Koji didn't run far. While he had fun darting around and teasing me, he was also like a puppy—afraid of losing track of me and unwilling to leave my side. Which meant he soon came back, wagging his hypothetical tail.
"Done being a menace?"
"Never!" was his response—followed by a kiss. I could have dodged it, but it did feel good to be wanted.
We wandered a little behind the shrine, down a quiet path lined with smooth river stones and tiny offerings tucked beneath tree roots. Kuro padded ahead, his presence the perfect excuse not to speak—not to make this moment more than it was.
Eventually, Koji slowed beside me. "Hey."
I glanced over, one brow raised.
He held up his fortune slip again, crinkled now from being jammed in his pocket. "I wasn't lying. I think it's kind of cute. Yours said blessings of fertility and joy in the home. Mine said great success and legacy. That's... that's got to mean something, right?"
"Koji," I warned, though there wasn't much bite in it.
He grinned, and the hand wrapped around my back slid lower, gripping my ass. "Just saying—if the universe's being all symbolic, maybe we should listen. Might save time."
I opened my mouth to tell him off, but clearly his hand had been distracting me. Those two schemed against me, because while I was off-balance, I suddenly felt Kuro's nose poke me between the legs.
"Kuro!" I shouted, stepping away from those two troublemakers.
"Bark!"
"Why hide it, Yuki? Even Kuro's nose says you like the idea. And well..." Koji scratched his blushing cheek. "That you are fertile."
"You two are unbelievable!" I glared at Kuro—because honestly, I expected better from him.
With a huff, I walked on ahead, ignoring both of them.
"Hey! Yuki, wait, come on—we were just making fun, is all!" Koji called, quickly catching up and pressing against me.
I didn't make it easy. I ignored him and kept walking, even as he practically hung off me.
"I'll make it up to you," he said suddenly, falling into step with that crooked smile he always wore when he knew he was in trouble—and didn't regret it.
"Oh?" I didn't look at him right away, letting him sweat. "And how will you do that, partner?"
Koji rubbed the back of his neck, ears tinged red. "Well... maybe I could... we could... you know?" he asked, flashing his fangs.
Kuro barked—enthusiastically, of course.
I raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's the best you've got?"
"Well, if it worked, it would've been great. But honestly, Yuki... I was thinking maybe dinner? You know, a date—just the two of us?"
"Bark!"
"Fine! The three of us," he quickly added.
I didn't answer right away. I kept walking, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make him squirm. Only when we reached the edge of the street again, where the market noise returned in soft waves, did I glance back.
"A real date?" I asked. "Normally, you start by asking. But I guess you Inuzuka men do things differently."
"Not as differently as you Hyūga women. I remember how this started." He wiggled his eyebrows.
I sighed. He wasn't wrong—I was the one who skipped the first date.
"Still... do you even know what a proper date looks like?" I asked.
Koji grinned. "Sure I do. Food, talking, trying not to get kicked out for bringing a dog. Romance."
Kuro barked proudly, clearly believing himself essential to any romantic setting.
I shook my head. "So your whole plan is food and vibes?"
"That, and my irresistible charm," he added with a smug look, then gestured to Kuro. "Plus, I bring a very fluffy third wheel."
"You're lucky he's cute."
"I could say the same about you."
"Mm," I hummed, eyes narrowing. "I still haven't said yes, you know."
"But you're walking with me. That's basically a yes."
"Or maybe we're just going the same direction."
"Because you're coming with me," he said, fangs flashing. "Now come on. I saw a restaurant earlier that looked fancy enough to have real chairs but desperate enough to let us in."
He tugged me gently by the hand, and I let him—because despite everything, I did want a proper meal. Food at the Konoha camp hadn't been bad... but it couldn't compare to a real restaurant.
"Private room?" I asked, glancing at Kuro as we reached the door.
"Obviously," Koji said, already pushing it open. "You think I'd leave my partner outside?"
Kuro barked once, tail wagging high.
"And what about your other partner?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
Koji turned back, grin softer now. "I don't leave you outside either."
And just like that, my face warmed again.
"Smooth," I muttered.
"I've been practicing."
"You're still awful."
"Awfully in love with you," he added, opening the door with a flourish.
I rolled my eyes—and stepped inside.
The host blinked at us—at Koji's easy grin, my serious face, and Kuro's panting enthusiasm—but didn't ask questions. Probably decided the surcharge on a private room was worth it.
We were seated in a small space with sliding paper doors and a single low table. Koji collapsed onto the cushion with a content groan, arms flopping like he was home from war. Kuro circled once before settling beside him with a grunt, chin resting on his foot.
I sat with more grace, legs folded properly, hands in my lap. Or at least, I did—until Koji reached across the table and brushed his fingers against mine.
"I'm not great at this," he admitted, voice quieter now that the door was closed. "Dates. Acting normal. Sitting still."
"You're doing fine," I said. "For a wild animal."
He snorted. "I'll take that as encouragement."
