"Moegi, do not point at the guests and talk!"
The proprietress unceremoniously slapped the back of Moegi's hand, making Moegi's eyes redden instantly.
Afterward, the proprietress also shielded Moegi behind her back, bowed and apologized to Nojuro Ryun and Tenten, almost performing a full prostration on the ground.
Tenten hurriedly said, "It's nothing, nothing, she's just a child!"
Ryun, however, tugged at Tenten, signaling her to accept the proprietress's apology.
After the proprietress led Moegi away, Ryun said, "The proprietress apologized not because Moegi pointed at us, but because she talked about us loudly."
"A hot spring hotel is a very private place. Talking about guests behind their backs can bring trouble for oneself."
Tenten nodded thoughtfully, then looked at her own arm which was linked with Ryun's, her expression immediately turning odd.
If it were usual times, she might have shyly let go already.
But now, she instead hugged Ryun's arm more tightly, pretending to glare at him with feigned annoyance, saying, "You wouldn't have chosen to stay long-term at the hot spring house just for this reason, would you?"
"By the Sage of Six Paths, absolutely not."
Hearing Ryun say this, Tenten let out a sigh of relief.
Little did she know, Ryun was actually here for little Moegi.
Not long after, the two arrived at the dining table prepared by the proprietress.
Ryun looked around and did not see Moegi, saying, "Where is that child?"
The proprietress looked nervous and quickly said, "I have already told her to stay in her room and not come out to disturb the two of you."
"That won't do. I think she needs proper education and should be punished."
The proprietress clearly disagreed but still asked politely, "Then, how does the guest intend to punish her?"
Ryun pointed at a plate of green peppers in front of him and said, "Let her eat this plate of green peppers."
Tenten beside him burst out laughing, saying, "Ryun, no picky eating."
The proprietress also relaxed; it turned out to be a joking kind of punishment.
If it could make Ryun forget the earlier incident, she was willing to do this much.
After all, Ryun was a big client rarely seen in years.
"I will go and call Moegi out right now."
Soon after, Moegi walked in with her head down, bowing and apologizing to the two as soon as she entered.
Clearly, she had realized how serious it was for service staff in a private place to casually talk about clients.
Ryun was not very bothered by this anyway, since he was not a ninja and not worried about others knowing he and Tenten were close.
Of course, to become friends with Moegi, he still chose to pretend to be serious.
"Good. Eat this plate of green peppers, and I will forgive you."
Moegi looked so wronged she was about to cry. Green peppers were almost the most hated food among children here.
The reason wasn't complicated either, because there were no good cooking methods here.
Moreover, children were at the age when their sense of smell and taste were most sensitive. Eating green peppers was like a weird flavor challenge for them.
However, Moegi was already attending the ninja academy, so she was not an ordinary mischievous child. She braced herself and started eating the green peppers.
At this time, Tenten brought over grilled meat and placed it in front of Moegi, smiling brightly and saying, "He's teasing you. Eat these later too. We want to become friends with you."
Moegi looked at Ryun incredulously. Ryun, as if performing magic, pulled out various candies and snacks and stuffed them into Moegi's arms.
These were all things Ryun had prepared earlier to deal with children. Since he wasn't writing books recently, he simply gave all the stock to Moegi.
Moegi had never seen such a generous and understanding adult before; stars practically jumped in her eyes.
She excitedly gave a thumbs-up to Ryun and Tenten, saying, "Then, brother and sister, from now on you are my friends!"
Ryun and Tenten looked at each other and smiled. Sure enough, children were easy to coax!
Afterward, the three ate their meal in a pleasant atmosphere. When Ryun and Tenten were leaving, Moegi excitedly told them to come back early in the evening to play with her.
"It's a pity she doesn't know I won't be coming back tonight," Tenten teased about Moegi.
Ryun teased Tenten, "Actually, coming back together isn't out of the question..."
Tenten lightly punched Ryun's arm, her face red, saying, "Don't joke about such matters."
"Alright, alright!"
Ryun did not tease further. What if Tenten really agreed?
During the afternoon, Ryun accompanied Tenten experiencing the changes in her talent.
And Tenten fully realized that her talent had improved in many aspects.
Not only could she use space-time sealing techniques more easily, but a whole afternoon of regular training didn't leave her feeling very tired at all.
She had never been able to keep up with Neji and Lee's training pace, but this time she felt she could give it a try.
At dusk, Tenten bid farewell to Ryun.
For the next few days, she would train with Guy, to let Guy and the others properly witness her growth.
Ryun was already accustomed to this and waved goodbye to Tenten.
Who would have thought that after turning around, a light hug suddenly came from behind.
Looking back, Tenten's figure was already gone.
"Tch, so mushy."
A voice that sounded like it deserved a beating came through. Ryun turned to look; it turned out Sasuke and Naruto were standing on the roof.
Naruto wasn't that familiar with Ryun, even disliking Ryun for taking Sakura away, so he looked up at the sky.
Seeing this, Ryun's mouth curved up, saying, "So it's you two good brothers. Planning to go eat dinner together?"
"Who is good brothers with him! If you don't need your eyes, you can donate them to Konoha Hospital!"
Naruto immediately bristled. Sasuke wasn't much better, saying coldly, "This guy has been shamelessly following me all along. I can't just beat him up."
"Stuck-up Sasuke, as if you could win against me!"
"Alright, stop arguing. Whether you can win or not, won't you know if you two just fight?"
Ryun pointed outside the village. Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other, then the two of them rushed towards the training grounds.
"Pfft, is that really alright? I think they'll faint out in the wilderness."
Ino also walked out from another path, with Sakura and Hinata following her.
Somehow, today, the way she and Sakura looked at Ryun seemed a bit evasive.
Hinata, on the other hand, was much calmer. She paid more attention to Naruto's situation over there, even though Naruto only had eyes for Sasuke.
"Don't worry, that guy Naruto is stronger than an ox. Even if he faints, he'll wake up after a while."
Ryun changed the subject, saying something the three girls didn't expect, "You all came to find me together. Do you also want to come soak in the hot spring?"
Lights shone in Ino and Sakura's eyes.
Hinata blushed instantly. Soaking in the hot spring? Why did she know nothing about it?
"No, that's not it, I..."
Unfortunately, Hinata lost her chance to speak.
Ino covered her mouth, Sakura grabbed her arm, then the two of them said together, "That's right, we came to find you to soak in the hot spring!"
"You moved into the hot spring house. How can you not treat us? Fork over the money obediently, big writer!"
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