Shinji sat on the bed, staring at the indignant Mei Terumi. After a long pause, he said helplessly, "Hey! Got anything to eat? I'm hungry."
"..."
Mei shot him a fierce glare, then turned and walked out, her hips swaying. She soon returned and tossed a packet of instant food onto the bedside cabinet.
Shinji didn't care what it was. He tore it open and wolfed it down.
"So..."
Mei watched him eat, then pressed her lips together. "Li Dawn is your organization. Everything they've done was on your orders. You've been planning this for a long time, and now you're strong enough to overpower all five ninja villages."
"Mm-hmm!"
Shinji nodded casually through a mouthful of food.
Mei crossed her legs and folded her hands over her knee, her expression complicated. "I should've realized it. Ever since I first noticed how you'd changed, I've wondered whether that harmless act of yours had always been a disguise."
"Looks like I was right."
"Hm?"
Shinji's head snapped up. He stared intently at her.
"What?" Uncomfortable under his gaze, Mei looked away and brushed back her hair to hide her embarrassment.
He watched her for a long time.
Then Shinji smiled faintly. "Nothing. I'm done eating. Three days... Tomorrow's October tenth, right?"
Mei blinked. "Yeah."
Shinji wiped his mouth and stood, stretching right in front of her. Mei gave him a look of disgust.
"Want to come back to Konoha with me?"
"...No." Mei hesitated, biting her lower lip before lowering her eyes. "I still have work to hand over in the village. Besides, now that I know what you're planning at the Five Kage Summit, it's fine if I don't go, right...?"
"What do you mean, it's fine if you don't go?"
Shinji raised an eyebrow, displeased.
"...Anyway, you're the one