"Are you done?"
The rushing sound of water slowly ceased, and Yukina's voice came from outside the door.
"Almost."
Amid the soft clinking of pots and bowls, Chiba washed the dishes and utensils clean, set them aside, and called out toward the door.
He had already finished dinner. Yukina could not see, and he did not know when Kushina would return. He could hardly leave the dishwashing to Yukina, so he had washed them himself and asked her to wait outside.
Hyuga Yukyō...
Better leave that for later.
After finishing everything, Chiba glanced at the kitchen table, hesitated for a moment, then walked out of the kitchen. A few steps later, he picked up the bento box from the low table. After a series of hurried footsteps, the Japanese-style door slid open with a crisp clatter.
Then Chiba, about to step outside, widened his eyes and froze on the spot.
Night had deepened slightly. Moonlight poured down, turning into silver radiance draped over the girl before him. Amid the sea of vibrant flowers, she seemed like the most beautiful silver blossom within it. Silver moonlight lingered around her, and at first glance, it seemed as though her entire body emitted a hazy glow. Though her eyes were lost and hollow, her long hair drifted gently, making her look radiant as an immortal. For a fleeting moment, she was dreamlike and unreal.
At that moment, Chiba was utterly captivated, frozen where he stood.
"Not done yet?"
When she apparently heard no movement from Chiba, the girl tilted her head slightly, puzzlement appearing on her face as she asked again.
"I... I'm coming!"
With that question, Chiba suddenly snapped back to his senses. After an embarrassed thump in his chest, he hurriedly leaped down from the corridor and stepped through the flowers