Seeing Hayato Ren suddenly appear before them, Yuhi Kurenai and the other two stopped what they were doing.
The somewhat eerie atmosphere was only broken when a meatball uncontrollably fell from Yuhi Kurenai's fork.
"Teacher? Why are you here?"
Yuhi Kurenai couldn't help but stand up and ask.
Hayato Ren unceremoniously picked up the sweet soup in front of Yuhi Kurenai and drank it all in one gulp.
"Why can't I be here? By the way, congratulations on successfully passing the second exam. You didn't embarrass me."
"You jerk! That bowl of sweet soup was mine! How could you drink it without my permission?"
Yuhi Kurenai gritted her teeth and glared at Hayato Ren, clearly demanding an explanation.
However, to her complete surprise, Hayato Ren curled his lips and said righteously:
"Haha, what's wrong with offering your teacher a bowl of sweet soup? You're really stingy. Stingy people drink cold water..."
Just as Yuhi Kurenai was about to explode, Nohara Rin stepped in to mediate.
She pushed her own bowl of sweet soup in front of Yuhi Kurenai and said softly:
"Alright, you two, stop arguing. I haven't drunk from this bowl of sweet soup yet. You can have it, Kurenai. If it's not enough, we can just order another one."
Meanwhile, Konan had already brought a spoonful of dessert to Hayato Ren's mouth and said gently:
"Brother Ren, say ah~"
Yuhi Kurenai immediately sat back down in her seat, her face instantly turning bright red.
Because she remembered that she had just taken a sip from that bowl of sweet soup.
If that was the case...
Thinking of this, Yuhi Kurenai felt her mouth go dry.
Hayato Ren opened his mouth to eat the dessert Konan was feeding him, then asked:
"Why are you all here? I remember someone hates sweet things the most."
[Huh? This guy actually remembers I don't like sweet things. Could it be...]
The blush on Yuhi Kurenai's face, which had just faded, returned with Hayato Ren's words.
"Hmph, what's wrong with me eating what I want? Is Leaf your family's property? Why do you care so much?"
Yuhi Kurenai couldn't help but use sharp words to cover up her inner turmoil.
However, as soon as she said this, Yuhi Kurenai somewhat regretted it.
After all, Hayato Ren was just showing concern, and she had responded like that—wasn't that inappropriate?
But Hayato Ren was clearly not the type to dwell on such things.
He reached out and gave Yuhi Kurenai a big Head Flick.
"Have you gotten too bold after not being disciplined for three days? Is that how you talk to me?"
At that moment, a young boy with a beard rushed over and glared angrily at Hayato Ren, shouting:
"You! How dare you lay hands on Kurenai?"
Hayato Ren glanced at the furious Asuma and then asked:
"You're living quite comfortably, even hiring clowns for entertainment."
Asuma was momentarily stunned, clearly not understanding why Hayato Ren would say such a thing.
However, he quickly realized. Hayato Ren was indirectly calling him a clown.
Asuma then shouted:
"You damn bastard, I challenge you to a duel!"
Originally, Hayato Ren had no interest in Asuma - just another spoiled second-generation brat.
But since you're offering your face to be slapped, don't blame me for being impolite.
Hayato Ren looked Asuma up and down, then let out a disdainful snort from his nose.
"You? What qualifications does a mere Genin have to challenge me? Besides, this is our squad's gathering - it has nothing to do with an outsider like you."
The young Asuma, caught off guard by Hayato Ren's verbal combo, instantly lost any means to retaliate and could only cast a pleading look toward Yuhi Kurenai.
However, Yuhi Kurenai merely snorted coldly and turned her head away, clearly wanting nothing to do with him.
At this moment, Hayato Ren continued:
"You're what they call a sycophant, aren't you? Stop being an eyesore here - I don't have any bones for you."
Hearing this, Asuma's face instantly flushed red as he argued:
"That's nonsense! Kurenai and I have mutual feelings! I'm no sycophant!"
Suddenly, Yuhi Kurenai stood up and said coldly to Asuma:
"Sarutobi Asuma, I've already clearly rejected you. Please stop associating me with these ridiculous rumors from now on. Also, please call me 'Yuhi Kurenai' - we're not close enough to be on a first-name basis."
After speaking, Yuhi Kurenai took Hayato Ren's hand and walked out of the dessert shop.
Konan cast a cold glance at Asuma before following behind them with Nohara Rin.
Asuma stared blankly at the retreating figures of the four, then suddenly collapsed to the ground as if his spine had been removed.
Clearly, Yuhi Kurenai's words had dealt him ten thousand points of real damage.
The group of four arrived at the riverbank, where a cool river breeze greeted them.
As it tousled their bangs, it brought with it a refreshing chill.
Hayato Ren suddenly looked at Yuhi Kurenai and teased:
"I never realized our Kurenai was so popular, with suitors chasing you right into the shop."
Seeing Hayato Ren's mocking smile, Yuhi Kurenai clenched her delicate pink fists.
If not for the vast difference in their strength, her fists would definitely have connected with Hayato Ren's face.
"Don't mention it. That guy is such bad luck. So young but already smoking constantly - it's disgusting."
Hayato Ren patted Yuhi Kurenai's head and responded:
"That's the pot calling the kettle black. Weren't you also drinking at a young age?"
Yuhi Kurenai glared fiercely at Hayato Ren and retorted angrily:
"That's completely different! I'd never be interested in that guy. I'd rather be with a scheming person like you than ever consider him."
As soon as these words were spoken, Konan's gaze suddenly turned icy.
[I'm still right here, and you dare try to steal him right in front of me?]
At this moment, Hayato Ren showed a disgusted expression and looked Yuhi Kurenai up and down.
"Well, I'm not really interested in being with a drunkard either, sorry..."
Hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai instantly flew into a rage.
"That was a metaphor, do you understand metaphors? Even if all the men in the world died out, I wouldn't spare you a single glance! A hateful guy like you deserves to grow old alone!"
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