Ino pouted, "Then I'll try them all on, you can take your time choosing."
Then, right in front of Aoba, she was the first to change into a pair of black thigh-high stockings and put her foot out toward him.
"How's that?"
Aoba was silent. Her foot was so close, still in the stockings, toes trembling, for some reason his mouth felt dry.
"You can touch them, you know," Ino added that line.
"Very nice!", Aoba murmured as he gently stroked them, telling the truth.
He felt like today's Ino was a little female demon.
'Is this some kind of spider cave or what?'
Ino laughed, took off the thigh-highs and changed into knee-highs. Like a model, wearing the kimono, lifting the hem, walking back and forth in front of Aoba.
Then she switched to pantyhose, changing tirelessly.
Every time she changed a pair she asked Aoba's opinion and watched his reaction.
She remembered which pairs he looked at longer.
Finally, recalling Aoba's talk of a proposal, Ino used a transformation jutsu and became the figure she imagined she would be when grown up.
Tall figure, face more gentle and mature; a golden ponytail trailing down to her waist.
A kimono, plus black long stockings.
When Aoba first saw it, he half thought he'd traveled a few years into the future.
"Hmph! Hmph! Pretty, right?", Ino smiled proudly, then stepped with her black-stockinged beautiful leg onto Aoba's chest.
Aoba had been about to take hold of Ino's foot and play with it, when suddenly there was a noise at the room's door.
"Ino, since you're home, why aren't you—", A wind chime tinkled, the door was pushed open, and an elegant middle-aged woman stood at the threshold, stunned as she looked at Ino and Aoba.
Yamanaka Rino's words got stuck in her throat; her pupils widened. As she entered she saw her daughter, a size bigger than usual, wearing a kimono, lifting the hem, and standing with her foot on Aoba's chest.
She had apparently been out shopping, carrying large bags.
Seeing the scene, she froze for a moment, then silently averted her gaze and took a deep breath.
"Mom… M-Mom?", Ino was petrified as well.
"Sorry," Aoba's mind raced; he immediately apologized sincerely, "It was all me who had Ino do this."
"Really, I'm very sorry!", Ino opened her mouth, about to speak up for Aoba.
"Actually—"
"Ino," Yamanaka Rino's brow knit slightly; in a somewhat reproving tone she said, "Mom never taught you to do this kind of improper thing."
Ino's foot was still on Aoba's chest.
She hastily withdrew her foot, cancelled the transformation jutsu, and stood awkwardly to the side.
"Auntie—", Aoba wanted to take the blame and explain a bit.
"Aoba, Ino is just a child and doesn't understand. She's caused you trouble; please forgive her," Yamanaka Rino cut off Aoba's words.
"No, it's nothing, Auntie. This was mainly my fault," Aoba said apologetically.
Yamanaka Rino didn't linger on the matter and changed the subject, "Ino, your father… huh? What's with that kimono?"
Only then did she notice Ino's clothing.
"This is a gift Aoba gave me," Aoba added.
At those words, a strange expression flickered across Yamanaka Rino's eyes.
"Do you know that when a boy gives a girl—"
"I know!", Aoba cut her off, his gaze firm, "Auntie, I will marry Ino!"
Yamanaka Rino was left speechless, while Ino beside her looked at Aoba with eyes practically melting.
Rubbing her temple, Yamanaka Rino hadn't expected that after stepping out for a while, the household's cabbage of a daughter would almost… wait, that's not right, would almost actively shove someone into things.
"Aoba, you should head back now. I need to speak to Ino alone for a bit."
"All right," Aoba didn't intend to stay; the atmosphere was too awkward.
"Ino, see him off," Yamanaka Rino said and then sank onto the sofa looking a bit helpless.
Ino saw Aoba out and stood under a large tree not far from Yamanaka's flower shop.
"I'll come find you again tomorrow."
"Mm."
———
After saying goodbye to Ino, Aoba headed straight for Anko's place.
He'd made sure Anko and Isaribi were at home, not out, then immediately used Flying Thunder God technique.
———
[Anko's House]
Anko was helping Isaribi tidy the room.
Aoba appeared out of nowhere in the living room.
"Aoba? Why—", Anko hadn't finished her sentence before Aoba appeared in front of her.
"Anko-nee, I'm really angry right now!", he declared.
"Eh?"
Without giving her a chance to react, Aoba grabbed her and carried her into the bedroom.
Then a series of miserable howls rang out.
The fight that followed was fierce; Anko had no strength to resist and could only plead loudly.
"Don't, Aoba, I'll die!", she cried.
She tried to run but Aoba pulled her back.
Outside, Isaribi trembled at the sounds.
———
When the battle subsided, Aoba looked down at Anko sprawled over him, her eyes rolled back. He figured she wouldn't have any earthly desires for a few days now.
He still helped her relieve some physical fatigue.
Anko regained a bit of consciousness, but her body was completely done for, she didn't want to move.
"Why did you suddenly get so angry?", she mumbled.
Aoba gave her a reprimanding slap, "I gave the kimono to Ino."
"Hahaha!", Anko at first froze, then couldn't help laughing out loud.
Aoba slapped again, stirring up a little tempest.
"Mm—", Anko's laughter cut off; she gave a muffled groan, "So you still plan to keep giving them away?", she asked.
She remembered he'd bought more than twenty sets of kimono.
Aoba sighed, "Of course I have to give them away."
If Ino and Shizune and that Anko, all rebellious types, strutted around in kimonos showing off in front of other girls, wouldn't he blow up?
"Heh heh, didn't expect there'd be something to trouble you about," Anko let out a somewhat weak laugh.
Aoba's eyes narrowed, "You can still laugh, huh. Looks like Anko-nee's energy is pretty high today."
Anko was startled, hastily stopping her laugh and cried in mock terror, "No, I really can't today. If you come again I'll die on the spot, believe me."
"If you really want more, then go to Isaribi. She definitely won't refuse," Anko suggested slyly.
For the sake of her own life, Anko decided to drag the sister she'd just recognized into it.
Aoba rolled his eyes and then said sinisterly, "Then I'll come find you tomorrow."
"No! Don't come find me at all for the next half month," Anko assumed a resigned expression.
"…"
"Then go to sleep. I have other things to do," Aoba said.
"Mm…"
He covered Anko with a blanket. When he got up, he found Anko already asleep.
He opened the door and happened to see Isaribi slumped on the sofa, eyes vacant.
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