Itsuki knew exactly what Tenten wanted to do.
He hesitated and said, "Senior sister, it's getting late. I'm in a hurry to buy groceries and go home to cook. I'm tired after a busy day."
Tenten was stunned. She hadn't expected Itsuki to buy groceries and cook for himself.
"How about I treat you to a meal?" she said, pondering. "What do you want to eat?"
"I'm more accustomed to home-cooked meals," Itsuki replied.
"Is that so?" Tenten quickly said, "Then I'll go buy it with you and help you make it."
Without waiting for his opinion, she pushed him toward the vegetable market.
"Senior, you're too enthusiastic. I'm not used to it."
"It's okay, it's okay. Seniors just like to be enthusiastic toward juniors like you. You'll get used to it slowly."
Tenten was extremely proactive. At first, she just accompanied him, but while buying groceries, she started holding his arm.
The two chatted as they walked, mostly about Tenten, while Itsuki only responded passively a few times. By the end of the trip, they had eliminated the barriers between strangers.
There was no way. Faced with a lively and lovely girl who kept getting closer, no normal man could push her away.
But when it came to cooking, the newly strengthened relationship was almost torn apart by Tenten herself.
"Tenten, you should sit outside. I can handle this myself!" Itsuki said, staring at the messy kitchen floor with black lines of exasperation across his face.
No wonder in the original story, Tsunade summoned the four flowers of Konoha to learn healing techniques, but only Tenten couldn't learn it. She really wasn't good with delicate work.
"Ahem!" Tenten looked embarrassed, forcing a wry smile. "Junior Itsuki, believe me, I didn't mean it. I really wanted to help."
"Yeah, I believe it. I absolutely believe it!" Itsuki said, putting his hands on her shoulders and gently pushing her out of the kitchen. "But now, if you just sit still, you'll be a big help."
"What? That doesn't show that you trust me at all!" Tenten complained.
Still, she knew her own limitations and didn't insist. While Itsuki cooked, she picked up cleaning tools and helped tidy the house.
By the time Itsuki finished preparing the meal, the living room and bedroom were spotless. Even the unwashed underwear and socks had been washed and hung out to dry.
Itsuki felt a little emotional. Tenten had genuinely tried to obtain the enhancement effect.
Seeing her sweaty forehead and no hint of taking credit, he couldn't help but feel pity for her.
He admitted that he usually only cared about looks, so her cute and pretty appearance every day made her efforts impactful.
After setting the dishes, Itsuki wiped Tenten's face with a wet towel and said gently,
"Tenten, you're so diligent that you'll spoil me. I won't be used to it if I don't have your help cleaning the house in the future."
[Ding! Congratulations to group member Tenten. The group level has been upgraded from LV0 to LV1, and all attributes have increased by 200%!]
A crisp system prompt sounded, giving Tenten, who was exhausted, a burst of energy.
She blurted, "It's okay. At worst, I can come help every day. It's just a small matter. After all, you are my cute and handsome junior!"
Just by helping with housework, she increased all her attributes by 200%—an incredible gain.
"How can this be so embarrassing!" Itsuki pretended to be shy, then pulled her to the dining table. "You've been busy for so long. Let's eat first and try my cooking."
Tenten didn't mind. From now on, she would handle all the housework at Itsuki's place.
At the same time, the chat group exploded.
[Yamanaka Ino: Tenten, what did you do?!]
[Hyuga Hinata: Senior, didn't you say there'd be plenty of opportunities in the future? No need to rush!]
[Haruno Sakura: It's obvious that Tenten figured out a way to increase the buff effect. She's trying to appease you but secretly working on it.]
[Yamanaka Ino: How shameless! Tenten! I despise you for eating alone!]
[Haruno Sakura: Ino, how dare you say that? Don't forget you were the first to receive the buff.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Senior Tenten, did you go see Itsuki?]
[Tenten: Ahem, Hinata, believe me, it was just a coincidence. I ran into Itsuki and happened to help him clean the house. That's all!]
[Haruno Sakura: I don't believe it! The group level improvement is proof. This can't be just coincidence.]
[Yamanaka Ino: What's your excuse, Broad Forehead? Don't you have feelings for Itsuki? You're being so nosy! But Tenten, just tell the truth. You don't want any hard feelings between us sisters, right? Hinata's going to be mad!]
[Hyuga Hinata: I… I didn't.]
[Tenten: I promise, I really just ran into Itsuki. We went home and cleaned the house, that's all!]
[Yamanaka Ino: Seems like helping Itsuki is the way to increase the group level.]
[Haruno Sakura: Why bother? Just give yourself up and pull off a Grand Slam.]
[Tenten: Wide Forehead, stop causing trouble. If you don't want to be friends with Itsuki, just be a quiet bystander.]
[Yamanaka Ino: That's right. The Broad Forehead is trolling, ignore her.]
[Haruno Sakura: !!!]
[Haruno Sakura: So, you're all?]
[Tenten: Please, I'm eating!]
[Yamanaka Ino: I'm eating too!]
[Haruno Sakura: I'm eating too, with no taboos… huhuhuhu…]
Tenten, who had just taken a bite, almost choked.
Itsuki laughed internally but stayed calm. "Tenten, the food I cooked isn't to your liking?"
"No, no!" Tenten waved her hands. "It's delicious, suits my taste. I just got distracted and almost choked."
She chewed a few times, then gave a thumbs-up. "I didn't expect Junior Brother Itsuki's cooking to taste this good. Just now, you said I'd spoil you, and now I think you'll spoil me."
"How about this: I come every day to help clean, and you cook for me?"
Itsuki glanced at her. She was really calculating. She wanted a stable arrangement the first time they met.
"Will Tenten's family agree?" Itsuki feigned worry. "Although we are senior and junior, we've never met before. Will your family be comfortable with this arrangement?"