After leaving the izakaya and returning home, Tsunade remained silent the entire way.
She could sense the faint sorrow lingering in Shizune's heart.
"Tsunade-sama, I'll prepare your bathwater!" Shizune said dutifully, heading toward the kitchen.
"No need today, Shizune. Let's talk for a bit." Tsunade stopped her and then sat down on the porch steps, gazing at the moon.
Shizune had no choice but to comply and sat beside her.
"Shizune, you've been with me for a long time now, haven't you?" Tsunade began.
Shizune nodded. "Yes. Ever since we left Konoha after the Third Great Ninja War, it's been twelve years."
Tsunade leaned against Shizune, her ample chest pressing into her, causing Shizune's body to stiffen instantly.
'This shameful thing... Why won't mine grow like that?!'
Glancing at Tsunade and then down at her own flat chest, Shizune wept internally.
'So unfair! This isn't the result I wanted! Aaaah...'
"You've been with me all this time, and it feels like you've always been the one taking care of me. Truthfully, I haven't done much as the adult here. Now that you're at the right age for marriage, I don't want my presence to interfere with your choices."
"Tsunade-sama, today's matter has nothing to do with you!" Shizune hurriedly explained.
"Maybe not today, but someday, it might." Tsunade had come to accept this. "Shizune, you're not my shadow. You're in the brightest period of your life right now. If you meet a suitable man, don't hesitate—go for it. Worst case, I'll use my authority as Hokage to make him marry you. Of course, you should also know that men can't always be indulged!" Tsunade gritted her teeth, as if recalling someone she deeply despised.
Seeing Tsunade's expression, Shizune wisely chose not to ask who it was.
Her uncle, Kato Dan, had been dead for twenty years. Even if Tsunade held a grudge, it wouldn't last this long.
As for Tsunade hating another man, Shizune didn't mind.
Women understand women.
Tsunade had taken care of her for so many years, and Shizune believed she knew her well. Often, she noticed things about Tsunade that even Tsunade herself wasn't aware of.
Just as men thought about women, women, when lonely, also thought about men.
So what?
Was it illegal?
No!
Then there was no problem.
"Tsunade-sama, I've never felt that being with you is a burden!" Shizune said earnestly.
Tsunade waved her hand. "I know you don't. But sooner or later, you'll get married. From now on, I need to get used to the idea of you not being by my side."
"Tsunade-sama, are you... kicking me out?" Shizune panicked slightly.
She had no assets in Konoha. If she couldn't live with Tsunade, she might end up homeless.
"What nonsense! I'm just saying we should take it slow. Besides, as your elder, I'd never throw you out. Even after you marry, you can still live here. This huge Senju estate feels too empty with just me around." Tsunade said.
"As long as Tsunade-sama doesn't reject me, I'll stay by your side forever." Shizune replied.
"No, absolutely not!" Tsunade cut off Shizune's declaration of loyalty.
Seeing Shizune's bewildered expression, Tsunade ruffled her hair. "You should have your own life. Your future belongs to you, not to me."
"Oh..." Shizune felt a pang of sadness.
"Come on, it's not like we're parting forever. Don't look so down, or people will think I'm bullying you!"
"Seriously, Shizune, what do you think of Kakashi?"
As Shizune's only remaining elder, Tsunade felt responsible for her future.
At the question, Shizune fell into deep thought.
Tsunade didn't rush her and instead turned her gaze back to the moon.
Tonight's moon seemed especially round.
"Tsunade-sama, I don't really know what I feel..." Shizune admitted, still uncertain about what kind of person she truly wanted.
"Then let's do this—I'll ask, and you answer. No overthinking, got it?" Tsunade decided to cut through the confusion and find Shizune a suitable, well-off man.
"Uh..." Shizune hesitated.
Ignoring her reluctance, Tsunade pressed on. "Since you're not refusing, I'll start. Question one!"
"Do you like men?"
"Yes."
"What do you think of Maito Gai?"
"He's... fine."
"Would you marry him?"
"Absolutely not!"
"How about Kamizuki Hikari? Does he match your expectations for a future partner?"
"He's... alright."
"Would you marry him and settle down?"
"Sort of... Not entirely against it, but not eager either."
"What about Kakashi?"
"He's good."
"If Kakashi wanted to marry you, would you agree?"
"Yes."
"Between Kakashi and Kamizuki Hikari, who would you choose?"
"Kakashi."
Hearing this answer, Tsunade patted Shizune's shoulder lightly, then stood up and headed inside, leaving Shizune sitting there, more confused than ever.
After Tsunade's rapid-fire questioning, Shizune felt even more lost about her future.
If she really liked Kakashi, why hadn't she admitted it earlier?
Was she... afraid?
"Confused girl, stop overthinking it. What you need now is a good night's sleep and a fresh start tomorrow. As for your fate with him... maybe the time just isn't right yet." Tsunade offered some comfort before stripping off her clothes and flopping onto the bed.
'Kakashi, huh... Still can't let go of Rin's influence, can he? If Shizune really sets her heart on him, finding happiness will be like climbing to the heavens.'
'Ah, whatever. Tomorrow's problems are for tomorrow.'
'Worst case... I break Kakashi's legs and have Shizune nurse him back to health. Slow burn romance, problem solved.'
Meanwhile, the bewildered Shizune had no idea Tsunade had already planned everything out for her.
If she had known, she might've been thrilled.
After all, this was the classic "If I can't have your heart, I'll take your body!"
A man like Kakashi, with his strong sense of responsibility, had a commendable attitude toward women. (Of course, certain missions involving distressed, scantily clad beauties didn't count.)
"Whatever. I should just sleep. There's work tomorrow... I wonder what Kakashi will be doing then?" Shizune murmured.
Originally, Shizune had only felt a mild attraction toward Kakashi. But after Tsunade's meddling, she felt like she might not sleep tonight.
The moon tonight was so round...
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