What I Can't Do Is Deceive Women

"Another case of Kirin Beer!"

That was something Uchiha Chiri added on her own.

She did not dislike Ichiraku's teasing.

Under Ichiraku's enthusiastic arrangements, Toji and Uchiha Chiri were led to a private room. A thin curtain shut out the noise outside while leaving them a measure of privacy.

Chiri took the bottle herself and gave it a little shake in front of Toji. "Will you have a couple of drinks with me?"

Because the Uchiha were highly susceptible to emotional fluctuations, they had a great need for alcohol. Quite a few people in the clan even claimed that drinking was a form of cultivation unique to the Uchiha. The stimulation brought by alcohol helped increase their ocular power.

When it came to drinking, even Chiri was no exception.

"I can, but only a little." Toji's tone was sincere. "Too much alcohol affects the brain and could interfere with tomorrow's surgery. I have to be responsible to my patients."

"Then have a little with me."

Chiri showed her understanding.

She knew Toji was truly busy, so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Other than following up on her condition and going home to sleep, he was either at the hospital or the school. He had practically no time of his own.

Yet even so, he was still willing to make time to have a few drinks with her.

Chiri looked at the figure across from her and silently thought, He really is a friend worth having.

"Cheers!"

Their glasses lightly clinked together, producing a crisp, pleasant sound.

Toji took a small sip.

Uchiha Chiri, meanwhile, tipped back her head and drained the amber, crystal-clear malt beer in one go, a series of gulps sounding in her throat.

"Excuse my manners." Chiri pulled out a tissue and wiped the corner of her mouth.

Toji smiled gently. "It's nothing. Miss Chiri looks lovely when she drinks, too. As principal of the Ninja Academy, you need to maintain a dignified image. It's nice to relax a little after work."

Chiri suddenly said, "Does this count as us exchanging sides of ourselves no one else knows?"

"I could tell Miss Chiri isn't as aloof as she appears. But what side of me did no one know about?"

"I thought you only ate ration pills in daily life, or those precisely measured nutritional meals from the hospital. I didn't expect you to eat something like ramen, too."

Chiri was the type whose face flushed easily. After one cup of wine, a faint rosy redness had already colored her cheeks, and her tone with him grew much more casual.

"Living that way would be far too boring." Toji chuckled. "I have my own standards when it comes to food. Ichiraku Ramen really is delicious. In all my travels through the Shinobi World, it ranks in the top three."

Chiri reached out and refilled both their glasses. "Toji, would you mind telling me about your past? How many sights have those eyes of yours seen?"

"I thought you would ask about the conditions of Teachers Yusuke and Masayuki."

Chiri's wineglass paused in midair as she said viciously, "You really don't know how to read the mood!"

"Sorry. Before discussing the distant past, I'm more accustomed to first making our current situations clear."

Toji spoke sincerely. "Over this period, three patients suffering from organ failure were given a new lease on life because of the two teachers. On their behalf, I thank you, and I thank the Uchiha Clan as well."

Uchiha Chiri sighed, drained her glass, and spoke with a trace of melancholy in her voice.

"I understand. I'll pass this on to their families. Actually, if it weren't for me..."

Before she could continue, Toji uncharacteristically and rudely cut her off.

"You don't need to regret your decision, nor do you need to feel guilty."

"Any choice made after careful consideration becomes the only correct answer from the moment it is made. So-called right and wrong are merely notions imposed by others."

"You..."

Chiri pondered Toji's words and stared blankly at him. "You aren't just saying that to comfort me, are you?"

"What I can't do is deceive women."

Toji said it calmly, then clapped his hands with a smack, pulling the bleary-eyed Chiri back to reality.

"Next, let me tell you about my past. Since coming to Konoha, I haven't told anyone about it."

"When I was little, I stepped on an Explosive Tag planted by an enemy and caused an explosion. My mother was gravely injured protecting me. She did not survive after being taken to the hospital, and I was on the verge of death as well. Fortunately, I met a very skilled doctor who saved me with superb medical treatment."

"From that day on, I made two vows: to become the greatest doctor and to bring an end to this chaotic age..."

Without changing expression, Toji shared the story he had just made up.

One case of beer, two bowls of ramen.

They sat there for an entire night.

Chiri propped her chin on one hand, her head tilted as her gaze remained fixed on Toji's face from beginning to end while she listened.

Until, at one point, she suddenly felt her cheeks grow hot and looked away.

She turned to the nearly empty bottle on the table and poured the last of the alcohol into their two cups.

"Come, cheers!"

The two raised their glasses and clinked them together once more.

Gulp, gulp...

Chiri shook her head twice, then leaned sideways against the chair back and closed her eyes.

Toji quietly watched the "unconscious" Chiri.

Shinobi did not get drunk.

So why was she acting like this?

He leaned forward slightly. "Miss Chiri, wake up. Are you drunk?"

"Mmm..."

"You should drink in moderation. Overindulging is bad for your eyes."

With that, Toji pulled two bills from his wallet and pressed them beneath the wineglass, then stepped forward. "I'll use the Mystical Palm Technique to sober you up."

"No." Chiri let out a muffled groan. "Just take me back to the clan grounds."

"..."

Could you show a little restraint?

Toji helped Chiri to her feet, drew aside the curtain, and left Ichiraku Ramen.

The night air was slightly cool as the evening breeze blew.

Toji supported the "drunk" Chiri as they walked slowly onward.

Her long purple hair occasionally brushed across his cheek, bringing a faint itch. What lingered beneath his nose was not the harsh smell of alcohol, but instead a subtle fragrance.

But Toji remained unmoved.

The charming scene before him could not shake his resolve, and he escorted Uchiha Chiri all the way home.

It was late at night, and not many Uchiha saw this scene.

Uchiha Ayano opened the door.

"Lord Toji, thank you for taking care of Lady Chiri along the way."

She bowed respectfully, then softly explained on behalf of her lady. "Lady Chiri may seem relaxed after becoming principal, but she has actually been troubled by clan affairs lately. I haven't seen her this relaxed in a long time."

"Thank you, Lord Toji."

"Forgive my presumption, but what sort of trouble is it?"

"Well..." Ayano thought it over and decided there was no harm in telling Toji. "A rogue ninja named Uchiha Yan has appeared in the clan, and Lady Chiri is trying to capture her and bring her back."

"I see." Toji nodded. "A rogue ninja, how deplorable. Unfortunately, I can't be of much help with this matter."

"Then I'll be going. Once Miss Chiri sobers up, remember to remind her to get some rest."

"I will."

After Toji left, Uchiha Chiri opened her eyes.

Elsewhere, Toji returned to the underground laboratory and walked straight toward Uchiha Yan.

Uchiha Yan caught sight of the thick needle in his hand, and her brow jumped sharply. "Didn't you say we'd switch to a thinner needle?"

"You deserve a larger dose."