Pakura smirked. "Don't worry, I'm not getting caught." She pulled her cloak over her shoulders, adjusting it before moving toward the window. "Stay put until I come back."
With a final glance at him, she leaped out, vanishing into the shadows of the early morning streets.
He moved to pack his things.
Then a sudden knock at the door made him freeze.
Pakura had just left—there was no way she was back so soon.
Another knock. More loud this time.
Souta exhaled, stepping closer to the door. He kept his body positioned slightly to the side before opening it.
And then he froze.
Standing before him was a woman draped in elegant silks, her posture composed yet carrying an undeniable presence. The soft glow of morning light caught her pale lavender eyes.
Souta's fingers tightened around the edge of the door as he took in the sight of Lady Hyūga standing before him. Her elegant silks barely shifted as she held herself with perfect composure, but there was something unnatural about how still she was.
"…Lady Hyūga," he greeted, keeping his tone even. "What brings you here?"
She held his gaze for a moment before stepping forward slightly. "May I come in?"
Souta hesitated. But refusing would be more trouble than it was worth.
"…Of course." He stepped aside, watching as she moved inside with quiet, deliberate steps.
As the door shut behind them, he turned to face her fully. "If I may ask, what business do you have here?"
She barely paused before answering. "I have matters to attend to in this area."
Souta's brow furrowed. "Matters?"
"Yes."
There was no elaboration.
His gaze flickered to the room's furnishings—a simple futon, a low table, and nothing remotely fitting for a woman of her status. "Forgive me, but… your presence here seems unusual. If it's official business, I wouldn't expect you to stay in a place like this."
Her hands remained carefully at her sides, her posture unyielding, but there was the faintest shift in her breathing. "It is only a temporary stop."
Souta remained silent for a moment, watching her.
She was lying.
"…Did you follow me here?" His voice was neutral.
She stiffened, only for a fraction of a second. It was barely noticeable, but Souta caught it.
"…No."
The delay in her response was telling.
Souta exhaled slightly. He had no real power in this conversation, not against someone like her, but the strangeness of the situation couldn't be ignored. "Then, if I may ask… why choose this place? Surely there are more suitable accommodations elsewhere."
She finally looked away. Just a brief movement—barely anything—but it was enough to confirm his suspicion.
"…It would not be appropriate," she murmured.
Souta studied her carefully. "What wouldn't be appropriate?"
Another pause. Then, barely above a whisper, she said, "…To admit I followed someone."
A sharp settled between them.
Souta didn't speak right away. She sat down on the edge of the futon, her hands now resting lightly in her lap, fingers loosely intertwined. Though her expression remained impassive, he could tell she was uncomfortable.
"…I see," he said finally.
Hana's posture stiffened slightly, as if realizing she was losing ground in the conversation. A faint crease formed between her brows, and after a brief hesitation, she spoke, her voice carrying a controlled edge.
"Well… it's your fault."
Souta raised an eyebrow. "My fault?"
She lifted her chin just slightly, regaining some of her usual composure. "You invited me to visit the tea shop, but when I arrived, you weren't there."
His expression didn't change. "I had something to take care of."
Her fingers twitched against the fabric of her sleeve. "And I thought… there was more going on. So I followed." She exhaled quietly, then added, "But seeing you nice and fine, I suppose I was just wasting my time."
There it was—that noble pride trying to reassert itself. She was attempting to brush it off, to regain her footing, as if following him had been nothing more than a passing inconvenience.
Souta didn't call her out on it.
Instead, he sat down across from her, keeping his voice steady. "If you thought something was going on… then you were worried."
Her gaze flickered toward him but quickly shifted away. "I was simply being cautious."
"Hm." Souta leaned back slightly. "And what exactly did you expect to find?"
She didn't answer immediately. Her hands tightened slightly in her lap, betraying her frustration. "…I don't know."
Souta tilted his head. "Then why follow me at all?"
Another silence. She looked at him this time—just briefly—before glancing aside again, her expression unreadable.
"I miscalculated," she finally admitted. "I should not have come."
Souta studied her carefully. She was saying all the right things, keeping her noble dignity intact.
He exhaled. "…I don't mind."
She blinked. "What?"
"If you were curious, then you were curious." His tone remained even. "It's not a crime."
She frowned slightly, as if thrown off by his lack of pushback. "…You are not bothered?"
Souta shrugged. "Should I be?"
Finally, she exhaled quietly. "No. I suppose not."
Souta leaned forward slightly, resting an arm on his knee. "Are you planning to return to Konoha soon?"
She glanced at him, then away, considering her response. "yess."
"If you don't mind," he continued smoothly, "we could return together."
"…That would be acceptable."
Souta gave a slight nod. "Good. Safety in numbers and all."
She arched a brow at that, but the corner of her lips twitched—just for a moment, as if she caught herself before fully reacting.
Souta took that as his cue. He stood, moving toward his belongings, giving her space to compose herself.
///