Chapter 129: Souta's Dinner Invitation
"If I leave now." Masamichi's voice came out faint, his words hanging in the air like a warning.
A moment later, Masamichi's figure vanished from the rooftop of the Ninja Academy in Sunagakure.
All that remained was the faint trace of his presence, leaving behind Souta, Pakura, and Makima who still stood there, allowing the late afternoon desert wind to brush against their faces.
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In the end, Souta, Pakura, and Makima decided to return to their own homes. By then, the day was already leaning toward evening. The sky was painted in a golden-orange hue, slowly being brushed over by the stretching shadows of dusk, while the distant sound of birds returning to their nests echoed faintly.
Above the treetops, several black crows passed overhead, their caws adding a solemn depth to the twilight atmosphere. The evening breeze blew gently, carrying with it the scent of damp leaves, moist soil, and the fading warmth of the sinking sun. The air felt calm, as though nature itself was celebrating the closing of a long day at the Academy.
But before they truly parted ways, Souta stopped walking. His footsteps halted mid-stride, his ninja sandals making a soft sound against the stone path. Slowly, he turned his head toward the other two.
Souta's smile was thin, small yet carrying a deliberate weight, as though he had planned something all along.
The light of dusk illuminated part of his face, making his smile appear faint yet meaningful. With a tone that flowed lightly, casual yet inviting, Souta finally spoke.
"Before we head home, how about we fill our stomachs first? I know a place not too far from the Academy. It's simple, but the food there… well, it's addictive."
His voice was easygoing, almost as if it were just a spontaneous suggestion. But his slightly narrowed gaze revealed that this invitation wasn't some random thought.
There was warmth in it, even a hidden hope—that their togetherness wouldn't end so quickly beneath the twilight sky.
Makima raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes locking on Souta with a half-skeptical expression. A faint wrinkle formed on her forehead, as though she was weighing the seriousness of his invitation.
Yet, eventually, a small laugh slipped from Makima's lips. "Are you serious? We just finished forming our team, and now you still have the energy to think about food?"
Her voice carried a teasing tone, like that of an older sibling poking fun at a younger one. Her lips curved ever so slightly, her eyes shimmering with the reflection of the setting sun. Perhaps she wanted to hold back her amusement, but Souta's demeanor made it impossible for her not to give in to it.
Pakura, standing slightly off to the side, crossed her arms over her chest. Her gaze remained sharp, as usual, yet there was a subtle ease in her expression.
Her lips curved faintly, as if she were restraining a smile—something rarely seen on her. "Hm… a restaurant near the Academy, you say? You're sure this isn't just your excuse to delay going home?"
Her voice was cool, but there was a trace of curiosity hidden beneath it—one she couldn't quite conceal. Though her expression suggested refusal, her posture betrayed her. The slight lean of her body in Souta's direction gave away her genuine interest.
Souta lifted both hands halfway up in mock defense, exaggerating the movement just enough to appear playful. "Hey, is it really wrong if I want to spend a little more time with you both? Besides, going home on an empty stomach… isn't that far more painful?"
He added the words with a smile that wasn't just lighthearted, but also sincere—layered with genuine warmth. There was a subtle note in his voice, almost like a quiet plea, asking that their moment together not end so soon.
Makima's smile finally widened. Her eyes glittered with growing curiosity, her lips shifting slightly to the side as if she were holding back another laugh.
Leaning just a bit closer to Souta, Makima fixed her gaze on him with playful intrigue. "If the food is really as good as you say, then I don't mind. But if it turns out to be average, I'll make you treat me to something better during tomorrow's training."
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Chapter 130: Celebrating the Achievement of Becoming a Ninja
Makima's tone was firm, yet behind that firmness lingered a playful lilt. Her words sounded like a warning, but in truth they carried the air of a tease—lighthearted, even warming the atmosphere around them.
Pakura let out a soft breath, the strands of her hair swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Behind her typically cold gaze, a fleeting warmth surfaced—something rare, almost hidden. "Fine… in that case, I'll join. But you're paying, Souta."
Her voice was flat, delivered in the same calm manner that was uniquely hers, as if emotions were things too extravagant to spend freely. Yet the faint softness tucked between her words turned her statement into quiet acceptance rather than refusal.
Souta chuckled under his breath, his laughter light, genuine, unburdened. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a gesture betraying his bashfulness, though the happiness on his face was impossible to miss. "Hahaha… alright, alright! Consider this my treat. Think of it as a small gift for us—because we survived today."
There was pride in his tone, the pride of a young man who, in his own way, wished to be a pillar for the bond between them.
The place he had in mind was modest, at least in appearance. Just a wooden building with a faded signboard, the paint peeling and tilted slightly as if worn down by wind and time.
Yet despite its humble look, the restaurant was well known among Academy students for serving dishes rarely found elsewhere. Paper lanterns hung by the entrance, swaying gently in the breeze of the approaching night. Their golden glow was soft, warm—like an unspoken invitation to step inside.
As soon as they entered, the fragrance of roasted meat laced with spices wrapped around them like a welcoming embrace.
The crackle of burning embers, the small sizzling pops as fat dripped onto glowing charcoal, and the cheerful laughter of other diners blended into a symphony of warmth and camaraderie.
The wooden walls bore carvings and scribbles left by previous visitors, tiny marks of countless stories layered one atop another, adding to the sense that this place was more than just a restaurant—it was a vessel of memories.
Their choice of dish fell on skewered ostrich meat. An unusual choice, yet precisely that peculiarity made the meal feel all the more special. The smoky aroma of grilled meat mingled with spices rose the moment it was served, spreading across the table.
The fire in the hearth still burned brightly, sparks occasionally leaping up when droplets of fat struck the coals. That reddish glow reflected in their eyes, heightening the sense of festivity in their shared moment.
Ostrich meat was no ordinary fare. Its price was steep, for ostriches were often used as swift, resilient mounts. That was why eating its meat was considered a luxury, reserved only for particular occasions.
And so, when the skewers were laid before them—thin smoke curling upwards, the fragrance of seasoned meat thick in the air—the three of them knew instantly: this was a night they would remember.
To celebrate their success as ninjas after such a grueling day, Souta had insisted on inviting them to dinner. He had even declared, with unusual firmness, that he would pay for everything—emphasizing that their bond mattered more than money or effort.
Makima, upon hearing the true reason behind Souta's invitation, responded with unrestrained excitement. Her eyes gleamed with enthusiasm, her cheeks faintly flushed under the lantern light. "Wow, Souta! You're really serious about treating us? Don't regret it later! I can eat a ridiculous amount once I'm faced with skewers like these."
Her voice rang with cheer, brimming with energy, accompanied by a burst of light laughter that spilled into the space around them. There was a teasing edge in her tone that made Souta glance at her, smiling awkwardly in return.
Makima went as far as patting Souta's shoulder, firm yet filled with familiarity, before giving him a mischievous wink. The playful gesture was like a warning—she was truly going to make good on her claim of eating a lot.
Her antics loosened the atmosphere at the table, melting away the heaviness of their lessons and the trials they had faced at the Academy. For a moment, it felt as though all those burdens had been left behind, outside the glow of the restaurant's lanterns.
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