บท 109: The Hospital Return
As Haruto walked into the hospital, the familiar scent of antiseptic and the low hum of conversation greeted him. It had been some time since he last visited, and the moment he stepped inside, several of the hospital staff turned their heads, offering friendly smiles and nods of recognition.
"Haruto! Good to see you back!" one of the nurses called out, a warm grin on her face.
"We've missed your hard work around here," another added as she walked past.
Haruto smiled back, nodding in acknowledgment. It felt good to be appreciated, even if his real focus was on his training and growth as a shinobi. Still, he couldn't deny the sense of pride that came from knowing his efforts at the hospital hadn't gone unnoticed. There was something about this place—despite the intense nature of the work, it had a way of grounding him, reminding him of the other, more human side of being a ninja.
As he made his way down the hallway, lost in thought, he almost didn't notice Shizune until she was right in front of him.
"Haruto! It's been a while," Shizune said, her voice light and cheerful.
He stopped in his tracks, looking at her. Shizune had always been one of the few people who seemed to genuinely enjoy working with him. She was smart, dedicated, and had a way of making even the most tedious tasks seem less burdensome.
"Yeah, it's been busy," Haruto replied with a small smile, scratching the back of his neck. "But I'm back for a bit. I have a meeting with Tsunade later today."
Shizune nodded, her dark eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. She's been talking about how she's missed having you around. You've got this reputation now for being the one who works too hard," she teased, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
Haruto chuckled lightly, feeling a slight warmth in his chest. There was something about her laugh—infectious, bright, and it had a way of cutting through even his most serious moods. He found himself looking at her a bit longer than usual. She was already smart and focused, but he couldn't help but think how she would definitely grow into a beautiful woman. There was a grace about her that was hard to ignore.
"You're one to talk," Haruto said, his tone playful. "I'm pretty sure you're here more than anyone else."
Shizune grinned. "Well, maybe. But I actually like it here."
Haruto found himself smiling in return. There was a natural ease between them, and as they stood there talking, he felt the conversation shift from the usual hospital chatter to something more personal. It wasn't that he was thinking about it directly, but he could tell that in a few years, things between them could very well evolve. Shizune was smart, driven, and had this way of making even the dullest moments seem a little brighter.
"So," Shizune said, breaking the momentary silence, "do you have any plans after your meeting with Tsunade?"
Haruto shrugged. "Not really. Training, as usual. I've got a lot to prepare for. Sensei's coming back with a challenge lined up for us, so I need to be ready."
"Always pushing yourself," she said with a mock sigh. "Just don't forget to take a break once in a while. You might be good, but even you need to relax."
Haruto smirked at her comment, feeling a bit playful. "Actually, I do take breaks. Sundays, usually. How about we go fishing sometime? You know, if you ever want to take your own advice about relaxing."
Shizune blinked in surprise, then laughed, the sound soft but warm. "Fishing? I didn't know you were the type. But… you know, that doesn't sound half bad. Maybe I'll take you up on that sometime."
There was something in the way she said it—a lightheartedness, but with a genuine interest behind it. Haruto hadn't really expected her to say yes, but now that she had, he felt a little spark of something else between them. Something that could grow, maybe.
"Well, the offer's there," Haruto said, his tone a little more casual than before. "Just let me know when you need a break."
Shizune's smile lingered as she shook her head, amused. "I'll keep that in mind, Haruto. Maybe we could use the downtime."
They parted ways shortly after, but Haruto couldn't shake the thought of their conversation as he continued toward his meeting with Tsunade. The idea of going fishing with Shizune—it was simple, casual, but it hinted at something more. Not that he was in any rush, but it was nice to think about.
For now, though, he had to focus. His paper was ready, and Tsunade would be expecting him. But that moment with Shizune? It was something he'd keep in mind for the future.
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