Only after Terumi Mei had put her white kimono back on, covering up her devilishly alluring figure, did the ambiguous atmosphere begin to dissipate.
However, once they had finished getting dressed, another awkward situation arose.
"You..."
"You..."
After a brief silence, Jun Tianlin and Terumi Mei both lifted their heads and spoke at the same time, only to realize that the other had also wanted to say something.
This left them unable to express what they had wanted to say. Instead, they both awkwardly lowered their heads again and fell silent.
Though Jun Tianlin stood on the right with his head lowered, at the end of the day, he was still a boy—or rather, he had already grown from a boy into a man.
As a man, even if he felt troubled, he wouldn't show it in front of a woman. Even Jun Tianlin, who wasn't exactly emotionally perceptive, knew that much.
More importantly... as a man—and a proud, capable one at that—Jun Tianlin couldn't bring himself to do something he didn't want to do just for someone else, even if that someone was a beautiful woman!
It was a matter of principle. There could be no compromise.
Of course, that principle didn't apply when it came to Terumi Mei. After all, he had just been intimate with her. How could Jun Tianlin truly bring himself to be so heartless?
So...
As a man, he ought to show Terumi Mei that he was willing to take responsibility. That would make it easier for their relationship to progress in the future.
Jun Tianlin raised his head and looked at Terumi Mei. A rare softness touched his face, and his gaze gentled. His voice no longer held the cold indifference he'd shown when he killed Ichiro Watanabe. Instead, it was filled with an unfamiliar emotion.
"You... Terumi Mei, right? Today was a misunderstanding, but things have come to this, and we've... we've been intimate. I can't just ignore you now.
"After all, I may be cold and ruthless toward my enemies, but I'm very gentle with my family. Now that you're my woman, a part of my life, I can't treat you the way I did before.
"So, are you ready to be my little woman, Terumi Mei?"
Terumi Mei had still been feeling awkward and anxious about what would happen next, but after hearing Jun Tianlin's words, all her misgivings suddenly vanished.
She lifted her head slightly and gazed softly at Jun Tianlin with her seductive, limpid eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she shook her head, then said shyly in a quiet voice,
"Jun... Tianlin, I can be your woman. After all, you've saved my life twice now. You could say that my life belongs to you—and even my body has already been... given to you.
"So I have no problem with being your woman. You're exactly my type, you know!
"But, Tianlin, you understand, don't you? I'm Kirigakure's Fifth Mizukage Successor. I'm destined to become the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure!
"Because of the Fourth Mizukage Yagura's brutal rule, Kirigakure entered the 'Bloody Mist Era.' During that time, many powerful bloodline clans were wiped out. The Kaguya Clan, which possessed the Shikotsumyaku you have, was among those Yagura and his men destroyed.
"And I'm fighting to overthrow Yagura's brutal rule!
"So, Tianlin, will you come back to Kirigakure with me? You have the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku, and you're my man. Even if you come back with me, the others won't reject you, all right?"
After saying everything on her mind, Terumi Mei looked at Jun Tianlin expectantly, waiting for his answer.
Before you continue