Late-night visitor

As night fell and the stars twinkled, Koki deliberately chose a late hour to come to the hot spring pool alone.

Wisps of steam rose from around the hot spring pool, enveloping the entire pool. The stones around the pool shimmered slightly from the steam and felt warm to the touch.

Koki gently removed her bathrobe, draped it softly over the clothes rack beside her, and then slowly sank into the embrace of the hot spring.

The warm spring water instantly enveloped his body, and the comfortable feeling made him sigh softly. He gradually sank into the center of the water, letting the spring water silently wash over his shoulders and surround him.

In the misty fog, Koki's gaze pierced through the darkness of the night, looking up at the twinkling stars in the sky.

The moonlight, as clear as if it had been washed, gently bathed his face. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and a few strands softly brushed past his eyes, adding a touch of languid charm to his appearance.

The ripples of the hot spring gently swayed and caressed his body. Koki closed his eyes, intoxicated by the tranquility and joy of the moment. The fatigue accumulated over the past few days seemed to gradually melt away in the warm water until it was nowhere to be found.

"This feels so good!"

After a long while, Koki slowly opened his eyes, his gaze revealing a sense of satisfaction and contentment. He stood up, and spring water slid down his body, shimmering like shattered jade in the moonlight.

Koki reached for a towel, gently wiped the water droplets off her body, put on a bathrobe, and then left the hot spring pool.

Night fell over the hot spring inn, and all was quiet. Everyone enjoyed the comfort of having their own room during this relaxing trip.

Koki's position is in the middle of the corridor, with Shisui and Hayate's rooms on her left and right sides respectively, and the space of the Minato directly opposite her.

Koki hummed a little tune and strolled lightly towards her room.

However, as he reached the door, his ninja instincts, honed over many years, alerted him to someone inside. Koki's eyes narrowed, his hand gripping Kunai tightly, his gaze sharply locking onto the door.

Who could possibly choose to sneak into his room on this quiet night?

Various possibilities flashed through Koki's mind. Could it be an enemy? Or some other conspiracy?

He took a deep breath, slowly opened the door, and prepared to deal with any potential dangers.

The moment the door opened, Koki froze. The person in the room was Kohaku. Koki frowned, her heart filled with doubt.

What is he doing here so late?

Kohaku lay on Koki's bed, her eyes red, her face pale, and she looked extremely haggard.

His voice was hoarse and nasal as he slowly pleaded, "Please, don't hate me."

Koki has been so cold to him the whole way.

Koki looked at Kohaku, feeling somewhat helpless. He didn't understand why Kohaku would do such a thing.

As Kohaku watched Koki remain unmoved, tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, soaking the sheets and forming damp, flower-like patterns.

"I know I can be willful sometimes, but I really don't want you to hate me," Kohaku said, her voice choked with emotion.

Koki sighed, his heart softening. He put down the Kunai he was holding, walked to the bedside, looked at Kohaku, and said, "Why do you care so much about my opinion? I'm just carrying out a mission."

Kohaku looked up at Koki, her eyes blurry with tears, "Because you're the first person to make my heart flutter."

Koki was startled. Kohaku's words caught him off guard. He didn't know how to deal with this sudden feeling and could only stand there silently.

"I know I might be being too abrupt, but my feelings for you are genuine," Kohaku continued, "Please give me a chance to prove my heart."

Perhaps he was initially captivated by Koki's stunning beauty, but as a week passed, Kohaku became certain that his feelings for Koki had seeped into his very bones. Being with him was so pleasant and comfortable, a feeling he had never experienced before.

Koki shook her head and said, "That's impossible. We come from different worlds, and besides, I don't have those kinds of feelings for you."

"You should go back first; we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow," Koki said. "We can discuss this matter after the mission is over."

Kohaku hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He got up from the bed and gazed deeply at Koki.

Koki seeing Kohaku pace around the room once and then sit back down in his chair, Mitsuki thought to himself: This daimyo's son is really troublesome; he still won't leave.

Koki sighed helplessly, plopped down on the bed, and decided to ignore Kohaku, focusing on packing his things for tomorrow.

Kohaku gazed silently at Koki, struggling for a moment before finally blurting out, "Koki, I'd like to invite you to the Daimyo's residence to be my personal ninja."

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze was fixed on Koki, awaiting her reply.

Koki paused slightly, looked up at Kohaku's expectant gaze, and couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

"I'm sorry, I cannot accept your invitation."

Kohaku's expression changed slightly; he hadn't expected Koki to refuse so resolutely.

"Why?" Kohaku's voice trembled slightly. "Don't you want a better life? In Daming Prefecture, you will have everything you desire."

Koki shook his head, his eyes unwavering. Treatment? He was quite wealthy himself now!

"Can't you change your mind for my sake?"

For you? Who are you?

"Kohaku, you have your responsibilities and mission, and I have my choices and principles. We are destined to be from two different worlds and cannot be together."

Having long been weary of the corrupt daimyo system, and perhaps even intending to overthrow it in the future, Koki has no intention of engaging in any tragic love story with him.

I hope you can find someone who is truly right for you in the future.

After saying that, Koki stretched out his hand towards the open door, his meaning was very clear.