43 Hurry or you will lose

Meanwhile, in Seimeigakure...

Three people were engaged in slow-motion movements, but the sweat running down their bodies and their labored breathing revealed the effort they were putting in. Ameyuri was training in the gravity chamber with Kimimaro and Anko, performing a series of gestures and poses designed by Enel to improve flexibility and increase body endurance.

Meanwhile, Karin was in the library, studying the latest medical book given to her by her master, while she petted the fur of a cloud fox sitting on her lap. Occasionally, she took a sip of the apple juice next to her.

She would have never imagined she could have this kind of life after what happened in the previous village. In comparison, it felt like paradise.

Pakura was harvesting some zucchinis and tomatoes in the garden plot with the help of Mariko, who was more than happy to accompany her if it meant staying away from ink and seals for a few hours.

Enel had introduced her to some concepts called programming, and she had become a bit obsessed with its potential.

"So...," Mariko looked up from the juicy tomato in her hands. "When are you making your move with Enel?"

"What?!" Pakura was so startled by the abrupt question that she squeezed the zucchini in her hand hard enough to make it burst.

"Try not to do that with him," Mariko laughed.

"I... you... I don't know what you're talking about!" Pakura stammered, unaware of how red her face had become, not to mention how her eyes wandered everywhere, avoiding Mariko's gaze.

"You really haven't had a partner before, huh..." Mariko took Pakura's hand and led her to sit on a nearby cloud bench. "Do you really think Ameyuri doesn't know about your interest in Enel?"

"She does?" Pakura lifted her head before realizing her reaction. "I mean, I don't understand what you're talking about..."

"You know, if you keep this up, I think someone might beat you to it," Mariko suggested.

Pakura remained silent for a moment before her eyes widened.

"You mean... Karin?" But that didn't seem entirely correct. "Or... you?"

"What? No! Not both," Mariko denied, her turn to be startled. "Karin is too young to think about these things, and she's entirely focused on her studies. Plus, I can assure you that Enel has no interest in me," she tested him in secret, and she was pretty sure about this point, which led her to question if she had lost her appeal for a few days. "I mean Anko."

"But isn't she also too young?"

"Maybe, but she shares the same circumstances as you when it comes to knowing Enel. You know, the prince saving the damsel in distress thing."

"I don't think it's the same," Pakura furrowed her brow. "Enel saved me from dying when the village betrayed me by surprise. Anko was just receiving some cold treatment from Konoha, right?"

"I talked to her, believe me, the situation is the same as yours, if not worse," Mariko shook her head. "Rasa had to deceive you to put you in that situation, but with her, there wasn't even an attempt to hide the intention. People regretted seeing her come back alive from missions! Do you have any idea how shocking such treatment is for someone her age?"

Hearing the circumstances, along with the fact that Anko was actually younger than her, it really did seem like the situation was worse... At least she was respected in the village.

"What did you mean when you said Ameyuri would be relieved?" Pakura finally asked, connecting the dots with a sudden revelation and feeling a sense of understanding.

"Uh, don't say it out loud!"

"But you didn't say I was wrong," Pakura pointed out, expecting a protest.

Mariko remained silent, which was answer enough.

"Listen," Karin's mother took the surprised kunoichi out of her stupor. "Ameyuri knows she won't be Enel's only wife, and you've spent a lot of time together, you get along well, and that's in your favor. I think it's best if you tried to go a little further, and if you two became 'sisters' to help her, this would earn you a lot of goodwill from her. Plus, you would feel happy, right?"

"But I really don't know what to do..." Pakura covered her face with her hands in frustration as she leaned forward. "I don't feel as confident as Ameyuri, nor do I think I can be as direct with my feelings. I haven't even had a date with anyone before!"

"Then do that."

"What?"

"Ask for it and have a first date with Enel," Mariko said, as if it were obvious. "You won't be confessing your feelings directly, but it's classic enough to make your intentions clear. And let me give you some good news, it seems that he's also somewhat interested in you."

"Really?" Pakura asked with a higher voice than she intended.

"Feminine intuition," Mariko replied.

"But if that's the case, why hasn't he...?"

"Why hasn't he taken the initiative to approach you?" Mariko completed Pakura's question. "In fact, I think it's out of respect for Ameyuri. Showing interest is fine since there's nothing wrong with looking, but going beyond that could hurt Ameyuri's feelings. Of course, if it's you, not him, who expresses interest in more than friendship, it's a completely different matter."

"In what sense?" Pakura didn't understand. Wouldn't the result be the same?

"I really have to explain it to you later," Mariko sighed. It wasn't Pakura's fault; matters of the heart were complicated for someone who hadn't delved into this facet, and there were certain unwritten rules in marriages where multiple wives shared a husband. What she was doing now was giving her the opportunity to gain an advantage over any future rivals.