Only a dim oil lamp was lit in Uchiha Yao's room.
He sat beside the low table by the window and poured himself a cup of clear sake.
The liquor was crystal clear, swaying in the cup.
Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, spilling across the entire courtyard.
Suddenly, Uchiha Yao's hand holding the cup paused in midair.
Uchiha Yao's ear twitched almost imperceptibly.
Extremely faint footsteps sounded in the corridor.
They were drawing closer.
At last, they stopped outside his door.
Uchiha Yao set down his cup, his brows knitting slightly.
Why had Kurenai come here so late?
Had something happened to Hinata?
The thought had barely surfaced before Uchiha Yao immediately dismissed it.
With his powerful senses, he could tell that Hinata and Naruto's auras were steady and unhurried, their breathing even. They had clearly long since fallen into sweet dreams.
Then...
"Creak—"
A soft sound rang out.
The paper sliding door was pulled open from outside by the tiniest crack.
A head filled with extreme shyness and nervousness cautiously peeked in.
Moonlight poured through the gap, instantly outlining Kurenai Yuhi's gentle profile.
Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore only a thin silk nightgown.
Their eyes met.
Kurenai Yuhi's heart pounded wildly.
It's over.
I must look so pathetic... so shameless right now, don't I?
Thoughts of retreat flashed madly through her mind.
Go back! Go back right now! Pretend none of this ever happened!
Yet her feet seemed rooted to the floor, unable to move.
Kurenai Yuhi bit down hard on her lower lip, nearly drawing blood.
In the end, as if she had made up her mind, she gathered her courage, pulled the door fully open, and stepped inside.
Then she turned and gently closed it behind her.
Throughout the entire