บท 107: 107. Outing
After treating the girl's wounds, Uchiha Gin stood up and went upstairs to prepare a room for her, leaving Senju Itama and Uchiha Hikari staring at each other.
"I still don't know your name. Maybe Gin was too careless and forgot to tell me on the way."
Casually picking up the tea cup that Uchiha Gin had drunk from, the girl took a small sip, then looked up with a smile, speaking to Senju Itama with a hint of the warmth left from the tea in her voice.
"Uh, that curly-haired ape didn't even bother introducing me?"
Senju Itama's sense of crisis suddenly heightened. Was he really so unimportant in that guy's eyes?
"Strange! He never mentioned having a childhood friend, and..."
Even the most patient person would have some temper. Seizing the opportunity, Senju Itama launched his counterattack, with a face showing genuine confusion and hesitation as he said,
"You grew up with him, so does that mean you're over thirty as well?"
Age is a woman's greatest weapon.
"Ugh!"
Being asked like this by Senju Itama, Uchiha Hikari felt like she had hit a soft spot. This dark-haired, black-eyed kid in front of her was not to be underestimated; he had successfully turned the tables on her.
(＾－＾)V
Feeling triumphant inside, Senju Itama smugly celebrated, his fighting spirit rising even higher.
" Hikari! Put on some of my old clothes for now, and later we'll go out to buy some new ones and other necessities."
Just as the tension between the two peaked, Uchiha Gin came downstairs holding a set of his old casual clothes from his youth. He looked at the two glaring at each other in the living room, utterly confused.
"Hikari, Itama, aren't your eyes tired from staring?"
"Hmph!"
Senju Itama pouted and turned his head away.
"No, not at all. This is Itama, right? What an interesting name," Uchiha Hikari said softly, covering her mouth, her eyes glinting mischievously. She then walked over, took the clothes from Gin, and thanked him with a smile.
"Thank you, Gin. I'll be counting on your care from now on."
Huh? This old woman is planning to stay here long-term?
Senju Itama, deeply displeased at the moment, looked at the "pretentious" Uchiha Hikari and felt his fists tighten. The Senju blood in his veins was boiling, and his chakra surged through his body, eager to deliver a powerful blow to this deceitful person.
But in the end, Senju Itama restrained himself, loosening his small fists. There would be plenty of time to deal with this woman in the future.
Not long after, Uchiha Hikari, now dressed in Uchiha Gin's old clothes, gracefully descended the stairs, wearing a mercury-colored cloak. Blushing slightly, she tugged at the clothes that still carried Gin's scent and asked with a hint of nervousness,
"Gin, do they fit?"
"Uh, they're a bit too big, but it's fine. We'll buy you new ones later, and you can just toss this set out."
Seeing the obviously oversized clothes, Uchiha Gin casually responded,
"Let's go! We'll grab a meal too."
The three of them set off toward the market in their clan's territory.
Senju Itama and Hikari Kō walked on either side of Uchiha Gin, the tension between them almost palpable as they glared at each other all the way to the market.
"Itama! What are you doing here? It's not time yet!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted their silent standoff. Uchiha Haruka, a purple-haired woman, tilted her head in confusion at the sight of her friend. They had arranged to meet for dinner, so why was Itama here early?
"Oh, Mr. Gin! Long time no see. You look as well as ever. And who might this young lady be?"
Politely stepping forward to greet them, she noticed someone unfamiliar in the group and asked curiously.
"Uchiha Hikari, Gin's childhood friend," the girl introduced herself before Gin had the chance. At the same time, her gaze settled on Haruka, her mind pondering,
"This purple-haired one... Gin never mentioned her. She must be a passerby."
"Hello, senior. I'm Uchiha Haruka, Itama's friend."
With her innate sharp intuition, Uchiha Haruka could sense an unusually cold and deep power hidden within the seemingly harmless girl in front of her. Always cautious, she refrained from asking further questions and instead greeted her politely.
"Haruka! Perfect timing. Join us for dinner!"
Uchiha Gin held great affection for this hardworking girl, though not in a romantic sense. It was more like the fondness of an elder for a talented child, wishing she were part of his family.
Of course, she was a bit slow and prone to quirky remarks.
"I wouldn't want to intrude, but since you insist..."
Although Haruka had initially planned to decline due to the presence of the unfamiliar Uchiha Hikari, when she saw Itama's pleading expression, she ultimately accepted the invitation.
The shopping group now consisted of four, with Uchiha Gin leading the way, followed closely by Uchiha Hikari, while Senju Itama hung back, exchanging information with her friend.
