"Divorce? Divorce?"
Sai's expression froze upon hearing it, unsure of what Yamanaka Ino was saying, but seeing the serious expression on Ino's face, he realized he hadn't heard wrong.
After a moment of silence, Sai asked, "Why?"
Sai didn't understand why Yamanaka Ino wanted a divorce. He hadn't argued with Ino recently nor done anything overly wrong. If it was because of the last incident with Ijin's training, then he felt Ino was being unreasonable.
"Stop making trouble; recently I've been home less because of missions, and Ijin's training methods can be decided by you. I have other tasks to attend to..."
"Then just focus on your missions!"
Yamanaka Ino interrupted, glancing at Sai before recalling the past. However, those memories were overshadowed by the experiences shared with Uchiha Yoichi, so Yamanaka Ino made up her mind.
"Sai, I... I no longer have feelings for you. Let's get a divorce!"
"Why? Ino, I..."
Sai asked the question again, now feeling anxious. Previously, even if Ino got angry, Sai didn't think Ino would leave him, but now it was different.
Yamanaka Ino truly wanted a divorce from him, and he was about to lose her!
"No feelings left, Sai. I have no feelings for you anymore..."
Ino lowered her head slightly, slowly saying to Sai, "Continuing this life would only be accommodating the family, and I don't want that. So, Sai, let's divorce."
"...."
The room fell silent. Sai didn't know what else to say. Despite completing many missions, this was the first time he'd faced such a situation. Hearing Ino wanting a divorce stirred intense emotions within him.
Sadness!
But Sai, having been through many experiences as a ninja, suppressed the sadness after a moment of silence, then spoke to Ino: "If that's the case, I agree..."
"Don't tell Ijin yet. Hide this from him until he graduates from the Ninja Academy and becomes an independent ninja. Until then, you can stay on the second floor; I'll prepare a room..."
Yamanaka Ino felt a weight lift upon hearing Sai's agreement, as if a shackle had disappeared. Despite a decade of marriage, claiming she had no feelings was undeniably false. But she realized now that her heart favored Uchiha Yoichi more.
If she couldn't live with Uchiha Yoichi, Yamanaka Ino felt she would spend the rest of her life in regret and guilt towards Sai.
After the divorce, once Ijin grew up, she could be with Uchiha Yoichi openly. Though it was unfair to Sai, continuing a relationship without feelings amounted to mutual avoidance.
"...I understand. I won't tell Ijin. He won't know until he graduates."
After a moment of silence, Sai said, then instead of going upstairs to rest, he headed outside; he needed a place where he could relax and calm down.
———————
Tonight, after Yamanaka Ijin fell asleep, neither Sai nor Yamanaka Ino returned home.
One went to the Izakaya to drink, while the other became a lady knight on Uchiha Yoichi's body.
Afterwards, Uchiha Yoichi gently stroked Yamanaka Ino's silky golden hair and asked, "Lady Ino, are you feeling down today?"
"No, Yoichi, just feeling complicated... I don't know how to say it, but I've already divorced!"
Yamanaka Ino paused when mentioning divorce, feeling a bit like she was forcing Uchiha Yoichi into marriage, but eventually revealed the news.
"Really? Then we can get married, Ino!"
Uchiha Yoichi had already guessed, but his face feigned surprise as if hearing it for the first time, even deliberately changing how he addressed her.
Then Uchiha Yoichi happily embraced Yamanaka Ino and continued, "Let's go tomorrow... no, that might be too rushed, affecting your reputation negatively. How about a week, or perhaps a month later?"
Showing eagerness, Uchiha Yoichi let Yamanaka Ino see his intense impatience, and her face broke into a joyful smile, as if reassured.
Yet, Yamanaka Ino apologetically replied, "Sorry Yoichi, let's marry a bit later. I still have to consider Ijin's feelings. Wait until he graduates from Ninja Academy and becomes a qualified ninja, then he can accept what we have..."
"Wait until Ijin graduates... that's still four to five years away, and it's too long, Ino."
Uchiha Yoichi quickly took the lead, saying unwillingly, "I will treat him well, Ino. I want to marry you immediately. I can't wait even a month."
"I know, but I'm sorry, Yoichi. Give me some time... please!"
Yamanaka Ino clasped her hands apologetically, feeling somewhat guilty towards Uchiha Yoichi. Although she promised to be with him, due to Ijin, they couldn't marry immediately.
"I can bear it, but just the thought of not being able to hold your hand openly while strolling makes me regret..."
Uchiha Yoichi sighed, exploiting Ino's guilt, quickly making her feel like she had done something terribly wrong.
"I'm sorry, Yoichi. I will make it up to you..."
While enjoying the moment, Uchiha Yoichi thought internally about making Ino accept Temari's presence next — which was quite troublesome since Temari was Nara Shikamaru's wife, and the bond between the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance was notoriously strong.
So he'll make sure Ino can't leave him!
Once she's unable to leave him, she'll have no choice but to accept Temari, along with... Temari.