Mei looked hesitant, but Aoki stared at her with a firm expression. "Come here," Aoki said in an undeniable tone.
Finally, with her cheeks still flushed, Mei gave in and sat next to Aoki.
And as they all gathered, breakfast began, with small laughter and light conversation warming the atmosphere of that morning.
...
...
...
That morning, the warmth of the sun slowly crept through the window cracks, illuminating the simple yet cozy wooden room. The lingering aroma of firewood from the fireplace mixed with a faint herbal scent wafting from the corner of the room. At the small dining table made of old oak, Aoki, Mei, Tetsu, Ajisai, and Misuki had just finished their breakfast.
The wooden plates, still holding a few crumbs of bread, and the warm tea cups bore witness to the light conversation that was beginning to fade. Mei, sitting at the corner of the table, held her arm, which was still wrapped in bandages. Even though Mei felt better than yesterday, her shoulder still ached whenever she moved too much.
Aoki glanced briefly at Mei, noticing the girl who had been silent all this time. However, instead of speaking directly to Mei, Aoki shifted his gaze to Misuki, who was calmly sipping her tea.
"Ms. Misuki," Aoki said, his voice steady yet polite. "May we stay at your house for two weeks? At least until Mei fully recovers."
The atmosphere suddenly became quieter. Only the soft sound of the wind rustling outside could be heard, swaying the leaves of the trees in the small yard.
Mei, who had been lost in her thoughts, jolted. Her green eyes widened, staring at Aoki in clear shock. "What?" Mei murmured softly, almost unable to believe the request.
Misuki casually set down her teacup, then looked at Aoki before lightly nodding her head. "No problem. You can stay here as long as you want," Misuki replied without hesitation. Her deep, calm voice conveyed that she was not burdened by the request at all.
Mei turned to the old healer with a frustrated expression. "But I can't stay here too long!" Mei exclaimed, as if she didn't want the conversation to continue any further.
Aoki sighed, then looked at Mei patiently. "Mei, you are injured. Your left shoulder is still in recovery and needs at least one or two weeks to heal completely. What good does it do you to push yourself if it will only worsen your condition?"
Mei clenched her hands on her thighs, her eyes blinking anxiously. "I... I just can't stay for long."
Misuki let out a soft huff, then leaned back in her chair with a bored expression. "Stubborn as always," Misuki muttered, raising an eyebrow. "What that kid said is true. If you push yourself, your injury will get worse. Do you want to die foolishly on the way?"
Mei bit her lip, confusion clearly etched on her face. Her fingers nervously gripped the worn fabric of her clothes, showing the uncertainty she felt.
However, before Mei could say more, Aoki spoke again. This time, his voice sounded deeper, more serious.
"Mei Terumi."
The tone of Aoki's voice made Mei turn reflexively. When their eyes met, Mei felt something unusual.
Aoki's gaze was so deep, so sharp. There was no doubt there, only a firmness and genuine sincerity. Something in Aoki's eyes—something that words could not explain—made Mei fall silent instantly.
"I know we just met last night," Aoki continued, still staring at Mei without blinking.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
________________________
[Note: 450+ latest chapters have been added! For Just 3$ You Get Access To Chapters Way Ahead,
Now you can access the chapters before Webnovel And Scribblehub by following,
Just become a patron on Patreon:
Patreon.com/Alex_Fabianoki]