Ninja Academy. In the second-floor lounge.
Kakashi entered and noticed two familiar faces inside.
Kurenai was sitting on the couch, while Ren was lying with his head resting on her lap.
"Kakashi."
As soon as she saw him, Kurenai's voice was a bit flustered, and she gently nudged Ren to get up, straightening her clothes as she did.
"Sorry for disturbing you," Kakashi said.
Kurenai blushed, clearly embarrassed. Although her relationship with Ren had been public knowledge for a while, being caught like this still made her feel self-conscious.
That silly Ren, insisting on lying on my lap—now Kakashi's seen it… she thought, though she'd been secretly enjoying the moment herself.
"It's fine, senpai," Ren said, sitting up.
Kakashi stepped further inside and settled down on the couch opposite them, looking as relaxed as if he hadn't seen anything unusual.
"Without my team around, I feel strangely idle," he remarked.
The lounge windows were open, letting in a breeze scented with the fragrance of flowers from outside.
"Isn't it nice to have some downtime?" Kurenai responded, trying to change the topic from the awkwardness a moment ago.
"Not really, just feels a bit… unfamiliar," Kakashi said, leaning back and gazing up at the ceiling.
Upstairs in the academy's third-floor classroom, the first phase of the Chunin Exams, the written exam, was underway. Kakashi had only recently sent his team in to start.
"Do you know who the examiner for the first round is?" he asked.
Kurenai shook her head. "I only know that Anko's handling the second round and Genma the third."
Only chunin and special jonin were assigned as examiners for this year's Chunin Exams.
"Morino Ibiki," Ren replied.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Him, huh…"
"The first test could be quite intense," Kakashi added.
"Who is he?" Kurenai asked, curious.
"He's an… interrogation specialist," Kakashi explained slowly. "For inexperienced genin, he might as well be a demon."
"That intense?" Kurenai said, now feeling a little worried for her students.
Seeing Ren remain indifferent, Kakashi couldn't help but ask, "Ren, aren't you concerned about your students?"
"There's nothing to worry about," Ren said calmly.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You're that confident in them?"
"I just know them well," Ren replied.
Kakashi gave him a strange look but said nothing more.
As Kurenai and Kakashi continued chatting, the topic stayed on the Chunin Exams and Ibiki's potential challenges. The lounge was quiet and comfortable, and Kakashi, watching the peaceful scene outside, thought a nap wouldn't be bad here.
After some time, Ren suddenly stood up.
"Ren?" Kurenai looked at him, surprised.
"This is too dull. I'm going for a walk," Ren said, heading toward the door.
"But the first round is almost over," Kurenai called after him.
"Take care of Shikamaru and the others for me," he replied as he left.
Kurenai thought about following him, but felt bad about leaving Kakashi alone, and she needed to be there when her own students finished their exam.
"Looks like I've ruined your quality time," Kakashi teased with a smirk.
Kurenai's face flushed, and she awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"But Ren sure has a lot of confidence in his students," Kakashi remarked. "He believes they'll definitely pass the test."
Ren left the academy and wandered around the village aimlessly, passing through the bustling streets. Due to the Chunin Exams, the village was livelier than usual, with merchants from various nations arriving early to seize business opportunities for the upcoming international event.
Without any particular goal, Ren entered a convenience store, moving absentmindedly between the aisles.
"Ren Tsukimi."
A voice from behind made him stop.
Turning slightly, he saw a tall boy with long black hair loosely tied behind him, his face youthful but marked by a prominent tear trough on each cheek.
"Can I help you?" Ren asked.
The boy didn't respond immediately, only frowned as he looked at Ren. He seemed to have called out on impulse, seeing someone familiar unexpectedly.
"Itachi, help me with these bags," a gentle voice said from nearby.
A beautiful woman appeared from behind the aisle, carrying a full shopping bag.
Mikoto saw Ren and paused, a bit surprised.
"Mother, let's go," Itachi said, taking the bag from her, his gaze fixed on Ren with a hint of unease.
Noticing this, Mikoto smiled and walked toward Ren.
"Ren-kun, what a coincidence," she greeted warmly.
Itachi stood in place, a dark expression crossing his face as he continued to stare at Ren.
"Ren-kun, shopping too?" Mikoto asked.
"Just browsing."
"The first part of the Chunin Exams should be happening now, right? As a jonin, aren't you supposed to be waiting at the academy for your students?" Mikoto asked curiously.
"It's already over."
"Really?" Mikoto raised her eyebrows slightly before smiling. "I assume all of your students passed?"
"Yes."
"My son Sasuke is also participating in this year's exam. I believe you've met him?" Mikoto continued, her smile genuine as she made small talk, almost ignoring Itachi's presence.
"Yes, he's Kakashi's student," Ren replied calmly. "He passed as well."
"Oh, that's good to hear," Mikoto chuckled softly, as though Sasuke passing was to be expected.
"He mentioned you recently, Ren-kun. Said he'd love a chance to properly get to know you."
Ren's expression remained unreadable. Although Mikoto's warm tone and demeanor seemed as welcoming as before, he could tell her attitude had changed slightly from her earlier visit to his home.
He knew why, too. When Kurenai had told him about Mikoto's visit, he understood immediately. Now that he was the instructor for the next Ino-Shika-Cho generation, chosen by the Hokage as someone with potential, people's attitudes were bound to shift.
"I stopped by your home to visit recently," Mikoto continued.
"Unfortunately, you weren't there. Kurenai was the one who welcomed me."
"A pity," Ren said mildly.
"I never imagined we'd end up as neighbors. I'd say it's fate linking our families," she added. "Ren-kun, you must bring Kurenai and come visit us sometime."
---------------------------------------------------------
[Name]: Mikoto Uchiha
[Gender]: Female
[Age]: 40
[Affection Level]: 47
[Relationship]: Neighbor
[Difficulty Level]: S
[First Kiss Reward]: Yin Release Mastery
[Intimate Reward]: Power of the Uchiha
---------------------------------------------------------
Her affection level has dropped a bit… She must really see me as a future rival now…
Mikoto's smile was warm and inviting, giving nothing away.
"When we have time," he replied evenly.
"Then it's settled. I'll be waiting, Ren-kun," she said, her tone soft and welcoming.
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