Chapter 28 - training

Chapter 28 - Training Together

The next morning, I woke up to the warmth of Nami still nestled in my arms. Her soft breaths caressed my chest, and the peaceful expression on her face made my heart swell. Unable to resist, I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her sleeping lips. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up, so I just lay there, taking in the serene moment, memorizing every detail of her face.

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing those beautiful, deep brown eyes.

"Good morning," I whispered softly, a tender smile playing on my lips.

Her eyes focused on mine, and I saw the moment recognition dawned. The memories of the previous night flashed across her face, her cheeks turning a deep crimson. She opened her mouth to say something, but I silenced her with another kiss, this one lingering and filled with the affection I felt for her.

When we finally pulled away, her embarrassment seemed to have faded. She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I love you, Ruki-kun," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Hearing those words made something inside me melt. I didn't need to say anything in response; instead, I kissed her again, pouring all my feelings into that one moment.

After a while, I reluctantly got up and took a shower, letting the warm water wash away the last remnants of sleep. But when I saw Nami's figure standing there, looking so effortlessly beautiful, I couldn't help myself. I pulled her into the shower with me, and we ended up spending a lot more time than planned in there, wrapped up in each other.

It was late morning by the time I finally left Nami's apartment. After cooking breakfast for her, I made my way home, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.

Morning, 9 AM

When I arrived home, my mother was still busy with the household chores. I had picked up some sweets for her on the way, a small token of my appreciation for everything she does.

"Ruki, you didn't have to," she said, though I could tell she was pleased as she accepted the gift.

The system pinged in my mind, notifying me that her favorability had risen to 58. A small smile crept onto my face; it was nice knowing that even the little things I did had an impact.

With that, I left for my training. The path through the village was peaceful, and as I walked toward the small forest where I usually trained, I spotted Guy and Kakashi in the distance. They seemed deep in conversation but looked up as I approached.

"Oii, Kakashi, Guy!" I called out, waving at them.

They both turned, greeting me with a formal "Good morning" in unison. Kakashi's expression was as unreadable as ever, while Guy's face was lit up with his usual infectious energy.

"Good morning, Kakashi, Guy. Have you two had breakfast yet?" I asked, more out of politeness than curiosity.

They nodded in response, both affirming that they had.

"So, where are you two headed?" I continued, keeping the conversation going.

"We're off to do some training," Guy replied with a grin that promised another one of his intense sessions.

I nodded thoughtfully. "Why don't you two come train with me today?" I suggested, gesturing toward the forest.

They exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. I could almost hear their thoughts – they were concerned that I might not be able to keep up. But, after a moment, Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up, and with a nod, they both agreed.

"Okay, follow me," I said, leading the way.

Five Hours Later

The forest echoed with the sounds of heavy breathing and the rustling of leaves. Guy and Kakashi were drenched in sweat, their chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath.

"Haaah… Haaah…" The sound of their exhaustion filled the air as they finally paused to rest.

The system's familiar chime rang in my head, signaling the completion of my daily tasks. But I was less fatigued than they were, thanks to the Firewood Constitution that had steadily been enhancing my stamina and recovery. Secretly, I had also taken some recovery pills, which had kept me going strong throughout the intense session.

Kakashi looked at me, his visible eye showing a rare hint of surprise. "Is this how you usually train?" he asked, his tone laced with a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

I nodded casually, as if the five-hour session had been nothing more than a light warm-up. "Yeah, this is my routine," I replied, trying to downplay the intensity of it.

The system's rewards appeared in my mind, adding to my growing collection of points and skills. Despite their exhaustion, Guy and Kakashi seemed impressed, if not a bit surprised, by my endurance. Training alongside them had been a valuable experience, not just for my body but for the knowledge I gained from observing their techniques.