Chapter 16 — The First Official Date with Rin
Rin wasn't a fool. She could easily guess that Obuya had given her most of the mission reward to repay the many meals she had treated him to in the past.
Although he had invented a reason to have her treat him, she knew full well that even an extravagant seafood feast wouldn't cost more than five thousand ryō.
Compared to the more than fifty thousand ryō she now held in her hands, it was hardly anything.
Obuya continued, "I'm used to you treating me. Whether the money is in your hands or mine, it's the same—unless in the future, you decide you don't want to treat me anymore."
Rin's expression flickered with inner conflict, but in the end, she nodded.
"Alright then. Fine! Let's agree that your share… I'm just holding onto it temporarily."
"Can we go eat now?"
Obuya looked eager.
He had been in Konoha for a year, but the seafood restaurant was something he had only heard about. Naturally, he had some expectations.
When the two of them arrived at the entrance of Seafood Feast, they ran into two familiar figures.
"Eh? Yūgao!!"
Rin called out.
The two ahead had just been about to enter, and at her voice, they turned in unison.
Seeing them, both were momentarily startled.
"Rin, you made it back safely?" Uzuki Yūgao's voice carried genuine surprise.
Beside her stood Gekkō Hayate, looking pale and grim.
It was clear that he had informed Yūgao about Rin's situation.
Hayate's gaze fell on Obuya, his expression tense.
Although he hadn't faced Tōki himself, he had tracked the rogue ninja and seen the methods he used to kill. He was certain—Tōki possessed Jonin-level strength.
Based on what he knew of Rin, there was no way she could have survived against Tōki alone. There was only one possibility: the ever-mysterious Obuya had been at her side.
Yūgao stepped forward. "Rin, you didn't encounter that Iwa ninja, did you?"
"Of course not. It was extremely dangerous, but thankfully Obuya happened to arrive in time. Yūgao, we captured Tōki alive. He's already been handed over to the interrogation division."
Rin's eyes shone with a hint of pride as she mentioned their achievement.
"Captured alive??"
Yūgao and Hayate exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock reflected in the other's eyes.
A Jonin from Iwa Village… captured alive by two Genin? It sounded incredible.
Capturing alive was far more difficult than killing; only overwhelming strength could make it possible.
After finishing her story, Rin's gaze swept over the two of them. Her eyes shifted from doubt to a sly, teasing smile.
"Yūgao, today you refused my invitation, saying you had something important to do this afternoon. Could it be that you were referring to your date with Hayate?"
Yūgao's eyes flickered with panic, her cheeks flushing. She stammered, unable to find a proper response.
In an instant, her gaze landed on Obuya, as if she had found the perfect rebuttal, a mischievous grin playing across her lips.
"Rin, you're the one talking! You two coming here… isn't this a date?"
Rin hadn't expected this. Her ears turned red at the accusation.
"Yūgao, what are you saying? We're here because… because Obuya saved my life. I'm treating him to a meal to thank him."
Rin clenched her fists, struggling to defend herself.
"Is that so?"
Yūgao looked unconvinced.
Hayate, usually quiet, suddenly looked at Obuya and said,
"I told Obuya earlier that Tōki, whom Rin went after, might have Jonin-level strength. He resolutely went to save you. At first, I thought it was rash concern, overestimating himself. But it seems… he had self-restraint."
"What?"
Hayate's words made Rin's expression change. She turned to Obuya.
Previously, she had thought his presence was mere coincidence—that they had simply met by chance while completing the same mission. Now she realized there had been no coincidence. Obuya had deliberately sought her out.
And only she knew the truth: Hayate's words about Obuya's self-restraint were not entirely accurate.
Both of them had faced near-death, and surviving was as much luck as skill.
Without Rin's water-based jutsu, neither of them would have survived.
Rin's probing gaze was met by Obuya's quiet response: "Regardless, thanks. If you hadn't told me she were in danger, the consequences today would have been unimaginable."
Hayate smiled. "Before I saw you, I kept wondering if I shouldn't have told him, because you might have died. Thankfully…"
"Alright, Hayate. Let's go."
Yūgao tugged at his sleeve.
She noticed Rin's expression, realizing that Rin had not been aware of Hayate's words before.
"Obuya, you…"
Rin's emotions were complex at that moment.
On one hand, she was deeply moved.
Knowing she was in danger and that he might risk his life to save her, yet he still went without hesitation.
On the other hand, she was slightly frustrated.
It was reckless. A proper ninja should never act purely on emotion. Risking his life to save her was something she couldn't approve of.
"Rin, did you forget this?"
Obuya reached into his pocket and pulled out a jade-white shell, holding it up in front of her.
"Saving you when you're in danger… isn't that what I should do?"
Rin's eyes glistened. She pressed her lips together and nodded firmly.
"Let's go eat!"
Rin grabbed his wrist and, running, pushed into the restaurant, where the words Seafood Feast were written in bold ink above the door.
…
Having shared this life-and-death experience together, Rin's attitude toward Obuya subtly shifted.
If before, her concern was born of kindness, now she viewed him as someone worthy of absolute trust—someone she could entrust her life to.
Obuya, naturally, was pleased to see this.
The next morning.
Obuya had no plans and intended to sleep in.
But fate had other ideas. The sound of rapid footsteps approached, growing louder.
Obuya knew those footsteps all too well.
Smiling, he got up and moved to the door.
Just as he expected, the door burst open suddenly.
A startled "Ah!" rang out from outside.
A petite figure had lunged in, missing the door entirely as Obuya pulled it open. She collided with him, and his body staggered backward from the force.
Instinctively, as they fell, Obuya wrapped his arms around the girl who had crashed into his chest.