"Hikari, choose anything you like. Don't worry about the price."
In the clothing store, faced with a dazzling array of garments, Uchiha Gin waved his hand generously, encouraging the girl to shop to her heart's content.
"Alright!"
Releasing her long-suppressed self, Uchiha Gin dove into the sea of colorful clothes. In no time, she had gathered a mountain of items.
"Gin, help me pick which ones to buy!"
Her eyes sparkled with the joy of someone her age, pulling Uchiha Gin over to help her decide.
"What's there to pick? Just buy them all if you like them."
Without a second thought, Uchiha Gin handed a large gold ingot to the trembling shopkeeper, and under the astonished gaze of the owner, he stored all the clothes in a scroll.
Tugging on Gin's sleeve, Uchiha Hikari beamed with excitement.
"Thank you, Gin! I like you the most."
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud. Embarrassed, her face flushed red, and she wished she could vanish on the spot.
"Why are you saying that? We're so close, there's no need for thanks."
Not grasping the deeper meaning behind her words, Gin smiled, assuming she was just grateful for the clothes.
Hikari is still being so polite?
"Feeling a bit jealous?"
Uchiha Haruka nudged her friend, a shy smile playing on her face.
"Huh? Jealous? No way! I just find that fake old woman annoying!"
Hiding behind a shelf, Senju Itama stiffened at Haruka's teasing, stammering her denial.
Stare (∩_•)
Hikari stared knowingly, causing Itama's face to flush red.
"I'm just worried that curly-haired ape will be tricked. That woman said they grew up together, but she doesn't look much older than me. Doesn't that seem suspicious to you?"
In a panic, Itama scrambled to find a reasonable excuse. After all, Uchiha Gin had saved his life, and if he got deceived by some strange woman, he would feel guilty.
"Oh, I see. Itama, you're such a good person."
Haruka's eyes sparkled with amusement.
This gossip was too juicy to miss.
"You two, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go eat!"
Uchiha Gin returned with the girl and called out to the two of them.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Barbecue!" Itama raised his hand.
"Barbecue!" Hikari answered simultaneously.
"Huh?" Haruka blinked in surprise.
Both of them had chosen barbecue, and after a brief glance at each other, they realized they had the same craving.
"And what about you, Haruka?"
Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow, turning to the gentle purple-haired girl.
"Barbecue sounds great."
Haruka had already planned for barbecue, so she happily followed the group.
"Alright, let's head to the barbecue place!"
Four people grandly arrived at the most renowned BBQ restaurant in the Uchiha district. Looking at the signboard at the entrance that read "Burning Fire BBQ," Uchiha Gin pushed open the door and immediately heard a greeting from inside.
"Welcome!"
A simple, square-faced man poked his head out from the kitchen and called out to the group, "Taro's regulars!"
It turned out to be someone they knew.
"Uchiha Gin?"
The square-faced man was momentarily surprised when he saw the visitors, then his expression turned complicated. This guy again?
"It's been a while since you last visited. Where's Jiro?"
Uchiha Gin familiarly pushed open a private room door, ushered the girls inside, and then turned to chat with the old acquaintance.
"He's on duty today. Haven't you been going to work?"
Uchiha Taro, Gin's teammate from his second run-through, had suffered severe injuries on the battlefield a few years ago. Although his life was saved, his body was too damaged to continue as a ninja.
Taro had been in a deep slump for a long time, thinking his life was over, but Gin showed up with a fruit basket and suggested he open a BBQ restaurant.
With his excellent control of fire, Taro quickly became a master of grilling, and the restaurant's reputation grew rapidly. Now, the place was packed daily, and he was earning far more than he ever did as a ninja.
"Just serve the usual."
As an old friend, Gin unceremoniously pulled up a chair and sat down, giving orders to his old teammate.
"Alright! Ayako, bring out that bottle of wine I've stored in the cellar."
Taro nodded and shouted toward the kitchen.
After a while—
"Who's here? What made you willing to bring out your prized stash?"
A gentle-faced woman lifted the kitchen curtain and came out holding a bottle of wine.
"Oh my! Ayako, it's been a while! You're looking prettier than ever!"
Uchiha Gin smiled and waved in greeting, clearly on good terms with her.
"Oh my, oh my, Gin, you really know how to flatter."
Ayako covered her mouth, laughing coyly.
"Unlike my Taro, who's as dense as a log."
-
Read 200+ chapters here (with update rate of 5-10 chapters/day):
Patreon.com/rashta
Join as a member and you will get:
- Read up to 350+ chapters of Douluo Dalu: Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
- Read 75 Advanced chapters of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง