Chapter 74: Chapter 74

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“You… you… you scoundrel!” Kurenai shouted, cheeks blazing with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

“My apologies. You’re just too beautiful—I couldn’t help myself,” Kitazawa said with a wicked grin, licking the corner of his mouth as if savoring the memory of her warmth.

“…!” Kurenai was struck speechless, then stomped down hard on his foot.

“If you’re still upset, you’re welcome to stomp a few more times,” Kitazawa said solemnly, as though making a generous offer.

Kurenai drew back her foot for another stomp but paused, hesitating as a thought crossed her mind.

“What’s the matter? Can’t bear to hurt me?” Kitazawa teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“I just refuse to indulge your twisted little kink,” Kurenai shot back, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Kitazawa’s mouth twitched. “Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. What normal person would want to get stomped on for fun?”

“So you admit you’re not normal,” Kurenai said triumphantly. The memory of that sudden kiss flashed in her mind, and her face grew even hotter. She realized she’d seriously underestimated just how bold Kitazawa could be.

Though she was usually confident and forthright, this was an entirely new experience for her—and it left her rattled.

Kitazawa let out a resigned sigh. “Is your logic even forming a closed loop at this point?” He waved it off. “Forget it. Whatever you say, you’re right. The girlfriend’s always right.”

“I never agreed to be your girlfriend!” Kurenai retorted, crossing her arms.

“Well, we have kissed,” Kitazawa said, putting on an expression of hurt innocence. “Aren’t you going to take responsibility for that?”

“You were the one who kissed me!” Kurenai snapped.

Kitazawa leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling. “Then let’s call it even—why don’t you kiss me back?”

“…!” Kurenai’s jaw dropped. For the first time, she understood the true meaning of shamelessness.

With a frustrated growl, she balled her hand into a fist and punched him in the arm. “Keep dreaming!”

Spinning on her heel, she stomped away at a quickened pace.

“Wait up!” Kitazawa called, striding forward and gently catching her hand.

“Be serious!” Kurenai hissed, glaring at him—but notably, she didn’t pull her hand away.

“I’m serious,” Kitazawa said, his tone softening. “I took the day off just for you. So… where do you want to go?”

Kurenai glanced around, hesitating. “I’ve lived in Konoha my whole life. I’ve already been everywhere…” Her crimson eyes lit up suddenly. “Oh! How about we go see a movie?”

“A movie?” Kitazawa blinked. “That’s a bit… odd, isn’t it?”

“It makes sense you wouldn’t know,” Kurenai explained, her voice bright with excitement. “Movies have only started getting popular recently in the Ninja World. You could think of them as giant TV screens that tell stories.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “Well then, let’s go see a movie.”

Once inside the cinema, Kitazawa scanned the colorful posters lining the walls. Almost all of them featured ninja-themed adventures, with heroic figures striking dramatic poses.

“Huh… no sign of Yukie Fujikaze yet,” he murmured to himself, noting the absence of the familiar name.

In his memories from another life, Yukie Fujikaze was the dazzling heroine of a movie—a famous actress throughout the Ninja World. She was the princess of the Land of Snow, rescued by Kakashi Hatake, who eventually became a renowned star and, with Naruto’s help, reclaimed her royal title and became Daimyo.

“I’ll go grab some sodas,” Kitazawa said, tearing his gaze from the posters. “You go buy the tickets.”

He pulled out a roll of bills and handed it to her.

“I have my own money,” Kurenai protested, pushing it back toward him.

Kitazawa shook his head and gently refused. “Come on. Why split hairs over a bit of money between us?”

With that, he turned and headed off to buy drinks.

Kurenai watched him go, a faint, amused smile tugging at her lips. She made her way to the counter and bought two tickets for the next showing.

“Here,” Kitazawa said when he returned, pressing a cold bottle of soda into her hand.

The two of them strolled into the dim theater.

“Not many people watching movies, huh?” Kitazawa observed, glancing around. Only a handful of people—six at most—were scattered through the rows of seats.

“It’s still morning. Most people are at work,” Kurenai said, twisting off her bottle cap and taking a sip of soda.

