Kakashi was utterly confused.
Why in the world did Shizune have this much alcohol in her house? She didn't invite him over just to drink water—that much was obvious. But why was she drinking so much again? If they kept going like this, they were both going to end up completely wasted.
Before Kakashi could react, Shizune grabbed another case of beer, cracked it open, and began lining bottles across the table like an experienced drinker preparing for battle.
"Drink!" she declared boldly.
Kakashi stared at the bottles in disbelief. "If I drink any more, I'll get drunk!"
Shizune, already flushed and swaying slightly, grew even more spirited. "Drink! It's my house, and we're already like this. If you get drunk, you can just sleep here with me."
Kakashi blinked. "Okay…"
So, despite his better judgment, they started drinking again—finishing the remaining skewers of snacks and moving through two more bottles of beer together.
Soon, the two of them leaned against each other, both thoroughly drunk.
Kakashi was the first to lose coordination, but Shizune—who drank most of the leftover bottles—wasn't far behind. Before long, she, too, was completely intoxicated.
"It's so good!!" Shizune yelled, laughing loudly. She was fully drunk now, cheeks red, eyes unfocused. Turning toward Kakashi, she reached out, lifted his chin, and squinted. "Huh… why is there a man here? Oh… it's you, Kakashi!"
Kakashi pushed her hand away weakly, smacked his lips, then suddenly froze. His hands immediately flew to his face.
"Where's my mask?! Where did my mask go?!"
Shizune snorted. "Oh, stop it. You look handsome. What are you wearing a mask for anyway?"
Kakashi paused… and slowly nodded, as if he had just realized some hidden truth of the universe.
"Yes… Shizune, you're right!"
They stared at each other for a long moment.
"It's so hot," both of them mumbled at the same time, practically in sync.
Then they smiled at each other—loose, tipsy, warm smiles.
A short while later, in Shizune's bedroom…
Spring was in full bloom.
— — —
The next day.
Birds chirped outside the window.
By now, it was already eleven o'clock in the morning.
Inside the Hokage office, Shikaku stared at the clock with a deepening frown. He headed upstairs and peeked inside the Hokage's office. Kakashi still hadn't arrived.
A moment later, Choza walked over, rubbing his stomach. "Shikaku, Hokage isn't here yet?"
Shikaku shook his head.
Choza scratched his head. "Strange… Hokage is never late. Should I go check his house?"
Shikaku lifted a hand. "Wait a moment."
He guided Choza toward the assistant's office beside Kakashi's. He opened the door—Shizune wasn't there either.
Shikaku's tense face relaxed, and a small smirk appeared.
"Hah. I knew it."
Thinking back to last night—when Naruto showed up with Kakashi using Flying Thunder God to look for Shikamaru—Shikaku had easily pieced things together.
What could make Naruto rush over with that technique? And bring Kakashi along?
Now, Kakashi wasn't here. Neither was Shizune.
Considering Naruto's recent behavior…
It was very likely Naruto had gone to Shikamaru for one reason: to help push Kakashi and Shizune together. As for why Naruto chose Shikamaru—Shikaku didn't care. If Naruto had a reason, it was probably good enough.
This was why Shikamaru asked Shikaku last night why he didn't question Naruto. Because it didn't matter.
And now, the current situation gave the answer.
Kakashi and Shizune were together. The fact that both of them were late confirmed everything.
Choza saw Shikaku smirk and sighed. "Shikaku… do you know why Kakashi and Shizune didn't come in?"
Shikaku closed the assistant's office door and nodded. "Yes. They're completing a mission."
"Oh?" Choza's eyes widened. "What mission? Kakashi is Hokage. How come you know?"
Shikaku chuckled. "You can probably guess. Don't worry about it—this mission is safe… and very pleasant. Let's not disturb them. I'll handle their paperwork for now."
Choza stood there bewildered.
He was strong, smart, and capable—but when it came to quietly analyzing messy interpersonal things, he had nothing on Shikaku.
— — —
Back at Shizune's home…
Kakashi held Shizune in his arms as they slept beneath the covers. Suddenly, Kakashi's fingers twitched. His eyes slowly opened, still hazy.
He blinked several times, trying to adjust. The curtains filtered most of the sunlight, but enough slipped through for him to make out the shape of someone lying next to him—Shizune.
The memories of last night hit him all at once.
A slow smile tugged at his lips.
He shifted slightly, trying to slide his arm out from under her, but the motion woke Shizune.
"Mm…"
She made a soft sound and instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around him. Kakashi stiffened, then gently patted her back.
"It's okay… it's okay. Sleep. Sleep."
For the first time in a long while, Kakashi felt something warm bloom inside his chest.
So this is the kind of sweet love Jiraiya wrote about in Icha Icha…
He suddenly felt as though a missing part of his heart had quietly slipped into place. Life felt… fuller. Softer. Different.
A few minutes later, Shizune finally stirred, slowly opening her eyes. She withdrew slightly, looked at Kakashi, and smiled.
Kakashi smiled too, brushing his fingers across her cheek.
"Come on… let's get up."
Shizune nodded.
Kakashi gently pulled her out of bed, and together they made their way toward the bathroom.
But something felt off. The sunlight streaming through the window was too strong, too angled.
His instincts twitched.
What time is it?
A ninja's environmental awareness—sunlight, wind direction, humidity—was deeply ingrained.
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat. He hurried to the living room and looked at the clock.
"…Half past eleven?!"
A numb shock spread through him—from his feet all the way up.
Shizune rushed out upon hearing Kakashi's exclamation. She looked at the clock, then back at him. Unlike Kakashi, she wasn't panicking at all.
"Let's take a shower first."
Kakashi stared at her. "We're extremely late!"
Shizune shrugged casually. "You're already late anyway. What's the difference between being one hour late and being four or five hours late?"
Kakashi blinked.
…She had a point.
"Oh, come on," Shizune said, grabbing his arm. "Let's take a shower first. We'll deal with the rest after."
And with that, Shizune pulled Kakashi into the bathroom for a shower.
Again.
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