Shaoyu paused for a moment, as if hesitating, then raised his head to look at Mei Terumi, a very slight smile on his face, as if the first snow had melted, and sincere gratitude filled his gray-blue eyes.
"Really... thank you so much, Terumi Clan- sama. You've helped me again."
That smile and those eyes made Mei Terumi's heart skip a beat, and her cheeks flush slightly.
Shaoyu paused, as if gathering his courage, and spoke clearly, though his voice was still soft.
"If... if you don't mind, as a token of my gratitude... tomorrow during lunch break, I... I'd like to treat you to lunch. There's a small shop on the street behind the hospital that makes fish ball soup and rice balls; it's pretty good and very clean..."
Invite her to dinner?!
Mei Terumi's eyes lit up instantly, and the joy in her heart exploded like fireworks!
She tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but the smile on her lips was impossible to suppress, and she nodded hastily.
"Sure! Of course not! It's lunch break tomorrow, right? I'll definitely be there on time!"
"Um."
Shaoyu nodded, revealing that faint smile once again.
After exchanging a few more words, Mei Terumi, filled with joy and anticipation, left the hospital with her companion, her steps noticeably lighter.
Once Mei Terumi's figure had completely disappeared, the corridor returned to silence.
The shy smile on Shaoyu's face slowly faded, and he returned to his usual calm and composure.
He turned and walked towards the equipment cleaning room, a faint crimson light flashing briefly in the depths of his gray-blue eyes.
The conflict just now started when that Genin inexplicably started a fight, then Mei Terumi "coincidentally" appeared to defuse the situation, and then he took the opportunity to extend an invitation...
Everything was within his meticulous calculations and guidance.
As the Genin paced anxiously down the corridor, Shaoyu's Six Eyes detected the Mei Terumi approaching the hospital.
So, in the instant he handed over the needle, he subtly amplified the other person's irritability, prejudice, and latent jealousy about their appearance using extremely subtle genjutsu chakra.
This caused him to lose control of his emotions and willingly step forward to play the perfect "clown" in this play.
Timing, emotions, reactions, dialogue...
Everything fell into place naturally.
The identity of " Mizunotsuki Uha " requires establishing a closer and more natural connection with Mei Terumi.
In order to obtain higher-level intelligence, and even potentially influence the power structure within Kirigakure in the future.
Most importantly, he can't act recklessly in Kirigakure, Mei Terumi is a good substitute to help him deal with the people he needs to deal with.
An invitation to express gratitude after a "hero saves the damsel in distress" is undoubtedly the most logical and least suspicious beginning.
He turned on the tap, and the clear water washed over the surgical instruments in his hands, making a gurgling sound.
A slight smile curved the corners of Shaoyu's lips.
The following day, during the midday break, a few rare rays of sunlight pierced through the perpetual Kirigakure, casting blurry patches of light on the damp streets.
Shaoyu deliberately ended his morning work early and returned to the east courtyard of the Mizunotsuki Clan Grounds to wash up carefully.
He changed out of his drab apprentice robe and into a dark blue cotton kimono, a common garment among the common people of the Land of Water, but one that was exceptionally clean and crisp, covered with a plain-colored haori.
His hair was carefully combed, the jet-black strands lying smoothly against his forehead and behind his ears, which made his fair skin and handsome features stand out even more.
He didn't make any unnecessary embellishments, but his clean, refreshing, and outstanding demeanor was enough to attract the attention of all passersby.
When he appeared in front of the small eatery called Misty Fragrance on the back street of the hospital, Mei Terumi was already waiting there.
She had clearly dressed up carefully, changing out of her usual ninja outfit and into a light purple furisode kimono adorned with small floral patterns, her long brown hair loosely tied in a bun.
Adorned with a simple jade hairpin, she lost some of her usual heroic spirit and gained more gentleness and brightness.
Seeing Shaoyu approaching, her eyes lit up instantly, a bright smile bloomed on her face, and she quickly went to greet him.
"Lord Yu!"
Her voice was filled with undisguised joy.
" Mei Terumi, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Shaoyu bowed slightly, his gray-blue eyes filled with apology.
"Shall we go in?"
The shop is small, but it is exceptionally clean, and the air is filled with the warm aroma of food.
The shop owner was a kind middle-aged woman who seemed to know Shaoyu and warmly led them to a relatively quiet spot by the window.
The two sat facing each other.
Mei Terumi ordered the signature fish ball soup and several flavors of rice balls, while Shaoyu said he didn't care about anything else. Mei Terumi then enthusiastically ordered the same things for him as she did.
While waiting for the food to be served, the atmosphere was initially subtly quiet.
Mei Terumi took the initiative to start a conversation, talking about the daily work at the hospital and some trivial anecdotes from the village recently.
Shaoyu listened quietly most of the time, occasionally responding with a few words in a gentle tone and a respectful attitude, but no longer deliberately distant as before.
The food was served quickly.
The steaming hot fish ball soup was exceptionally delicious, and the rice balls were also small and exquisite.
The two ate and chatted, and the conversation gradually became more in-depth.
Mei Terumi seemed very curious about the identity of " Mizunotsuki Uha," but she was also afraid of touching on the other person's painful past, so she asked very cautiously.
"Yu-kun... are you settling in well with the Yuki Clan? I heard... you didn't live in the village before?"
Shaoyu paused slightly in the hand holding the spoon, her eyelids lowered, and her long eyelashes concealed the emotions in her eyes.
He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, his voice lower than before.
My name is Uchiha Shaoyu, and I'm about to start lying.
So what followed was all Shaoyu talking nonsense.
A gambling stepfather, a sick mother, a younger sister in school, and a broken man.
"Later, my mother and sister passed away."
"At that time, I felt like the sky had fallen. I was all alone, not knowing where to go, relying on my little knowledge of herbs and odd jobs."
"I barely made ends meet in a nearby town... until, until recently, 'Father' sent someone to find me."
Mei Terumi listened intently, completely forgetting to eat the rice ball in her hand.
Looking at the young man's downcast profile, she felt a surge of intense pity and heartache.
She was exceptionally talented from a young age. Under the protection of her family and through her own efforts, she experienced competition and pressure, but she had never felt so Kunai, struggling on the edge of survival.
She couldn't imagine that this clean-cut, handsome, and meticulous young man had such a tragic past.
"Lord Yu..."
Mei Terumi's voice unconsciously softened, carrying a tenderness she herself was unaware of.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked those questions and reminded you of sad things..."
"It doesn't matter."
Shaoyu raised his head, his gray-blue eyes looking at her, and he forced a slightly pale smile.
"That's all in the past. Now I have a stable life, I've learned a skill, and I even... know a kind person like you, Terumi Clan- sama. I'm already very content."
The phrase "to know someone as kind as you" is like a pebble thrown into Mei Terumi's heart, creating ripples that spread outwards.
Her heart was instantly filled with a strong protective instinct and a softer, more tender emotion.
Just then, perhaps overwhelmed with emotion, or perhaps subconsciously wanting to offer some comfort and support, Mei Terumi suddenly crossed the small dining table and gently took Shaoyu's hand, which was resting on the edge of the table.
A warm, slightly calloused touch came over Shaoyu, and his body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Wow, that's really good, girl.
Mei Terumi immediately realized what she had done, and her cheeks flushed crimson, like a ripe apple.
She recoiled as if burned, abruptly pulling her hand back and stammering an apology.
"I'm so sorry, Yu-jun! I didn't mean to! I... I just... I was so sorry!"
She panicked and became completely flustered, losing all her usual composure as a genius female ninja, and only showing the embarrassment of a young girl.
Seeing her reaction, Shaoyu quickly concealed his momentary daze, which quickly turned into understanding and a hint of shyness.
He gently shook his head, his voice soft.
"It's alright, Terumi Clan. I know... you meant well."