Yuhi Kurenai Gets Drunk

At dusk, after taking Uchiha Izumi home, Chiya arrived at Kozo BBQ Restaurant on time for their appointment.

After talking for a while, Chiya realized he'd been overthinking things.

This Kozo wasn't that Kozo, and he wasn't some young stepfather or anything like that. They really were just an ordinary father and daughter.

But it was true that Aili had an older sister. Her sister hadn't become a ninja and had instead chosen to help out at the barbecue restaurant.

Though she was also called Akizuki Erina.

As for Aili's mother, she was a Konoha ninja who spent most of her time away, primarily serving as the Daimyo's wife's bodyguard. She rarely came home.

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways.

Akimichi Pangci went home with a full belly and a satisfied smile.

Akizuki Airi stayed at the restaurant to help her family.

As for Chiya, Yuhi Kurenai was currently making him keep her company while she drank.

That's right. Yuhi Kurenai was drunk.

She'd always enjoyed a drink in the evening. Perhaps because Chiya was about to leave their team, she'd had a little too much and started acting drunk.

"Hey, hey, Chiya. Time sure flies, doesn't it? In the blink of an eye, you're about to become a jōnin, and you've grown into such a handsome young man. You don't look like a twelve-year-old kid at all."

Yuhi Kurenai held a wineglass in one hand and gently caressed Chiya's face with the other. Her exquisite features were flushed, and the lamplight made her look even more alluring.

Just as Yuhi Kurenai had said, Chiya had grown a lot taller.

Since he'd been absorbing Natural Energy for years while practicing the Heavenly Steel Art, he already stood 1.7 meters tall at the age of twelve. Nearly all the baby fat had vanished from his face, and he'd grown into his looks.

"Teacher Kurenai, you're drunk." Chiya took a sip of tea, feeling rather helpless.

Normally, faced with such a beautiful woman as Yuhi Kurenai, he'd have been unable to resist flirting with her and stealing a little touch.

After all, he was a man too.

But there was less than a year left before the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

When that time came, he'd have to leave for Izumi's sake.

There was nothing left here worth holding on to.

Getting involved with Kurenai would only bring trouble down on her.

At least while the Third Hokage was in power, he couldn't get too involved with Yuhi Kurenai.

The Konoha F4 were far too crafty.

Mitaraishi Anko was a living example. Ever since Orochimaru defected, she'd nearly been driven mad by the Konoha Interrogation Department.

That was why, for the past six months or so, he'd kept things between them strictly at the level of ordinary teammates.

"You're so cold. I'm not drunk." Yuhi Kurenai let go of Chiya, pouted, and poured herself another drink. Then she slammed a hand on the table and started complaining, emboldened by the alcohol. "Ah, I want to fall in love so badly! I'm so pretty, and I've got a great figure. Why doesn't anyone ever come after me?"

As she said this, Yuhi Kurenai couldn't resist sneaking a glance at Chiya.

When he still didn't react, she gathered her courage and seemed about to press her whole body against him, bringing with her a waft of fragrance. "Hey, hey... Chiya."

"Go ahead." Feeling Yuhi Kurenai's softness and the faint scent of her body, mixed with the light smell of wine in the air, Chiya couldn't help blushing. He answered her.

"Do you really like your teacher?" Yuhi Kurenai's lips curled up as she pressed even closer to him.

"Everyone appreciates beauty. You're so beautiful, Teacher. Who wouldn't like you?" Chiya replied frankly.

"You really are a sly little brat." Yuhi Kurenai's pretty face turned crimson as she looked away from him and repeated under her breath. Then she leaned toward his ear and breathed out a puff of wine-scented air. "Actually... I wouldn't mind."

As she spoke, she closed her eyes and moved her red lips toward Chiya's.

Just then, the long-silent system prompt rang out in Chiya's mind:

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you've triggered the Lolicon Choice.]

[1. Kiss Yuhi Kurenai. Reward: Rasengan.]

[2. Play along and then force her. Reward: Lightning Release: Chidori.]

[3. Dodge. Reward: Child-Mother River Water.]

[Please choose!]

Chiya: "..."

This choice was way too thrilling.

It was true that it sounded pretty good, but the second option was definitely off the table. That would be a crime, and he wasn't old enough anyway.

But the first one...

Forget it. If he was going to die, he might as well die. Today, this Teng fellow was going to give away his first kiss.

"Teacher Kurenai, your favorite—Wasabi Octopus—is here." Just as their lips were about to touch, Akizuki Airi came in carrying a tray. It happened in the blink of an eye.

Yuhi Kurenai jolted, and most of the drunkenness instantly left her. Chiya instinctively pulled away.

"Airi, listen to me. It's not what you think." The three of them stared at each other. Yuhi Kurenai tried to explain, but Akizuki Airi said, "Sorry, I think I interrupted you two. Please, carry on. Don't mind me."

As she spoke, Akizuki Airi slapped a hand to her forehead, put on a cute expression, covered her mouth, and giggled as she left.

Before she went, she didn't forget to give Chiya a meaningful look.

Then she gave him an encouraging little gesture, as though cheering him on.

Yuhi Kurenai and Chiya were left staring at each other.

Yuhi Kurenai turned her face away, not daring to look at Chiya, though she kept sneaking glances at him from the corners of her eyes.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps she was embarrassed. Her face grew even redder, and even her neck flushed crimson.

She covered her forehead, deeply regretting it. Why... why had she said something so embarrassing? She'd even nearly kissed her own student.

Just then, the system prompt rang out in Chiya's mind:

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You've obtained Child-Mother River Water.]

"Finally, not underwear?" Chiya's mouth twitched as he glanced at Yuhi Kurenai, then at Akizuki Airi peeking from outside the private room. With a long sigh, he said, "Teacher Kurenai, you're drunk. I'll take you home."

As he spoke, he stood up and held out his right hand to Yuhi Kurenai.

"Oh, okay. All right." Yuhi Kurenai stood up with a blush, not daring to look at Chiya, but she still took his hand.

Chiya's palm was warm, and it made her feel safe.

Neither of them said another word after that.

Chiya said goodbye to Akizuki Airi, then carried Yuhi Kurenai out of the barbecue restaurant on his back.

Yuhi Kurenai lived in Konoha's bustling district. Chiya had been to her home once before.

Following the route he remembered, he soon brought her home.

He took off her shoes, laid her on the bed, boiled some water, and tidied up the house while he was at it.

Finally, he helped her wash up.

Just as Chiya was about to leave, Yuhi Kurenai appeared and caught his sleeve. "Um... thank you..."

"It's all right. Are you feeling better now?" Chiya poured her a glass of cool boiled water.

"Mm, much better." Yuhi Kurenai nodded and took the glass, but didn't drink. She hesitated before saying, "About what happened earlier at the barbecue restaurant..."