The open window let in streams of white light, and the sheer curtains fluttered gracefully in the breeze. An old clock on the wall had its hands paused between nine and ten.
The room was spacious, with a traditional feel, and strange weapons adorned the table.
Tenten lay sprawled on the bed, wearing a pale yellow nightgown, her hair tied in twin buns. She was still deep in sleep.
A faint knocking gradually pulled her from slumber. Her eyelids twitched, brows furrowing slightly, until her eyes finally opened a crack.
It sounded like her mom calling her.
Tenten rolled over, burying her face in the pillow.
Before long, there was a loud bang as the door was forcefully pushed open. A hand, wet and dripping, grabbed Tenten's ear, yanking her up from the bed.
"Still not up at this hour?!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Tenten woke up instantly, clutching her mother's hand in surrender.
"Get downstairs and eat. Your breakfast is getting cold."
Tenten slumped back onto the bed. "Mom, I don't have any missions today. Can't I just sleep in?"
"No excuses. Get up!" Her mom left the room without further comment.
"You have three minutes, or you'll regret it!"
With a groan, Tenten lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as drowsiness crept back in. But just as she was about to drift off again, she shook her head and began getting dressed.
It wasn't worth risking another scolding just to sleep a little longer.
When Tenten finally came downstairs, she saw her breakfast waiting for her on the table.
"I need you to watch the shop for a bit. I have some errands to run," her mom said.
"Got it," Tenten muttered, sitting down to eat.
So much for her rare day off being peaceful.
"By the way, Ren moved house this morning," her mom said, placing a bowl of soup in front of her.
Tenten froze, mid-bite. "Moved?"
"Yes, he bought a house in the northern part of the village. He even stopped by to say goodbye and asked about you, but you were still asleep."
"Why did he suddenly move?" Tenten asked, feeling lost.
"His old house was too small, especially for two people."
"Two people? Wh-what do you mean?"
"Ren is in a relationship," her mom said nonchalantly while washing dishes.
"I saw the woman when they were moving. She's quite pretty and also a ninja, looks a bit older than him."
"They're probably planning to live together, maybe even get married soon."
"Ren is at that age, after all. He's 21 now. Time really flies—I still remember how he was as a kid, always so well-behaved, living on his own. It wasn't easy."
Clatter!
Tenten's chopsticks slipped from her hand, clattering onto the table.
Her mom glanced at her before turning back to the dishes with a sigh.
This girl… she'll have to face reality eventually.
...
Ren's new house was originally an Uchiha property, located at the village's edge, close to the forest and not far from Naka River.
A few years back, when many members of the Uchiha clan moved out, many homes were left vacant, and villagers outside the clan were hesitant to move in.
Fortunately, the price wasn't high, and Ren, with years of accumulated mission savings, had no issue buying it.
After a brief negotiation with an acceptable offer, the house was his.
The new home was spacious, with two stories and three bedrooms on each level. The master bedroom on the second floor featured a wall-length window—something Kurenai particularly loved when they viewed the house.
Kurenai was alone, organizing their things since Ren was busy training his students.
She had moved her belongings yesterday and Ren's today.
Ren didn't have many possessions, unlike her multiple large boxes. His things consisted mainly of clothes and a few essentials.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kurenai, folding Ren's clothes in the master bedroom, heard knocking from downstairs.
Who could it be at this hour? Was it Anko?
Descending the stairs, she opened the door and found the girl she had seen at Ren's house before—the one with twin buns.
"You're… Tenten, right?" Kurenai thought for a moment and smiled.
"Are you looking for Ren? He's not here right now; he's training his students."
"Want to come in and wait?"
Tenten didn't respond, staring intensely at Kurenai.
"Tenten?" Kurenai asked, puzzled.
"Didn't you say… you were just friends?"
"Oh, that," Kurenai chuckled, a bit embarrassed. "Back then, we hadn't planned on going public yet."
"Adult matters—you probably wouldn't understand."
"…"
"Tenten, come in. Check out our new home—you'll be our first guest," Kurenai invited warmly, stepping aside.
But Tenten didn't move an inch, standing at the threshold.
"New home, guest…"
The words stung like needles in Tenten's heart.
She had always been by Ren's side. How had she suddenly become a guest?
Who was this woman, and why did she get to be in this position?
What had Ren seen in her—just her looks?
Just because she was beautiful?
Tenten's clenched fists dug into her palms so hard that veins stood out on the backs of her hands.
Kurenai noticed the tension in Tenten's posture and seemed to piece things together.
"Ren won't be back until the afternoon," she said gently.
Without saying another word, Tenten turned and left.
Kurenai watched her go, choosing not to call out or say goodbye.
Ren's old house stood locked, uncertain when he would return.
Tenten smashed a window and climbed inside.
The once-familiar room was empty now, except for the larger pieces of furniture.
The desk and the wardrobe were bare.
Tenten lay on the wooden bed frame, memories swirling.
She hadn't slept here in a long time. Last time, she'd bled on Ren's bed during her cycle, and after that, he never let her sleep there again.
At first, she thought he was angry about the mess, but later, she realized that it signified she had grown up—a woman in every sense.
But it also meant Ren had never seen her that way. He never looked at her as an equal, as a woman.
In Ren's eyes, she was always just a kid.
No matter how much she wished, even without Kurenai, she would never be the one by Ren's side…
Tenten curled up on the wooden bed, its hard surface a stark contrast to the comfort of Ren's embrace.
Tears spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks.
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