Early the next morning, Musashi woke up for training.
His body felt surprisingly vigorous compared to yesterday—probably because he'd taken pity on his Big Sister last night and hadn't stayed up too late.
He made breakfast, headed out, and trained.
By noon, he returned home carrying freshly bought fruits and vegetables.
"Big Sister, I'm ho—"
The words died in his throat like a strangled rooster.
His scalp went numb, and cold sweat poured down his back.
In the living room, on the sofa:
Ayame sat with her head bowed, silent.
Beside her sat Teuchi.
His face was as dark as the bottom of a wok, water-calm and terrifying.
"Musashi Ryomiya!"
Every syllable made Musashi's heart tremble.
[Crap! The parent has arrived!]
It took a few breaths for Musashi to regain his motor functions. He looked at the stiffly sitting Teuchi and forced a smile. "Uh... Uncle Teuchi, what brings you here? You're free during the day?"
"If I don't come during the day, should I come at night?!" Teuchi snapped.
"Uh... well... actually, any time is fine!"
"Musashi Ryomiya!!!"
"You have some nerve!"
"I just got home today and felt something was wrong."
"I asked around and found out Ayame didn't come home yesterday!"
"When I got here just now! She was still lounging in bed!!"
Musashi hurriedly served a glass of water. "Uncle Teuchi, calm down. It's normal for young people to sleep in."
Teuchi: "(｀^′)!"
[I'm not talking about sleeping in!]
Musashi sat on pins and needles.
Facing Teuchi, he felt immense pressure.
This pressure didn't come from the man's strength, but purely from the moral weight of a kid getting caught doing something bad by an adult.
After all, he had just turned the man's precious little cotton-padded jacket into a cream puff, and she hadn't been able to leave the bed for dozens of hours.
Anyone would be angry—even crazy.
"And you!" Teuchi pointed at Ayame, looking at her with an expression that said 'I expected better.'
Ayame trembled and kept her head down, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Teuchi had to swallow back a pile of criticisms.
The room fell into a temporary silence.
Karin, holding Pete, had the good sense to hide in the small room, not making a peep.
The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.
Finally, Teuchi broke the silence first.
"Since the deed is done, how do you explain this to me?"
As he spoke, Teuchi glared at the brat in front of him, wishing he could punch the kid twice.
Ever since Musashi first came to Ichiraku Ramen more than ten years ago, Teuchi had noticed the boy was overly enthusiastic about Ayame.
At the time, he didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a kid liking to play with an older sister.
He didn't expect that as they grew older, the situation wouldn't improve, but instead intensify.
He had told Ayame several times that Musashi was a ninja and not suitable for her.
Unfortunately, Ayame wouldn't listen.
There was nothing he could do; he couldn't stop his precious daughter from doing what she wanted.
In his eyes, the most suitable match for Ayame was the young lad from the sushi shop near Ichiraku Ramen.
A family business, a craftsman, skills passed down for three generations.
A perfect match.
It was just a pity the lad's looks were... unsatisfactory. He looked about the same level as Teuchi himself. Ayame refused firmly.
Originally, since his daughter was getting older, he planned to look around for other suitable matches during this time.
Once she was engaged and married, that whole "sister and brother" dynamic would naturally fade.
He didn't expect this!
He only went out for one day!!
And his home base got stolen!!!
Looking at the kid in front of him, who looked like an eyesore no matter how he squinted, Teuchi pondered in his heart: If this kid's answer isn't satisfactory, how should I teach him a lesson?
Opposite him, Musashi was trying hard to think of how to explain.
How to explain?
"I've been craving her for too long, and with a deliberate slip-up, I ate your daughter?"
No, Teuchi would grab a kitchen knife!
Say it's a misunderstanding? "Big Sister just came over to watch Pete do backflips, but it got too late, and she thought my mattress was soft, so she slept here?"
Also no good. The two houses are too close; that excuse makes no sense.
"Dad!~ Stop talking, let's go home," Ayame said from the side.
Teuchi, of course, wouldn't agree.
Just as the father and daughter were in a standoff, Musashi spoke up.
"I want to marry Big Sister."
The air suddenly went still.
Even the sound of breathing was clearly audible.
Ayame's small mouth dropped open, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise.
Teuchi was also stunned.
"Marriage!!?"
From the bedroom not far away came the sound of something heavy hitting the floor. Following a rustling noise, the bedroom door opened, and Karin poked her head out.
"Marriage!!?"
Pete poked his dog head out: "??˙o˙??!!?"
---
"Marriage!!?"
At the Konoha Training Grounds.
Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake, having just finished a duel, looked at the invitation in their hands with utter astonishment.