"You… you… You bastard!" Kurenai's face turned bright red as she yelled angrily.
"Sorry, you're just too beautiful. I couldn't help myself." Kitazawa licked the corner of his mouth, still feeling the lingering warmth and softness.
"…?" Kurenai was so furious she was speechless. She stomped on his foot without hesitation.
"If you're still mad, feel free to stomp a few more times," Kitazawa said seriously.
Kurenai was about to go for a second stomp when something suddenly crossed her mind, and she stopped.
"What? Can't bear to do it?" Kitazawa chuckled.
"I just don't want to give in to your twisted preferences," Kurenai replied with a disgusted look.
"I think you've misunderstood what kind of person I am," Kitazawa said, his smile twitching. "What kind of normal person would even want to be stepped on?"
"Exactly—so you're not normal," Kurenai countered.
She thought back to that kiss and felt her face heating up again. She hadn't expected Kitazawa to be so bold. Despite her direct personality, this was still a first for her.
"Does that logic even make sense?" Kitazawa said with a helpless smile. "Forget it. Whatever you say goes. The girlfriend is always right."
"I never said I'd be your girlfriend!" Kurenai huffed with a pout.
"You kissed me. Now you're not taking responsibility?" Kitazawa gave her a mock look of betrayal.
"You kissed me!" Kurenai shot back, exasperated.
"Well then, to even the score, why don't you kiss me back?" Kitazawa grinned, looking at her.
"…?" Kurenai finally understood the true meaning of shamelessness. She clenched her fist and punched him.
"Keep dreaming!" she said, turning and walking faster.
"Wait for me!" Kitazawa caught up and took her hand.
"Be serious, will you?" Kurenai glared at him—but didn't pull her hand away.
"I took the day off just for you. Where do you want to go?" Kitazawa stopped teasing and asked earnestly.
"I've lived in Konoha all my life. I've been everywhere." Kurenai looked around, then her eyes lit up. "How about we go see a movie?"
"Movie?" Kitazawa blinked. "Now that's a nostalgic word."
"It makes sense if you haven't heard of it," Kurenai explained. "It's a recent trend in the shinobi world. Think of it as a super-large TV screen."
"Then let's go." Kitazawa smiled and didn't ask more. He'd seen plenty of movies in his past life, but watching one in the shinobi world would be a first.
Inside the theater, Kitazawa glanced at the posters on the wall. Most of them were adventure-themed, with ninja protagonists.
"Has Kazahana Koyuki not become an actress yet?" He didn't spot her name and thought to himself.
Koyuki Kazahana was the main heroine in a Naruto movie—a famous actress across the ninja world. She was a princess from the Land of Snow, saved by Kakashi as a child, and later became an actress in the Land of Fire.
Eventually, with Naruto's help, she returned to reclaim her position as the ruler of Snow Country.
"I'll get the sodas. You grab the tickets." Kitazawa handed Kurenai a wad of cash.
"I've got money," Kurenai said, trying to return it.
"It's just pocket money. Don't make it a big deal." Kitazawa waved her off and went to buy two bottles of soda.
They had earned quite a bit recently from working with Tsunade on new medical jutsu.
Kurenai chuckled lightly and bought two tickets for the next screening.
"Here," Kitazawa handed her a soda as they both walked into the theater hall.
"Not many people here," Kitazawa observed. Only six others were present.
"It's still morning. Most people are at work." Kurenai unscrewed the cap and took a sip.
"True." Kitazawa sat beside her. Since the place was mostly empty, they easily got a good spot.
"What flavor's yours?" Kitazawa asked, holding up his drink.
"Apple." Kurenai raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Mine's lemon. Here—let's switch. Now you get to try both." Kitazawa handed her his soda. "Buy one, taste two."
"Childish." Kurenai's eye twitched. As she brought the bottle to her lips, she paused.
Is this… an indirect kiss?
She took a small sip, then glanced at Kitazawa. Was that deliberate?
"Tastes nice," Kitazawa said, meeting her gaze. "Soft."
"You trying to die?" Kurenai's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and rage.
Just then, the movie began, muffling her voice.
"I meant the soda," Kitazawa leaned over and whispered.
Kurenai felt his warm breath against her skin and panicked slightly, pretending to be calm. "Watch the movie," she said.
Kitazawa tilted his head and kissed her cheek, then looked straight at the screen as if nothing had happened.
"…?" Kurenai opened her mouth but said nothing in the end. She stared at the screen, feeling her mouth go dry.
The two remained silent until the movie ended.
"It was kind of average," Kitazawa said, unenthusiastic. "Chunin-level battles are more exciting."
Ninja World films had poor special effects. Even with fight scenes, it was often subpar compared to real ninja fights. After all, real shinobi didn't waste time making movies.
"You're a Special Jonin now," Kurenai reminded him.
By the time the movie ended, it was around eleven. The June sun blazed in the sky as they walked through the streets, warm wind stirring fallen leaves.
"What do you want for lunch?" Kitazawa asked, holding her hand.
"Grilled fish," Kurenai said after a moment. "Let's catch it ourselves."
"Where are we fishing?" Kitazawa asked with interest. In his past life, he was a fishing enthusiast. At her suggestion, his fingers itched with excitement.
"There's a river in the Forest of Death," Kurenai said, dragging him to buy fishing gear.
"Watch and learn from a pro," Kitazawa said, holding the rod with confidence.
"I haven't fished much," Kurenai replied with a sweet smile. "Don't lose to me."
"Don't worry." Kitazawa cast his line with flair.
But soon, he noticed something was off. Kurenai had already caught one fish—he hadn't even gotten a bite.
"How's it going?" Kurenai looked over smugly.
"…I'm just warming up. Beginner's luck protection," Kitazawa insisted.
"Oh, really?" Kurenai giggled. "Hooked another one!"
"…?" Kitazawa had a bad feeling. And he was right.
An hour later, Kurenai had caught five fish. Kitazawa? Just one.
He wore a long face. This is a disaster for a seasoned fisherman!
"Don't be grumpy. Let's eat grilled fish." Kurenai suddenly tilted her head and pressed her soft lips to his.
Kitazawa froze.
"I'll prep the fish." Kurenai tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and walked toward the river.
A great fisherman doesn't just reel in fish—he reels in hearts. Kitazawa snapped out of his daze and went over to help.