A Rescue at the Last Moment

"I... he... well..." Caught off guard, Yor flushed bright red. Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her coat, and her eyes darted everywhere but toward anyone's face.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't string together a single coherent explanation.

I'm done for, I'm done for! What do I do? I knew I shouldn't have come! What do I say now? That he isn't coming? That he doesn't even exist?

What will everyone think of me? A liar? Delusional? Shame and embarrassment screamed through her. She wished she could use the Body Flicker Technique to flee the Shinobi World on the spot.

Yor's silence gradually quieted the room. Everyone watched her with curiosity and growing doubt, and the wordless pressure made her cheeks feel hot enough to burn.

Just as the silence became unbearable and Yor was about to crack—

Bang!

The door flew open. A figure appeared in the doorway, slightly out of breath, and every head turned.

He was a blond man in a well-fitted suit and glasses, with a gentle, refined air.

A little sweat from his hurried journey beaded at his temples. Wearing an apologetic smile, he quickly found Yor, who stood frozen in place, and spoke clearly enough for everyone to hear.

"I'm terribly sorry, everyone! An emergency consultation came up at the hospital, so I'm late!"

He strode to Yor's side and slipped an arm around her shoulders as naturally as could be, as though offering her support. Then he gave the stunned room a slight bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I'm Yor's husband, Loid Forger, a psychiatrist. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"What?!"

An even louder, perfectly unified cry rang out across the party.

Everyone's eyes swept between Loid Forger's handsome, refined face and Yor, who was still dazed and