Chapter 247: Yukina Prepares Food

Yukina then turned around, walked out of the room, and quietly closed the door without a sound.

The house was still silent, except for the sound of waves crashing against the rocks in the distance and the occasional call of seabirds flying across the roof.

Yukina headed to the kitchen.

The room was narrow but clean.

Morning light began to filter in through the small window above the sink, illuminating the old wooden shelves and the pots hanging neatly.

The wooden table in the middle of the room bore long-standing marks from knife cuts and stubborn oil stains, yet Yukina appeared undisturbed.

Instead, she rolled up the sleeves of her dress and began to work.

Yukina's hands looked very skilled.

She chopped green onions, prepared fish broth, and started heating a pot.

The aroma began to spread slowly, dispelling the remnants of sleep and night from the house.

Yukina made seaweed soup with seafood broth, adding small slices of smoked meat and grilled tofu, then began preparing rice.

In between her activities, Yukina's eyes glanced toward the door.

She remembered the first time Reiji brought her to this house—last night.

...

...

...

Thirty-one ninjas still resided in the large building, which had only one sleeping area for all of them.

Some slept on the floor, others on mats, crowded together.

Reiji came that night directly to Yukina with a serious expression and said, "You will stay with me. For now. I need easy access for research."

Reiji's tone was flat, with no hidden intentions, but still, Yukina caught the glances from those around her—suspicion, jealousy, even anger.

One of them was Karina.

The girl appeared ten minutes later, shouting angrily, forcing Reiji to explain.

When she learned that Yukina would be living under the same roof as Reiji, Karina became like a volcano about to erupt.

Karina's voice was loud, and her expression... was indescribable.

A mix of jealousy, anger, and fear of loss.

In the end, Karina also stayed.

With a large suitcase and a suspicious demeanor, Karina immediately occupied the guest room.

Reiji merely stared at the ceiling and muttered softly, "One experiment turned into a problem."

Yukina did not comment.

She was not used to speaking much, especially in situations like this.

...

...

...

But today, Yukina decided to cook.

As... a form of adaptation.

Perhaps, or maybe because it was the only thing that still felt normal to Yukina.

In Kirigakure, as a Jonin of the Yuki Clan, Yukina was used to living independently.

No servants.

No helpers.

Where Yukina cooked for herself, cleaned for herself, and took care of the house herself.

And now, even though Yukina's status had changed to that of a prisoner of war, she continued to do the same.

However, Yukina's feelings... were not the same.

There was something slowly stirring in Yukina's chest.

Not love—too early for that.

But perhaps... a strange attachment to this little house, to this kitchen, and even to that strange and unique Reiji.

Yukina stared at the rice that was beginning to swell in the pot, then opened a small cupboard.

Inside the cupboard were three ceramic bowls.

Yukina quickly chose the best of the three bowls—slightly cracked at the edge, but still usable.

She served the soup.

Then Yukina began to arrange the spoons.

Next, she continued by cleaning the table.

And finally, Yukina decided to sit down.

Where Yukina chose to wait.

Meanwhile, in the room, Reiji slowly began to open his eyes.

The morning light shone into Reiji's eyes, causing him to wince.

Then Reiji caught a whiff of something.

"The aroma... of seafood broth?"

Reiji blinked a few times, still half-asleep.

But gradually, awareness returned.

And Reiji began to feel... that today would be a long day.

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