Chapter 97: "Falling for My Friend's Brother"
Throughout the journey, Naruko kept her head turned toward the window, silently watching the scenery continuously flowing backward.
Fujikaze Yukie observed her quiet profile, easily noticing this girl had something weighing on her heart.
She took the initiative to break the silence, voice gentle and smiling. "Naruko, what are your usual hobbies?"
Naruko was slightly startled, pulled back from her thoughts.
She turned her face, lips curving in a shallow arc. "Training, I suppose... trying new jutsu, or refining the Rasengan. Occasionally I'll go eat Ichiraku ramen."
Yukie gazed at her, smile deepening. "Training, huh... sounds very impressive. But I also love ramen! Want to go together next time?"
Naruko looked at those sincere, bright eyes, the tightly wound membrane in her heart gently touched.
She nodded lightly, this time with more genuine warmth in her smile. "Alright."
Fujikaze Yukie leaned forward slightly, eyes carrying a curious light. "Training in ninjutsu... what does that feel like? Is it very difficult?"
"It's hard at first. But when you master a new technique, you feel especially happy... like finally fitting together the most important puzzle piece."
"Sounds more interesting than filming," Yukie said, chin propped on her hand, tone revealing some envy. "Every time I NG a dozen takes, I'm practically crying at the director."
Naruko couldn't help laughing softly. "But you act so well... I watched 'Falling for My Friend's Brother' and cried several times."
Yukie paused slightly, eyes then rippling with genuine warmth. "Really? Then next time I'm filming, come visit the set? I'll save you the best seat."
"...Okay."
Yukie tilted her head, seemingly casually asking, "By the way Naruko, why do you like stories about unrequited love like 'Falling for My Friend's Brother'?"
Naruko's expression suddenly stiffened.
Because she seemed to see her own shadow in it.
But she only pressed her lips together and said quietly, "Probably because... I like seeing stories that end happily."
Yukie looked at Naruko's slightly flushed cheeks, gossip soul instantly igniting. "Oh~! Speaking of which, does Naruko have someone she likes? In the 'romantic' sense, I mean?"
Naruko's ear tips heated as she instinctively averted her gaze. "Wh-why suddenly ask this..."
Yukie grinned and leaned closer, adopting a knowing older sister manner. "Oh come on, I'm just curious! For such a cute and pretty girl like Naruko... what kind of person would you like?"
Yukie blinked, deliberately drawing out her voice. "Oh~! You're blushing! So there is someone?"
Naruko instinctively clutched her clothes hem tighter, voice growing smaller. "It's... not really..."
"Eh~! Not really what? Not really like them? Or not really dating?" Yukie asked with a smile, yet keenly noticed the darkness that briefly flashed through Naruko's eyes.
Her tone softened slightly as she lightly touched Naruko's hand. "Mm... what kind of person are they?"
Naruko fell silent for a moment, gaze toward the flowing clouds outside, voice as light as a sigh. "Someone... very gentle and very capable. Clearly standing far away, yet like the sun... you can see them and feel that light."
She paused, as if realizing she'd said too much, hurriedly adding, "...But that's all in the past."
Yukie didn't miss that barely perceptible catch in her trailing voice.
She stopped smiling, only gently squeezing Naruko's hand. "'The past,' huh... then what about now? Did the sun go out?"
Naruko didn't answer immediately.
In the carriage's rhythmic jostling, she only shook her head, lips trying to curve upward but failing.
"...It's not that the sun went out." She said softly. "It's that I... can't walk toward the light anymore."
Yukie leaned closer, lowering her voice to ask, "Then... does he have a girlfriend now? Or... is he married?"
Naruko hesitated before shaking her head. "Probably... not yet."
After all, that day Sasuko clearly hadn't succeeded either. There was no way things could progress that quickly.
Yukie immediately understood, it was unrequited love.
She reached out to gently pat Naruko's hand, tone certain yet somewhat indignant. "Let me tell you, a girl as cute and pretty as you, no man wouldn't be moved! Besides, he still doesn't have a girlfriend, right?"
She deliberately pouted with dissatisfaction. "Really now... being liked by you is an incredible blessing. What blind fool lacks such judgment?"
Naruko was slightly amused by her righteous indignation, the knot in her heart seeming to loosen somewhat.
She shook her head. "Sister Yukie, don't say that... he really is different from others."
Seeing her earnestly protective manner, how could Yukie not understand?
Girls caught in love's net always unconsciously idealize their beloved, yet once truly together, the other may not be what they originally imagined.
Thinking this, she couldn't help feeling anxious:
"Naruko, liking someone shouldn't be like this." Her tone became serious as she gently held Naruko's hand. "True affection should be open and honest. Regardless of the outcome, don't let yourself become humble, feelings without respect ultimately can't exchange for sincerity and cherishing."
Yukie's words made Naruko's heart sting slightly.
In this "competition" with Sasuko, she'd indeed been humble for too long.
She didn't dare approach that person openly and act affectionate in public like Sasuko, much less directly express her feelings.
She was always careful, repeatedly suppressing even the slightest greedy thought.
For seven full years, her affection had curled silently in her heart. Even the frequency of seeking him out had to be secretly calculated, afraid that being too frequent would make him annoyed.
Naruko opened her mouth, ultimately making no sound, only lowering her head and nodding very, very lightly.
Naruko's dejected appearance made Yukie's heart soften. She couldn't help gently pulling her into an embrace, softly comforting, "Silly girl, there's nothing wrong with truly liking someone, but don't let your own light dim."
She gently stroked Naruko's back, yet inwardly felt some dissatisfaction and curiosity toward that man she'd never met, what kind of person could make such a bright and wonderful girl love so deeply, so humbly?
Dog of a man, truly blind as a bat.
Though inwardly indignant, Yukie still softened her voice to comfort. "Don't be sad, Naruko. You'll definitely get your wish."
She gently cupped Naruko's face, tone serious yet teasing. "A girl as pretty and gentle as you, if you can't succeed... then that guy deserves to die alone!"
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