Chapter 242

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Night falls.

After finishing the day's work, Kyomu returns to his residence.

Rejecting the maids' services, Kyomu eats his fill alone and lies on a recliner in the backyard, enjoying a brief moment of relaxation.

Gazing at the moon, he watches it move slowly, silently calculating the time. In a bit over two hours, it will be the beginning of a new month, and his passive skills will refresh.

To be honest, passive skills have become mere icing on the cake for Kyomu. As long as they aren't detrimental, new monthly passive skills rarely stir any emotions in him.

"Ryukage-sama, Terumi Mei is here to see you," someone announces as Kyomu is lost in thought.

"What's she doing here at this hour?"

"She says it's urgent."

Kyomu nods. "Let her in."

Soon, Mei is led to the backyard by a few maids.

"Kyomu."

"Mei, what's so urgent?" Kyomu gets straight to the point. "Is there movement from the Four Great Nations or some issue with the Akatsuki?"

Mei shakes her head, stepping closer to Kyomu, leaning over to look at him seriously.

"Kyomu, is it true that unless it's something urgent, I can only see you during work hours?"

"It's not that, it's just..."

Mei interrupts Kyomu. "Just what? I want to see you, that's urgent for me."

"That's... not really urgent."

"It is!" Mei leans in close, her breath warm on Kyomu's face, causing him to lean back. "I want to be with you all the time, day and night."

Is this a confession? Kyomu's mind goes blank, unable to think of a response.

Seeing Kyomu's hesitation, Mei leans even closer, forcing him to lean back further.

If she gets any closer, they will kiss.

Creak.

The recliner tilts to its limit, suddenly springing back and pushing Kyomu forward.

Whoosh.

With a nimble maneuver, Kyomu avoids Mei and stands beside her.

Mei's cheeks flush, but she's also frustrated, stomping her foot.

"Kyomu, are you dense or do you just not like me?" Mei doesn't beat around the bush, directly confronting him. "Between me and Yugito, who will you choose?"

"We're not old enough yet..."

"Not old enough means you don't have feelings?" Mei presses on. "Or do you want us both?"

Her warm breath once again brushes Kyomu's face. This aggressive Mei is a side he's never seen before.

"Did something happen to you?"

"Yes, something did!" Mei glares at him, closing the gap between them. "Yugito kissed you the other day."

With a glimmer in her eyes, Mei suddenly closes her eyes, lifts her head, and moves toward Kyomu's lips like a chick pecking at grain.

Kyomu quickly steps back, avoiding her attempt.

"Mei, I don't want to think about this right now." Kyomu covers her mouth with his hand. "Let me talk first. You and Yugito are both amazing, but I need time to decide."

Mei looks at him intently, a smile forming at the corners of her eyes. She suddenly licks Kyomu's palm, the soft, slippery sensation making him jerk his hand away in shock.

You're playing with fire!

"Don't think I don't know you want us both," Mei rolls her eyes but isn't angry, in fact, she looks even more alluring. "That's fine, but I need to be first."

This...

Kyomu is at a loss for words.

"Mei, don't you think we're moving too fast?" He tries to reason.

"Too fast?" Mei counts on her fingers. "I met you when I was seven, you hugged me back then. We've been working together every day for four years since. Doesn't that count for something? And if you think about it, I met you before Yugito."

"What do you mean by hugged? I was holding you hostage because I didn't know sealing techniques and you had too many tricks up your sleeve."

"But you hugged me, didn't you?"

"...I did."

Mei smiles brightly. "Exactly. You didn't say you were too young to hug me then. You didn't say you'd wait until eighteen."

"That's different from now!" Kyomu rubs his face in exasperation. "We were enemies then."

"I don't care, and we're not enemies now. Hug me again, and I won't push further."

"Alright."

Kyomu reluctantly agrees.

Mei grins, wrapping her arms around him.

Resting her head on his chest like a contented kitten, she closes her eyes, listening to his heartbeat and inhaling his scent.

Kyomu feels awkward, unsure of where to place his hands.

"How long are you going to hold me?" After a minute, he finally asks.

"Don't talk." Mei pinches his side. "Let me hug you a bit longer. Your heart is racing."

Indeed, it is.

Holding such warmth in his arms, Kyomu can't help but feel affected.

After another minute, Kyomu raises his hands, tentatively wrapping them around Mei's waist and back.

Hah! Mei smiles, squeezing him tighter and nestling deeper into his embrace.

Looking up suddenly, her eyes sparkling with tears, she asks, "Kyomu, have you accepted me?"

