Chapter 253: I Just Want a Drink of Water

Mirai caught onto Kurenai's double meaning and finally turned his gaze toward her, taking a closer look.

Noticing his eyes on her, Kurenai's face flushed red, but she still lifted her chest proudly.

Mirai couldn't help but chuckle.

The once timid little girl had finally grown into a beautiful woman.

Thinking of this, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered,

"Is Shinku-sensei home tonight?"

"What are you asking that for?"

"As a student, isn't it only natural to show concern for my teacher?"

"Hmph! You pervert, I bet you're up to no good."

"So, is he home or not?"

Biting her lip, Kurenai hesitated for a moment before answering, "He's away on a mission."

Mirai nodded with a smile. "Then after dinner, I'll walk you home."

Kurenai huffed lightly. "Fine, but you're not allowed to mess with me."

Mirai raised his hand as if making a solemn vow. "Relax, I should be more worried about you messing with me."

Kurenai couldn't help but laugh. "Stop flattering yourself!"

After a bit more playful banter, the two shifted their focus back to the gathering.

At that moment, Genma Shiranui and Ebisu were congratulating someone.

"Guy, congratulations! Who would've thought you'd be the second one to make Jonin after Kakashi?"

Both of them looked at him with a mix of envy and admiration.

Back in the academy, Guy's grades had always been at the bottom of the class. Yet somehow, he had surpassed them both and achieved the rank of Jonin before they did.

Might Guy scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Am I really the second?"

"Kakashi and Mirai are both stronger than me, though."

Hearing this, Kakashi immediately interjected, "Guy, that guy Mirai is just a Chunin."

"In this regard, he's already lagging behind us."

With a smug expression, Kakashi cast a glance at Uchiha Mirai.

Despite already being the Hokage, Mirai had never officially taken the Jonin examination. Before his ascension, he had still held the title of Chunin.

After years of enduring Mirai's effortless superiority, Kakashi had finally found one area where he had the upper hand—and he wasn't about to let it go.

However, Mirai remained unfazed. "Titles don't matter. Strength is what counts."

His nonchalant response left Kakashi speechless.

Damn it! He pulled off another effortless flex!

I really miss the days when Obito and Asuma were around…

By the time their meal ended, it was already late at night.

As they stepped out of the barbecue restaurant, Might Guy beamed with joy.

"Thank you all for tonight. I'm really happy."

"Especially you, Mirai."

As someone who had once been looked down upon as the weakest in the academy, Guy had endured years of ridicule. Every time he trained, people would sneer at him and his father, calling them clowns.

They had branded him a 'dead-last' and his father a 'forever Genin.'

Although he had always told himself not to care, the words had still left their scars.

But after meeting Uchiha Mirai, his entire life had changed.

Not only had Mirai saved him and his father from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, but he had also helped his father shed the shame of being a 'forever Genin.'

His circle of friends had grown, and even a genius like Kakashi had become one of his closest companions.

So in his heart, the person he was most grateful to was Mirai.

He often told himself that if Mirai ever needed him, he would burn away his youth for him without hesitation!

"Hmph!"

Just as Mirai was about to respond, he heard a scoff from beside him.

Kakashi crossed his arms and turned his face away in a huff.

Mirai smirked and teased, "How ugly, Kakashi."

"Even in being Guy's closest friend, you've lost to me."

"Are you dying of jealousy?"

Kakashi gritted his teeth. "Cut it out! Who's jealous of you?!"

Guy quickly jumped in to smooth things over. "Kakashi, you and Mirai are both my dearest friends."

"I train every day just so I can beat you in a spar."

"By the way, what do you think of the name 'Night Guy' for my new technique?"

"Not bad. Once you've perfected it, let's spar." Kakashi's mood improved slightly.

At least Guy still had some loyalty.

Just then, Mirai suddenly looked down at the ground with a puzzled expression.

"Huh? Whose copy of Icha Icha Paradise is this?"

Kakashi's face turned pale, and his hand instinctively reached for his pocket.

Only when he saw Mirai's mischievous smirk did he realize he had been tricked.

"Pfft—hahaha!" Mirai draped an arm over Kurenai's shoulder and waved at Kakashi. "Kakashi, maybe you should cut back on those adult books."

"You're old enough to ignore the Three Shinobi Prohibitions now."

"Try becoming a real man instead."

Kakashi's face turned beet red. He clenched his fists in frustration. "Who said I read that stuff, you bastard?!"

Mirai didn't even turn around—he simply waved a hand dismissively.

Messing with Kakashi was always fun.

—

In front of a small villa.

Kurenai glanced at Mirai and spoke softly, "Mirai, thanks for walking me home. I'll be going in now."

Mirai smiled and followed her to the door. "I drank a lot tonight, and I'm a little thirsty. Can I come in for a glass of water?"

"Uh… fine."

Watching Mirai step inside, Kurenai hesitated before nervously following him.

"Here's your water."

She placed the cup in Mirai's hand, and he took it with a smile.

"Thanks."

Kurenai huffed lightly. "Drink up and leave."

Mirai set the glass down and gave her a pitiful look. "It's really late. Can I just sleep here tonight?"

"Don't worry, I'll sleep on the floor."

Before she could object, he gently pulled her into the room.

Seeing him already sitting on the floor, Kurenai sighed and begrudgingly laid out bedding for him.

"Fine, but don't try anything."

Mirai chuckled. "Relax."

Click.

The lights went out, and the room was enveloped in darkness.

Nervous, Kurenai burrowed under her blanket, pulling it tightly around her.

Suddenly, she felt a shift beside her.

"Mirai, w-what are you doing?!"

Her usual confidence vanished, replaced by unease.

Mirai's voice was gentle. "The floor is too cold. Can I sleep on the bed instead? I promise I won't touch you."

"…Okay."

—

"Mirai, y-you… what are you doing?"

"Don't worry. I just want to hold you, nothing more."

—

"Mirai, you, you, you…"

"Mmm…"

Kurenai felt her mind go completely blank, her body frozen like a puppet on strings.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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