Finally, the three arrived at the Hyūga estate's entrance.
"We're here..." Hinata stopped, "Thank you for escorting me home."
She turned around, hands clasped in front of her, and bowed deeply to Naruto and Satsuki.
Naruto was about to say something, but Satsuki stepped forward first. "Alright, we'll be leaving now." Her tone was deliberately calm, but the grip on Naruto's wrist didn't loosen at all.
"You should learn to be a bit braver in the future, after all... you can't always trouble others, right?"
Hinata's head drooped even lower. "Yes... thank you very much for your guidance."
"Well then, see you again if there's a chance." Satsuki almost impatiently interjected, her words coming out as fast as if she were reciting lines.
Before Naruto could react, Satsuki had already pulled his hand and turned to leave. The force was surprisingly strong, and as they turned, their intertwined figures were reflected in Hinata's pure white eyes.
Hinata stood rooted, watching their retreating figures, a strange pang of sourness in her chest. It was a sight she had never seen before—two peers, yet radiating such dazzling confidence. It made her both yearn and feel inferior.
Complex emotions flickered in her Byakugan. How could she become as strong as them? What experiences were needed to possess such courage? These questions swirled in her mind, but she found no answers.
— — — — — —
"Um... Satsuki?" Naruto tentatively spoke, his voice tinged with confusion, "This doesn't seem to be the way to my house..."
Facing this question, Satsuki didn't look back, only pulling Naruto's wrist even harder. "I told you, you're coming home with me today."
"But... I've already made my bento! And suddenly visiting your house would trouble Mikoto Auntie..."
"It won't!" Satsuki suddenly turned around, "I... I usually receive so much care from you..." Her voice suddenly dropped, carrying a hint of imperceptible grievance, "Why are you so unwilling to come to my house?"
Only then did Naruto notice her eyes were slightly red at some point. Satsuki bit her lower lip, then suddenly spoke as if having made up her mind. "If you think it's too far... you can stay overnight at my place!"
This made Naruto stop abruptly, the force so great that Satsuki had to let go of his hand.
"Satsuki!" Naruto placed both hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "What's wrong with you today? You've been acting really strange since earlier!"
Satsuki's fingers tightly clutched Naruto's sleeve, but she found that no matter how hard she pulled, he wouldn't budge. After several attempts, her arms fell limply, her dark hair covering half of her face.
"I see..." Her voice suddenly became very soft, "So, compared to me... you prefer to be with quiet girls like that, huh?"
"Quiet? Are you talking about Hinata?" Naruto's eyes widened, a look of disbelief on his face. This was too much jealousy, he thought.
"What are you thinking about?! Of course, I prefer to be with you."
"...Eh?"
Satsuki suddenly looked up, a glimmer of light in her dark eyes.
"We've been together for so long," Naruto's tone unconsciously softened, "You know I spend almost every afternoon with you now. It's no exaggeration to say that even spending a lifetime with you wouldn't get boring!"
"...!"
This statement was like a direct hit, striking Satsuki's heart. She suddenly let go as if electrocuted, stumbling half a step backward. The next second, she quickly turned her face away, her dark hair falling like a waterfall, completely obscuring her expression.
"What's wrong again? Are you okay?" Naruto stepped forward in confusion, wanting to pat her shoulder.
Satsuki's body trembled violently, dodging his touch. "I... I completely understand!" Her tone became extremely strange, "So that's how you see me..."
"See?" Naruto looked confused at Satsuki's sudden abnormal reaction. He was about to step forward to ask, but Satsuki suddenly retreated two steps like a startled deer.
"I... I understand your thoughts!" Satsuki's fair cheeks were flushed with an unnatural blush, "Um... I'll be going first...!" She gestured awkwardly, even her words becoming stammered, "Tomorrow afternoon! I'll be at our agreed place on time!"
Before her words finished, Satsuki had already turned and sprinted away. Naruto stared dumbfounded at the girl who had just moments ago seemed to want to stick to him, now fleeing like a startled rabbit.
...Did she dislike me?
Naruto stood rooted, confused as he recalled their recent conversation, when suddenly—
"Even spending a lifetime with you wouldn't get boring."
This sentence struck his mind like lightning. Naruto suddenly clutched his head, his cheeks instantly burning hot.
These words... weren't they practically a marriage proposal or a confession?!
He had only meant to exaggerate his friendship, but he ended up saying something so easily misunderstood! Satsuki must have been scared away...
What am I even saying...
Naruto annoyingly ruffled his hair. He was completely unaware that ever since the system prompted him about developing a 'romantic' relationship with Satsuki, his thoughts were no longer as clear and calm when facing her.
Just as he was immersed in the 'being disliked'Frustration, a crisp system notification sound suddenly rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: You have established a bond (Level 6) with original character 'Uchiha Satsuki'!]
[Points gained: 500 points!]
"...What?"
Naruto stood frozen. The system's notification still echoed in his mind, but at this moment, his confusion far outweighed his joy.
After saying such a misleading thing... Satsuki's affection actually increased?
This realization made Naruto's heart suddenly race. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling the abnormal thumping there.
Could she really... have those kinds of feelings for me?!
— — — — — —
With a "clack," the door to Satsuki's room in the Uchiha Clan Leader's residence was abruptly pushed open and then closed. Satsuki slowly slid down to the floor, leaning against the door, her hands tightly covering her burning cheeks. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her flushed face.
So that's how it is...
This thought exploded like fireworks in Satsuki's mind, making her feel light-headed.
Past fragments uncontrollably surfaced: Naruto patiently teaching her to train, his comfort when she was frustrated, his unwavering daily companionship...
So that's how he saw me... Of course! How could just ordinary friends go to such lengths?!
If Naruto could hear her thoughts at this moment, he would once again be shocked by the precocity of the Ninja World's children.
But what surprised Satsuki herself even more was—she felt no repulsion whatsoever, instead, a sweet feeling surged from the bottom of her heart, making her both joyful and flustered.
"Ugh..."
She buried her burning face in her knees. The chirping of crickets came from the courtyard, but it couldn't mask the violent pounding in her chest.
This feeling... what should I do about it...