah!"
After leaving Ichiraku Ramen and walking a bit further, Asuma finally let out a long breath.
His previously straight posture suddenly slumped, and his whole body sank into dejection and loss.
His eyes were filled with disbelief, confusion, and helplessness.
As if the whole world had died. Asuma really wanted to cry hard right now, but somehow could not.
"Sigh!"
Kakashi could not help sighing as well. He patted Asuma on the shoulder.
"Try to take it easier."
Asuma clenched his fist. There was no anger, only emptiness, "I don't understand. How would Kurenai choose Aoba…"
Kakashi blinked and compared Aoba and Asuma in all aspects in his head.
'Yeah, no need to think about it.'
'Asuma doesn't stand a chance.'
'No, not completely. At least Asuma is more devoted.'
'Maybe some girls just like bad boys.' [T/N: Most]
Girls in the real world were something he did not understand. So he did not say any of that. He just patted Asuma on the shoulder again.
"Maybe it's because all these years, Aoba has always been by Kurenai's side."
"But… doesn't Aoba already have Ino and the others? And Kurenai is so much older than Aoba…"
Asuma still looked completely unable to believe it, utterly confused.
Kakashi could only shake his head.
Then he handed the hardcover copy of Icha Icha Paradise in his hand to Asuma.
"Take this book and use it for a while. This is my treasure. Remember to return it after you finish reading."
"W-what?"
Asuma took Kakashi's "treasure" with a dazed expression, not understanding what he meant.
"Ninjas don't necessarily need women. Being single and free is pretty nice too, Asuma."
This time, Kakashi patted Asuma's shoulder solemnly, then pushed the already-placed Icha Icha Paradise further into his arms.
"Get some good rest tonight. Don't stay up late."
———
The matter of Aoba being with Kurenai did not cause any special incidents in Konoha.
Asuma also seemed to have found a brand-new hobby, showing signs of heading down the same path as Kakashi, sealing off his heart from love.
Aoba also lived a period of simple daily life.
He cherished this simple routine very much. After all, the day he would become Hokage was getting closer and closer. Once he became Hokage, he definitely would not be able to be as relaxed as he was now.
It was just that when accompanying several girls on dates, they were becoming bolder and bolder.
However, before becoming Hokage in the New Year, the notice of his promotion to jonin was issued first.
"Very good. From now on, you're a jonin."
With a light remark, Tsunade confirmed the fact that Aoba had now become a jonin.
Shizune, standing to the side, handed him the jonin vest in her hands and smiled.
"Congratulations, Aoba."
Although he might very well become Hokage in a little while, congratulations were still in order.
"Thank you, Shizune-nee."
Aoba accepted it obediently, then looked at Tsunade.
"Sensei, is there anything else?"
"No. I still have a meeting later. You can go."
Tsunade waved her hand impatiently.
When she had her pants on, she was confident.
Aoba felt a bit speechless but did not say anything. After saying goodbye to Shizune, he left the office.
But he had not walked far when he ran into Mabui, who was clearly waiting for him.
"Mabui, is something the matter?"
Mabui hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question that was on her mind.
"Lord Aoba, I heard, you're about to become Hokage?"
Aoba raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Where did you hear that?"
"Uh…"
Could she say she guessed?
Aoba did not make things difficult for this cute white-haired, dark-skinned mature lady. He reached out and rubbed her short white hair.
"More or less. When the time comes, you and Samui will be my personal secretaries."
Mabui was shocked.
"P-personal secretaries?"
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