Chapter 7 - Chapter 7 S

Hanabi frowned slightly, her brows furrowing in concentration. 

She stepped even closer, her hand resting on his shoulder to adjust his posture. "You're too tense," she said softly, almost to herself. "Relax."

As she corrected his stance, Shoi felt the warmth of her hand on his shoulder. 

He could tell she was fully focused on helping him, not noticing the subtle hints of his plan. He let himself be corrected, leaning slightly into her guidance, enjoying the contact.

He could smell her body fragrance which was very very pleasing..

"Now, try again," Hanabi said, her voice firm as she stepped back slightly, though her hand remained on his shoulder. "Focus on the feeling."

Shoi nodded and tried again, this time letting his chakra flow a bit more smoothly, though still keeping it a little uneven. 

Hanabi sighed, clearly frustrated. She moved behind him, her hands gently guiding his arms into the proper position.

"You need to feel it here," she said, her voice closer now as she lightly pressed against his back to straighten his posture. "Your chakra will follow your intentions if your body is aligned correctly."

Shoi couldn't help but enjoy the closeness, though he did his best to maintain his focus on the exercise. He allowed her to adjust him, feeling the slight pressure of her hands as she corrected his form.

With Hanabi's guidance, Shoi managed to stabilize his chakra a bit more, though he still made sure to keep a few minor flaws. "I think I'm starting to get it," he said, glancing back at her with a small, grateful smile.

Hanabi nodded, her expression softening just a little. "Good. But remember, discipline is key. You need to keep practicing until it becomes second nature."

Shoi nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Thank you, Hanabi. I appreciate your help."

Hanabi seemed to sense the sincerity in his words, and for a brief moment, she let her strict demeanor waver. 

"You're welcome," she replied, her voice quieter. "But don't think this means I'll go easy on you. There's still a lot of work to do."

After the training session, Hanabi decided to take Shoi on a stroll through Konoha. The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the village. 

The streets were bustling with the evening crowd, and the air was filled with the aroma of street food and the sound of lively chatter.

As they walked side by side, Hanabi maintained a professional distance but stole occasional glances at Shoi. Despite her earlier strictness, there was a softer edge to her demeanor now. 

Shoi, eager to get to know her better, kept the conversation light and engaging.

"Did you know," Hanabi began, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity, "that the village has been evolving rapidly? There's been a lot of new technology and infrastructure being developed."

Shoi looked around, noting the subtle advancements and the familiar yet different feel of the village. "It's impressive," he said, trying to sound genuinely interested. 

Hanabi nodded, her gaze drifting across the village. "Yes, and it's a good thing. The village has been striving to adapt and grow, especially with recent changes."

They passed by a small park where children played and families enjoyed the evening. 

Hanabi paused briefly, watching the scene with a thoughtful expression. Shoi, noticing her contemplative mood, took the opportunity to engage more personally.

"It must be nice to see the village like this," he said, his voice gentle. "Do you come here often?"

Hanabi glanced at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "Sometimes. It's a good way to clear my mind and see the village's everyday life."

Shoi smiled, feeling a sense of ease between them. "I can understand that. It's important to find moments of calm amidst the chaos."

As they continued their walk, Hanabi pointed out various landmarks and shared stories about their significance. 

Shoi listened attentively, genuinely interested in what she had to say. 

He was careful to maintain a respectful distance, though he subtly tried to bridge the gap between them.

After a while, they reached a small, quiet tea shop nestled in a corner of the village. 

Hanabi suggested they stop for a moment, and Shoi agreed. They settled at a table by the window, where the soft light of lanterns created a cozy atmosphere.

As they sat in the cozy tea shop, the gentle clink of teacups and the soothing ambiance created a relaxed atmosphere. Shoi took a sip of his tea and glanced at Hanabi with genuine curiosity.

"Hanabi," he began, carefully choosing his words, "I heard you have a big sister. Where is she?"

Hanabi's eyes narrowed slightly, and she studied him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Why do you want to know about my sister?" she asked.

"I was just curious. No other Reason!!."

Hanabi's gaze softened slightly, but her suspicion remained. "My sister is currently on a mission.

She's been away for a while and is expected to be gone for a few months. She won't be back for another two or three months at least."

Shoi's interest piqued, but he kept his response casual. "Ah, I see. I hope her mission is going well."

Hanabi nodded, her expression still thoughtful. "Yes, she's an excellent ninja. Her missions are always handled with great care and dedication. 

But it's unusual for her to be gone for so long. It makes things a bit quieter around here."

As Hanabi and Shoi continued their conversation, the tea shop's door opened with a gentle chime, drawing their attention.

Hanabi looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she saw the newcomer. Shoi turned his head, curious about the sudden shift in Hanabi's demeanor.

A tall figure stepped into the tea shop, her vibrant pink hair and striking green eyes immediately catching the light.