Just then, Hinata's voice came from the doorway.
"Everyone's here..."
Hinata Hyuga stood in the doorway, carrying a basket of homemade treats.
At the sight of the scene in the private room, her face instantly turned red.
"S-sorry, am I interrupting...?"
"No, not at all!"
Genya reacted as though he'd found a lifeline.
"Hinata, perfect timing! Come sit down!"
He frantically signaled with his eyes. Hinata! Save me!
Hinata blinked her pure white eyes.
She looked at Genya, then Ino, then the blue-haired woman with the distinctive air beside them, and seemed to understand.
She sat down on Genya's other side and set the basket on the table.
"These are... some treats I made, if you don't mind..."
"Not at all! Not at all!"
Genya hurriedly took them.
"You're the best, Hinata!"
Watching this, Ino tightened her arm around Genya's neck.
"Genya, are you ignoring me now that Hinata's here?"
Genya: "..."
Konan lifted her teacup and took a gentle sip, her amused gaze moving between the three of them.
Asuma stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.
"Well... I just remembered I have something to do. I'll head out first."
Shikamaru hurried after him.
"I'll go too."
Choji hugged the grill tray to his chest.
"Wait for me!"
Sakura pulled Naruto and Sasuke along.
"We're leaving too! Take your time chatting!"
In the blink of an eye, only Genya, Ino, Hinata, Konan, and...
Shisui, openly enjoying the show, and Itachi, who was expressionless but clearly enjoying it too, remained.
Genya looked around the deserted private room and closed his eyes in despair.
Why did I come out for barbecue...?
Why...?
Konan set down her teacup and spoke.
"Very interesting."
Ino nodded with a beaming smile.
"Right? Genya's always this entertaining."
Blushing, Hinata spoke softly.
"Genya... a-are you all right?"