"Kurenai-sensei's house is so big," Kiba said as he lay on the floor, gazing up at the high ceiling, with Akamaru curled up on his chest.
Kurenai went into the kitchen to prepare dinner, leaving the three of them in the living room.
Shino was reserved and didn't talk much, while Hinata was too shy and introverted to make conversation.
"Kurenai-sensei's boyfriend seems pretty hard to get along with. I bet he's the same kind of guy as Sasuke," Kiba said. Sasuke's popularity with girls and frequent spotlight moments tended to get on Kiba's nerves.
"Kiba, that's rude," Hinata softly chided from beside him.
"It's fine; he can't hear us," Kiba replied nonchalantly, folding his hands behind his head.
He then propped himself up, looking around. "Do you think Kurenai-sensei and her boyfriend are married? Why else would they be living together?"
"It's normal for couples to live together," Shino commented unexpectedly.
"Oh, really?" Kiba glanced over at Shino.
"Also, technically, this house is his; the nameplate outside reads 'Tsukimi,'" Shino added.
"Whatever. After they get married, Kurenai-sensei will just change her last name," Kiba shrugged, lifting Akamaru off his chest.
Then he stood up, stretching and starting to wander around the room, eventually making his way upstairs.
"Kiba, what are you doing?" Hinata asked, looking uneasy.
"Just checking the place out," Kiba replied, still moving.
"It's not polite to wander around sensei's house…" she murmured.
"Relax, Kurenai-sensei said we could look around freely," Kiba reassured her, disappearing up the stairs.
Shino stood up as well and followed him upstairs.
Hinata stayed put, sitting quietly as she gently petted Akamaru, who seemed to be dozing.
"Wow!" Kiba's voice echoed from upstairs.
"Whoa!" Another surprised shout came from above.
Hinata clasped her hands nervously.
What did they see? I'm curious…
Soon, Kiba's head popped out from the stairwell. He looked at Hinata, grinning excitedly. "Hinata! Come up here!"
"…"
Hinata hesitated but finally stood and made her way to the stairs.
When she reached the second floor, she found a space similar to the living room downstairs, with a sofa, a coffee table, and various decorations. Shino stood by the window, looking out at the flower garden below.
Hinata glanced at Kiba in confusion, as if to ask what he had called her up here for.
But Kiba burst into laughter, holding his stomach, and pointed at her. "You came up, didn't you?"
"…"
Realizing she'd been tricked, Hinata lowered her head and turned to head back downstairs.
"What's the point of just sitting there, right?" Kiba called after her.
"Hinata? Hinata?"
Receiving no response, Shino said calmly, "You've upset her."
"Shut up!" Kiba grumbled, nudging Shino aside and following Hinata downstairs.
Hinata sat back down at the table, gently stroking Akamaru's soft fur as she cradled him in her lap.
Kiba felt a little guilty but, rather than apologizing, gave a quick cough and took a seat nearby.
"Dinner's almost ready. You three can wash up now," Kurenai called from the kitchen.
"Alright!"
"Sensei, can I help with anything?" Hinata asked, walking over to the kitchen.
The food was soon ready, and Hinata helped set the table, with Kiba and Shino assisting by carrying the dishes.
Kurenai watched her students bustling around with a smile. "Such thoughtful kids," she remarked to Ren in the kitchen.
Ren placed the last dish on the counter, tidying up the kitchen.
"I didn't expect you to cook today," Kurenai said, looking at him with a hint of surprise.
"I've cooked before," Ren replied.
"But you don't usually make such an elaborate meal," she teased.
"I figured, since your students are here, we should make a decent dinner for them."
Kurenai studied him thoughtfully, realizing how seriously Ren took his role as a teacher—not only with his students but also with hers.
"Ren…" she murmured.
Ren glanced over.
"Do you…like kids?" she asked, her lips forming a gentle smile.
This woman, seriously… Ren sighed internally.
"Anything else, Kurenai-sensei?" Hinata's voice chimed in from the doorway.
"Oh! No, that's it," Kurenai replied with a slight startle, realizing all the dishes were already brought out.
