For some unknown reason, Ameyuri Ringo's cheeks seemed to flush slightly when she received the Sealing Scroll.
However, when Hayato Ren saw this, he simply dismissed it as his eyes playing tricks on him.
Despite their brief interaction, he had already grasped about seventy to eighty percent of Ameyuri Ringo's personality.
Naturally, he couldn't believe that someone who was tougher than the tough - a true wolf among men - would show such a blushing expression.
After giving his fake name, Hayato Ren prepared to wave goodbye.
At that moment, Ameyuri Ringo bit her lip and showed a conflicted expression.
It seemed like she wanted to say something.
Seeing this, Hayato Ren swallowed his farewell words and quietly watched Ameyuri Ringo.
After a long while, Ameyuri Ringo finally made up her mind and invited in a soft voice:
"Hey, would you like to come to my place for some water? My home isn't far from here. If you're unwilling, just pretend I never said anything."
Seeing Ameyuri Ringo's somewhat shy appearance, Hayato Ren deliberately asked in return:
"What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly. Could you repeat that?"
Ameyuri Ringo naturally wouldn't repeat herself - the initial invitation had already used up all her courage.
So after saying "It's nothing," she turned and quickly walked away.
Her speed was so fast it seemed like someone was chasing her.
Though, there actually was someone chasing after Ameyuri Ringo.
Watching the "fleeing" Ameyuri Ringo, Hayato Ren briefly considered before choosing to follow her.
After all, he had nothing to do back at the inn anyway, so he might as well check out Ameyuri Ringo's home.
After walking a few steps, Ameyuri Ringo suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hayato Ren with an annoyed expression.
"Hey, have you been following me this whole time?"
Facing Ameyuri Ringo's accusation, Hayato Ren simply showed a calm, breezy smile and responded:
"Didn't you invite me to your home?"
Hearing this, Ameyuri Ringo's expression darkened further. She had genuinely thought Hayato Ren didn't hear her earlier words, never expecting he was deliberately teasing her.
So Ameyuri Ringo responded with a sour face:
"Follow if you want, but I won't let strangers into my home."
After saying this, Ameyuri Ringo immediately quickened her pace.
Hayato Ren still followed behind her, maintaining a leisurely pace as he trailed after her.
After all, there was quite a difference in their stride lengths.
The distance covered by three steps of Ameyuri Ringo's short legs could be matched by Hayato Ren in just one step.
About ten minutes later, a small wooden cabin that looked somewhat aged appeared in Hayato Ren's view.
The single-story cabin wasn't large, quite similar to the one where the Three-Tails Jinchuriki lived.
However, the area around Ameyuri Ringo's home was neatly kept, without leaves or weeds.
Whereas the Three-Tails Jinchuriki's doorstep was overgrown with weeds.
Though, Ameyuri Ringo didn't have any neighbors nearby.
If ordinary people lived in such a desolate place, they would definitely feel terrified late at night.
But Ameyuri Ringo was clearly no ordinary person. Hayato Ren couldn't even imagine an expression of fear appearing on Ameyuri Ringo's face.
Although Ameyuri Ringo said she wouldn't let Hayato Ren inside, her actions proved honest - after opening the door, she welcomed him into her home.
Entering, Hayato Ren glanced around. It was a small suite with one bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom.
Though not very spacious, it contained all the necessary furniture.
It gave a feeling of being small but complete.
Moreover, judging from the clothes drying outside and the home's furnishings, only Ameyuri Ringo lived here.
Hayato Ren naturally wouldn't be tactless enough to ask about Ameyuri Ringo's parents.
After all, this Shinobi World was much more dangerous than his previous life.
Most people Hayato Ren knew had no parents - those like Mikoto and Mei Terumi with both parents still alive were actually the minority.
While Hayato Ren was still contemplating the dangers of the ninja profession, Ameyuri Ringo had already brought over a chair.
"Sit here. I only have soda and orange juice - which do you want?"
Truly fitting for Ameyuri Ringo, the drinks she kept at home were all sweet beverages.
"Soda," Hayato Ren immediately answered.
Ameyuri Ringo nodded, then walked to the refrigerator in her apple-patterned slippers and took out two sodas, throwing one toward Hayato Ren.
Hayato Ren caught the soda with one hand, pulled the tab with a "psht" sound, and took a large gulp.
"Ah~ Two-thirds of a soda's taste comes from that first sip," Hayato Ren remarked with a satisfied expression.
Ameyuri Ringo nodded in agreement, realizing that Hayato Ren shared some similarities with her in certain aspects.
He had decent strength, similar views on soda, and most importantly - they both enjoyed sweets.
Then Hayato Ren's gaze fell to below Ameyuri Ringo's legs.
Two rows of pearl-like, pale and delicate toes were visible from within the slippers.
As if sensing Hayato Ren's gaze, Ameyuri Ringo's toes twitched uncomfortably.
Simultaneously, Ameyuri Ringo's somewhat embarrassed and annoyed voice arrived as expected:
"Bastard, what are you looking at?"
Even with Ameyuri Ringo's personality, having someone stare intently at her feet would make her feel somewhat shy.
Especially since Hayato Ren had previously "confessed" to her.
Though that so-called "confession" was just Ameyuri Ringo's misunderstanding.
While Hayato Ren's moral standards had always been quite low, he wouldn't go so far as to target minors.
Hearing this, Hayato Ren could only raise his gaze to Ameyuri Ringo's face and respond:
"I was just looking at your slippers. Don't you hate being called Little Apple?"
Ameyuri Ringo turned her head away and responded somewhat insincerely:
"Hmph, it's not like I chose these slippers. They just happened to be the only style left when I bought them. Besides, as fruits go, apples are actually quite good."
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