章 24: CH24 : Yakiniku Q

As Yuichi made his way to Yakiniku Q, his mind circled around the familiar faces that would be waiting for him. Although Sakumo had declined with a polite nod and Mio simply walked off without a word, Yuichi couldn't quite shake the thought of their distance.

He sighed, murmuring to himself, "I did what I could. No shame in that."

As he stepped into the restaurant, the warm light and the faint sizzle of grilling meat surrounded him. Yuichi noticed his classmates, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, already seated at a table with Tsunade and Takeshi. However, two others sat with them, Katsu and Aiko.

Jiraiya looked up, grinning wide. "Yuichi! Just in time. Join us, man! It's on me tonight!"

He gave a small wave, trying to mask his surprise at seeing everyone here, especially Takeshi and Aiko together.

Takeshi, the quiet Senju, seemed to occupy his own space comfortably, though his soft smile hinted he was happy to be in this company.

Aiko, seated close to Takeshi, radiated warmth, a sharp contrast to the stoic Tsunade beside her. Yuichi took his seat, stealing a glance as Aiko's hand brushed Takeshi's under the table, her smile almost imperceptibly widening.

Sarutobi Aiko, the person he had least information of but was the highest ranking and most shocking background that he didn't know off.

He was so shocked to find out that he didn't even believe it at first. Sarutobi Aiko was the first born daughter of Hiruzen and through a few things here and there he was sure Takeshi and Aiko had something going on in between them.

"Yuichi!" Jiraiya clapped his back, drawing him from his thoughts. "About time! Thought you'd be too busy training to join us."

"Oh, I wouldn't miss a free meal," Yuichi replied, laughing. His eyes darted briefly to Tsunade, who was watching him with her usual composed expression, though her gaze seemed to linger on him for a moment.

"So, Yuichi," she said with her familiar coolness, "still practicing your midnight rounds at the Senju grounds?" There was a hint of curiosity, though her voice remained level.

"Caught me, huh?" he replied, scratching his head. "Can't seem to sleep without some training under the moon. It's… a calming thing, I suppose."

Yuichi smartly dodged the bullet without faking anything.

She nodded, her lips pressing slightly. "At least you're dedicated. Not everyone can keep up that discipline."

Just as Yuichi was about to respond, Jiraiya leaned in, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, Tsunade, don't fall for the hard-working-nice-guy act! We all know Yuichi's charm game is top-notch. Right, ladies?"

He winked at Aiko, who rolled her eyes but laughed, her arm bumping against Takeshi's.

Yuichi shot Jiraiya a look but chuckled. "Nothing like that, Jiraiya. Just doing what I can. Besides, I'm not sure Tsunade would call it 'charming.' More like... weird?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at Yuichi. "Weird or not, dedication is important. It's not something everyone has," she said, her tone softer than usual. There was a slight lift in her lips, almost like a smile, though she quickly concealed it.

Aiko spoke up, addressing Yuichi directly. "I think it's good that you work hard, especially since not everyone has a Kekkei Genkai or clan to back them up."

Yuichi felt a weight on his shoulders with her words. "I'll do my best to keep up with you all," he said, glancing around at the others, letting his gaze rest on Tsunade.

Orochimaru's calm voice slipped in. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Yuichi. Determination can outweigh talent when it counts. After all, talent is nothing without effort. Just look at Jiraiya here"

Jiraiya laughed at first as he thought Orochimaru was praising him but in a minute the scene changed as he observed the surroundings and understood the meaning of his words.

Jiraiya started his little skirmishes with orochimaru that they did all of the time. Yuichi on the other hand felt as they both enjoyed it especially Orochimaru who rarely shows expressions.

"Exactly!" Takeshi added to the previous talk of orochimaru ignoring the verbal fighting happening in the background, his voice carrying a gentle reassurance that seemed to echo Aiko's supportive nature. "Yuichi has been nothing but dedicated and it shows in his results. It's the kind of attitude we could all use."

As the conversation ebbed and flowed, Yuichi found his gaze drifting to Tsunade's profile, the way her eyes caught the light or the brief moments she would glance his way, almost as if checking on him.

He felt a strange pull but was uncertain about whether he should act on it, given her reserved nature.

She carried herself with a cold grace, making him wonder if there was even space for him to break through that shell.

On the other hand Yuichi was in a dilemma between pursuing the anime crush of his or the mental age barrier in between them. On top of that every time he remembered Ayame he felt as if he was cheating on her.

"So, Tsunade," he said, almost as if testing his own bravery, "maybe I could show you some moves sometime. You know, my 'midnight rounds' technique."

Yuichi panicked in his mind as he spoke something weird, so weird and double meaning that he himself wasn't able to process his own action.

'Let's try to endure as much as i could' he spoke in his mind, tightening his muscles, sure of coming deathly punches towards him.

But to surprise she gave him a long look, her expression unreadable. But her eyes softened just slightly as she replied, "Maybe. If you can keep up."

Yuichi chuckled nervously, scratching his neck, relieving his mind. "Wouldn't dream of slowing you down." The response felt flimsy, yet a quiet spark passed between them.

Just then, Jiraiya groaned dramatically, putting his hand on his heart.

"Oh, please! If Yuichi is teaching anyone anything, it should be me. Tsunade's out of your league, Yuichi. But don't worry, I've got a list of great moves to teach you," he grinned.

Everyone laughed, with Takeshi and Aiko sharing a warm, knowing glance. Watching them, Yuichi felt a momentary pang—a small glimpse of companionship and comfort he hoped for in his own way, though he wasn't sure what that meant for him and Tsunade.

As the evening wound down, Tsunade hung back a little, turning to him. "That book you lent me? I'll get it back to you soon."

"No rush," he replied, feeling a mixture of anticipation and reluctance. "It's kind of nice knowing you have it."

She looked at him with that slight smile again, a fleeting moment before she turned to walk out the door. In that shared silence, he felt the beginning of something undefined, small but unmistakably there.

***

Hey author here!!!

I am trying to make the romance not looked forced so if i make mistake here and there inform me. that's all...