Chapter 163: Sweet Dream
Sasuko softly hummed a children's song she hadn't sung in ages, the clear melody echoing leisurely through the quiet night road.
She recalled how as a child, Yu had also held her hand like this, walking slowly on the way home.
Those days had been as gentle as now, his palm equally warm.
How wonderful.
She sighed softly in her heart. Everything seemed to have returned to the most beautiful times.
Yu watched Sasuko's rarely so cheerful appearance, his lips curving upward as well.
This girl he'd protected and raised since childhood—he'd witnessed every minute change: from toddling steps to graceful bearing, from depending on him to gradually becoming independent, and now his own emotions fluctuating because of her.
Night deepened as their shadows gradually stretched under street lamps.
Sasuko's song drifted lightly on the evening breeze, like a beautiful dream one didn't wish to wake from.
---
They finally arrived home.
Yu gently released Sasuko's hand, fingertips still retaining the maiden's warmth.
Sasuko felt a trace of reluctance—rarely seeing Yu reveal genuine emotions like this, she wanted to experience it a while longer.
Pushing open the door, they found Fugaku and Mikoto still sitting on the living room sofa.
Both gazed at them, eyes carrying complex emotions.
Yu felt slightly startled.
He'd deliberately used his power to maintain his physical state. By all logic, he shouldn't have revealed any flaws.
Sasuko didn't care at all, still immersed in the earlier sweetness.
She thought there was plenty of time ahead. She could eventually persuade her parents. She had all the time and opportunities she needed.
"We're back," she called out cheerfully, voice still carrying undispersed laughter.
Fugaku sat across from them, taking everything in. He lifted his teacup for a light sip, gaze thoughtfully sweeping past Yu's calm profile.
"It's getting late." He set down the teacup, voice steady. "Everyone should rest."
Mikoto nodded knowingly, lightly patting her daughter's hand. "Tomorrow Mother will make your favorite grilled fish."
Sasuko's eyes lit up as she acted spoiled. "And tamagoyaki too!"
"Yes, I'll make everything." Mikoto smiled indulgently before turning to Yu, saying gently, "Little Yu should rest early too. You've worked hard today."
Yu bowed slightly. "This is my duty."
Watching the two children's backs as they returned to their rooms, Mikoto sighed lightly.
Fugaku grasped her hand, saying in a low voice, "Let the children decide their own matters."
Mikoto leaned into her husband's embrace, tone carrying some melancholy. "I just... suddenly feel the children have all grown up."
Fugaku's broad palm gently stroked his wife's shoulder, warmly comforting, "Don't worry. Yu has been a measured child since young. He won't let Sasuko suffer any grievances."
He paused, lips showing a trace of helpless amusement. "Honestly, besides Yu, I really can't think of any other young man I'd feel comfortable entrusting Sasuko to."
These words made Mikoto nod slightly. She finally said no more, only pressing closer into her husband's embrace.
---
In Sasuko's room.
Sasuko buried herself deeply in the soft bedding, tightly hugging the pillow she'd secretly taken from Yu's room during the day.
Light soap fragrance mixed with his unique scent—she inhaled it carefully. This was currently the only comfort she could openly possess.
She knew that after her parents' return, she could no longer freely slip into Yu's room as before.
She buried her cheek deeply in the pillow, slender fingers unconsciously rubbing the fabric, as though this could touch that cool figure.
Her pajama collar loosened slightly with her movements, exposing delicate collarbones. Ink-dark hair spilled like a waterfall across snow-white sheets.
"Need to think of a way..." She murmured softly, cunning light flashing through her eyes.
Having parents home indeed proved inconvenient. Those intimate little gestures all required caution.
Better to arrange outings with him? Training grounds, back mountain, even short missions... anywhere they could be alone would work.
Even...
Thinking of certain more private locations, Sasuko's cheeks flushed. She lightly bit her lower lip, feeling shy about her bold thoughts.
Sasuko turned over, amusement rippling through her eyes gazing at the ceiling. She began imagining Yu being teased until his ears reddened, imagining his helpless yet indulgent gentleness when saying "stop fooling around."
Fingertips lightly traced the pillow surface. She suddenly recalled the coolness transmitted when holding his hand outside. That unusual coldness made her vaguely uneasy, but the maiden currently immersed in sweetness preferred attributing it to autumn night's chill.
"This time I must..." She hugged the pillow tighter, legs unconsciously crossing and rubbing, sensing the minute touch transmitted through fabric.
Her pajama hem rode up slightly with her movements, exposing slender ankles.
Sasuko hugged the pillow carrying Yu's scent as her thoughts drifted further.
She began imagining the future.
How many children would be good? Best would be one boy, one girl—though if Yu wanted, having several more would be fine with her.
Boys should resemble him, possessing the same deep black eyes and steady temperament. As for girls... resembling herself wouldn't be bad either.
Names also needed careful consideration. Should use characters with beautiful meanings, ideally carrying their mutual wonderful memories.
But... what if the children also constantly clung to Yu? She didn't want even their nightly private time taken away.
Thinking this, she couldn't help pouting slightly, hugging the pillow even tighter.
What made her heart race most was imagining legitimately sleeping beside him every night.
Sensing his steady breathing, finding the most comfortable position in his embrace, seeing his sleeping profile first thing in morning light, and then...
These thoughts made her ears burn, legs unconsciously tightening around the pillow in her arms, as though this could ease the yearning surging in her heart.
In such sweet fantasies, Sasuko gradually sank into dreams.
---
Yu returned to his room, gently closing the door.
The instant his back touched the door panel, he could no longer maintain surface calm. That hand just warmed by Sasuko had become cold and stiff again, skin showing unnatural paleness.
But this was merely the most superficial cost.
What truly proved unbearable was the tearing sensation from his soul's depths—as though countless invisible fine needles were piercing his existence, like threading a needle, bit by bit extracting his essence.
This soul-level agony proved far more desperate than physical torture. Since forcibly returning from the Pure Land, he'd continuously endured this inhuman torment.
Yu slowly walked to the bedside. Without changing clothes, he lay down face-up.
In darkness, he could clearly sense himself gradually disintegrating from within.
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