Chapter 127: You're Running Hot
Sasuko looked up at Yu's gentle, caring expression, and guilt suddenly welled up inside her.
In the images that had floated through her mind last night, he certainly hadn't appeared so tender and refined—those imagined touches and intimacies now formed a stark contrast with the clear gaze of the person before her, making her almost unable to meet his eyes.
"Why is your face red again?" Yu noticed the flush spreading across her cheeks and naturally reached out to touch her forehead.
The moment his cool fingertips made contact with her skin, Sasuko flinched sharply. "Yu... what are you doing?"
"Don't move." His voice was gentle. "Let me check if something's wrong."
She had no choice but to sit still, feeling the temperature of his fingertips.
Those luminous eyes stared unblinkingly at his focused profile, her heart pounding so hard it nearly burst from her chest. He was so close—close enough for her to see his long lashes clearly, to smell the faint domestic warmth clinging to him.
Yu concentrated, channeling his magnetic field power to carefully examine her physical condition.
Energy currents slowly swept through her meridians, stirring subtle tremors wherever they passed. Sasuko unconsciously held her breath, terrified he might detect something abnormal.
"Your body seems fine..." He contemplated for a moment, brow furrowing slightly. "Though your internal heat is somewhat excessive."
Sasuko's heart lurched.
"Simply put, you're a bit out of balance." He withdrew his hand, tone gentle. "You need to avoid staying up late recently and eat more mild foods."
This diagnosis made Sasuko's ears burn. She knew exactly where this "internal heat" came from—last night's persistent fantasies, her accelerated heartbeat upon seeing him this morning, and the barely suppressible flutter when he touched her just now.
"I... I understand..." She lowered her head, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.
Yu looked thoughtfully at her reddening ear tips.
"I'll go buy some heat-reducing foods later." He gently pushed the porridge bowl closer to her. "Eat first."
Sasuko sipped her porridge in small mouthfuls, the taste like chewing wax.
Every time she glanced up to steal a look at his elegant dining manner, those images from last night resurfaced.
She could even recall the temperature of his fingertips in her dream—far more scorching than his actual touch moments ago.
This secret emotion interweaving shame and sweetness both confused and fascinated her. Like forbidden fruit she knew she shouldn't touch but couldn't help reaching for anyway.
Sasuko shook her head gently, trying to dispel those wild thoughts from her mind.
She set down her chopsticks and initiated a topic. "By the way, Yu, what did Brother Shisui want when he came to see you yesterday?"
Yu swallowed his mouthful of porridge without hurry. "To have tea."
Sasuko puffed out her cheeks in displeasure. "I know you had tea. I'm asking what you talked about. Don't deliberately dodge the question."
"Just household matters and trivial gossip." Yu smiled faintly.
This answer surprised Sasuko. In her impression, Yu had never been someone who engaged in idle chatter. He rarely commented on trivial matters and would never specifically seek people out to discuss such things.
Sasuko stirred the porridge in her bowl thoughtfully, rice grains slowly spinning in the spoon.
She felt something wasn't quite right—Shisui specifically visiting at night and deliberately avoiding her to talk, how could it be merely casual conversation?
"Really just that?" She raised her eyes, her gaze carrying scrutiny. "You're not... planning to go somewhere strange again, are you?"
Yu was amused by her thief-catching expression and chuckled softly. "In your heart, am I really that untrustworthy?"
"Last time he took you to a nightclub." Sasuko muttered under her breath. "With two gaudily dressed older women surrounding you..."
"That time was just because it was too late and the shops were all closed." Yu explained helplessly. "We were just finding a place to rest."
"Hmph." Sasuko pursed her lips, then seemed to remember something. "What about this time? Besides household matters, did you discuss anything special?"
Yu set down his chopsticks, contemplating briefly. He understood Sasuko's perceptiveness—simple evasion would only make her more suspicious.
"We did discuss something about you." He chose honesty. "Shisui told me you wanted to register as a ninja and asked for my thoughts."
Sasuko froze upon hearing this, not expecting Yu already knew about it. She'd only submitted her application that afternoon, yet by evening it had reached his ears.
"So... do you think I should go or not?" she asked softly.
Yu gazed at her and spoke candidly. "Honestly, I don't want you taking this path. But if you insist on growing this way and finding your own pursuits... I'll support you."
These words stirred complex emotions in Sasuko's heart. She lowered her eyes, concealing the turbulence beneath them.
In truth, if Yu hadn't suggested she prove her independence, she would never have wanted to become a ninja. What she truly desired had never been ninja status or Uchiha glory—such things had long ceased to matter to her. Instead, it was...
"I understand." She glanced at Yu once more and swallowed back her unfinished words.
Sasuko raised her eyes, her gaze fixed firmly on Yu. "I'll show you my determination and persistence. When that time comes, I hope you still remember what you said today."
Yu paused slightly. "Sasuko, we already agreed that now..."
The young woman's eyes suddenly curved into crescents, her lips curling into a mischievous arc. "I'm talking about becoming a ninja." She deliberately paused, her voice slowing. "Where did Yu's thoughts wander to?"
This sudden counterquestion left Yu momentarily speechless.
He looked at the laughter dancing in her eyes and suddenly realized this girl had somehow turned the tables on him.
Sasuko contentedly admired his rare embarrassment, cupping her face in both hands.
Some agreements she could temporarily honor, but certain intentions—she'd never truly abandoned them.
Sasuko blinked, the corners of her lips curving upward. "However... if Yu could support me in a different capacity, I'd be much happier." This probing line was something she'd learned from Naruko—it was called pushing one's luck.
Yu didn't respond, only returning a gentle smile as he lowered his head to continue eating his porridge.
A dark gleam flashed through Sasuko's eyes as her palm tightened.
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