Kakashi stared blankly at Shizune.
To be honest, although Shizune had been embarrassed at first—wrapping herself tightly in a large white bath towel—her skin still looked soft and fair, and her cheeks and ears remained flushed a bright red. The sight alone made Kakashi, who had always considered himself an emotionally steady and experienced man, suddenly feel his composure slipping.
The legendary Copy Ninja… raising a mental flag?
Shizune tilted her head, noticing his gaze. Her expression flustered, she asked softly, "What are you looking at?"
Kakashi immediately averted his eyes, pretending to be casual. "Come in and soak in the hot spring. It's cold outside."
Shizune let out a small smile. She knew what he meant.
The temperature inside the bathing area was high, and even wrapped in a towel, she didn't feel cold. Kakashi wasn't talking about temperature. He was inviting her in.
Taking the hint, Shizune quietly walked closer.
Kakashi felt her presence approaching, and his throat tightened. His gaze instinctively drifted downward—but he quickly forced it down to the water's surface. Still, what he caught in his peripheral vision was enough to make his pulse jump: a long pale leg stepping into the water, then another, and then the rest of her slipped in, submerging beneath the steaming surface.
Water rippled gently around them.
Kakashi's heart thumped uncontrollably. He clenched the fabric of the bathrobe that lay beside him, trying desperately to calm himself down.
He'd fought Zabuza. He'd protected Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura from dangerous threats. He had stared down enemies far deadlier than this situation.
And yet… he had never panicked like this.
Now? He was absolutely panicking.
The atmosphere grew awkward, with both of them sitting in the water, wrapped in towels, not speaking, not looking at each other.
Trying to ease the tension, Shizune spoke first.
"Is the fruit delicious?"
Kakashi turned toward her slightly. The fruit was nothing special—ordinary hot spring snacks. She clearly wasn't asking about flavor. She was just trying to start a conversation.
"It tastes good. You should try it," Kakashi said.
He shifted, scooting the fruit platter toward her with a splash.
As he was about to move back to his original position, Shizune stopped him with another soft voice.
"Let's eat together."
Kakashi paused.
Shizune didn't shy away; instead, she gave him a gentle smile.
"Oh… well." He stayed where he was, and Shizune moved closer, closing the distance until only the fruit plate separated them.
After a few pieces of fruit, Shizune lifted an unlabeled glass bottle, preparing to take a sip.
Kakashi's eyes widened. "Don't drink that!"
Shizune blinked. "Huh? Why?"
"That's alcohol," Kakashi said, frowning. "Not juice. I took a sip earlier and thought something was off."
Shizune paused… then slowly smiled in a way that made Kakashi feel strangely nervous.
She thought Kakashi had arranged all of this—the drinks, the fruit, maybe even the situation—and was now pretending innocence by warning her.
The implication: Look, I warned you—so it wasn't intentional.
Shizune misunderstood completely.
Kakashi felt lost. Why was she smiling like that?
Before he could ask, Shizune lifted the bottle and downed it in a single gulp.
Kakashi froze.
NANI?!
Shizune exhaled softly, savoring the taste. Then she inspected the bottle with raised brows. "This is good wine. Strong, too."
She let out a small giggle. "But I don't get drunk that easily. I've gone drinking with Lady Tsunade many times."
She gave Kakashi another meaningful look.
And Kakashi felt an entire herd of stampeding emotions crash through his chest.
What does that smile mean?!
I didn't prepare the wine!
Why does she look like she knows something I don't?!
He wanted to explain, but Shizune had already started drinking again between bites of fruit.
Kakashi sighed internally. Forget it… explaining will only make it worse.
"Kakashi, you should eat too!"
Her voice was suddenly braver, warmer—clearly influenced by the alcohol. She looked directly at him, determination flickering in her eyes even though she tried to mask her nervousness with a small cough.
Kakashi raised a brow, noticing the shift. He didn't fully understand it, but he responded politely. "What is it?"
Shizune inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "Kakashi… let's eat together."
Her tone carried a hint of vulnerability.
Kakashi blinked, then smiled gently. He picked up a piece of fruit, took a bite, and nodded. "Yeah… it's really good."
Shizune couldn't help but laugh softly. His reply was simple, but the moment felt comfortable.
They were both trying hard—maybe too hard—to avoid awkward silence.
Seeing her laugh, Kakashi felt himself relax.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked.
Shizune tilted her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I was just thinking—you're interesting. What kind of man invites a woman on a date and chooses… a bathhouse?" She paused dramatically. "What if I didn't come?"
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I thought about that. If you didn't come… I'd just bathe alone."
Shizune snorted, grabbing another piece of fruit.
"But luckily," Kakashi added softly, "you came."
Shizune froze momentarily, then swallowed her fruit.
"You… wanted me to come?" she asked quietly.
Kakashi met her gaze.
Naruto's words echoed in his head—If Shizune comes, then she's showing her feelings. You should respond as a man.
Kakashi nodded. "…Yes."
For a moment, Shizune didn't move. Then a genuine, warm smile bloomed on her face.
"That makes me happy."
The air between them shifted—lighter, clearer, honest.
"Tell me about your past, Kakashi," Shizune said. "There's a lot I don't know. Lady Tsunade had me traveling for years."
Kakashi nodded.
"What do you want to know?"
"The mission at the Kannabi Bridge," she said. "That's when your name first spread through the ninja world."
So Kakashi spoke—about Obito, Rin, the hardships, the lessons, the pain. He talked about his regrets, his burdens, and the weight he carried from childhood.
Shizune listened quietly. Hearing the man known as the Copy Ninja speak with emotion, seeing his eyes soften with memories—it moved her deeply.
"So…" she finally asked, "did you ever like Rin?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Honestly… no. Rin was a precious friend. Someone I cared for dearly as a comrade. But not in that way."
Shizune lay down by the pool's edge, resting her arms. "But Rin loved you when you were teenagers. You weren't moved at all?"
Kakashi thought seriously. Then shook his head again. "Not moved."
Shizune slowly rose, water dripping from her towel, and looked at him directly.
"Then…" she said softly, heart pounding,
"are you interested in me?"
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