"Time to eat," Ren said, taking off his apron and tossing it to Kurenai.
She caught it, standing still for a moment, her cheeks turning a faint pink as she thought over what she had just asked him.
At the table, Ren sat at the head, and the three genin sat properly, each a bit nervous due to his presence.
With a straight face, he naturally exuded a sense of restraint.
Kurenai brought a bottle of sake and a large bottle of juice.
"Do you want some sake?" Ren asked.
Kurenai's home had an entire cabinet dedicated to her collection of sake. Moving that cabinet during the move had been quite the ordeal.
"I'll just have a little," she said with a smile, pouring sake for herself and Ren while giving the students juice.
Kiba's eyes were fixed on the sake, looking a bit tempted.
Smack!
Kurenai tapped his head lightly. "No underage drinking!"
"I wasn't going to drink," Kiba grumbled, rubbing his head.
"You're already giving it away with that look in your eyes," Shino noted.
Hinata hid a small smile.
The sight reminded Ren of when Kurenai had given him sake as a gift back when he was technically underage.
"Remember the Three Prohibitions of a Ninja—your teachers should have drilled it into you by now," Kurenai lectured.
"Yes, yes, we know," Kiba replied with a groan.
"Come on, try Ren's cooking," Kurenai encouraged with a grin.
"Let's eat!" they all chimed together.
As they dug in, they were pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food tasted.
"How is it?" Kurenai asked.
"It's amazing!" Kiba said, nodding eagerly, while Akamaru barked happily as he ate.
"Delicious," Shino added.
Hinata didn't say anything, quietly savoring her meal.
"You're lucky. Ren rarely cooks. He made a special exception for you today," Kurenai said.
"Thank you, Ren-sensei!" Kiba declared, finding his opinion of Ren warming considerably—at least more than Sasuke.
"Do your best in the Chunin Exams," Kurenai said, offering each of them some food as she spoke.
"Oh, don't worry, Sensei! I'm definitely going to pass!" Kiba responded confidently.
"Kiba, don't get ahead of yourself," Shino warned. "There are many skilled participants, like Sasuke."
Hinata quietly continued eating.
"Who cares about Sasuke? I can still beat him!" Kiba said dismissively. "Ren-sensei, Shikamaru's team is participating too, right?"
"Yeah," Ren replied.
"Well, if I run into them, I'll go easy on them," Kiba said with a grin.
"Don't be arrogant!" Kurenai tapped him again.
Kiba responded with an "ouch" and a slight pout.
"For the exam, don't focus on becoming a Chunin right away," Kurenai said. "Just do your best to stay safe and avoid getting hurt."
"Don't worry, Sensei, we'll be careful," Kiba assured her with a grin.
Ren observed the three students quietly. Kiba's personality reminded him a bit of Naruto's—outspoken and a bit reckless but inherently kind. Shino was calm and composed, if somewhat reserved. And Hinata…was almost invisible, lacking in confidence and largely following Kiba and Shino's lead.
Ren's gaze fell on Hinata as he briefly looked over her information in the system.
The Tenseigan…
He found himself watching her longer than he intended. Sensing his gaze, Hinata glanced up, and upon seeing him looking her way, quickly averted her eyes in embarrassment.
"Um… Kurenai-sensei…" she murmured.
"What is it, Hinata?" Kurenai asked.
Blushing, Hinata held out her bowl.
Kurenai noticed that Hinata had already finished her food. Startled, she looked down at her own bowl, which she had barely touched, and saw that even Kiba hadn't finished his.
"Let me get you more rice," she said with a smile, taking Hinata's bowl.
Hinata has quite an appetite, Kurenai mused.
Ren recalled that Hinata was known for her hidden, remarkable appetite—she could even out-eat Choji.
Kiba's cheerful nature kept the conversation lively, with Shino contributing occasionally, while Kurenai, tipsy from a few drinks, chatted more than usual.
Ren watched them quietly, speaking only when addressed.
Hinata had already gone through several refills, surprising Kurenai and the others. Embarrassed, she finally put her bowl down.
"I'm… I'm sorry. Ren-sensei
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