Sasuke didn't feel much guilt.
From the very beginning, he had planned to live freely in this anime world.
If he transmigrated here only to remain as timid and cautious as he had been in reality, then what would be the point?
Since he was a transmigrator, he would live boldly and act as he pleased.
Of course, even if he was indulgent, he wasn't without boundaries.
At the very least, he would never violate a girl's will. Everything would happen only if she didn't resist and was willing to accept it.
"Ayame, I'll give you one more chance. Think carefully."
"I, Sasuke, am not a good person."
He was warning her not to get too close.
Otherwise, she would inevitably become part of his future harem.
Even if that hadn't been his initial plan.
Originally, his targets had only been Hinata, Sakura, Tsunade, and Anko Mitarashi.
But such an opportunity right in front of him—
Why waste it?
"… "
Ayame hesitated.
She hadn't fully grasped the seriousness of the situation.
In her mind, she had never even been in a relationship before.
She simply had a favorable impression of Sasuke and wanted to invite him upstairs for a drink of water.
Just like earlier that day, when Sakura confessed to him.
A girl admiring someone she liked—
Sakura hadn't imagined that once Sasuke accepted her, things would progress so quickly either.
At this moment, Ayame, unaware of the deeper implications, blushed.
"I'm only inviting Sasuke-kun upstairs for a glass of water. What's wrong with that?"
"Alright."
Sasuke agreed.
He had already warned her. If she chose not to heed it—
Then she shouldn't regret whatever followed.
The boldness in his gaze made Ayame's heart race.
But because she liked him, she didn't reject the feeling.
…
Sasuke stepped into Ayame's home.
It was an ordinary household.
Not wealthy, not poor.
It was Ayame's first time inviting a boy into her home—even though Sasuke was younger than her.
"Sasuke, have a seat. I'll pour you some water."
She went to the kitchen and carefully brewed tea with her best leaves.
She wanted him to feel her sincerity.
Meanwhile, Sasuke observed her home quietly. It reflected a simple, steady life.
"Ayame, can you show me your bedroom?"
After taking a sip of tea, Sasuke made a rather bold request.
Ayame's face flushed deeply, her heartbeat accelerating.
"O-Okay…"
She felt nervous.
Why had the atmosphere changed so much once he entered her home?
She opened the bedroom door.
A faint fragrance unique to a young woman drifted out.
The next moment, Sasuke closed the door behind them.
Ayame jumped slightly.
He stepped closer, slowly backing her toward the wall.
"Ayame… do you like me?"
"I—I…"
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
What was happening?
This development was far beyond what she had imagined.
"Ayame, do you have a boyfriend?"
…
Sasuke didn't dwell much on the fluttering emotions awakening inside her.
Although Ayame's figure was more mature than Sakura's—
She wasn't a particularly popular character in the anime.
To him, Sakura, Hinata, and Tsunade were the ones worth investing emotion into.
Ayame?
If the opportunity arose, he wouldn't refuse.
If not, he wouldn't force it.
…
But what truly surprised him was that when he had supported Ayame earlier—
The system had triggered again.
And he had obtained the Ichiraku Ramen Cooking Skill.
'This system is insane.'
Not only could he sign in to upgrade his Sharingan and chakra—
Not only could he obtain the Nine-Tails' chakra—
He could even acquire cooking skills.
'Ayame really does have her uses.'
"I'm sorry… I'm so clumsy…"
Ayame apologized softly.
Sasuke smiled openly.
"It's fine. If you hadn't stumbled, I wouldn't have had a reason to escort you home."
"If you didn't need me at all, then I wouldn't have any purpose."
Under the moonlight, his handsome face looked almost unreal.
It was hard to believe someone so young could speak with such thoughtfulness.
"Sasuke… being with you makes me feel safe."
Her voice softened as she spoke.
At that moment, she envied Sakura even more.
If she had met Sasuke earlier—
Would things have been different?
The thought made her blush again.
Especially remembering how boldly he had embraced Sakura at the ramen shop.
She had never been in love before.
Seeing that scene had stirred something inside her.
And—
Sasuke was truly handsome.
…
Finally, they reached her house.
"I'm home…"
For the first time, Ayame felt the distance was too short.
She used to complain about living far from Ichiraku.
Now, walking beside Sasuke, she wished the road had been longer.
She hadn't had enough time to talk to him.
A faint sense of loss crept into her heart.
"Then I'll head back," Sasuke said, stretching lazily.
The night wasn't too late. He could still sleep peacefully.
"Sasuke… you walked me home… I should thank you. Would you… like to come upstairs for some water?"
Sasuke froze.
His restless heart heated again.
Though he had been exhausted earlier with Sakura, the Nine-Tails' chakra had fully restored him.
"Ayame… are you sure?"
He quickly regained composure.
"It's late. Wouldn't I disturb your father?"
Ayame hurriedly explained, "My father is staying at the ramen shop tonight. He's not coming back…"
As soon as she said it, her face turned crimson.
'What am I implying…? This is so embarrassing…'