Chapter 405

Muffled noises echoed from the other side of the bamboo fence. Sakura quickly recognized the familiar voice—it was Ino.

As for what those sounds were, Sakura, as a married woman, knew all too well.

"These two idiots… doing that in the hot springs?!"

A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she instinctively wanted to turn around and leave.

But instead, she found herself unconsciously pressing her ear closer to the bamboo fence, allowing the sounds from the other side to become even clearer.

"Yoichi… Sakura is still nearby."

"Ino, you idiot! You know I'm here, but you still won't hold back?!"

Sakura's cheeks burned.

Just hearing the sounds alone made her breath hitch.

Images from her recent dreams suddenly flooded her mind.

As she listened to Ino's voice, her imagination involuntarily replaced the woman in that scene with herself, pinned beneath a strong, powerful body.

She loved Sasuke—she knew that.

But this—this was something she couldn't control.

"Wait…"

As she stood there, she suddenly noticed a small hole in the bamboo fence a short distance away.

Curiosity overcame her.

"No way… did some pervert drill this hole to spy on the women's bath?! Disgusting!"

That was her first thought.

But a moment later, she realized that the hole's angle didn't face the women's bath—it faced the mixed bath.

And from where she stood, she had a perfect view.

"Why… Why am I even thinking about this? I should just leave…"

Her body, however, betrayed her.

Despite every warning in her mind, her feet carried her forward. Her hands rested against the bamboo, her eyes hesitantly peering through the hole.

"Ino… she's really…"

The scene before her made her breath stop.

Her heart pounded violently against her chest.

Heat rushed through her body—not just from the steam, but from something much deeper inside her.

She watched for only a moment before her blush deepened to an unbearable level.

Sakura pulled away, her breath shaky.

Her whole body felt feverish, as if she might faint.

"No… I can't… I shouldn't be watching this."

Desperately shaking her head, she forced herself back into the hot spring, submerging her entire body until only her nose remained above the water.

Even so, the sounds from the other side continued to reach her ears.

...

Meanwhile…

In the mixed bath, Yoichi's ears twitched slightly.

He had heard the soft movements from the other side.

"Looks like it worked."

A small smirk flashed across his lips.

"No… Stop… You belong to Ino…"

Sakura suddenly jolted awake.

She was still in the hot spring, still floating in the warm water.

It had only been a dream.

With a dazed expression, she lifted a hand to her forehead. Her skin was flushed red—not just from embarrassment but from overheating.

"It was just a dream…" she murmured, rubbing her temples. "I must've stayed in here too long. I'm getting dizzy."

She forced herself upright, her limbs sluggish and heavy.

Night had fully fallen—the sky was pitch black, and even the stars were hidden.

Everything around her was silent.

Even the noises from the other bath had ceased.

Aside from the gentle sound of flowing water, there was nothing.

"I should head back. I was supposed to chat with Ino before bed… but she's probably already asleep by now."

Wrapping herself in a bathrobe, Sakura rubbed her temples again and began making her way out of the hot springs.

The inn was nearly pitch dark, with only a few dim lanterns lighting the hallways.

Her body was sluggish, her mind clouded by the lingering heat. The dim lighting didn't help either.

Though she managed to find the room they had booked, her vision was slightly hazy.

"This should be it…"

Sliding open the door, she stepped inside and saw a figure already asleep on the bed.

"Ino?"

Only one futon was laid out.

"That idiot… She didn't even set up a futon for me?"

Grumbling to herself, Sakura didn't bother checking the closet for extra bedding. She was too exhausted.

"Forget it. I'll just squeeze in."

Without a second thought, she crawled into bed.

Grabbing a portion of the blanket for herself, she inhaled deeply—immediately noticing a strangely pleasant scent.

Sleepiness overtook her even faster.

Not long after she closed her eyes, she felt an arm wrap around her waist.

A warm, strong hand slid beneath her bathrobe.

"Ino… don't mess around," she mumbled sleepily.

But something was off.

"Wait… This isn't Ino's hand…"

"Sasuke-kun…?"

She murmured drowsily.

Then she felt another touch—firm, insistent.

Her breath hitched.

"Nn… S-Stop… Sasuke-kun… I'm too tired tonight…"

The night deepened, the shadows in the room shifting as two figures intertwined beneath the covers.

The sounds from earlier in the mixed bath began again.

But this time…

The one calling out was Sakura.

(End of Chapter)

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