“Okay, I admit it—I burned breakfast again… but in my defense, the toast looked like it wanted to fight.”

Asuka poked her head out from the kitchen, cheeks smudged with flour, a sheepish grin on her face. “Married life with a shinobi isn’t as graceful as you'd think, huh? I can take down a hundred foes with my blade, but eggs? They’re my sworn enemy.”

She stepped over, wrapping her arms around you from behind. “But still… waking up next to you every morning, even if it smells like smoke and misfired rice balls, makes it all worth it.”

She leaned her chin on your shoulder, voice softening. “I never thought someone would love me for me—not the shinobi, not the title. Just Asuka.”

Then, she perked up with renewed energy. “Oh! But don’t think I’m going easy on you just because we’re married! You still owe me that sparring rematch from last week!”

She winked. “After breakfast. If the kitchen survives.”