"Feel free to call me if you need anything else."
After saying that, Nagato reluctantly disappeared from the kitchen doorway.
Only after finishing dinner did Nonou call on Nagato to help bring out the dishes.
Soon, the small dining table was laden with a generous spread.
Normally when she was alone, Nonou never cooked this much.
"What do you think? Doesn't it look absolutely delicious?"
Nonou placed a bowl of rice in front of Nagato and sat cross-legged opposite him.
"Not bad at all. I didn't expect you to have such great cooking skills."
Nagato hadn't even taken a bite yet, but he was already singing her praises.
"Of course! People call me Konoha's Little Chef."
Nonou pulled an exaggerated face that sent Nagato into fits of laughter.
"Who calls you that?"
Still chuckling, Nagato couldn't help asking.
"Hmph～ I gave myself that title. Got any issues with that?" Nonou wore a defiant expression, like daring him to challenge her.
"What issue could there possibly be? None at all." Nagato hadn't expected Nonou to be so self-admiring.
"You better not dare to argue."
"Come on, taste this fish I made."
Satisfied with Nagato's response, Nonou served him a large piece of fish.
"Alright."
Under Nagato's eager gaze, Nonou watched him intently.
"How is it, how is it?"
The moment he took a bite, Nonou couldn't wait to ask.
"It's good. Very delicious."
Nagato wasn't just complimenting her. Nonou truly had great culinary skills.
The fish alone looked stunning, smelled amazing, and tasted just as good.
As if to prove his words were genuine, Nagato helped himself to another large piece.
"If it's tasty, eat more."
Nonou felt extremely proud—after all, what could be more convincing than action?
No longer needing glasses, his eyes narrowed into slits.
"Don't just watch me eat. Join me."
Nagato invited Nonou to eat together. It felt a bit strange being stared at while eating.
"Yeah, okay."
Nonou joined Nagato in devouring the food, continuously serving him spoonfuls.
Soon enough, Nagato's bowl was piled high like a mountain.
"I can handle my own serving."
Looking at his bowl, Nagato smiled bitterly.
"Haha, I'm worried you're holding back because you're at my place."
Nonou withdrew her chopsticks midair and popped the meat back into her own mouth.
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness," Nagato gave her a sidelong glance, though because of his eyes, it wasn't particularly noticeable.
"Heheh~"
Nonou didn't respond. Instead, she busied herself stuffing rice into her mouth.
For quite some time, both of them kept eating until nearly all the dishes on the table were almost gone before finally stopping.
"I'm kind of full."
Leaning back, Nagato supported himself with his hands. His belly visibly bulged.
"If you're full, then it's successful. I'm full too."
Carefree and unbothered by appearances, Nonou smacked her stomach loudly, producing a "slap-slap" sound.
"Hahaha~"
Their eyes met—and both erupted into laughter.
...
After resting briefly, Nagato helped Nonou clear the table.
He had originally planned to wash the dishes, but Nonou brushed him off with a casual excuse.
When Nonou came out after finishing cleaning the kitchen, she carried two cups of hot tea.
"Here."
Nonou put a cup in front of Nagato and then sat down slowly.
"Thank you."
The tea was too hot, so Nagato picked up the cup and blew on it gently.
"Don't be silly—I haven't even thanked you for fixing my eyes yet."
Nonou winked playfully at him. Not needing glasses anymore really felt amazing.
"I promised you I would do it, so of course I had to keep my word."
Nagato thought it was only natural—it was a man's word, after all.
"Either way, I'll remember this."
Nonou lowered her head slightly. Her emotions seemed somewhat off.
"What's wrong?"
Nagato quickly noticed something. She seemed completely different from how she'd been at dinner earlier.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Suddenly raising her head, Nonou appeared to have made up her mind.
"You can tell me."
Nagato also realized something, feeling strangely uneasy.
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving the Anbu...leaving you."
Nonou paused after saying that, giving no further explanation.
"Are you transferring to the new department?"
"We can always meet again when we have time."
Nagato smiled casually, as if it were nothing. He'd actually expected this all along.
"Yeah, I went there a few days ago."
"It's just that things aren't quite what I imagined."
Nonou had already checked in.
Only then did she learn that they had been selected as the first batch of spies behind enemy lines for the new department. After undergoing intensive closed training, they would be deployed immediately.
Once they left, there was no telling when—or if—they'd meet again.
If something went wrong, it could mean they'd never see each other again.
"What's different about it?"
Nagato asked in confusion. He truly hadn't known what Jiraiya's new department involved.
He had assumed it was just another regular ninja unit.
"The training starts the day after tomorrow."
"After that, we get sent out immediately. I don't know where I'll go or how long I'll be gone."
Nonou's voice gradually became softer. She was intentionally vague, avoiding any real details.
Actually, she had already broken some rules. Jiraiya had repeatedly warned them not to reveal anything to anyone.
It concerned their future safety.
Fortunately, Nagato's identity was special. Sharing this much information wouldn't cause any real problems.
"Can you refuse?"
Nagato already guessed Nonou's answer. This wasn't just her mission—it was her duty as a ninja.
"No."
Nonou shook her head with a bitter smile.
Once they left, there was no telling when—if ever—they might meet again.
"Then...was tonight's dinner..."
"Was it meant to say goodbye to me?"
Nagato's mood now was completely different from before.
"Mm-hmm."
Nonou nodded, wanting to say more but holding back.
The room fell silent. Neither of them knew what to say for a moment.
"Then...what if I ask teacher's wife to put in a good word for us?"
After a long pause, Nagato asked tentatively.
This was the best idea he could think of.
"That wouldn't be fair."
For a moment, Nonou felt tempted, but she quickly shook the idea off.
If she used underhanded means to avoid going, someone else would have to take her place.
She couldn't bear to do something like that.
"I..."
Nagato opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to reassure her.
He shared the same thoughts as Nonou Yakushi. If he were chosen, he wouldn't want to run away either.
"Oh well, it's not like we'll never see each other again."
"Maybe I'll come back in a few years."
"By then, both of us will have grown up."
Though Nonou didn't finish, Nagato understood exactly what she meant.
"I'll wait for you."
Nagato looked at Nonou and said with determination.
Neither of them confessed their feelings outright, but at this moment, their hearts beat in unison.
"What I said goes, right? I didn't force you into this."
Nonou's face lit up with another smile, visibly satisfied.
"Yeah, I said it."
Nagato nodded, managing a forced smile to match hers.
"Your smile looks terrible."
Nonou adjusted her emotions first and started steering the conversation.
She didn't want their last moments together to feel so heavy.
And if that day truly came—her not returning...
It would be enough if Nagato simply remembered that a girl named Nonou Yakushi had once crossed his path.
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