After hearing about the tumultuous future marriage that would be filled with ups and downs and pain, Yūgao lost all interest and grew sullen. She hastily led Naruto to a small structure, handed him a set of keys, and left without a word.
Naruto could sense that Yūgao needed time to process what he'd said. The bond between her and Gekkō Hayate, a couple whose love was unbreakable, might have been irrevocably damaged by his revelation.
Naruto felt no burden from the love story in the original novel. Instead, he was concerned about Yūgao's future. This young woman in her twenties would have to endure a lifetime of solitude, clinging to her memories.
He told Yūgao that he couldn't bear it anymore and promised to take good care of her.
With a soft hum, Naruto unlocked the door to his new abode. It wasn't spacious, but it was adequate for a single person. The first floor contained a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. The second floor had a small hallway, a master bedroom, an additional room, and another bathroom. It also featured a balcony.
Naruto was quite content with the arrangement. He didn't require much for a living space, just that it be comfortable and not too shabby. The house was well-equipped with furniture, appliances, and daily necessities; all he needed to do was purchase personal items.
While Naruto was getting acclimated to his new home, Yūgao had already informed the Third Hokage of her progress and retreated, citing poor mental health. Her mind remained preoccupied with Naruto's vivid depiction of her potential future with Hayate.
It's undeniable that she still harbors feelings for Gekkō Hayate. Yet, if their union resulted in the lifelong turmoil Naruto described, she knew she couldn't endure it. Feelings are reciprocal. If Hayate's condition meant she would endure endless anger, why should she submit to such suffering?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the window. She knew it could only be Hayate. Despite her initial reluctance, she couldn't help but open the window.
Gekkō Hayate, lean and fit, perched in a tree outside, as if the wind could blow him away at any moment. He greeted her with a smile, "I see that you've come home earlier than usual. Is everything all right?"
"It's nothing. I just didn't feel well, so I left work early," Yūgao replied with a cool expression.
The image of their future arguments filled her mind, and she found it difficult to maintain her usual friendly disposition towards him.
Gekkō Hayate sensed her irritation but brushed it off as a sign of her poor mood. He suggested a trip to the hospital, assuming she might be unwell.
Yūgao, however, felt a twinge of annoyance at his inquiry, suspecting it was an attempt to pry into her dealings with Naruto. She declined his offer, shutting the window firmly.
Meanwhile, "Is Yūgao mad at me? I don't recall doing anything wrong," Hayate murmured to himself, scratching his head. He attributed her behavior to a typical, fleeting mood swing.
He is a jealous person with low self-esteem and is easily suspicious.
So it seemed to Yūgao that Hayate was trying to deceive her just now, and he wanted to find out if she had any contact with Naruto beyond the ordinary.
"I haven't even gotten married yet, but I already have such lenient supervision. Will I still have any freedom after I get married?" Yūgao frowned deeply.
...
"Hey, isn't this Kurenai-sensei?"
Naruto wandered around his new home and upon reaching the balcony, discovered that it was connected to the one adjacent to it.
Over there, Yūhi Kurenai was dressed casually at home, comfortably seated on a chair, sipping wine with an at-ease expression.
Indeed, as the information had stated, Yūhi Kurenai had a habit of drinking late at night, but she hadn't anticipated being caught by him like this.
The most astonishing fact, however, was that the two of them were actually neighbors and their balconies were connected.
"Naruto?" Yūhi Kurenai was slightly taken aback and greeted him with a smile, "I noticed someone had moved into the house next door, which was previously empty. I never thought it was you."
"Yeah!" Naruto leaned over the railing onto Yūhi Kurenai's balcony with a smile, "I didn't have the key to the place over there, so the Third Hokage had me stay here instead. How are things? Want to come over for a drink?"
"How's it going?" Yuri Hong offered, holding up her wine glass.
Naruto leaped frogged over to the chair beside Yūhi Kurenai and said with a grin, "Kurenai-sensei, I've just graduated from ninja school and I'm still a minor. You're actually inviting me to drink?"
"Don't call me that!" Yūhi Kurenai protested, rolling her eyes, "If we're going to ignore our titles' differences, let's just be more casual, okay?"
"Of course, no problem!" Naruto couldn't help but smile.
Indeed, the dynamic between the two was rather uncomfortable, so it would be better to just overlook each other's statuses.
Yūhi Kurenai smiled contentedly before filling a glass of wine for Naruto and passing it over.
Naruto took a whiff of it; it was just ordinary soju.
I didn't anticipate that Kurenai-sensei, despite her attractive appearance and figure, would have such average tastes. It's a bit of a letdown