You arrive to her home

Kurenai doesn't turn the lights on. She stands in the foyer, her silhouette framed by the pale moonlight filtering through the window. "I don't want to be alone tonight, Naruto," she says, her voice barely a thread. She looks at you, her eyes wide and ****. "Please. Stay. Just... sleep next to me."

You don't hesitate. You follow her into the house. She leads you down the hallway and stop at the bathroom, she pauses, her hand resting on the frame of the door. She turns to face you, her gaze drifting down to your clothes, dusted with the grime of the road and the lingering scent of the outside world. A small, weary smile touches her lips, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"You're exhausted," she murmurs, her voice regaining a bit of its steady warmth. "Have some bath."

"But..."

"I bath longer, so it's better that I go later. Also, I'm just going to boil some water for instant ramen." Seeing that you stopped resisting, she continues. "There are fresh towels and yukata in the cabinet, and the water is already heated.

The steam from the bathroom begins to dissipate, replaced by the rich, savory aroma of miso and toasted sesame oil. It’s a grounding smell—a stark contrast to the heavy, ethereal mood from moments ago.

You find Kurenai in the kitchen, her silhouette now softened by the warm glow of a single overhead lamp. She’s set two steaming bowls of ramen on the small wooden table. She hasn't changed yet; she’s still wearing the clothes she greeted you in, looking tired but perhaps a little more settled now that you're actually there.

As you approach, she smiles. "I thought you might be hungry," she says softly, gesturing toward the table. "It’s nothing fancy, just something to warm you up. I hope two bowls are enough."

"Yes, they are enough, Kurenai-sensei."

"Eat while it's hot. Don't wait for me."

She lingers for a moment, watching you take your seat. Then she slips inside and closes the door. The sound of the water starting up again mingles with the clink of your ceramic spoon against the bowl.