The instant the knocking sounded at the door, Sakura and Ino both jolted awake from their drowsy haze.
"Who is it?"
Sakura instinctively sat up straight, her hand already reaching toward the ninja pouch set off to one side... even though it only held the clothes they had changed out of.
"Hello. Are you the guests from Konoha?"
A gentle woman's voice came from outside, polite and warm.
Sakura and Ino looked at each other.
Both of them saw the same thing in the other's eyes: relief, and a trace of embarrassment.
They had fallen asleep just now, hadn't they?
Did either of them talk in their sleep?
Did either of them drool?
The two of them scrambled out of the sand and grabbed the clothes set nearby.
They were the casual outfits they had been wearing before they came.
As Ino got dressed, she grumbled, "This sand is way too comfortable. I actually fell asleep..."
Sakura did not answer. She just hurried to pull her clothes back on.
Quite a bit of fine sand still clung to her body, rustling softly as it fell away.
But she could not worry about that now.
After giving herself a quick once-over, Sakura opened the door.
A tall woman stood outside.
She had a slender figure and delicate features with a trace of cool beauty.
She wore the kind of women's uniform commonly seen in the Sand Village, with a ninja pouch hanging at her waist.
She was obviously a kunoichi as well.
What stood out the most were her eyes.
Clear and deep, carrying a presence that was impossible to ignore.
"And you are?" Sakura asked politely.
The woman smiled slightly, and that smile softened the chill in her face by a few degrees.
"Hello. I'm a ninja from the Sand Village... Sen."
She paused, then added, "I'm also the owner of this sand bath house."
"The owner?"
Ino peeked out from behind Sakura, surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Thank you for Konoha's help to our Sand Village."
"The two sand bath vouchers we sent earlier were only a small token of appreciation."
She smiled as she spoke, her tone sincere.
"Now, I'd like to invite you both to enjoy one of our professional massages free of charge. It's very helpful for relaxing the body."
"Free again?"
Sakura spoke instinctively, hesitation in her voice.
They had already accepted the sand bath vouchers, and now they were being offered massages too.
It felt a little... awkward.
But Ino's reaction was completely different.
"A massage?"
Her eyes lit up at once, sparkling like stars.
"Really?"
The sand bath had already felt amazing.
If they added a massage on top of that...
That would be heaven.
"Ino!"
Sakura tugged lightly at her sleeve and whispered, "Isn't this kind of inappropriate...?"
"What's inappropriate about it?"
Ino grabbed her hand back and whispered in the same low voice, "They're being nice. Wouldn't it be rude to turn them down?"
Sakura: "..."
Why did that logic sound weirdly familiar?
The look in Ino's eyes practically said, Come on, let's try it. We're bored anyway.
In the end...
"Just this once."
Sakura let out a sigh and muttered under her breath.
Ino grinned.
Then she pulled Sakura along and followed after Sen.
...
At the end of the hallway, two doors stood side by side in silence.
Sen stopped and turned slightly toward them.
"Please choose a room, then change into the clothes provided and wait for our massage therapist to arrive."
"Huh?"
Ino froze, the excitement on her face turning into surprise.
"We have to be separate?"
Sakura also frowned faintly.
Wouldn't it be better if they got massages together and chatted while they did it? Why did they have to split up?
Sen's expression did not change in the slightest. She kept the same polite smile.
"Yes. Our massage therapists work one-on-one in private rooms. That is the best way to provide the highest quality service."
"Each room is equipped with a professional therapist who will provide personalized care based on the guest's physical condition and needs."
"If two people stay in the same room, it would instead affect the massage results."
Sakura opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But she realized she had no way to argue.
The woman sounded so professional, so formal.
She could hardly say, "We just want to stay together," could she?
That would sound childish.
"Then..."
After a brief hesitation, she asked, "Where do we meet after we're done?"
"Right here at the doors," Sen replied.
"Your massages should take about an hour. Afterward, you can meet up here."
Sakura looked at Ino.
Ino looked back at her.
It really... did not seem like there was any problem.
"All right, then."
At last, Sakura nodded.
Ino grinned and rubbed her hands together eagerly.
"See you in a bit, Sakura!"
With that, she pushed open the nearest door and walked inside.
Sakura watched her disappear beyond it.
Then the door gently closed behind her.
Sen stood in the hallway, looking at the two tightly shut doors, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile slowly rose on her lips.
She did not linger.
Turning around, she walked away.
The sharp click of her heels against the floor gradually faded into the far end of the corridor.
...
Inside the room, Sakura looked around.
The space was not large, but it was decorated with refined taste.
A wide massage bed sat in the center, covered with a clean white sheet.
Several bottles of essential oil were arranged on the shelf beside it.
There was also a strangely shaped incense diffuser.
It gave off a faint, soothing fragrance.
In the corner stood a small shower room.
It looked like it was there for guests to rinse off first.
Sakura looked at the set of "massage clothes" in her hands, and her face turned slightly red.
It was an extremely... minimal outfit.
Calling it clothing was generous. It was really just two thin pieces of fabric, barely enough to cover what needed covering.
Did she really have to wear this?
She bit her lip and hesitated for several seconds.
But the other side had been so warm and hospitable. Refusing now would feel rude...
"Whatever. It's only this once..."
She muttered to herself softly as she slowly took off her clothes.
In the room next door, Ino was doing the exact same thing.
Her mentality was much more relaxed than Sakura's.
She hummed to herself while changing into the massage outfit, then turned toward the mirror and gave herself a look.
"Hmm... not bad at all!"
She spun around once, looked at herself in the mirror in that skimpy outfit, and nodded in satisfaction.
Then...
She lay down on the massage bed and closed her eyes.
Waiting for the legendary "professional massage."
...
Behind a certain door at the end of the hallway.
Teizawa looked through a hidden crack, quietly watching the two tightly shut doors.
A meaningful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
Private rooms.
Professional massage.
One hour.
He withdrew his gaze, then turned to Sen, who stood behind him.
Sen bowed slightly, her tone calm.
"Everything has been arranged."
Teizawa nodded.
"Good."
After a pause, his eyes shifted once more toward the two closed doors.
"Did you light the incense?"
Sen nodded. "Everything is ready."
Teizawa smiled in satisfaction.
He turned and walked toward one of the doors.
His footsteps were light, but in the silent corridor, they were still unusually clear.
(End of Chapter)
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