Ch 4 : Drinking buddies

Midnight -

Kushina slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze wandered around for a moment or two before stopping at the realization that she was currently not at home.

"Where am I…. No, wait, could it be?"

Obviously, she didn't recognize the situation she was in right away, but soon she realized what had happened. Because she was way too upset that Minato chose to go on a mission rather than have a date with her, Kushina had gone crazy and ordered a huge amount of liquor for her dinner.

She woke up here meant that she had passed away and…

"Yo, finally wake up!"

A voice came from the side and startled her. Kushina turned to the side only to see that it was none other than Rochen, so she sighed relief.

Especially when she saw her clothes were still intact. And there's no trace that she had been touched before.

At the very least, it was a familiar figure, she thought.

Rochen then began to explain what happened to Kushina. From when she got drunk and tried to start a brawl in the restaurant to when she suddenly fell asleep after being too drunk.

In fact, the restaurant had been closed almost three hours ago, but Rochen decided to stay over and waited for Kushina to wake up. Jest that she would find things confusing later.

It didn't take her a long time to realize that everything was actually her fault. Kushina's face reddened as she felt very ashamed and continuously apologized to Rochen.

But in the end, Rochen only said that he didn't really mind it, but he asked Kushina to be more careful next time. If it wasn't him, then who knows if people might have a bad intention for her.

Listening to this, Kushina felt ashamed, but she also felt the caring words and feelings of Rochen. He had stayed behind for her and waited for her to woke up. It was a lie if she said she didn't feel touched by this.

For the first time in forever, other than being with Minato, Kushina felt her heart skip a bit.

Now that she observed it, Rochen certainly didn't look bad at all. He was a successful restaurant owner with a kind personality, and a good face, and on top of it, he had this kind of aura that made people feel close to him.

'Stupid… what are you thinking, Kushina.. you already have Minato…'

Yup, for a very rare time, Kushina felt like it was a shame that she couldn't be with Rochen. Maybe because she had felt how gentleman Rochen was, but Kushina quickly shook those thoughts.

Either way, she already had Minato, and even though Rochen was kind, they had just met for less than a month.

Kushina then was about to say goodbye to Rochen, but before she left, Rochen asked to escort her home.

For a beautiful woman to go home at this kind of time, Rochen said it was just too dangerous.

Kushina at first wanted to reject, saying everything was fine, but when she saw the determined looks in Rochen's eyes, she eventually agreed.

That night, Kushina was leaning toward Rochen while Rochen escorted her to her residence.

It was not known to Kushina yet, but this moment would soon be the turning point of her life.

. . . . . . .

Another time skip, and now almost another two weeks have passed since that time.

In the past two weeks, Kushina had become an even more regular customer in Rochen's restaurant by almost spending every dinner there.

She said the reason was that the food was cheap and delicious, but not that she knew that the food was actually pretty expensive. It's just Rochen decided to give a 90% discount every time Kushina ate there.

And, of course, their relationship had gotten so much closer.

The two had long left the restaurant owner and customer and now were more like friends or drinking buddies.

Today was Saturday, and the restaurant should have closed two hours ago. But inside the restaurant, two figures were still having a drink together with a pretty red faces, indicating that they had been a bit drunk or at least tipsy.

"Hey Rochen.. Listen.. Minato is going out on a mission again.. that bastard… why does he never save more time for me…"

Kushina, who currently had a very red face, complained. It seemed that she was very dissatisfied with Minato, who often went on missions and didn't accompany her.

"Well, he is a ninja, so it is his duty. Still, I found it a bit of pity that he had a very beautiful girlfriend, but he had never cherished it that much. If it was me, I would always stay with her and never let go.."

Rochen nonchalantly replied. He pretended to be a bit drunk, and his response was carefully calculated by him.

The last time, he decided not to touch her because he wanted them to get a bit closer to her first. But today, in case the opportunity presents itself, Rochen would no longer hold back.

Hearing Rochen's answer, Kushina's face became even redder. And a slow murmur of *Stupid Rochen, you'll make me blush* could be heard from her mouth.

However, she quickly brushed it off. She was very comfortable with their current relationship, and she was afraid that if she tried to press Rochen, a change could occur in their relationship.

As of now, the only friend she had in Konoha was only Rochen and Mikoto. And she definitely didn't want to lose Rochen.

But then, a thought emerged in Kushina's mind.

"Hey, Rochen… we are friends right?"

Kushina asked. But for some reason, Rochen could see that Kushina was a bit down when she asked this question.

"Of course! Wha-"

But before Rochen could finish, Kushina had already cut him off.

"Then…. What if you suddenly know that I am a Monster… Would you still befriend me?"

At this exact moment, Rochen could see that Kushina's eyes were a bit wet. But she soon quickly covered it up by saying it was just a silly question and he should not be bothered by it.

But would Rochen, who finally gets the golden chance, let it slip by?

He stopped caring about anything else as she went ad grabbed Kushina's hand.

"Kushina, I'm your friend. I don't care whether you are a monster, a demon, or anything. But if one day, you ever found yourself in a pinch and have no one to turn to, you could always know that I am here, having my place open for you!"

. . . . . . . . . .