Chapter 76: Capturing His Heart
The next morning, when Sasuko opened her drowsy eyes, Yu's presence was already gone from beside her.
She couldn't help but puff out her cheeks. He'd left without a sound again.
Recalling how Yu had kept his back turned all night, a trace of faint disappointment crossed her heart.
But soon, Sasuko rallied her spirits.
There will be plenty of opportunities in the future...
She nimbly jumped out of bed and opened the wardrobe to carefully choose her outfit.
Her fingertips finally settled on an exquisite black dress—a birthday gift Yu had given her last year.
With its elegant lace collar and satin ribbon bow, the unique design had made her too reluctant to wear it until now.
But today she deliberately took it out.
Sasuko dressed herself carefully before the mirror, styling her black hair into an obedient princess cut and cautiously putting on the dress.
The girl in the mirror twirled in a circle, the skirt swaying lightly like black butterfly wings.
She practiced her cutest smile at the mirror until every angle was flawless.
Sunlight filtered through the window curtains, gilding the dress with a soft halo that made her look like a carefully wrapped present.
Wearing her little dress, Sasuko ran briskly toward the kitchen but didn't find Yu's figure.
She circled the house, still coming up empty-handed. Only when she reached the back courtyard did she finally discover that familiar silhouette.
In the morning light, the half-grown youth's black hair flew as the bamboo sword in his hand carved out sharp arcs.
The sword wind swept up a sky full of falling blossoms, petals dancing around his handsome profile.
Sasuko couldn't help but freeze in place—Yu hadn't practiced with the sword in a long time, usually guarding those boring jutsu scrolls and researching who knows what.
The bamboo sword's whistle through the air was crisp and clean, each turn bringing a flurry of flower petals.
When Yu finally concluded his forms, he glimpsed his sister standing in the corridor.
He casually leaned the bamboo sword against the stone lantern, his lips naturally curving into a gentle arc. "Why are you up so early today?"
Sasuko was still immersed in the scene from moments before. Only when Yu approached and brushed flower petals from her hair did she suddenly snap back and lower her head. "Because... I wanted to wear this dress for you to see." Her fingers twisted the lace edge of the skirt.
Sunlight swept across her reddening ear tips, making the satin ribbon bow on the skirt gleam.
Yu paused slightly, suddenly remembering this was the birthday gift he'd given her last year.
He'd actually made it by hand—this world didn't seem to have this style, so he'd recreated the Lolita fashion he'd seen in his previous life from memory.
"Very pretty." Yu softly praised, his gaze gently taking in every detail of the dress.
From the delicate lace collar to the ribbon tied at the back, everything perfectly suited Sasuko's temperament.
Sasuko's face flushed redder as she asked quietly, "Why did you suddenly practice swordwork today? I haven't seen you practice in so long."
"Just afraid of getting rusty." Yu brushed it off lightly, turning to retrieve the bamboo sword.
The real reason was—he needed to use familiar sword forms to sort through his chaotic thoughts. Sasuko's overly intimate behavior last night, and his own inexplicably stirring emotions, left him feeling at a loss.
Yu picked up the bamboo sword again and continued practicing basic movements.
Slash, cut, flick, thrust—each technique was clean and precise, scattering fine flower petals.
Sasuko simply sat down to the side, chin propped in her hands, watching mesmerized.
She'd always known Yu was good-looking, but today he seemed especially dazzling, each movement tugging at her heartbeat.
Being stared at with such burning intensity by Sasuko made Yu uncomfortable as he practiced. He finally stopped. "Are you hungry? Let's go buy breakfast."
Sasuko shook her head. "It's fine, keep practicing Yu. I'm not hungry yet."
Yu sighed softly. Being watched like this made it impossible to concentrate on practice. "I'm hungry. Let's eat out today." He put away the bamboo sword. "What do you want to eat?"
Sasuko showed a sweet smile. "Whatever Yu wants to eat, I want to eat too!"
"Then let's have porridge." Yu actually had bland tastes and never had many requirements for food, usually accommodating Sasuko's preferences.
Hearing this, Sasuko secretly filed it away in her heart, her tone cheerful. "Sure! I actually really like porridge too!"
Yu was somewhat puzzled. "I haven't heard you mention that before."
"I suddenly started liking it today." Sasuko answered straightforwardly, eyes bright as she gazed at him.
Yu was momentarily speechless. Looking at his sister's innocent yet persistent appearance, he reached out and ruffled Sasuko's hair, helplessness mixed with indulgence. "Then let's go."
"Okay!" Sasuko stood and lightly brushed her skirt, taking the opportunity to link her arm through Yu's. Her soft body pressed close, bringing a girl's unique warm fragrance.
Yu instinctively tried to withdraw his arm, but she held him tighter. "There are so many people on the streets! I'm afraid of getting lost." She lifted her small face with an innocent expression, her cheek deliberately rubbing against his side.
Seeing Sasuko acting spoiled, Yu finally relented. "Then hold on properly." He tried to change to just holding hands, but Sasuko immediately interlaced all ten fingers, her fingertips mischievously tickling his palm.
Villagers along the way cast kind glances their way. "What good sibling affection!"
Hearing this, Sasuko held on tighter, practically plastering herself against Yu.
And Yu's outstanding appearance naturally attracted the attention of quite a few young women.
After walking just two blocks, a blonde flower-selling girl approached with a flushed face. "Excuse me, sir, would you like to buy a flower for your sister?" Her eyes stared directly at Yu.
Sasuko felt the girl looked somewhat familiar but still immediately pulled Yu away quickly. "Let's go, I don't like your flowers!"
All along the way, young women kept finding various reasons to strike up conversations, but before they could finish, Sasuko interrupted every one.
Until a bold girl directly blocked their path. "Could I get to know you? My house is nearby, so do you want to..." Her burning gaze fell on Yu's face without any concealment.
Sasuko immediately inserted herself between them. "No time!" She deliberately swung their interlaced fingers. "Right, Yu?"
Yu nodded slightly at the young woman. "Excuse us."
Even after walking far away, Sasuko was still grumbling indignantly. "Those women are so shameless..."
Especially their eyes clinging to Yu—Sasuko found it particularly revolting, like filthy spider webs.
Yu ruffled Sasuko's head. "Sasuko, don't be so rude next time. They were just saying hello."
Sasuko looked up at Yu's gentle profile, twisted sweetness and anxiety rising in her heart.
Yu is truly oblivious... How could those women just want to say hello?
He was always like this—polite yet distant to strangers, as if separated by an invisible layer of glass.
Sasuko could now somewhat guess that Yu's strength and status in Konoha were extraordinary, but he never displayed a trace of arrogance.
Yet it was precisely this distance within his gentleness that more easily drew those women's infatuated gazes.
They couldn't see the coldness in Yu's eyes, couldn't read the sense of distance in his smile—they were just attracted to his appearance like moths to a flame.
"Yu is so gentle with everyone!" she deliberately said in a soft voice.
"Politeness is basic courtesy."
Yu answered calmly, his gaze sweeping past the girls peeking at him from the roadside, yet passing over them like air without a ripple.
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