Three days later, it was Miyuki and Akio's turn to pair up. That afternoon would be their first time. They disguised themselves as a travelling Black Smith's couple, roaming around the Hidden Mist Village. Miyuki kept her long, pink scarf firmly above her mouth, like a mask. She remained reserved as the two walked through their assigned section of the Kaguya District.

Akio felt awkward beside her. He was trying to think of something he could say that would will these next eight hours. But he fell short whenever he caught a glimpse of her distant demeanour. Finally, he mustered his courage. He was determined to break free from her intimidating pink mask. Sucking in a breath, he opened his mouth to speak. And she prevented him from doing just that, "Don't even think about it." She coldly warned. With that, his mouth snapped shut, and they walked on in silence. As they did, Miyuki intensely observed the people they walked passed, 'I don't get it. After months of investigating them, the Kaguya Clan haven't acted outside their usual brute and arrogant selves once! What if... What if that masked man-' But her worries were cut short by the sound of Akio's voice.

"Your real name isn't Needles, is it?" He asked. She halted, "What?" She asked, looking up to meet his eyes. "Your name. It's seems about right for a code name, for sure. But not a good enough fit for a real one. I mean, it's not exactly fair that we don't know anything about our squad leaders, when you have our whole files, right?" He exuded a sort of effortless charm as he spoke. Miyuki was unimpressed. She looked away, continuing the strolling, "Why don't you redirect your people skills on our actual targets." She plainly stated. "You know, if you don't give it up soon, I'm just going to have to name you." He smoothly said. She glared, "Knock yourself out, before I do."

"Ouch. Okay... You're cold, have a sort of regal appeal. Condescending would probably be a better word for it. Ah! I got it! Ice Princess. It's suits you perfectly." He enthused. "No." She flatly replied. And so began the 8-hour test on Miyuki's patience as Akio kept pestering her with names and observations to her personality. She sighed in relief once they reached the rendezvous point. It was already night time by then, "Finally." She was completely drained from putting up with him. "Well, then I guess we'll have to make a game of it." Akio shrugged. "A game of what?" She asked, slightly irritated. "Guessing your name, of course. See you in three days, Captain Needles." He casually saluted before jumping off. "Urgh." She groaned, defeated and exhausted, hoping her mission will end soon.

She spent that time either sleeping, going over mission reports with Katsu, checking up on her squad members, training with Ryuu, or reporting back to the Mizukage. In no time at all, the three days brought them to a new section to observe. He asked her more common names this time, and she found herself constantly having to remind him to keep an eye out for suspicious people wherever they sat, walked or ate.

"Hey, look, Captain! It's the bar from one of our observation reports. Let's go get a drink." Akio began taking hurried footsteps towards the tavern when Miyuki quickly grabbed the back of his arm, "Are you crazy!? We can't just "go grab a drink at a bar." We're on a mission! And don't call me Captain so loudly!" She whisper-shouted. He halted as she let go of his sleeve, "Well, what else am I supposed to call you? Needles?? Come on, it was marked as a busy place. It'll be fun. Loads of people to interrogate, I guarantee it." He countered with a playful wink. She wasn't amused, "Then we shouldn't be drinking while doing it." She flatly retorted. "Oh? So, you'd want to grab a drink with me when we're not doing it?" He suggestively wiggled his eyebrows. Her eyes went big, her lips pursing as she blushed. "Q-quit it! That's an order." She demanded, stomping her foot down, trying to regain herself. His smirk only grew, "Ooh, I think I see a little blush under those cheeks. You know you'd almost make a descent human being with that adorable face." He teased. Miyuki scoffed, "Fine. We'll go to the bar. But if you ever mention any of this to anyone, you're going to wind up a Chunin!" She mercilessly threatened. "You got it, Boss." He playfully winked. With that, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her along, much to her dismay. She muttered curses under her breath the whole way there, wishing she never had to act like a couple with the defiant Bullets.

They sat at the bar, clinging to the drinks they had ordered as they listened in on conversations going on around them. The chatter was filled with lonely woman, tired husbands, and complaining wives. None holding any relevance to their case. Miyuki had her pink scarf down as she sat in a stool next to Akio. She sighed into her full cup, "Need a refill, sweetie?" The waitress asked. "Oh. No thank you." She smiled. His mouth parted, halting at the brim of his cup. For a moment there, he had been captivated by her surprisingly sweet smile. He had never seen it before. "Alright. Call me if you need me." The waitress nodded, before leaving them. Miyuki's smile fell as she went back to staring aimlessly at her reflection in the cup, "You're not so bad..." Akio reluctantly mumbled. She curiously turned to face him, "Hmm?" His eyebrow twitched, his cheeks turning rosy, "I said it looks like you're not so bad. I mean, you can smile, after all." She frowned, "Well, of course I can smile. I just happen to take being responsible for my team's lives seriously." She then huffed and looked away, and they sat in silence for a while.

"Hey..." Akio began, seeming more serious. She curiously raised an eyebrow at him, "I'm sorry about the way I've been disrespecting you lately. I made assumptions. I was wrong, and I apologise." He nodded, ending on a more sincere smile. She glared suspiciously for a moment, and then turned to her cup before raising it to her lips, "Forgiven." She plainly stated. He whipped his head at her as she lifted her glass into her mouth, "What? Really? No "I'm sorry too" or "Wow, Akio. That must've taken a lot of guts?" I don't normally say stuff like that, you know." He confessed, completely dumbfounded by her lack of emotional expressiveness. She nodded, "Mm-hm-Er-He-Er-He! Urgh! Blagh!" She began chocking, coughing on her surprisingly strong drink. He deadpanned before bursting out in laughter as he patted her back, "First sake, I take it?" Miyuki bit her lip, shutting her eyes as she gave a small nod. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her burning cheeks. She felt embarrassed. "Okay, you win. Come on, let's get you out of here." He said, getting up. She was so flustered, she could barely speak. So, instead of arguing, she followed his lead.

As they walked out, into the drizzling rain, Akio found himself laughing again. She frowned, "It's not that funny." He wiped a tear from his eye and slapped his arm over her shoulder. She flinched in surprise from the sudden contact, "Oh, man! Until I figure out your name, I'm just going to have to call you plain, old, adorable." He smiled in content, looking down into her eyes as he playfully pinched at her cheek. Miyuki's lips shrunk. Her face reddened as she stared back, struck by his sudden warm touch.

"Ha! You see. You're just too adorable to be Captain. It's hilarious!" He half-joked. She frowned, giving him a harsh punch to his side in response. He winced from the pain and retract from her. "Ah! What was that for?" He grunted out. She huffed, flipping her long hair into his face, "For being a jerk." She snottily replied. "I'm not a jerk!" He loudly retorted. Then he abruptly sneezed. He hastily covered his mouth, feeling embarrassed himself. Miyuki couldn't help but laugh through the rain. "Well, looks like someone has a strange sense if humor." He mumbled through his hands. She continued laughing, "Well, looks like I'm not the only adorable one around here." He was taken aback, blushing at her. He had to avert his gaze, "Jerk." He pouted out. But Miyuki only continued her carefree laugh.

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