“Fair point.” Kitazawa slid into a seat beside her.

With so few patrons, they easily claimed one of the best spots in the theater, the glow of the screen casting gentle shadows over their faces as the lights dimmed and the movie began.

“What flavor’s your soda?” Kitazawa asked, glancing down at the bottle in his hand.

“Apple,” Kurenai replied, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Mine’s lemon.” Kitazawa promptly swapped bottles with her. “Congrats—you’re getting two flavors for the price of one.”

“Immature,” Kurenai muttered, her eyelid twitching in mild exasperation.

She twisted open the new bottle and raised it to her lips—but then paused mid-motion.

’…Wait. Did this count as an indirect kiss?’

She hesitated, sneaking a glance at Kitazawa.

Was this on purpose?

“It tastes good,” Kitazawa said, locking eyes with her. “Smooth… and soft.”

“Do you want to die?!” Kurenai’s face blazed scarlet, a mix of fury and embarrassment surging through her.

At that exact moment, the movie started, the swelling music drowning out her voice.

“I was talking about the soda,” Kitazawa leaned closer and whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

Flustered, Kurenai stiffened and pretended to focus on the screen. “Just… watch the movie.”

Kitazawa tilted his head, planted a quick kiss on her cheek, then faced forward as if nothing had happened.

“…!” Kurenai opened her mouth to scold him, but the words caught in her throat. She turned back toward the giant screen, feeling her throat inexplicably dry.

Neither of them spoke again until the credits rolled.

“That movie was… pretty average,” Kitazawa said as they exited the theater, looking unimpressed. “Honestly, the Chunin sparring matches are more exciting.”

In the Ninja World, movies lacked flashy special effects, and even the fight scenes felt tame compared to real ninja battles. After all, actual ninja didn’t spend time making movies.

“You mean Special Jonin sparring matches,” Kurenai corrected, shooting him a pointed look.

By the time they stepped back outside, it was nearly eleven. The June sun poured golden light over the village, and a hot breeze rustled the leaves along the streets.

“What do you want for lunch?” Kitazawa asked, intertwining his fingers with hers.

“Grilled fish,” Kurenai said after thinking a moment. Then her eyes lit up. “Let’s catch them ourselves.”

Kitazawa raised a brow. “Where exactly are we fishing?”

He’d been a passionate angler in his previous life, and the mention of fishing made his fingers twitch with anticipation.

“I know a good river in the Forest of Death,” Kurenai said mischievously. She dragged him along, stopping first to buy fishing gear, then led him to a quiet, sun-dappled stretch of riverbank.

“Prepare to be amazed by my fishing skills,” Kitazawa declared grandly, gripping his rod with confidence.

“I haven’t fished much,” Kurenai admitted, smiling sweetly. “But don’t cry when I beat you.”

“Oh, I’m not worried.” Kitazawa cast his line into the water with a flourish.

But within moments, he realized something was horribly wrong.

Because Kurenai was already reeling in a fish—while his line bobbed uselessly.

“How’s that?” Kurenai asked, smirking in triumph.

Kitazawa’s jaw tightened. “This… this is just beginner’s luck. The world always protects beginners.”

“Really?” Kurenai burst into laughter. “Because… I’ve got another one!”

“…?” Kitazawa felt a creeping sense of doom.

And rightly so.

An hour later, Kurenai had caught five fish. He’d caught exactly one.

Kitazawa stared at his lonely fish, his shoulders sagging.

A fishing enthusiast’s worst nightmare—a personal Waterloo.

“Don’t look so defeated,” Kurenai teased gently. “Come on. Let’s grill the fish.”

Then, out of nowhere, she tilted her face upward and brushed her lips softly against his.

Kitazawa froze, eyes wide, heart skipping a beat.

“I’ll go clean the fish,” Kurenai said, cheeks faintly pink as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and headed toward the riverbank.

Kitazawa blinked, watching her go.

A fishing enthusiast might not catch many fish… But apparently, he could still reel in love.

With a grin breaking over his face, he jogged forward to help.

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