The night fell like a curtain, with a bright moon hanging high in the sky.
As dusk settled, the streets of Konoha gradually came alive. Vendors hawked their goods on both sides of the road, and warm light spilled out from the open doors and windows of various shops.
The lively sounds of clinking glasses and toasts from inside the barbecue restaurant, mingled with the lingering smoke, tugged at Kakashi as well.
But when he thought about the zero balance in his bank account, Kakashi couldn't help but sigh and give up on the idea of going into the barbecue place.
Just a short while ago, he'd had a whopping fifteen million ryo.
Oh well, he'd just head back and whip up a bowl of instant noodles.
Then... Kakashi's head started throbbing at the reminder that he still had three days before he could pick up his sword, followed by recovery training.
What was he supposed to eat in the meantime? He never imagined that as a transmigrator, he'd end up in such a sorry state.
Truly, even a hero can be brought low by a lack of funds.
Shaking his head, Kakashi let out another sigh and turned to leave.
He hadn't taken more than a couple of steps when someone tapped him on the shoulder, accompanied by a voice as clear as a silver bell.
"Kakashi!"
Kakashi turned around and saw a smiling girl standing behind him.
She had long, slightly curly hair, flawless features, and a pair of warm, crimson eyes that reflected the streetlights like sparkling gems in the night. Maybe she'd hurried a bit to catch up with him, as a faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Kurenai?"
"What are you doing here?"
Glancing at the familiar face before him, Kakashi asked casually.
"I was just passing by. I didn't feel like cooking, so I thought I'd grab something to eat."
"I noticed you standing at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant for a while. Were you planning to have some barbecue tonight?"
Kurenai's warm eyes gazed at the young man in front of her with a smile.
"Ah, no."
"To be honest, I'm flat broke."
Kakashi spread his hands openly, showing Kurenai his empty pockets, which were cleaner than his face.
"?"
Kurenai looked at the young man before her with a puzzled expression.
Kakashi, out of money?
He'd gained fame at a young age, came from a prestigious background, and had built quite a reputation not just in Konoha but across the entire ninja world.
In Kurenai's eyes, the young man standing there was the last person who'd ever be short on cash.
Kakashi straightforwardly explained to Kurenai about handing over his money to the ninja cat for forging his sword.
Upon hearing this, Kurenai suddenly understood.
Inwardly, she grumbled about how shady the Uchiha clan's ninja cats were, wondering if Kakashi had been conned by some joint scheme between the Uchiha and the cats.
But then again... [Kurenai Yuhi's emotional fluctuation +1]
[Chakra +1%]
"Well, in that case, how about I treat you to dinner~"
"I bet you don't want to go home and settle for plain instant noodles or munch on soldier pills by yourself, right?"
Whether it was the lighting or not, the girl's face under the streetlamps seemed to flush even deeper, and her flickering gaze subtly betrayed a hint of anticipation and nervousness.
"I'm incredibly grateful."
Without a second's hesitation, Kakashi pressed his palms together, his eyes crinkling into crescents as he thanked the girl in front of him.
The moment he'd spotted her, Kakashi knew his dinner was taken care of for the night.
Sure, letting a girl foot the bill smacked of freeloading, but it beat going hungry.
But Kakashi had no hang-ups about it. At worst, he'd save Asuma from Hidan down the line, sparing this girl from becoming a widow.
For that favor alone, let alone one meal, Kakashi could comfortably accept ten—or even a hundred—from her without a qualm.
Besides, given the choice between barbecue and plain instant noodles or soldier pills, who wouldn't pick the barbecue?
"Let's go, then."
Seeing the young man accept her invitation, Kurenai's tone carried a touch of joy and hidden delight.
Inside the barbecue restaurant, Kurenai deliberately picked a quiet corner with fewer people around. She flagged down a waiter for the menu, then generously slid it over to Kakashi, signaling that he could order whatever he wanted since she was covering it.
While Kakashi was ordering, Kurenai asked the waiter for a bottle of sake.
This made Kakashi pause for a second.
Among the three taboos for ninjas, it seemed to include alcohol, women, and gambling.
But then he figured, ninjas were already risking their lives in battles at twelve years old, so banning alcohol felt a bit absurd. He didn't comment on it.
Kurenai, who'd been sneaking glances at Kakashi, let out a quiet sigh of relief when she saw no change in the young man's expression after she ordered the alcohol.
Before long, the barbecue arrived.
Kakashi, quite at ease, grilled the meat while chatting casually with Kurenai Yuhi.
The two were old acquaintances.
Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, and Kurenai Yuhi's father, Shinku Yuhi, were old friends too. The two men often got together for sake, so Kakashi and Kurenai could be considered... childhood sweethearts?
Kurenai knocked back her glass of clear sake, then extended her pink tongue to lick the lingering drops from the corner of her lips. Her eyes, now veiled with a subtle haze, fixed on Kakashi as she said:
"Kakashi, why didn't you tell me when you got discharged from the hospital?"
"That way, I could've helped you carry some stuff."
Kakashi picked up a grilled slice of meat, placed it on the girl's plate, and responded slowly while grilling his own.
"There wasn't much to carry anyway. Everyone's got their own things going on—no need to drop everything just for me."
"It'd only cause unnecessary hassle."
Glancing at Kurenai, who was downing another glass of sake, Kakashi kindly reminded her:
"Don't overdo it with the drinking."
Kakashi wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, but he didn't mind it either.
In both his previous life and this one, drinking culture was unavoidable.
So, if the situation called for it, Kakashi could handle a few drinks.
"Come on, Kakashi, you have some too~~"
Propping her chin on one hand, Kurenai Yuhi flashed a bright smile as she poured a glass of sake for Kakashi and nudged it toward him.
Staring at the glass in front of him, Kakashi initially thought about refusing, but since Kurenai Yuhi was treating, he didn't want to kill the vibe. He picked it up and downed it in one go.
Sake had a low alcohol content. It had a bit of a kick afterward, but one or two glasses were no big deal.
Seeing Kakashi drink it without hesitation, the girl's already curved lips lifted into an even brighter smile.
The meal wrapped up amid their casual chatter.
As Kurenai Yuhi, a bit tipsy, settled the bill, the cashier shot Kakashi a teasing look.
As expected from the famous Copy Ninja Kakashi—even when the girl's footing the bill, he could freeload with total composure.
"Thank you for your patronage, please come again, Yu..."
The waiter enthusiastically called out to the departing pair, but before he could finish, Kurenai Yuhi—who was a little drunk and leaning on Kakashi for support—glanced back at him inadvertently.
The waiter's words cut off abruptly.
After the two had left, the waiter touched his chin and smiled to himself.
Well, it seems even the renowned Kakashi has his moments of romance...