"Then you can call me if you need me," Nagato said before reluctantly stepping out of the kitchen.
Nonō didn't ask for Nagato's help again until all the cooking was finished. The small dining table was soon covered with a variety of dishes.
Nonō, who usually cooked just for herself, had never prepared such a large meal before.
"What do you think? Doesn't it look appetizing?" Nonō asked as she placed a bowl of rice in front of Nagato and sat down cross-legged across from him.
"It looks amazing. I didn't know you were such a good cook," Nagato said, praising her before even taking a bite.
"That's right, people call me the little Konoha chef," Nonō said with an exaggerated expression, making Nagato laugh.
"Who gave you that nickname?" Nagato asked, unable to stop laughing.
"Hmph, I gave it to myself. Is that not allowed?" Nonō said, looking unconvinced, as if daring him to challenge her.
"Okay, why wouldn't it be okay?" Nagato replied, smiling as he realized how narcissistic Nonō could be.
"I didn't think you'd dare contradict me," Nonō said smugly. "Here, try the fish I made." She placed a generous piece of fish on his plate.
"Okay," Nagato said, starting to eat under Nonō's expectant gaze.
"How is it? How is it?" Nonō asked eagerly after he took just one bite.
"It's good. It's delicious," Nagato replied honestly. Nonō's cooking really was excellent. The fish, in particular, tasted and looked amazing.
To prove his words, Nagato took another big bite.
"If it's delicious, then eat more," Nonō said, her vanity greatly satisfied. Nothing was more convincing than Nagato's actions.
Her eyes, no longer hidden behind glasses, narrowed into slits of happiness.
"Don't just look at me, eat too," Nagato said, inviting Nonō to join him. It felt a little strange to be stared at while eating.
"Okay," Nonō replied, picking up her chopsticks and eating alongside him. She also kept helping Nagato, adding more food to his bowl.
Before long, Nagato's bowl was piled high.
"I can help myself," Nagato said, glancing at the bowl with a wry smile.
"Haha, I was afraid you wouldn't feel comfortable in my home," Nonō said, withdrawing her hand midair and stuffing the meat on her chopsticks into her own mouth instead.
"I appreciate your kindness," Nagato replied, giving her a pointed look. However, it was hard to read his expression because of his calm eyes.
"Heh.." Nonō didn't respond and instead busied herself shoveling rice into her mouth.
By the time they stopped eating, the two of them had nearly finished all the food on the table.
"I'm a little full," Nagato said, leaning back with his hands behind his head, his stomach visibly distended.
"Good, I'm full too," Nonō said, playfully slapping his stomach, producing a "popping" sound.
"Haha~"
They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
...
After a short break, Nagato helped Nonō clear the table.
He had initially planned to wash the dishes as well, but Nonō found an excuse to send him away.
When Nonō came out of the kitchen after tidying up, she was holding two cups of hot tea.
"Here," she said, setting one in front of Nagato before sitting down herself.
"Thanks," Nagato said, blowing on the tea to cool it.
"Don't mention it. I haven't thanked you for curing my eyes yet," Nonō said with a playful wink. It felt so much better not having to wear glasses.
"I promised you, so of course I'd do it," Nagato replied, feeling it was only natural—it was a promise, after all.
"Anyway, I'll remember it in my heart," Nonō said softly, lowering her head. Her tone seemed different, more serious.
"What's wrong?" Nagato asked, noticing her change in demeanor.
"I have something to tell you," Nonō said, suddenly looking up, as if she had made up her mind.
"Tell me," Nagato said, though an inexplicable sense of panic began to rise within him.
"I'm leaving," Nonō said. "Leaving the Anbu—and leaving you."
She paused after this, saying nothing more.
"Are you going to a new department?" Nagato asked, forcing a laugh to mask his emotions. "At most, we'll meet again if we have time."
This was something he had been expecting for a while.
"Yes, I went a few days ago," Nonō said. "It's just... things are a little different than I imagined."
She had already reported to her new post and had just learned that she was part of the first group of behind-enemy-lines spies in the new department. After a period of closed training, she would be dispatched directly.
After that, it was uncertain when they would see each other again—or if they ever would. If something unexpected happened, they might be parted forever.
"What's different?" Nagato asked, confused. He truly didn't understand what Jiraiya's new department entailed. He had assumed it was just a regular division for ninjas.
"The training starts the day after tomorrow," Nonō said. "After it's over, we'll be sent on overseas missions. I don't know where or for how long."
Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, and she avoided giving too many details. In fact, saying this much was already bending the rules—Jiraiya had specifically instructed them not to disclose any information. This was about their future survival.
However, Nagato's special status made it permissible to share just this much.
"Can you not go?" Nagato asked, though he already knew her answer. This wasn't just her mission—it was the duty of a ninja.
"No," Nonō said, shaking her head with a wry smile. After this mission, it was uncertain when—or if—they would meet again.
"So, this dinner tonight..." Nagato hesitated. "Is it a goodbye?"
Nonō nodded slightly, confirming his suspicion. She wanted to say something more but held back.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. For a moment, neither of them knew what to say.
"How about I talk to Sensei's wife?" Nagato asked tentatively after a long silence. It was the only solution he could think of.
"That's not fair," Nonō replied. She was moved by the offer but still refused firmly.
If she avoided this mission, someone else would have to take her place. She couldn't bring herself to let that happen.
"I..." Nagato started to speak but couldn't find the words to persuade her.
He and Nonō shared the same thoughts—if it were him in her position, he wouldn't want to abandon his duty either.
"Oh, we won't necessarily not see each other," Nonō said, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe I'll be back in a few years. By then, you and I will both be adults."
She didn't say the rest of what she was thinking, but Nagato understood her meaning.
"I'll wait for you," Nagato said, looking at her with determination. There was no need to elaborate further.
Though neither of them had explicitly expressed their feelings, in that moment, their hearts were in sync.
"You said it. I didn't force you," Nonō said, her face breaking into a smile. She seemed genuinely pleased.
"Well, I did say it," Nagato replied, nodding as he tried to return her smile, though it was faint and strained.
"What a terrible smile," Nonō said, taking the lead in adjusting her emotions. She began to guide the conversation, unwilling to let their final moments together feel so heavy.
If the day ever came when she couldn't return, she hoped that Nagato would remember her—a girl named Nonō Yakushi who had been a part of his life. That thought alone was enough for her.