Akihiro left his house, and the first people he encountered were Nao, accompanied by Aiko.

  —What are you two doing here? —Akihiro asked, confused. He hadn't expected to see them so early.

  Nao sighed. —Did you really think you were going to leave without saying goodbye?

  Aiko nodded gently. —I didn’t expect them to send you on a mission so soon after your promotion to chūnin, but... I’m gd I made it in time to see you.

  Akihiro lowered his gaze, feeling a little uncomfortable. He never was good with farewells, and he didn’t want to worry them. —It’s not that I wanted to leave without saying anything… It’s just that… I didn’t know how to do it.

  Nao crossed his arms, pretending to be annoyed. —You could’ve said something, idiot. Do you really think we don’t care about you?

  Aiko stepped forward and gave him a light tap on the arm. —We’re your friends. The st thing we want is to see you leave without saying goodbye.

  Akihiro smiled, moved. —Thank you... really. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I promise I’ll come back.

  —You better —Nao said with a forced smile. —Even if you're in the middle of a warzone, we’ll come find you and drag you back.

  —And when you return —Aiko added. —I want to see how much you've improved. I’m curious to see how strong you’ve become.

  Akihiro nodded firmly. —Then it’s a promise —he said, hugging them both.

  —Alright, enough affection for one day —Aiko said, pulling away from the hug, clearly uncomfortable. —You should leave. Miyuki said she’ll accompany you to the border —she added with a slight tone of sadness. —It’s a shame I can’t come with you on this mission, but I’ll take care of your mother until you return. I’ll watch over your safety from here.

  Akihiro nodded and said his goodbyes. —See you soon. Take care —he said as he turned to leave.

  —Wait. —Nao called out.

  Akihiro turned around, only to feel something warm on his lips. Nao had silently stepped forward and kissed him.

  Nao quickly pulled away, her face turning bright red. —Take that as a gesture of good luck —she murmured, not daring to look him in the eye. —I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t take too long...

  Akihiro, confused, nodded. He had known for a while what Nao felt, but he had a goal to achieve before even thinking about settling down. However, he hadn’t expected Nao to be so direct or make such an aggressive decision.

  Now that Nao had taken the first step, Akihiro wasn’t going to fall behind. —When I come back, you’ll be mine —he said, stepping forward and pulling her by the waist. —I’m a possessive man, and that’s why I didn’t want to do anything until the right moment. But now that you’ve taken the first step, I hope you're ready to face the consequences. —Akihiro added before giving her a deep kiss.

  Nao’s body rexed in his arms, and she closed her eyes, letting herself be completely swept away. Akihiro had to make an effort to control himself to avoid going too far.

  When he let go, he felt a gaze piercing his back like a dagger.

  —You lustful beast, get a room —Aiko said sharply.

  Akihiro shook his head. —I would if I could, but that will have to wait —he replied, shifting his gaze to Nao, who was breathing heavily, struggling to control the heat rising in her body. —Wait for me. Five years will be enough. I’ll come back and take you —he added before turning around and beginning to walk down the path that would take him out of the vilge. He knew that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t be able to leave.

  But before he left, he heard something he’d rather ignore.

  —Liar, you promised you wouldn’t take the lead in this.

  —Isn’t it your fault? Always with that boyish attitude. It’s not like no one knows you're a woman.

  "Ignoring this, Akihiro," he thought as he walked away.