"My meals must have cost you a lot of money... so please make sure you take it!"
By the time Hinata Hyuga finished speaking, her tone had become particularly firm.
This was the first time in her life she had been this brave.
"What about you, then?"
Shihui Aburame asked in return.
"I... I don't need money."
Under his gaze, Hinata Hyuga lost her nerve again. "If I run out... Father will give me more."
Wealthy and generous, just as expected.
Thinking about it carefully, Tsunade was only generous, not wealthy.
But the grown-up Hinata Hyuga had both qualities.
Shihui Aburame accepted without standing on ceremony, putting away the bankbook. "Let's go get barbecue."
Now that he had money, he ought to really indulge and eat big mouthfuls of meat.
"You don't need to climb over the wall anymore."
Something suddenly occurred to Hinata Hyuga, and she spoke up.
"Aren't you afraid of getting caught?"
Shihui Aburame was a little surprised.
Had his courage-building plan worked?
"Father said I could be friends with you."
There was a little excitement in Hinata Hyuga's voice.
Shihui Aburame raised his eyebrows slightly.
Arrogant before, respectful now. It was laughable to think about.
The only explanation was that Hyuga Hiashi had learned he had become Tsunade's apprentice.
Then it was hardly surprising.
In the original story, the Hyuga Clan were all loyal supporters of the Hokage.
Previously, an envoy from Kumogakure had kidnapped Hinata Hyuga, but Hyuga Hiashi had discovered it and killed the head envoy.
The perpetrators had then accused the victims first, demanding that the Hyuga Clan hand over the killer or face war.
For the sake of peace in Konoha, with the higher-ups' tacit approval, Hizashi Hyuga had ultimately been sacrificed.
"Let's go."
Shihui Aburame took Hinata Hyuga to a barbecue restaurant.
He picked up the menu and glanced over it.
"Is there anything you don't eat?"
Shihui Aburame asked, "For example, do you eat beef?"
"Yes."
Hinata Hyuga nodded.
Fortunately, she hadn't answered no.
Shihui Aburame ordered a few things at random.
Before long, the table was covered with all kinds of sliced meat.
Most of it was pork and beef.
Shihui Aburame picked up a slice of pork belly and placed it on the grill.
Hinata Hyuga pressed her lips together.
Hesitantly, she reached out too.
She couldn't just eat without helping every time.
"I'll eat when I get back later."
Shihui Aburame glanced at her as he spoke.
"Huh?"
Hinata Hyuga looked bewildered.
"I'm going to Teacher Tsunade's house."
Seeing her adorable expression, Shihui Aburame couldn't help smiling.
"Shiki-kun... I... I've held you up."
Hinata Hyuga froze for a moment, then spoke apologetically once she understood.
Yet, for some reason, she also felt an inexplicable touch of emotion.
Even when Shiki had something to do, he still kept her company while she ate.
He really was... a good person.
"One meal won't hold me up much."
Shihui Aburame tossed another two slices of beef onto the grill.
Smelling the aroma, Hinata Hyuga couldn't help swallowing.
In the glow of the fire, her little face was flushed.
"Go ahead."
Shihui Aburame placed the cooked pork belly in her bowl.
Hinata Hyuga looked up at him, then lowered her head and took a bite.
A sheen of grease immediately coated her thin lips.
Shihui Aburame handed her a tissue and continued grilling meat for her.
In the end, he ate two pieces himself.
He couldn't help it. It really smelled delicious.
"See you tomorrow."
After taking her home, Shihui Aburame turned and left.
Hinata Hyuga stood in the doorway, staring absently at his retreating figure.
"Big sister."
Hanabi Hyuga suddenly poked her head out and asked, "Is he Shihui Aburame?"
"W-when did you get here?"
Hinata Hyuga jumped in fright.
"Just now."
Hanabi Hyuga's eyes darted about. "Big sister, you haven't answered my question yet."
"Yes, that's Shiki-kun," Hinata Hyuga said with a nod.
"Oh."
With an expectant look, Hanabi Hyuga asked, "Big sister, can I meet him?"
She had only seen Shihui Aburame from behind, not from the front, so her curiosity remained strong.
"If there's a chance, I'll introduce you."
Hinata Hyuga stroked her head as she spoke.
"Thank you, big sister."
Hanabi Hyuga immediately broke into a happy smile.
Shihui Aburame headed north all the way to Tsunade's residence.
"Shiki, come and eat."
Shizune waved him over.
She and Tsunade were already seated at the dining table, waiting for him.
"Why are you so late?"
The corners of Tsunade's mouth lifted slightly as she said smugly, "There's no point stalling. Admit defeat."
She thought Shihui Aburame had arrived late because he hadn't mastered the medical books she had given him.
Shizune couldn't help feeling a little worried.
Was Lady Tsunade really going to win?
No, that wasn't right.
Shizune suddenly realized that she seemed to be hoping Lady Tsunade would lose.
"Something else held me up."
Shihui Aburame spoke calmly.
"You're putting on a brave face, brat."
Tsunade gave a soft snort. "I'll test you right now. If you can't answer, you'd better admit defeat."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
"First question."
Tsunade folded her arms and narrowed her eyes.
She wanted to see how long he could stay so calm.
But very soon, her expression changed.
Shizune was even more dumbfounded.
Tsunade asked fifteen questions.
They went from basic to advanced, with one question from each book.
But Shihui Aburame answered every one correctly.
Full marks!
Was he cheating?
Shizune instinctively covered her mouth.
Tsunade tightened her arms slightly.
Her snowy skin looked ready to spill out.
Shihui Aburame began to worry about the quality of her clothes, feeling as though they might burst at any moment.
He wanted to lend a hand.
"You win, brat."
Although Tsunade had terrible luck, she never refused to pay her debts.
At most, she hid from her creditors.
As long as they couldn't find her, it didn't count as refusing to pay.
She looked at Shihui Aburame with mixed feelings.
Why had she only met him now, of all times?
"Let's eat."
Tsunade picked up her chopsticks. "I'll teach you after dinner."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
He was very much looking forward to Tsunade's private instruction.
Shizune felt envious.
Shihui Aburame's talent astonished her.
If she had it too, she probably would have inherited Tsunade's mantle long ago.
The Yin Seal, for instance, was something she had never managed to learn.
Once they finished dinner, Shizune cleared the table.
Shihui Aburame followed Tsunade into her room.
Since she was going to teach, she had refrained from drinking for once.
"Brat, tell me your requests."
Since money wasn't involved anyway, Tsunade was being generous for once.
"First, my name isn't brat."
Shihui Aburame held up two fingers, paused, and said, "Second, I haven't decided yet."
"Take your time thinking, then."
A smile appeared on Tsunade's face as she drew out the word. "Braaat~"
Why was an old woman acting so coy?
But she was rather cute.
Still, Shihui Aburame marked this grudge down in his little notebook.
There would be plenty of opportunities to make her change what she called him in the future.
When that time came, she would drop the "little."
"Before we begin the lesson, you need to know the three rules of a medical ninja."
After teasing Shihui Aburame, Tsunade's tone became serious.
The three rules of a medical ninja had, in fact, been established by her.
First, never give up on treatment until a teammate was dead.
Second, never stand on the front lines of battle.
Third, never die before any other member of the squad.