Konoha.
The dark sky was mattered by twinkling stars, the full moon shining on the bustling village, a very wonderful night. The streets were crowded and lanterns outside different restaurants lit the streets, the flow of people immense.
The busiest spot on the street was the restaurant run by Akimichi Clan, Akimichi BBQ, the fragrance of savory meat spreading out of the restaurant and enticing people.
At some distance from the restaurant stood a girl so beautiful that people passing by unable to help themselves but take a look. She donned a light blue kimono with flower patterns and a green sash around her waist holding the kimono in its place. Her long hair were specially tied into a bun, her hands before her stomach holding a blue bag. Her eye lashes were done beautifully, nails manicured properly, a light base with some blush on her face, her round eyes looking around impatiently.
"Well~ I'll be damned! I feel like it's you who is making the full moon shine so brightly tonight. You'll seriously make me the public enemy of all men in the village."
"Ah!"
Just as Sumire who had prepared so anxiously for tonight was beginning to worry that Isamu might have forgotten their appointment, a surprised and teasing voice from behind startled her, turning around to look and seeing the person she had been waiting anxiously waiting for, in his eyes gazing at her an admiring look but his lips curved into a teasing smile.
But her startled look instantly turned into a shy and embarrassed one, finally registering his words as her head lowered immediately.
"Umm…don't tease me like that Hojo Sensei." Said Sumire in a lower tone with her head down but her eyes curved into a pair of crescents, clearly happy at his words.
"Hahaha~ I just said the truth. Come on let's go inside." Saying that walked towards the entrance, opening the door and holding it in place with his feet, bending down with one hand on his stomach and other gesturing inside. "Ladies First."
"Umm…Thank You…Hojo Sensei."
Seeing him so attentive, the smile on Sumire's face couldn't help but stretch as nodding nervously she headed inside and only then Isamu entering.
Isamu went to the receptionist and following him they arrived at the private booth that Isamu had booked earlier by sending a shadow clone, knowing during night it will too crowded.
Choosing the all-you can eat and drink course, Isamu sent the waiter out and soon some edamame and some drinks were sent in.
Sumire took the intiative to pick the white porcelain flask with a narrow neck and round body (Tokkuri) containing sake and poured in the sake cup, small and bowl like (Ochoko) and then pouring it in her sake cup as well.
Then picking up her cup she raised it high, Isamu knowing the ritual mimicking her.
"To a brighter and safe future."
"To a brighter and safe future."
Saying that both nodded at each other and clinked their cups, pouring it down their throats in one go, the strong taste immediately hitting them.
The warmth of the sake lingered in their throats as the cups clinked as they placed them back on the table.
"Being honest this promotion truly came out of the blue, I never expected I'll be leaving the academy just after two years." Said Isamu with some emotion in his tone, picking a few edamame with his chopstick and leaning back on the cushion and putting them in his mouth.
It has been just a month since he had unlocked the crossgate seal and his life had deviated so much from his planned life. It was not like he didn't like this change but just a bit sudden for him who had long given up due to his mediocrity.
Him mentioning about leaving the academy clearly dimmed the light in Sumire's round eyes but shaking her head she quickly masked it with a wide smile.
"It can't be helped Hojo Sensei as brilliant people don't stay among ordinary for long and always move on." Told Sumire, at the same time pouring another drink for her and gulping it down in one go.
"Brilliant People huh…" Murmured Isamu, pouring himself a drink also and downing it in one quick motion.
At this moment with a knock the waiter entered the booth carrying a large tray with all sorts of raw lamb, pork and beef slices, placing it on the table and turning on the grill in the middle of the table.
"No let me, It's your celebration night so just lay back and relax." Sumire stopped Isamu who was about to put the meat slices on the grill and doing the work herself.
Leaning back on the cushion, Isamu this time didn't drink sake in one go this time and took small sips, watching Sumire carefully and attentively lay the slices on the grill, her head down the whole time.
After seeing that the meat was cooked perfectly Sumire didn't put them in her plate but quickly filled Isamu's, piling them into a small mountain. During the whole meal it was Isamu eating four slices and Sumire eating one, they didn't drink much either as both had work tomorrow with Isamu needing to meet with the squad under him and Sumire with her work at the academy.
After paying the bill Isamu walked out of the restaurant and saw Sumire waiting for him outside, the moon light shining perfectly on her, the bright street paling in comparison to her.
"That was fun Hojo-Sensei, please don't forget to visit the academy from time to time, don't forget your old friends." Said Sumire in an expectant tone, her round eyes staring at Isamu in a way like she was trying to engrave his face into them.
Isamu didn't say anything in response and just gazed at her calmly, Sumire at this after hesitating for a second bowing a little and speaking.
"Then I'll be leaving, please take care of yourself." Saying that she quickly turned around to leave as different from a few seconds ago, tears at the corner of her eyes.
"Sumire."
But just as she was about to walk away, Isamu's voice completely different from the past, containing a hint of seriousness and gentleness at the same time reached her ears, her body visibly shaking at the fact Isamu hadn't added "Sensei" next to her name when addressing her.
Just as the shocked Sumire was about to turn around to look, she stopped as a chin rested on her shoulder, a mouth with warm breath tickling her ears.
"You may be right…Brilliant people may really not stay among the ordinary and disappear… Saying that Isamu stopped for a moment, Sumire's ears pricked to the limit. "But some things and some people are always worth returning to…
As those words fell, Sumire felt a thumb gently lift her chin, turning her face—and in the next moment, her lips were sealed. Her eyes widened in surprise before softening, closing as she melted into the moment.
When Sumire opened her eyes again, the warmth on her lips had disappeared and there was no sign of Isamu in the street, just some people passing by looking at her with surprised gazes.
"Woah!!!!" At this moment Sumire finally seemed to react to what had happened, her face turning red as a tomato and the eyes of people passing by making her even more embarrassed, like a teenager covering her face with wide kimono sleeves and running away like a duck.
"Hahaha…Its good to be young." Some old people passing by seeing the reaction of Sumire couldn't help but laugh as in their eyes a nostalgic look, missing the pure moments of their youth.