After patiently waiting for Kurenai to calm down, Toru said softly, "All right, I'm fine. Let's go inside and talk."
Only then did Kurenai nod and let go of him.
Toru went to wash his hands in the bathroom while Kurenai took the chance to compose herself and wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. Then the two of them sat down at the dining table.
"The Anbu Training Department called me over. Their superior took a liking to my talent and wanted to recruit me, but I turned him down. Then Orochimaru took me to the laboratory to perform surgery on someone else. I was busy until just now."
Toru briefly explained what had happened after lunch that day.
Only then did Kurenai finally relax. "So that's what happened. I worried for nothing..."
Toru smiled and looked at the large bowl on the table, changing the subject. "Udon today, huh? I'm starving. Let me see whether your cooking has improved."
As he spoke, Toru picked up his chopsticks, ready to taste it.
But Kurenai reached out to take the bowl away. "It's already cold. I'll heat it up for you."
Toru gently held her wrist and said softly, "It's fine. As long as you made it, it doesn't matter if it's cold."
Kurenai froze for a moment, then blushed and pulled her hand back.
"Honestly... who did you learn to say things like that from...?"
Kurenai averted her gaze, too embarrassed to look at Toru, and began to call him to account. "It's all your fault. You knew you were going to be busy at the research institute, but you didn't tell me beforehand."
Toru slurped up a mouthful of udon, raised his head, swallowed the noodles, and shifted the blame. "You can't blame me for that.