Chapter 275

Two years passed, and Mei Terumi had also shed her original greenness, gradually showing her own mature charm.

At sixteen, Mei Terumi already showed a hint of her future mature and sexy charm.

For Mei Terumi, the disbandment of the squad had caused her heart to feel lost for a long time.

At the same time, after the squad disbanded, Ryosuke was the Fourth Mizukage with high position and great power; with Mei Terumi's status, it was naturally difficult for her to see Ryosuke often.

From that day on, Mei Terumi's goal became to one day earn the qualification to stand by Ryosuke's side.

And in the girl's heart, an inexplicable emotion was hidden deep inside, finding no opportunity to confide in Ryosuke.

Seeing that Ryosuke's attitude had not become distant, Mei Terumi's heart warmed; she suppressed her inner excitement and spoke slowly to Ryosuke.

"Captain Ryosuke, why are you..."

Mei Terumi looked at Ryosuke's attire, seemingly puzzled as to why he would appear here.

"Haha!!"

"Isn't work over? The Mizukage also needs to rest."

Ryosuke said with a light laugh; his humorous words also made Mei Terumi reveal a faint smile.

The sixteen-year-old girl had initially bloomed with feminine charm; Mei Terumi, who already had a cold and elegant aura, smiled freely, which was even more like a hundred flowers blooming at once.

But suddenly, Mei Terumi seemed to have thought of something and silently hid the books she had just obtained behind her back.

At the same time, a suspicious blush appeared on her pretty face.

Mei Terumi's small movements naturally could not escape Ryosuke Mizunuki, but when Ryosuke noticed the titles of the books, the corners of his eyes twitched uncontrollably twice.

Of course, Ryosuke Mizunuki did not expose Mei Terumi's small movements.

After all, although he didn't know why Mei Terumi wanted to read such books that damaged his personal image—perhaps out of curiosity? Or out of a woman's gossiping spirit?

But if she were caught by the person involved while reading such books, would Mei Terumi die of social embarrassment on the spot if exposed?

Of course, Ryosuke Mizunuki naturally felt awkward as well.

"By the way, Mei."

"Haven't you been on missions lately?"

Ryosuke casually found an excuse to change the subject, revealing an awkward but polite smile.

"No, no!"

Mei Terumi waved her hands quickly, explaining the reason; because someone in her squad had not fully recovered from injuries, Mei Terumi's squad was in a period of recuperation.

Then, Mei Terumi took a deep breath, seemingly gathering her inner courage, and spoke softly to Ryosuke in front of her.

"Captain Ryosuke..."

"That..."

"Since you're off work..."

"If you're not busy, could we have a meal together?"

Mei Terumi looked at Ryosuke Mizunuki with expectant eyes, swallowing her saliva continuously because she was too nervous.

As the current top authority in Kirigakure, the people who wanted to invite the Fourth Mizukage to dinner were enough to line up from the door of the Mizukage's office to the gate of Kirigakure.

Ryosuke thought for a moment and finally agreed to Mei Terumi's request.

"Of course."

After all, he hadn't really talked to Mei Terumi properly in two years; Ryosuke was quite optimistic about this future "Fifth Mizukage."

Keeping in touch would make it easier to exploit her later, right?

The two prepared to leave the book stall immediately.

Because Ryosuke's Secret Technique: Idler's Retreat had not been lifted, the ordinary book stall owner did not pay attention to Ryosuke's appearance.

In his mind, he had subconsciously filled in a "John Doe" face for Ryosuke.

Instead, seeing the "big customer" who had been picking for a long time preparing to leave without a word, the book stall owner became anxious.

"Hey, miss!"

"You've been picking for a long time; at least buy one!"

"This 'Girl's Must-Kill Secret Manual: Make a Man Fall in Love with You After One Look!' is definitely suitable for you!"

"I guarantee that after you finish reading it, you'll take down that young man beside you in no time!"

"And this 'Mizukage Secret Transmission: The Untold Story of the Fourth and the Anbu Leader!'—I saw you looking at it for a long time! Buy one and take it back to read!"

The book stall owner shouted at the departing Mei Terumi.

Upon hearing this, Mei Terumi's body felt as if it had been struck by lightning; she trembled slightly on the spot, her face red to a frightening degree.

Not only Mei Terumi, but Ryosuke Mizunuki beside her also looked awkward.

Ryosuke looked at Mei Terumi with increasing strangeness.

Such a good girl, why did she start reading these things? No wonder she wasn't married in her thirties in her previous life...

Not mentioning Ryosuke's inner complaints.

The next second, Mei Terumi, who had already died of social embarrassment on the spot, ignored everything, grabbed Ryosuke Mizunuki beside her, and ran.

The moment Mei Terumi's small hand made contact with Ryosuke, an strange feeling surged in Ryosuke's heart.

Ryosuke did not resist, but let Mei Terumi pull him forward.

Behind them.

"Hey! Miss!"

"Really, what kind of people..."

"If you don't want to buy, don't buy; why run?"

The book stall owner cursed and grumbled.

On the other side, Mei Terumi felt the warm touch coming from her hand, and the bright red color on her small face became even more vivid.

But for some reason, Mei Terumi still held Ryosuke's hand tightly, with no intention of letting go at all.

Finally, the two ran far away.

Only then did Mei Terumi let go of Ryosuke's hand with a guilty conscience.

But because everything had been exposed by the book stall owner, the awkward Mei Terumi didn't know what to say.

"Hahaha, the weather is nice today."

At this time, Ryosuke was the first to change the subject.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"I know an izakaya that's quite good! Captain Ryosuke, let's go there!"

Mei Terumi also reacted instantly, saying with a guilty conscience while bearing a flushed face.

"Good, without further ado, let's set off!"

Ryosuke used a smile to cover up his inner awkwardness, then responded.

Then the two walked side by side toward a street in Kirigakure.

A passerby looked up at the cloudy sky overhead and finally shook his head helplessly.

Sigh, young people...