As Hyuk made his way back to his seat after his swift and dominating victory over Temari, the atmosphere around him buzzed with whispers. The crowd remained unsure whether to cheer for him or fear him, but Hyuk paid it no mind.
Before he could sit down, Kurenai appeared by his side, her smile soft but her actions anything but. She placed a hand on his chest, her fingers lingering longer than necessary, brushing against him seductively. "Well done, Hyuk," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with something more than mere admiration.
Hyuk glanced at her briefly, acknowledging her without saying much. He was used to her touches by now.
From a distance, Asuma stood with his arms crossed, watching the exchange. His eyes narrowed, the unease building within him. He couldn't deny what he was seeing—Kurenai's behavior was becoming more and more... sexual toward Hyuk. It wasn't just friendly anymore, and it was hard for him to ignore the growing suspicions gnawing at his mind.
Still, Asuma gaslighted himself, trying to push away the thoughts. "She's just looking out for the kid. No way Kurenai would do something like that... Not with someone that young," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. But the more he watched, the more the doubt lingered.
As Hyuk sat down, Kurenai stayed by his side, her hand still lingering on his chest before she finally pulled away with a sly smile.
Gemma's voice interrupted the tension. "Next match: Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga!"
The announcement sparked excitement in the crowd, drawing attention away from the quiet drama between Hyuk, Kurenai, and Asuma. Naruto's match was finally here, and it was bound to be a spectacle.