On this road, only Hakushi and Ruri were walking.
But on the riverbank, there were some Ninja School kids who had not yet gone home, tirelessly playing ninja games.
Seeing this scene, Hakushi stopped in his tracks.
"What's wrong?"
Ruri also stopped and turned her head to look at his face.
"Nothing, just seeing them like this makes me nostalgic for the past."
Hakushi gazed at the students playing ninja games on the riverbank, a look of reflection on his face.
Vaguely, Hakushi recalled something.
"Speaking of which, the scene of us leaving Ninja School and going home together felt like we were really back in our student days."
After Hakushi finished speaking, it also triggered Ruri's memories of the past.
As her parents were often away for business and not at home, during her childhood and into her youth, Hakushi played an irreplaceable role in her life.
In the past, while studying at Ninja School, just as Hakushi said, they always went to and from school together, almost inseparable every day.
"Why did you suddenly bring this up?"
"I was thinking... it would be nice if things could always be this way. Because we are the best partners."
Hakushi looked up at the distant sunset, and under its glow, his face appeared gentler than usual.
Upon hearing this, Ruri suddenly felt a pang of emptiness, as if something was missing in her heart.
Just partners?
"Let's hurry back, after going home we still have to..."
Ruri was about to quicken her pace home, but at this moment, her hand was suddenly wrapped by something.
This prevented her from taking a step forward, leaving her standing still.
With a surprised expression, Ruri turned her head, slightly lowering it.
It was a man's broad hand.
Carefully and gently holding her hand, preventing her from breaking free.
"Actually, many times, I don't know how to face this situation. But after I said that, I thought carefully, if it's just a partner relationship, it might not fully explain everything between us. So, how about becoming closer than just partners?"
Hakushi's face bore a calm and composed smile, asking Ruri's opinion.
"I don't understand what you're saying, heading back."
Ruri's face already had a faint blush, she turned her head, and although she spoke of going back, she let Hakushi lead as he held her hand.
"Let's take a walk there together, leaving work early today, we should have enough time."
"Don't ask me such things, you're the one injured, you make the call. As long as you don't catch a cold tomorrow."
Ruri turned her head away from Hakushi, yet showed a demeanor of letting him decide.
Hakushi felt a bit strange because even after knowing Ruri for so many years, it was the first time he held such an important initiative.
A touch of emotional tears welled up.
"It's already May, how could I catch a cold? No problem."
His body wasn't weak to that extent, though indeed the night could be colder than the day, as long as he was cautious, it wouldn't be an issue.
Holding Ruri's hand tightly, they shared each other's warmth through skin contact.
Hakushi could clearly feel how heated Ruri's body was.
Holding Ruri's hand this way, Hakushi led her towards the night market center in the village that was about to get lively.
Hakushi could clearly see the joyful smile on Ruri's face.
At this moment, for some reason, a sense of guilt appeared in his heart.
Maybe there was another woman in his mind.
To him, she might also be an incredibly important 'partner'.
But today, he should belong to Ruri, right?
Thinking this way, the guilt eased a bit under self-comfort.
——The next day.
Hakushi caught a cold.
Because he got back late last night, he woke up this morning realizing he had a cold.
He lay on the floor with a blanket covering him, feeling drowsy and his body quite cold.
"Honestly, you kept saying it was nothing yesterday, and now look. Your physical fitness has really declined, huh?"
Ruri, dressed in casual clothes at home, not in her black Ninja Suit, kneeled beside Hakushi on the floor, reprimanding him in a slightly disdainful tone.
"...I didn't expect things to turn out like this…speaking of which, it's my first time catching a cold…"
Hakushi had to swallow this frustration.
Indeed, he shouldn't have pushed his body yesterday evening.
But if they had just come back without doing anything in that situation, he would probably regret it even more.
Seeing Ruri taking such careful care of him, skipping her work today again, Hakushi felt both embarrassed and that even having a severe cold today wasn't a bad thing.
"I've already sent someone to report to Jonin Tsunade, today you should just rest at home. I will stay here to take care of you."
Ruri stood up from the floor, walked to the side of the cabinet, searching for something while speaking to Hakushi.
"Thank you. Actually, I think the cold isn't that serious, in the afternoon..."
"Just rest at home today. Do you want me to repeat it a third time?"
Ruri's voice grew sterner as she remained expressionless.