Kitazawa wasn't sure whether Hatake Kakashi was in pain, but he himself felt rather cheerful.
In his line of sight, Yūhi Kurenai was leaning forward, her pale arms braced on the coffee table; the red dress she wore stretched outward, tracing her figure.
Because they were so close, he caught a faint, delicate fragrance—
He couldn't tell if it was her natural scent or just her shampoo.
Just then, Yūhi Kurenai suddenly lifted her head.
Instinctively, Kitazawa met her ruby‑like eyes.
"You weren't like this before," Kurenai said, sitting up straight and narrowing her gaze.
The old Kitazawa had never been so bold. Though gentle to everyone, he always kept a polite distance.
Now he could stare openly, without the slightest shame.
"People change," Kitazawa replied with a smile.
Kurenai looked at him, momentarily startled.
She suddenly realized Kitazawa's biggest change: he was radiating confidence now.
Though she didn't know why, a confident, handsome man was certainly pleasing to look at—and that was why she wasn't angry about being ogled.
"I like you better this way," she laughed, then returned to business. "What's your idea for Yakumo's second genjutsu?"
"Her first, the 'Talk Therapy Technique,' lets the target lower their guard and eases mental fatigue," Kitazawa said after thinking for a moment. "I think the second could go a step further—make the target blurt out their true thoughts."
He was modeling it on a truth serum from his previous life; the genjutsu might be called a "True Confession Technique."
"That'll be harder—at least C‑rank, maybe even B‑rank," Kurenai mused.
"True, it's tricky," Kitazawa said with a grin, "but we have plenty of time to study it."
"Fair enough." Kurenai nodded. "Will it still sound‑based?"
"To lower the difficulty, we could start from the visual side," Kitazawa paused. "For example, by modifying Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique."
"Great idea!" Kurenai brightened.
That technique worked through the eyes, altering what the target saw—making them mistake one place for another. In the original story, Kotetsu had used it to make Genin walk into the wrong exam room.
"We could have the patient see Kurama Yakumo as the person they trust most!" Kurenai said excitedly.
"Not bad," Kitazawa praised. "You catch on quick."
"I'm just riffing on your idea." She looked him over. "When did you get so smart?"
"People change," he repeated.
"Do you know the False Surroundings Technique?" she asked, glancing away.
"No." Kitazawa shook his head.
"Seems I can still help." Kurenai chuckled, producing a ninjutsu scroll. "Want to learn it?"
"No need to waste time," Kitazawa declined. "It's enough if you learn it."
"Alright," she said—she knew Wind Release was Kitazawa's forte and didn't press.
Time drifted by.
Sunlight outside faded from bright to pale; only a streak of red clouded the horizon.
"Come on, drink!" Kurenai raised her cup, lively.
After a day of research, they'd sat down to dinner.
"Cheers!" Kitazawa clinked glasses with her and drained his in one gulp.
"Ah!" Kurenai let out a long breath.
She swayed into her seat; the red dress swung, showing off her curves.
"Fill it up!" She thrust her cup forward.
Kitazawa lifted the sake bottle—but it felt almost weightless. Two shakes: no slosh.
"It's empty. That's all for today," he said, setting it down.
"What… what did you say?" Kurenai sprang up, face almost touching his.
The smell of sake and her fragrance washed over him.
One slight eye‑movement and he could see those soft, rosy lips.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and eased her back into her seat.
"The sake you brought is gone!" he said a bit louder.
"Then buy more!" Kurenai said without hesitation.
"No." Kitazawa shook his head. "Too much drink isn't good."
"Huh?" She glared, voice fierce. "Are you—are you buying it or not?"
"Not." Kitazawa didn't flinch.
"You… you jerk, I'll remember this!" She glared until her eyes hurt, bit her finger in frustration.
"All right, rest a bit. I'll wash the dishes, then take you home," Kitazawa said with a laugh.
Kurenai huffed, rose, and flopped onto the sofa; her round hips jiggled as she did.
Kitazawa cleared the table and went to the kitchen.
A dozen minutes later he peeled off the apron and returned.
"Time to head back, Kurenai," he called to her sprawled on the sofa.
"Not… not going," she waved a hand, rolled over; the red dress slid askew.
"What?" he smiled. "Planning to sleep here?"
"Why not?" She sat up. "I have to come again tomorrow anyway—might as well stay, save the hassle."
"You sure?" Kitazawa blinked.
"Right, I'm taking a bath. Where's the bathroom?" She staggered to her feet.
"Over there," he said, making no objection—his place was big enough for three.
"Careful," he stepped in to steady her.
"I… I'm fine!" She elbowed him lightly.
"Did you bring a change of clothes?" he asked at the bathroom door.
"Sure did," Kurenai leaned on the doorframe. As a ninja, you always carried essentials—though that luxury was mostly for Chūnin and Jōnin; most Genin couldn't afford summoning‑storage scrolls.
"Good. Shout if you need anything," Kitazawa nodded.
Kurenai took two steps, then suddenly looked back at him.
Remembering how firmly he'd refused to buy more booze, she teased:
"Want to bathe together?"
Her smile seemed to say, I bet you won't dare.
"Sure," Kitazawa said, walking toward her.
Kurenai's smile froze; panic flared.
She hurriedly backed away, bang!—slammed the bathroom door.
"I changed my mind! I'm bathing alone! You stay out!" she cried, pressing her back to the door, heart racing, face burning.
~~~
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