The trees by the roadside stretched their lush green branches, yet still couldn't completely block the scorching, flame-like light.
Occasionally, a gentle breeze swept by, but it brought little relief from the heat.
Chizhao, already sweating from the intense heat, clutched a handful of change and pressed the doorbell of the Nara household.
The crisp chime of the doorbell, enveloped by the continuous hum of cicadas, sounded a bit weak.
She looked at the blazing sun overhead, and with her last bit of patience, pressed the doorbell again.
Finally, the Nara family's door slowly opened, revealing Shikamaru's slightly surprised face.
“Chizhao? Why are you here on such a hot day?”
Shikamaru was wearing a simple white tank top and casual shorts, looking cool and relaxed.
He clearly hadn't expected any acquaintances to visit.
Seeing the girl in front of him, he awkwardly averted his gaze.
He tried to compose himself, attempting to remain calm.
Chizhao didn't pay much attention to the person's attire, but instead presented the change cupped in her palm to him.
“I finally gathered all your change; here, take it back.”
Her voice was soft, yet it conveyed a sense of joy.
Staring at the scattered change, Shikamaru had a strange thought: if he accepted it, she wouldn't come looking for him again.
Just as he hesitated whether to take the change.
His gaze fell upon her forehead, glistening with sweat, and he inexplicably blurted out:
“It's hot outside, come in first.”
“Huh? Just take the money, why would I come into your house?”
Shikamaru's heart suddenly filled with panic, and he quickly came up with an excuse, feigning distress.
“I'm bored being home alone. If you play a game of shogi with me, I'll consider taking the change.”
“This is the first time I've heard of conditions for returning a debt.”
“Tsk, what a hassle. If you don't want to, then don't. Go home.”
“Hey, wait, wait... I didn't say I didn't want to.”
Though she felt a bit bewildered, eager to repay her debt, she hastily grabbed Shikamaru, who was about to close the door and send her away, and agreed to his request.
Shikamaru, having gotten exactly what he wanted, watched Chizhao's retreating figure, and an involuntary smirk of triumph appeared on his lips.
Realizing his strange behavior, he awkwardly cleared his throat and regained his composure.
“Excuse me for intruding.”
Visiting a classmate's home for the first time, Chizhao also reined in her usual boisterous attitude.
Stepping into the genkan, the aged wooden floor exuded a faint woody scent.
A neat shoe cabinet was placed on the right, and a beautiful landscape painting hung on the wall.
Chizhao took off her shoes, placed them in the genkan, and tentatively stepped inside, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the novel furnishings.
The spacious living room, the exquisite and antique furniture, and even the dining room on the other side was elegantly separated by a screen.
Truly worthy of a prestigious family; Shikamaru was practically living the life of a rich second-generation heir.
She finally understood why his dream was so pure.
With these conditions, if it were her, she'd also just lie flat; why bother fighting and killing for a living?
“What are you looking at?”
Hearing the question from behind her, Chizhao finally slowly closed her wide-open mouth. Unable to think of any other adjectives, she could only use the simplest language to praise.
“Your house is really beautiful.”
Amused by the adorable Chizhao, Shikamaru naturally took her wrist and led her towards the inner rooms.
“It's alright. After seeing it every day, it's just like that.”
Classic rich young master talk.
Still letting Shikamaru lead her forward, as she looked around, Chizhao's vision suddenly broadened.
At some point, the two had walked onto the engawa. To the right were rooms with wooden sliding doors, while to the left was a meticulously sculpted, charming garden that was refreshing to the mind and spirit.
“Wait for me here; I'll go get the shogi board.”
Chizhao, captivated by the scene before her, simply gave a dazed “Oh” and then carefully admired the garden.
I'm not envious, not one bit!
I still have my own little wooden house!
Although Chizhao kept comforting herself this way, the life of a rich second-generation heir was truly unimaginably joyful.
In the spacious and bright mansion, Shikamaru ascended the stairs and entered his neat and orderly bedroom.
He carefully picked up the shogi board, and as he passed a mirror, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of himself in his white tank top, making his next step hesitate.
Tsk, so troublesome.
After changing his clothes, Shikamaru quickly came to the engawa, and from a distance, he saw the girl sitting there, intently admiring the garden.
He deliberately slowed his pace, adjusted his breathing, and walked towards her with the most composed demeanor.
“What are you spacing out about?”
Chizhao snapped back to reality, watching Shikamaru approach with the shogi board. Looking closely, he seemed a little different from before.
After thinking for a long time, Chizhao finally noticed the difference in Shikamaru.
It was that the white tank top he was wearing initially had now been replaced with a dark-colored short-sleeved shirt.
Shikamaru quickly averted his gaze, anticipating her next question, and interrupted:
“Come help...”
“Oh...”
Why did Shikamaru feel so strange? Yet, she couldn't pinpoint what was odd about him.
Subsequently, the two moved to an inner room beside the engawa and sat down.
The sliding doors were open, a gentle breeze swept in, and with just a slight turn of the head, the beautiful garden scenery could be fully appreciated.
Outside, on the large tree, cicadas chirped in succession, adding a touch of vitality to the peaceful afternoon.
The two knelt on soft cushions, Chizhao quietly watching Shikamaru meticulously arrange the shogi board, placing the polygonal pieces inscribed with characters one by one into the squares.
His face, which had been smiling, suddenly stiffened for a moment as Shikamaru thought of something else.
He looked up at the silently observing girl and asked suspiciously:
“By the way, do you know how to play shogi?”
Chizhao then pinched her chin and carefully examined the board. This layout had a similar feel to Chinese chess from her previous life, but she wondered if the rules were different anywhere.
“I-I think so...”
“What do you mean, 'I think so'?...”
Shikamaru helplessly rubbed his forehead and sighed.
“Never mind, we'll know if we try.”
So, Shikamaru began patiently explaining the rules to Chizhao, his finger lightly tapping the board, his gaze focused.
Chizhao listened attentively, occasionally nodding slightly, her hair gently brushing Shikamaru's arm, bringing a faint, almost imperceptible tickle and a light fragrance.
This external interference, intermittently, disturbed his mind, and his thoughts became slightly sluggish for a moment.
“Do you understand?”
Shikamaru looked at Chizhao, and at the moment their eyes met, the sunlight happened to fall into her clear eyes, causing his heart to subtly tremble.
Birds fluttering past on the branches made him instantly avert his gaze, uncomfortably looking at the garden, his right hand touching his neck, pretending nothing had happened.
After Shikamaru's careful explanation, Chizhao eagerly picked up a piece, ready to play, brimming with confidence:
“I understand!”
Looking at the girl who could sometimes be so absent-minded, Shikamaru still maintained his doubts.
“I hope you really do understand.”