At six o'clock in the evening, Tsunade finally finished her work for the day and stepped out of Konoha Hospital.
Her mood had been rather poor lately.
Part of it was because the kekkei genkai Nawaki had awakened turned out to be Grass Release rather than Wood Release, but there was another reason she had been unwilling to admit aloud.
She had not seen Kizaru in more than half a month.
Ever since their relationship had grown closer in September of the previous year, Kizaru had made a habit of appearing outside the hospital whenever her shift ended, waiting to walk home with her.
After several months, Tsunade had grown accustomed to seeing him there.
More than that, she had come to enjoy it.
However, shortly after the New Year, Kizaru had left Konoha for Mount Myōboku to train in senjutsu. He had already been gone for more than half a month, and his absence had left Tsunade feeling strangely unsettled, as though something had been missing from her daily life.
Just how long was that idiot planning to stay away?
Thinking about Kizaru, Tsunade walked forward with her head slightly lowered, so lost in thought that she failed to notice the tall figure dressed in yellow standing directly outside the hospital entrance.
A hand larger than her face suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
Already in a poor mood, Tsunade frowned and raised her head, only to find herself staring at the familiar sunglasses of the man she had been thinking about.
"Oooh? You missed me that much, Tsunade-senpai?"
The same infuriating smile rested on Kizaru's face, and his voice carried that familiar, lazy drawl. Yet the amusement and delight in his eyes were impossible to hide.
The moment Tsunade saw him, the tension in her brow disappeared, and a smile instinctively spread across her face.
"You annoying bastard. Why are you back so soon?" she asked, deliberately making her voice sound displeased despite the happiness written all over her face. "Did you give up on learning senjutsu?"
"Oooh, how cruel," Kizaru replied, looking down at her with a smile. "I already learned it. Besides, I was beginning to miss you."
"Tch."
Tsunade turned her face aside, but the blush spreading across her cheeks betrayed her completely.
Kizaru had always liked seeing that side of her.
He stepped closer and wrapped both arms around her, pulling her into his embrace.
They were standing in public, so the embarrassed Tsunade struggled lightly at first and struck his side a few times with her hand. However, she soon gave up resisting and slipped her arms around the man she had missed for so long.
Kizaru lowered his head, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair and skin as a pleased smile appeared on his face.
Mm.
It was still the same familiar scent.
She had not changed her shampoo or soap while he was away.
It happened to be the hospital's shift-change hour, and the doctors, nurses, and patients passing through the entrance could not help glancing in their direction. Many of them wore warm or envious smiles upon seeing the two embrace.
"All right, let go of me," Tsunade whispered, raising her head from where it had been buried against Kizaru's chest.
Knowing her temperament well enough not to push his luck, Kizaru loosened his arms and took half a step back.
"Let's have dinner together tonight. I already made a reservation."
"But…"
Tsunade hesitated.
Nawaki had been feeling depressed recently, and she had promised to prepare a large meal for him that evening.
"What's wrong?" Kizaru asked, immediately noticing her hesitation. "Did something happen?"
Tsunade shook her head.
After briefly weighing her younger brother against the man she had not seen for more than half a month, she quickly reached a decision.
"All right. But I need to find someone to tell Nawaki that he'll have to take care of dinner himself tonight."
"Leave it to me."
As he spoke, Kizaru stepped forward, took Tsunade's left hand in his, and led her away from the hospital entrance.
At that same moment, inside the Senju residence, Nawaki had already returned early from Orochimaru's laboratory and was sprawled across the tatami mats, waiting expectantly.
How much longer is Sis going to take?
I'm starving!
Knowing that Tsunade enjoyed chicken breast and sake, Kizaru had reserved a table at a popular grilled-meat restaurant.
Since neither of them wanted to attract too much attention, they chose a private booth against the wall.
They sat across from one another, with sake, several small dishes to accompany the drinks, and a few skewers of grilled chicken arranged across the table between them.
As they ate, they talked about everything that had happened during their time apart, though most of the conversation initially revolved around Kizaru's senjutsu training at Mount Myōboku.
When Tsunade heard that Jiraiya had tearfully forced down two enormous bowls filled with insects, only to vomit until he passed out, she burst into laughter.
Time passed, and after several rounds of sake, Tsunade gradually became more talkative.
She told Kizaru about the recent events in Konoha, particularly Nawaki's failure to awaken Wood Release after the transplantation. Instead, the only kekkei genkai he had developed was Grass Release.
"Ever since Nawaki met Duy, he's become more and more obsessed with that ridiculous youthful spirit of theirs."
At that point, Tsunade directed an accusing glare at Kizaru.
After all, Kizaru was Might Duy's teacher, and he had also been the one who suggested that Nawaki and Duy form a team for the Chūnin Exams.
"The transplantation of Grandfather's cells only awakened Grass Release. It was a huge blow to Nawaki," Tsunade continued. "He still acts energetic and works hard whenever I'm around, but I know he's actually taking it badly."
Kizaru listened quietly without interrupting her.
He understood that Tsunade did not need empty reassurance at that moment. She simply needed someone willing to listen while she let out everything she had been keeping inside.
"Kizaru, what do you think I should do?"
Now slightly tipsy after finally voicing all her worries, Tsunade rested her head against one hand and looked across the table at him.
"Nawaki's personality is a lot like Duy's," Kizaru said after considering it carefully. "Comforting him probably won't help much right now. What he needs is a goal he can actually see himself reaching."
"A goal?"
Tsunade thought over his words and found that they made sense.
She straightened, placed both hands on the table, and looked directly at him.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
"I'll speak to Nawaki tomorrow."
Kizaru did not yet know what Nawaki truly thought about the situation, so he had no intention of carelessly deciding the boy's future without speaking to him first.
Tsunade appreciated his cautious response, and a soft smile appeared on her face.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Mm."
Kizaru nodded, making the promise without hesitation.
Having not seen one another for so long, the two stretched their dinner out until nearly ten o'clock.
Perhaps it was because she had finally spoken about the emotions she had kept buried, or perhaps it was simply because she trusted Kizaru enough to relax completely around him, but by the time they left the restaurant, Tsunade was thoroughly drunk.
Because of the considerable difference in their height, Kizaru could not comfortably support her beneath one arm, so he simply turned around and carried her on his back.
With Tsunade resting against him, Kizaru exchanged greetings with several acquaintances they passed before leaving the busy commercial district.
The Senju residence stood near the center of the village and was not far from the shopping streets, so it did not take Kizaru long to reach its entrance.
Supporting Tsunade with one hand, he raised the other and knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door opened.
The person standing on the other side was none other than Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki.
"Kizaru?" Nawaki exclaimed before noticing the unconscious Tsunade on his back. "Ah! Why is Sis drunk?"
"Let's go inside first," Kizaru suggested, still standing at the entrance with Tsunade on his back.
"Oh! Right!"
Nawaki hurriedly stepped aside and opened the door wider.
Kizaru was already extremely familiar with the Senju residence, so he had no need for Nawaki to guide him. Carrying Tsunade down the hallway with ease, he entered her bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.
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