After helping out at Tenten's ninja tools shop for a while, Tenten laid out the decoration materials, dusted off her hands, and turned to the group.
"Let's go! Naruto, I'm inviting you to eat at Ichiraku Ramen!"
The mere mention of Ichiraku Ramen was enough to distract Naruto. Going home for dinner suddenly felt less tempting; the pull of his favorite ramen shop was irresistible.
"Okay!" he replied with a grin.
Lee's younger cousin, Neji, patted off the dust from his uniform and muttered, "Do we really have to come back tomorrow?"
Tenten, walking ahead with purpose, turned back at Neji and Lee. "Of course you have to! Even though a professional decorator will come tomorrow, I want both of you here to supervise the work. Otherwise, I'd be bored out of my mind!"
Lee scratched his head. "I was planning to train and run around the village ten times tomorrow…"
Tenten snapped her fingers. "The plan is canceled. Come with me! And Neji, don't even think about skipping. I know Hinata is getting married soon, but you're not that essential to the Hyuga clan's preparations. You'll help me first, then assist Hinata after I finish here."
Neji exhaled and rubbed his forehead. "Fine…"
Lee immediately brightened. "Then I'll come too! No problem!"
Tenten rolled her eyes. Neji and Lee were like two sides of the same coin, a pair of energetic, spirited young men—just like Kakashi and Guy-sensei.
Naruto laughed softly. "I probably won't be able to come tomorrow. I have some work to do with Pervy Sage and Sai."
Tenten perked up. "Jiraiya-sama and Sai? What are they working on together?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "Sai wants to open a dedicated gallery store for his art, and Pervy Sage wants to adapt his Icha Icha Paradise novels into comics. I brought them here to see the shop you planned and suggested they could use it exclusively for work."
Tenten's eyes lit up. "That's perfect! Sai's painting skills are incredible. When my ninja tools shop opens, I'll have him draw illustrations of weapons and items for the display hall!"
Naruto smiled awkwardly. "Tenten… I really trust your judgment."
The group then headed toward Ichiraku Ramen, chatting and laughing along the way.
Back at Sai's modest home, Sai was focused on reviewing his drawings when suddenly his nose itched. He sneezed twice, grabbed a tissue, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "It's not even cold… why do I feel like I'm catching a cold? Oh well, just close the window."
As he reached for the window latch, a familiar voice called out:
"Sai!"
Sai turned and saw Ino standing outside the door, a small bag of food in her hands, her familiar smile lighting up the entrance.
"Ino!!!"
Sai's heart leapt. He hurriedly put down the window latch and ran to open the door. Shy but thrilled, he scratched the back of his head and asked, "Why are you here?"
Ino's smile was gentle. "I had nothing else to do, so I thought I'd come see you."
Sai felt a warm glow in his chest. Though Ino's words were simple, they carried a quiet message of care and thoughtfulness—her way of saying she missed him, even if she couldn't say it directly.
"Stop standing outside, come in!" he said, taking the bag from her.
Sai led her into his living room. His home was small—one bedroom and a living area. After living under Root's control for years with no savings, this house had initially belonged to Root. Following Danzo's downfall, the village assigned it to Sai, thanks to Captain Yamato's recommendation and the reconciliation between Sai and Team 7.
In the living room, Sai tidied up his workspace, pushed the drawings aside, and poured Ino a glass of water. "Sit down," he said kindly.
Ino sat gracefully and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
Sai snorted and replied, "Eat… not yet!"
Suddenly, a loud gurgle from Sai's stomach betrayed him.
Ino smirked, pointing a finger at him. "I can read minds, Sai. Don't lie to me. Have you eaten?"
Sai froze, caught red-handed, and muttered honestly, "I haven't eaten yet."
Ino smiled knowingly. "I knew it!" She placed the items she brought neatly on the table. "Well then, eat. I brought this especially for you. The restaurant just opened, and I heard it was excellent—so I tried it myself and thought of you immediately."
Sai peeked inside the bag and saw roast duck rice. The aroma alone made his stomach growl. He swallowed hard. Seeing Sai's reaction, Ino handed him disposable chopsticks with a smile.
"Here!" she said.
Sai's gaze lingered on her in the warm light. His chest swelled with happiness.
"Okay! Thank you, Ino. I'll start eating now."
He picked up the roast duck rice, took a bite, and his eyes lit up. "It's amazing… so flavorful! I've never had roast duck like this before!"
Ino chuckled softly. "Right? It's rare in Konoha. The recipe came from the Land of Thunder. Now that it's peaceful, the owners are opening shops everywhere."
Sai nodded between bites, clearly enjoying it. "Delicious… really good!"
Ino watched him, feeling satisfied that her visit had been worthwhile. She poured him a glass of water and asked curiously, "So… what have you been working on lately? Even though you're busy, you didn't order the meal yourself?"
Sai smiled faintly through a mouthful of rice, remaining silent. Sharing his work—drawing adult-themed manga with Jiraiya-sama—was slightly embarrassing.
Ino, sensing his hesitation, cautioned, "Slow down, don't choke. Drink some water."
Sai obediently took a sip. Ino's eyes wandered and caught sight of his pile of drawings. She frowned, then picked one up, and her face immediately turned red.
"Sai! Explain this!" she demanded, slapping it on the table.
Sai's heart nearly stopped. He choked on his food, frozen in shock.
"Sai! I need an explanation today! What is this drawing about? Don't tell me you drew this yourself!"
Ino's expression was half amused, half exasperated, and Sai knew he was cornered.
"Remember, I can read minds now. Don't lie to me," she warned, a playful glint in her eyes.
Sai began sweating. Standing there with Ino's piercing gaze made him realize there was no escaping the truth.
Ino stood, adopting a mock-serious tone. "It seems you don't want to tell me? Fine… but remember, I learned a few interrogation techniques from Ibiki-sama. Don't test me."
Sai swallowed hard, set down his rice, and confessed everything in detail.
Ino listened, then snorted. "If I had said no earlier, nothing would've happened. There's really nothing to hide here."
Sai blinked in surprise. "Ino… you're not angry? Even if I drew this…"
She sighed. "Since Naruto said it's fine, you can draw what you want. Making some money isn't wrong—it'll even help you get your own place someday."
Sai was moved, the warmth in his chest overflowing.
"Ino…" he whispered.
He immediately hugged her. Ino's cheeks flushed red.
"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, though she didn't push him away.
Sai's voice was tinged with frustration. "Jiraiya-sama always laughs at me for not being a man!"
Ino giggled and tapped his head lightly. "You shouldn't be drawing things like this if you take him seriously! Stop touching it and close the doors and windows!"
Sai tilted his head. "Why?"
Ino blushed deeper. "What else do I have to do to make a man out of you?"
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