And so,
the group arrived at the restaurant.
An attendant led them into a quiet private room with tatami flooring.
As usual, everyone took off their ninja sandals at the entrance.
Inside were a traditional low table and floor cushions.
Genya and Hinata sat on one side, while Kurenai Yuhi sat opposite them with Kiba and Shino.
Akamaru lay obediently beside Kiba.
After they ordered, Genya asked the attendant for a few flasks of sake.
He pushed a ceramic sake cup in front of Kurenai Yuhi and set another before himself, smiling as he spoke.
"Kurenai, I'll be counting on you to look after Hinata. This one's to you."
He poured sake for himself and Kurenai Yuhi, the amber liquid rippling in their cups.
Hinata blushed and murmured,
"Genya..."
Kiba piped up.
"Huh? Only you two get to drink? What about us?"
Genya glanced at him.
"You get soft drinks. Hinata too."
Shino silently picked up his teacup.
Kurenai Yuhi looked at the cup before her, then at Genya smiling across the table with his cup raised, and her nerves tightened again.
She picked up her cup, trying to keep her expression natural.
"Hinata works hard. She's a good student. I'll do my best."
With that, she clinked cups with Genya, tipped her head back, and drained her drink.
The sake brought a warm burn as it went down her throat, settling her racing heart a little.
Genya drained his cup too, set it down, and began chatting with Kiba and Shino, asking about the details of their missions.
Now and then, he teased Akamaru or murmured gently to Hinata beside him, asking whether she was having any trouble adjusting.
The atmosphere seemed pleasant and ordinary.
But just as Kurenai Yuhi let her guard down a little and picked up