Morning arrived quietly.
The first thing Ryujin saw when he opened his eyes was Tsunade.
Her face was slightly flushed, soft and radiant, like a blooming peony under the morning light. The sharpness she usually carried had faded, replaced by a mature, intoxicating charm that was hard to ignore.
For a brief moment, Ryujin found himself staring. There was even a faint impulse to reach out and touch her cheek.
But he stopped himself.
If she wakes up… that'll be troublesome.
"…Sigh."
He let out a quiet breath. Alcohol really did ruin things. Even though he had retained some awareness, if not for that slight intoxication, he would never have crossed that line—not with Tsunade, not with someone who had taken care of him so sincerely.
"…Troublesome."
Just as his thoughts began to settle, Tsunade stirred beside him.
"…Mm… morning already? My head… hurts… Did I… drink yesterday…?"
Her voice was soft and drowsy. Her hand moved instinctively, reaching for her clothes—then suddenly, she froze.
"…Hm?"
There was someone beside her.
In an instant, all traces of drunkenness vanished. She turned sharply—and met Ryujin's eyes.
The two stared at each other.
Silence fell, heavy and awkward.
They were on the same bed.
Tsunade slowly turned her head, glancing to the side. There, a faint crimson mark—like a flower in bloom.
Her mind went completely blank.
Fragments of last night flickered through her memory—broken, blurred, but enough.
"…I…"
Her heartbeat sped up.
She liked Ryujin. She had imagined being with him more than once. But not like this. Not suddenly. Not without preparation.
"Tsuna—"
"Ryujin, I'm sorry!"
She spoke first, her expression complicated yet sincere.
"I was drunk… I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't expect things to turn out like this… This is my fault."
She lowered her head slightly.
"I'm really sorry."
"…?"
Ryujin blinked.
Wait. What?
His thoughts paused for a moment. Something felt off.
Wasn't he the one who—
No. Hold on. Did I misremember? Was I drunk too?
"…Yeah."
That had to be it.
She initiated it. Definitely.
"…Makes sense."
Ryujin nodded inwardly.
So it's not my fault.
"…It's fine."
He coughed lightly before speaking in a calm tone.
"Since it's already happened… I'll take responsibility."
Tsunade's face flushed faintly. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Do you remember what happened last night?"
"…Not really." Ryujin shook his head. "I drank too."
"…I see."
Tsunade let out a small breath. She looked at him as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent.
Ryujin didn't press the matter further. Instead, he got up and began putting on his clothes.
Tsunade watched his back quietly.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"Ryujin… if people from the Senju clan find out, they'll definitely investigate. Should we… keep this a secret for now?"
"…Up to you."
Ryujin finished dressing and glanced back at her.
Honestly, Tsunade right now was stunning. There was a new kind of charm about her—mature, alluring.
"…Alright."
She nodded slightly, pulling the blanket closer to cover herself.
Silence returned.
Awkward. Unfamiliar.
Tsunade had imagined being with him—but never like this, and definitely not while drunk.
Meanwhile, Ryujin felt a trace of guilt. Because deep down, he knew that if he had truly wanted to stop, he could have.
But now—it was too late.
What was done was done.
"You should rest. I have clan matters to deal with."
Using that as an excuse, he turned and left.
The moment he disappeared, Tsunade's expression changed.
"…So that's it…"
She lowered her gaze.
Does he… not like me?
Otherwise, why leave so quickly?
Even if it had been an accident, it still happened. Could he really act like nothing mattered?
"…Am I not attractive enough…?"
For the first time, Tsunade doubted herself.
The bold, confident woman fell into silence, lost in thought.
Because now… she had someone. A man.
Even if it started as an accident—it was real.
"…Maybe… I should try to change. To be better. A better… partner."
Her thoughts drifted.
And slowly, a faint smile appeared on her lips—soft, gentle, almost happy.
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