[The Next Day]
Kazahana Koyuki brought Aoba and the others to find Sandayu Asame. It was to collect the final payment for their mission.
After everything that had happened these past few days, everyone had almost forgotten who had issued this mission in the first place.
"You're leaving already? Why not stay for a few more days?"
Sandayu's face was glowing with joy; he was in high spirits now, "Don't be fooled by how the Land of Snow is snowing all year round, there are actually quite a few fun places here."
"No, once we return, there's still a lot of things waiting for us. We'll come visit again when we have the time," Aoba smiled and shook his head.
"I see. Well, alright then."
Sandayu Asame didn't insist, "Then wait here for a moment."
After saying that, he pulled out pen and paper, wrote something down, then, with Kazahana Koyuki's permission, stamped it with the daimyo's seal.
In that instant, what was originally just an ordinary letter was immediately elevated.
He carefully sealed it up, then solemnly handed it to Aoba.
"This is a letter addressed to Konoha Village, to the Hokage. Please help deliver it."
'So formal? What's inside this?'
Aoba accepted the letter with some confusion. Even Kazahana Koyuki had a puzzled look.
But when she looked at Sandayu Asame, he only gave her an expression of "leave everything to me."
That left Kazahana Koyuki utterly baffled.
Watching Aoba and the others leave, Sandayu Asame went back to handling other matters, all the while thinking to himself, "Princess Koyuki, please rest assured, this old servant will definitely help you realize your wish."
———
On the way to the port of the Land of Snow—
"In the end, that device was still only a half-finished product," Kazahana Koyuki said casually, as if in small talk.
"Then does that mean it'll still turn back into winter?", Because parting was close, Yakumo's attitude toward Kazahana Koyuki had softened quite a bit.
"No. If we continue developing and improving that device, one day the Land of Snow will definitely become the Land of Spring," There wasn't the slightest hint of disappointment on Koyuki's face. Only longing and hope.
"Oh right, can you give me an autograph?", Aoba suddenly asked, remembering that Anko had asked him to get one for her.
Hearing this, Kazahana Koyuki froze for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Of course, no problem."
Putting aside the fact that Aoba had helped her take revenge and seize the daimyo's seat, the guy was also a veteran fan who had watched her movies several times.
Aoba took out a still shot of Koyuki from one of her films, along with a pen.
"When my next movie goes online, you must remember to go watch it," After signing, Koyuki reminded him with a smile.
"Mm."
"Sign one for me too."
"I want one as well."
Yakumo, Hinata, and Kurenai, seeing Aoba get an autograph, also came up to ask for one.
Though they had some personal issues with Koyuki herself, they really did like her films.
Koyuki patiently signed one for each of them. By this time, the sound of the ship's departure was ringing out.
Time to say goodbye.
They waved their farewells, but then Koyuki suddenly called out to Aoba.
"Aoba!"
Aoba instinctively turned his head, and Koyuki came running toward him.
When she got close, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly kissed his cheek.
"Remember to come see me again sometime, okay?"
———
"Tss!"
"Yakumo, Hinata, not so hard!"
Back on the ship, Aoba immediately suffered attacks from Yakumo and Hinata.
"Hehe, the noble daimyo herself bestowed you with a kiss. Feeling pretty proud right now, aren't you?", Yakumo didn't ease up. Instead, she dug in even harder.
"It was Koyuki who suddenly attacked me…", Aoba tried to explain, but Yakumo cut him off.
"Don't give me that. She's not even a ninja. How could you fail to react in time?"
"If I dodged, wouldn't that just embarrass her?"
Koyuki was the daimyo now. If she kissed a boy in public only to get avoided, wouldn't the next day's rumors explode?
"Then you just endure it. Stop making excuses!"
Kurenai watched from the side as Aoba was besieged, covering her mouth and laughing quietly.
But when she thought about how the next few days had no missions, meaning she'd be force-fed a lot of "dog food(public display of affection)," she suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
Originally, Aoba could've just used Flying Thunder God to bring them straight back.
But Yakumo suggested they take the ship instead, so they could use the chance to relax and tour around the region.
Naturally, Aoba had no objections, letting Yakumo keep pinching his waist.
But then Hinata's face suddenly leaned in, pressing her lips against the spot where Koyuki had kissed earlier.
Yakumo froze instantly.
Kurenai was also a little surprised, 'So Hinata is actually the boldest one?'
"Hinata, what are you suddenly doing?", Yakumo quickly pulled Hinata away.
Hinata's pretty face flushed red, "This way, the mark Princess Koyuki left is gone."
"You…", Yakumo looked at the print Hinata had left on Aoba's cheek. She wanted to lean in too, but then she'd basically be tasting Hinata's kiss instead.
So she went for the other side of Aoba's face.
But before she could touch him, Hinata pulled her back, "Yakumo, let's go look over there."
"?"
———
The night was enchanting, waves crashing against the ship's sides with a deep, muffled sound.
Aoba lay in bed with Hinata and Yakumo, all three sleeping soundly.
But in the darkness, Yakumo suddenly opened her eyes.
In his sleep, Aoba felt something heavy pressing on his head, along with a faint chill.
But strangely, he also felt a warm sensation wrapping tightly around him.
'Did someone forget to close the window?'
It felt like a stream of icy air was pouring inside.
Bam!
The window blew open, and the damp sea breeze rushed in.
Half-asleep, Aoba immediately frowned.
A chilly draft swept past.
He shivered involuntarily.
The hairs on his body stood on end, then slowly relaxed again.
Aoba's eyes suddenly snapped open.
Clutching the blanket, he glanced sideways toward his pillow. Yakumo's beautiful big eyes were staring back at him in surprise, caught off guard that he had woken so suddenly.
"Yakumo, what are you doing?", Aoba gritted his teeth, shivering hard.
Yakumo, who had been moving, seemed startled by his voice. Her eyes widened slightly.
Like a thief caught in the act, a trace of panic flashed through her eyes. But she quickly regained composure.
Only then did she realize their current position.
Her cheeks flushed, and she blinked her shy eyes.
Aoba's red pupils flickered faintly.
He didn't dare move recklessly now, afraid of waking Hinata who was still sound asleep in his arms.
"Hinata's right here, you know."
"This is revenge on Hinata."
Yakumo whispered softly, then said nothing more…
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