The waiter came in—a woman who barely gave us a second glance, clearly used to strange pairs and wandering shinobi. Koji ordered confidently: grilled fish, hot pot with local vegetables, dumplings. He kept going, making the poor woman give us side-eye by the end.
Still, she didn't ask questions. Most civilians saw shinobi as dangerous—and even then, no one was foolish enough to provoke us.
When she left, he leaned forward, elbows on the table. "So... how am I doing? Scale of one to ten. Be honest."
I tilted my head. "Seven."
"Seven?" He looked wounded. "I brought you to a real restaurant."
"Had I been a normal girl, that would've been a six at most. I'm giving you extra points for being handsome."
Koji sat up straighter, mock outrage widening his eyes. "Only one point for being devastatingly handsome? Yuki, I'm wounded."
I sipped my tea. "Fine. One more point for Kuro's sake. But that's all."
Koji gasped like I'd insulted his clan. "Eight out of ten? With all this effort? The charm, the food, the company?"
"You're doing fine," I said, hiding a smirk behind my cup.
Koji leaned in, his voice dropping just enough to feel like a secret. "Okay, then tell me... what gets me a ten?"
I raised an eyebrow, slow and deliberate. "Asking for improvement tips now?"
"I'm being strategic," he grinned. "Also—very motivated."
I set my cup down. "Well... let's just say it would take a lot more than fish and flattery."
"Define 'a lot more.'" He rested his chin on his hand, giving me that look—part wolf, part idiot, part too-handsome-for-his-own-good. "Give me the playbook, Yuki. I'll train night and day."
"Hmm." I pretended to think. "I like emotional maturity. Honesty. A refined tongue. Good table manners."
"Are you describing me or Haruto?"
"I'm describing a ten."
Koji made a face. "So I need a miracle."
"No," I said softly, leaning forward. "There's another way to get a ten... but it's a big risk. Either you make it—or you turn your eight into a zero. Are you sure you want to know?"
Koji's eyes gleamed. "You're messing with me."
"Maybe." I swirled my tea, playing the part.
He leaned forward too, like we were trading secrets instead of flirting in a rented room. "Yuki. You can't just say that and not tell me. Come on. Hit me. I can handle the truth."
"You say that now." I raised an eyebrow. "But once you know... you can never unknow."
"Absolutely," he said. "I'm all in."
I sipped my tea again, just to make him squirm. Then I met his eyes. "You really want to know how to get a ten?"
Koji nodded, deadly serious.
I leaned in, voice low. "Make me scream."
He blinked. "Huh?"
"From pleasure." I smiled slyly. "Loud. Shameless. Repeatedly. Make me scream your name until I lose my voice."
Koji opened his mouth. No sound came out.
"That's how you get a ten," I finished, sipping again with all the calm grace I could fake—cheeks burning the whole time. Sometimes teasing Koji meant dealing a thousand damage... and taking a few hundred myself.
For once, he was speechless. He looked at Kuro. Then back at me. His cheeks caught fire.
"You—you can't just say that!" he hissed. "That's cheating!"
"You asked. I answered."
"You said I'd never be able to unknow it and—gods, Yuki, it's in my brain now!"
I grinned. "Then get to work."
He groaned and dropped his forehead to the table. "I'm going to die."
"Probably," I said. "But you'll die trying."
Koji peeked up, still flushed but grinning. "Challenge accepted. I will make you scream. I will prove my great success. I will fulfill our fortunes."
Kuro snorted and thumped his tail in agreement.
For a moment, I thought Koji might jump me then and there—but thankfully, the doors opened and the food arrived, saving me from the consequences of my own mouth.
Soon, the table was filled—grilled fish sizzling on ceramic plates, bubbling hot pot steaming with sliced meat and vegetables, dumplings arranged in royal rows.
Kuro perked up, nose twitching, inching toward the table with hope in his eyes. Koji, still beaming, scooped a portion into a bowl and set it down with exaggerated ceremony.
"For my most loyal and innocent partner," he declared, casting a dramatic look at me.
Kuro gave a huff and dug in like a king.
"Mm," I mused, picking up my chopsticks. "So you know how to feed a dog. Impressive."
Koji reached for a dumpling, waving it lazily. "And I know how to feed a queen. Watch and be amazed."
He placed it on my plate, then leaned back with mock reverence.
"Wow," I said flatly. "Truly, I am swept away."
"You should be," he said around a mouthful of rice. "I even remembered not to poison it."
"A shame. I've built up a resistance." I bit into the fish. "Mmm. This is better than I expected."
"Right?" Koji beamed. "You doubted me."
"Always," I said, softer this time. "Still... you picked well."
"So did you. And later... I'll prove just how well." His voice dripped with meaning.
Classic Koji. Still... I welcomed it.
(End of chapter)
I fully intended Chapter 69 to be smut, yet… I left off at chapter 68 in a place where I needed a bit more room to set up the scene, since I already knew where and how I wanted to lead into the scene.
That just ended up taking a bit longer than I thought, so instead I decided to split chapter 69 in two, one cute date, and one hot date.