After treating Tsunade like a "dog," Tōshirō put her down and couldn't help but tease her, "I feel like you're getting more and more enthusiastic."
"I think that since we're a couple, sometimes we should be more straightforward. Or do you not like me being like this?"
Facing those mesmerizing, expectant eyes—that gaze that could almost be considered a foul play—Tōshirō completely surrendered.
Looks like the tsundere act really is going out of style.
Isn't a wife-like personality much better?
"I like it," Tōshirō stared at Tsunade, speaking from the heart. "Whether it's the Tsunade from the past or the Tsunade now, I like you all the same."
"That answer sounds so perfunctory," Tsunade pouted, her expression showing clear dissatisfaction.
Realizing his slip, Tōshirō quickly tried to make up for it. "Well, I do want to say that, but honestly, I like the way you are now even more."
"Is that so…"
Tsunade smiled slightly—a pure, happy, giggling smile.
What a wonderful girl…
Tōshirō took her hand, interlocking their fingers, and led her toward a shop with a long queue. "Are you thirsty? Want to grab a drink?"
Tsunade's smile was as sweet as a chilled watermelon in summer. "Then let's get one cup. That way, we can share it. Ehehe…"
"One cup? That's not enough. You alone wouldn't be satisfied with just one. I'll get you two—no, ten! How about that?"
Now that Tōshirō had money, he was quite generous.
Tsunade puffed up her cheeks like a little bun.
"Haha, just kidding."
Tōshirō wasn't dumb enough to misunderstand her intentions.
It was just his old habit acting up—he wanted to tease her.
"Is messing with me that fun?" Tsunade glared at him. "You know that's not what I meant."
Tōshirō quickly apologized. "Sorry, sorry. As compensation, I'll cover all your expenses today. How about that?"
"That's more like it. But if I buy something expensive, you better not complain." Tsunade's eyes curved with a mischievous smile. "I won't be returning anything~"
"No problem, buy whatever you want. I think my wallet can handle it."
Since Tōshirō had figured out a way to make money, he was never short on cash. If he ever ran out, he could always work as a transporter.
On their way to the mall, they weren't the only couple around. Occasionally, they saw other lovebirds clinging to each other, calling each other silly pet names.
Tsunade glanced at a couple who had just walked past. "Did you see that? That guy just called his girlfriend 'baby.' They looked so lovey-dovey."
Tōshirō scoffed, "So what? I can call you 'baby' too. Baby, my baby."
Tsunade pouted. "Idiot, that's not what I meant."
"Then what do you want me to call you?" Tōshirō thought for a moment. "Go ahead, I'll do my best to satisfy you."
"Hmm~ Just think of a name based on my characteristics."
"Your characteristics?"
"Yeah, something that highlights my beauty from your eyes—give me a special name."
Tōshirō hesitated. "Little Tsuna?"
Tsunade frowned. "Too ordinary."
Tōshirō recalled a previous moment. "But last time I called you that, you seemed really happy."
"That name was fine back then, but now, it's not enough to satisfy me."
So troublesome…
Tōshirō grumbled internally.
As if reading his mind, Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Are you thinking, 'How troublesome'?"
Tōshirō broke into a cold sweat. "Uh… why would you think that?"
"Intuition. A woman's intuition."
Tōshirō quickly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about this. I'll think of a special name for you."
"Okay!" Tsunade blinked at him with eager anticipation.
Tōshirō's eyes darted around. If he had to pick Tsunade's most distinct feature, it was undoubtedly… her, uh, 'generous assets.'
Maybe he should call her Bo-Bo?
After some thought, he scrapped the idea and decided on something more elegant—Hime (Princess).
"Hime?"
Tōshirō looked at her delicate face and said, "Because, in my heart, you're my little princess."
The wind blew gently, making Tsunade's hair brush against her cheeks, tickling slightly. She turned her head away and mumbled, "Who's your princess…? So cheesy."
Tōshirō grinned. "Then I won't call you that anymore."
"I never said I didn't like it! Why are you in such a rush?"
Seeing her pouty pink lips pursed in a classic tsundere fashion, Tōshirō chuckled. "Now that I've given you a nickname, shouldn't you return the favor and give me one too?"
"Ah~~ What do you want me to call you?"
"I've already called you my little princess, so shouldn't you at least call me your prince?"
"Stop being so full of yourself. You're not my prince."
"Then what am I?"
"You're my white horse…"
"A white horse prince?"
Tōshirō only heard what he wanted to hear and nodded to himself. "That doesn't sound too bad."
Tsunade huffed lightly. "You're overthinking it. You're just the white horse under the prince."
Tōshirō froze for a moment before putting on a pitiful expression. "That's so mean! I treated you like my little princess, and you just see me as a ride."
Tsunade giggled. "Then I'll make it up to you."
"Really? What kind of compensation?"
Tōshirō's eyes lit up. He wondered if Tsunade was going to give him a kiss. Hehe…
As he was fantasizing, he suddenly heard her say, "I'll give you some grass. How about that?"
"Give me grass?"
Tōshirō was completely confused. Was this some kind of suggestive joke?
Tsunade's smile widened, and she covered her lips as she laughed. "Because horses eat grass, don't they? Dummy."
"Oh~ I see…"
"What else were you expecting?"
Tsunade chuckled, her glossy pink lips curling into a smile as radiant as a blooming flower—so enticing that it made people want to steal a kiss.
Tōshirō smirked mischievously. "But do you know what else horses need besides grass?"
"What?"
"To eat tofu."
"Wha—"
Before she could finish speaking, Tōshirō silenced her lips with his.
Chu~
After exchanging a fair share of bacteria, Tsunade's face turned as red as an apple, her eyes soft and hazy. "You're so sneaky! You didn't even give me a warning."
"Because, Hime, you're too beautiful."
"What did you just call me?"
"Hime?"
Tsunade lightly bit her lip and let out a small hum.
Tōshirō's voice softened. "You don't like it?"
"Say it again."
"Huh?"
"Say it one more time."
"Hime."
Tsunade gave her verdict. "That's… very nice."
Tōshirō chuckled. "You look really happy."
Realizing something, Tsunade lightly patted her flushed cheeks. "Wait, was I acting weird just now?"
Her smooth, fair skin looked so soft and delicate that Tōshirō had the urge to pinch it. "Not at all. I really like you the way you are now."
Tsunade's smile was as bright as a flower in full bloom. "Is that so? Then I'll call you more often too, White Horse."
Sweatdrop.
Fine, White Horse it is.
Tōshirō responded, "Hime."
Tsunade: "White Horse."
Tōshirō: "Hime."
"White Horse."
"Hime."
"White Horse."
"Hime."
"White Horse."
"Hime."
…
…
The two kept calling each other by their pet names over and over, until eventually, Tsunade burst out laughing. "How long are we going to keep this up? If we go on like this, people passing by will think we're crazy."
Tōshirō realized he had gotten too carried away playing around with her. "You're right. Let's go buy some clothes next."
"Mm-hmm."
Hand in hand, they walked into a clothing store together.
(End of Chapter)
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