Kakashi carried several wooden short blades on his back, identical to the ones he and Shimizu had used during their previous sparring sessions.
Shimizu rose from his chair and agreed to Kakashi's request.
The two began sparring in the courtyard. The clashing of blades resounded as their rapid movements left Nohara Rin dazzled.
"Is this the strength of a Chūnin…"
She stood at the edge of the courtyard, silently observing.
A few days ago, she had visited Shimizu, so his level of skill didn't surprise her.
Rin's eyes, however, overlooked the demon disguised in human skin that was Shimizu. Instead, her focus remained entirely on Kakashi—watching his blood-pumping exertion and his handsome, valiant figure. She suddenly felt that all the patience and endurance she had exercised so far were worth it.
The morning chill gradually gave way to the heat of the sun's ascent.
It was now midday.
Kakashi was drenched in sweat. His damp black mask clung to his face, outlining his features.
"Kakashi, Rin, why don't you stay for lunch? I still have some leftover fish from yesterday," Shimizu suggested, noticing Kakashi's exhausted state.
Kakashi hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
His stamina was indeed depleted, and resting here wasn't a bad idea.
As for Shimizu, Kakashi felt there was no need for formalities. After all, Shimizu had already freeloaded several meals at his house, with Kakashi doing the cooking and washing the dishes every time.
Now, the roles were reversed. A faint smile broke through the gloom in Kakashi's eyes.
"Rin, Kakashi is tired. Come help me in the kitchen," Shimizu said, planting the wooden short blades into the soil and motioning for Rin to follow him.
Rin glanced at Kakashi.
Thinking that Kakashi's presence would deter Shimizu from doing anything inappropriate, she steadied herself and followed him into the kitchen.
Shimizu's kitchen was to the north of the living room, while the courtyard was to the west. The courtyard was separated from the living room by several sliding doors, which opened onto a corridor commonly called an engawa.
From inside the living room, one could see the scenery of the courtyard. If the kitchen door was open, the courtyard's layout and view were also visible from there.
Rin opened the refrigerator and saw several leftovers—quite a lot of them.
This was the first time she had seen Shimizu eat so much. Previously, she had only ever seen him consume military ration pills.
"What's wrong?" Shimizu noticed Rin's dazed expression.
He often chose to eat military ration pills for convenience but occasionally indulged his appetite.
"Nothing…" Rin shook her head. Looking at the delicate food on the plates, she hadn't expected Shimizu to possess such culinary skills.
She began taking out the dishes, dividing them into portions for multiple people.
With efficient and straightforward movements, she reheated the food and arranged it neatly on plates in no time.
Just as Rin was about to carry the food out, she felt someone embrace her from behind.
"You!"
Startled, Rin glanced outside. Kakashi was still sitting on a chair in the courtyard, resting with his eyes closed. She could even see him through the half-open kitchen door.
Shimizu was being audacious! If Kakashi turned around, everything would be exposed to him.
The thought of Kakashi discovering this made Rin's scalp tingle. He would think she and Shimizu were involved, and any hope of deepening their relationship would vanish!
"Keep your voice down; don't disturb Kakashi's rest," Shimizu whispered, his breath brushing against Rin's neck, making her skin crawl.
"Not here! If Kakashi finds out, it'll be over," Rin pleaded, her body trembling.
The mere thought of Kakashi's disappointed expression filled her with despair, casting a shadow over her entire world.
"So, are you saying it would be fine in another place?" Shimizu's magnetic voice sounded by her ear, lifting a stray lock of hair that fell against her face painted with purple markings.
"No… That's not what I meant." Rin's eyelashes fluttered, her bright eyes glistening as if moistened by tears, and the corners of her eyes turned red.
"Liar."
Shimizu placed a finger to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet.
"Raise your voice again, and Kakashi will hear everything."
Rin quickly covered her mouth, shaking her head.
At that moment, Kakashi's voice came from outside.
"Shimizu, do you have any water?"
"Yes, just a moment," Shimizu replied.
He summoned a shadow clone to carry a glass of water outside and began conversing with Kakashi.
The shadow clone and Kakashi discussed the pathways of Lightning Release techniques, with Kakashi eagerly slapping his thigh in amazement.
Shimizu's insights were invaluable to him, and he listened hungrily.
Meanwhile, the real Shimizu turned his gaze back to Rin.
"Kakashi doesn't know the one outside is my shadow clone. If I dispel it now, his curiosity will inevitably make him turn to look here."
Rin backed against the corner of the wall, but Shimizu pressed closer.
"This is the last set of information, including the A-rank Medical Ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique," Shimizu said, pulling a sealed scroll from his pouch and placing it on the kitchen table.
Rin's eyes were drawn to the scroll, fixated.
If Shimizu wasn't lying, this would be the final time. Not only that, but her future path would become much smoother.
A-rank Medical Ninjutsu was extremely difficult to acquire without the right channels or years of experience.
Seeing the longing in Rin's expression, Shimizu's lips curved into a smile.
In the original storyline, Rin had mastered Mystical Palm in just a few years, a testament to her extraordinary talent. Someone in the Konoha Hospital must have taken notice of her and decided to teach her.
All Shimizu was doing now was providing her with something that would have been hers eventually.
"You… Can't we do this somewhere else? I'm afraid Kakashi will find out," Rin said, her lips bitten red as blood. She was clearly struggling, her voice weak and drained.
Shimizu's hand crept downward, nearing her hip when Rin gasped in alarm, firmly refusing to let him go further.
"Anything but that!"
Rin swore to protect the final boundary. This was something only Kakashi could touch—a proof of her purity.
"Hmph."
Shimizu sneered, gripping Rin's chin and tilting her face toward his, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Shimizu was no longer a child—he was already in his teens, the eldest among this group by a small margin, having been born slightly earlier than Kakashi and the others. His placement in the same class as them had been a borderline case.
"Once you become a medical ninja, follow these guidelines. I'll periodically check your progress. If you fail to meet my standards…"
Shimizu didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.
He placed a detailed plan on the table before Rin. The plan outlined her path toward advanced medical studies, focusing particularly on the relationship between the eyes and the chakra network.
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