At 9 PM, Asuma had changed into a stylish outfit, tamed his wild hair, and stood in front of Kurenai's door, clutching a bouquet of flowers.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
The rhythmic knocking echoed, and his heart pounded with excitement.
If tonight went well, he would finally escape the ranks of single men and, in doing so, contribute to the future of the Sarutobi clan.
He had already decided — if he and Kurenai had a child, they'd name them Sarutobi Mirai.
The future of the Sarutobi clan.
"Who is it?"
Kurenai's soft voice called out from inside before the door opened. The faint scent of her perfume wafted toward Asuma, sending a thrill through his body.
"Kurenai, it's me!"
"Asuma? What brings you here so late?" Kurenai's eyes flickered to the bouquet in his hands, her expression curious.
Hearing her tone, Asuma's heart sank.
This... doesn't feel right.
The way Kurenai was acting—was their relationship about to fall apart?
No. Absolutely not.
"Kurenai!"
Asuma flashed what he believed to be his most charming smile. "We're already a couple. Don't you think it's a bit unfair to keep brushing me off like this?"
Kurenai's expression froze, as if she had suddenly remembered something. Then, realization dawned on her face.
"Ah... my place isn't really convenient right now."
"Who is it? Did Kamizuki Hikari come over?" In his panic, Asuma blurted out his suspicions before quickly trying to backtrack. "Kurenai, I don't mean I don't trust you, it's just—"
"It's not Hikari. Why would you even bring him up?" Kurenai tilted her head slightly, looking genuinely confused—and somewhat adorably clueless.
"No, I didn't mean to mention him!"
Asuma's mind raced. He knew that if he admitted he suspected Kurenai and Hikari were involved, he might as well turn around and go home—for good.
"It's Yakumo. You remember her, right? The girl whose body is too frail to become a shinobi."
"Yakumo... Oh, you mean Kurama Yakumo!" Asuma recalled the child Kurenai had mentioned before. "Back then, the Third Hokage said her clan's bloodline illness made it nearly impossible for her to be a shinobi. But her parents begged so persistently that he eventually assigned you as her instructor. Who would've thought her condition would worsen, leading her to... kill her own parents. Kurenai, keeping someone like that in your home is too dangerous!"
Asuma's concern for Kurenai was genuine—even if his motives weren't entirely pure.
"So... that's what you think of her." Kurenai smiled, but there was something unsettling about it.
"Kurenai, are you—?" Asuma stared at her, sensing something off.
"I'm fine."
Kurenai quickly composed herself, glancing back inside before lowering her voice. "Let me say a word to Yakumo. Wait for me outside. I'll go out with you for a bit."
Asuma's hormones surged at her words.
At this hour, a walk probably meant ending up at his place, and after that... things would naturally progress!
Less than three minutes later, Kurenai stepped out, and the two walked off together.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of Kurenai's house, the window slid open. Kurama Yakumo peered out, her gaze fixed on Asuma's retreating figure—her eyes filled with scorn.
'I can't kill you... but a little punishment won't hurt. How dare you speak ill of me? Don't blame me for being ruthless!'
"Yakumo, why aren't you asleep?"
Kurenai's voice came from inside, and the door opened to reveal another Kurenai.
"I'm not sleepy yet, Sensei. You can go to bed first." Yakumo replied.
Kurenai was drying her hair with a towel, wearing a semi-transparent silk nightgown that did little to hide her alluring figure. Her curves were faintly visible, radiant and tempting.
Yakumo glanced at Kurenai, then at herself, and sighed with a pout.
The difference was just too much.
"I thought I heard knocking earlier. Who was it?" Kurenai walked over to Yakumo and looked out the window, spotting Asuma's retreating figure.
"Oh, it was Asuma."
"Did he say anything?"
Yakumo casually closed the window. "No. He just came to see you, saying he wanted to 'talk about life and dreams'. I figured he was up to no good, so I told him you weren't available. He left after that."
"Is that so?"
Kurenai didn't question Yakumo's words. She looked at the frail girl, her heart aching with pity.
"I asked that jerk Kamizuki Hikari earlier. He said he was busy with Kamizuki Izumo's wedding the past couple of days, so he couldn't check on you. But tomorrow, he's free. You can go see him at his place."
Kurenai wasn't entirely confident in Hikari's ability to treat Yakumo. Thinking back, agreeing to let him treat her felt like a decision made under some kind of spell.
Oh well. The Konoha Hospital hadn't come up with any solutions either, so she might as well let Hikari try.
"Kurenai-sensei, I'm going to bed."
"Alright, rest well. But remember to visit Hikari tomorrow, okay? Don't stay cooped up here all the time."
"Got it. Goodnight, Kurenai-sensei!"
"Goodnight."
Kurenai turned and left, gently closing the door behind her.
---
"Kurenai... your hands are so cold."
"Asuma... your chest is so warm."
'If he ever finds out the truth, he'll probably be so ashamed, he'll want to kill himself.'
Yakumo smirked.
Talking behind her back was one thing, but badmouthing her parents? Did he really think Yakumo was still that powerless little girl?
Well, physically, she was still weak.
But her mastery of genjutsu was so refined that even Kurenai could be deceived. And with Asuma's lust clouding his judgment, Yakumo had effortlessly manipulated his senses—making him embrace nothing but empty air, believing it was Kurenai.
"As your enemy, I'm being quite merciful."
With those words, Yakumo's figure slowly faded away.
Once Asuma had exhausted himself, she would let him return home—to rest peacefully.
Tonight's events would remain in his mind as nothing more than a... beautiful dream.
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