Meeting her gaze, Kyomu sees the stars in her eyes, filled with emotion and attachment.

Without saying a word, he gently presses her head back to his chest, his hand moving through her red-brown hair.

Mei obediently rests her cheek against his chest, feeling her face heat up with embarrassment.

Her feelings were subtle, but after four years of waiting, she could no longer suppress them. She even consulted her best friend, Haku.

And what advice could Haku give?

Naturally, to take the initiative.

After all, a girl pursuing a guy is like a layer of silk.

Until Kyomu responded, Mei wouldn't be completely at ease. Smartly, she didn't mention Yugito or force Kyomu to choose.

First, win him over! Looking up again, Mei's eyes glistened. "Kyomu, do you accept me?"

"Initially, yes," Kyomu gave a vague answer.

"What more do you want?" Mei's eyes filled with tears.

"I mean we need to get to know each other better. This is too fast."

"Then tell me how we should proceed." Mei pinched his side again.

"Let's take a walk."

Kyomu decided to embrace his feelings, changing his hold to a one-armed hug around her waist.

Flight Technique.

He took Mei into the sky, quickly reaching a hundred meters high.

The wind was much stronger, and the air cooler, but the view was breathtaking.

"So beautiful!" Mei exclaimed. "The village's lights shine at night. From the ground, you can't appreciate it, but from above, the romance of it all is undeniable."

"This is romantic?" Kyomu asked, surprised. "It's just a simple flight to view the night scene."

"It's romantic to me." Mei placed a hand on his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. "As long as you're by my side, everything you do is romantic."

Kyomu was at a loss, all his prepared words and scenarios rendered useless.

Indeed, if someone loves you, even a simple walk feels romantic. If there's no love, nothing will satisfy.

Clearly, Mei was deeply in love, and Kyomu didn't need to overthink.

He had never been good at wooing girls.

"Let's go higher."

"Haha, okay!" Mei hugged him tighter, playfully asking, "Are you going to fetch the stars for me?"

"Give me five years, and I'll get you the moon too," Kyomu boasted, making Mei laugh harder.

Watching the stars and listening to the wind, Mei couldn't resist pecking his cheek.

This time, Kyomu didn't dodge.

If that's the case...

Another peck.

Still not enough, another.

"Don't overdo it," Kyomu warned, glancing at Mei. "The higher we go, the colder it gets. Don't let your saliva freeze on my face."

A somewhat unromantic statement, but Mei didn't mind, instead resting her cheek against his.

"I'll keep you warm."

Kyomu smiled, taking her higher and higher, the village below shrinking.

When he felt they'd reached the right height, they hovered, looking down at the small world beneath.

"It's spectacular!" Mei marveled. "I can still see the iconic Ryukage building."

"Of course, it's my work. I'm proud of it."

"When will you take time to notice those around you?" Mei turned, wrapping her arms around his neck. "If I hadn't come today, would you ever express your feelings, even after uniting the ninja world?"

"One world isn't enough for me." Kyomu gazed at the moon. "The nearest moon and distant stars are my goals. I won't stop."

Mei, entranced, stared at him, her eyes filling with the stars and his face, getting closer and clearer.

The world went dark as Mei closed her eyes, their lips meeting. The soft touch and Mei's unique scent filled him.

Right hand tightening, Kyomu held her closer.

Short of breath, but Mei didn't let go, awkwardly kissing him.

Mei didn't know how, until Kyomu took the lead, making her eyes widen, pupils dilate, and finally close, blushing as she let him take over.

Kissing isn't just lips touching?

After a long time, they parted.

Mei, panting, lightly punched Kyomu's chest, like a cat's paw scratching.

"Who taught you that?"

"Geniuses are self-taught."

"I'll believe you." Mei leaned on his chest. "Your heart's racing."

"And you're hot." Kyomu gently stroked her back. "This high up, it's my first time."

"Then never bring anyone else here." Mei whispered. "I'll be sad and cry."

"This is your special place."

"Then I want more!" Mei demanded.

Kyomu, savoring the moment, lifted her chin, taking the initiative.

After a long time, only Mei's breathlessness made them stop.

"Wait," Mei pulled out a notebook, flipping through it. "I've noted down what we need to do: walk, shop, eat, and release wish lanterns."

"Did you write that?" Kyomu laughed. "Your idea, or..."

"This is for us. Don't question it!" Mei lifted his chin. "Kyomu, you're not escaping tonight!"

(End of Chapter)