Konoha Orphanage.
The courtyard was especially peaceful that afternoon. Shinichi reclined comfortably in a chair, picking up a cup of black tea and sipping it slowly. Beside him sat a smiling blonde beauty.
"It's been a long time since I've seen that look on your face."
Nonō spoke softly.
"What can I say? I've been busy lately!"
Shinichi yawned and said casually, "I've taken on a teaching job, haven't I? Between the Ninja Academy and the Military Police Force, I hardly get a chance to visit you. Of course I've got to make the most of it and slack off."
That was an outright lie.
True, he held two positions at once, but Nami and the others handled things at the Military Police Force, while Yugao covered his classes at the Ninja Academy. He barely ever went to work. Busy, his ass.
"Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"
Nonō looked at him with a smile.
"All right, it's just that people keep visiting my house lately, so I came here for some peace and quiet."
Shinichi explained helplessly.
He couldn't help it. Yugao kept using work as an excuse to come see him. Today it was lesson planning, tomorrow it was organizing activities for the children. It was giving him a headache, and he couldn't even laze around at home in peace anymore.
So he could only come to Nonō for some quiet.
Unlike Yugao's exuberant enthusiasm, Nonō was always gentle and quiet, putting him at ease like no one else could.
Indeed, ever since meeting Nonō, he had dropped by from time to time and stayed for hours. Nonō never asked why he came. They shared an unspoken understanding, but the air between them was growing increasingly romantic.
"Are they really just ordinary visitors?"
Nonō gave