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***
**Chapter 34: My Birth Was Actually Myself?**
Dawn's faint light filtered through the thin curtains, spilling onto the disheveled bed.
Rubik had woken long ago, his arm numb from Momoki using it as a pillow, but he hadn't stirred. The girl in his arms felt impossibly soft, her slender body cool like polished jade against his warm chest, her breathing steady and deep.
This tranquility and dependence should have been intoxicating, but Rubik's mind churned like a lake disturbed by a stone, ripples refusing to settle.
He gazed down at Momoki's sleeping profile. Her usual aloof detachment was softened by exhaustion; long lashes cast faint shadows under her eyes, her lips slightly swollen from last night's frenzy.
A sharp pang twisted in Rubik's heart—a mix of tenderness and regret.
*Damn...* He sighed heavily in his mind.
Last night... he hadn't overcome that infernal little brother after all. Blood rushed to his head, impulse took over... and now the rice was fully cooked. In a twisted way, Momoki had executed Danzo's fox-like mission with flying colors.
Staring at her unguarded, sleeping face, his thoughts drifted. Wait... how old was she exactly? He'd never actually asked.
Birthdays, of all things!
These years, he'd scorned his deadbeat "old man" Obito plenty in his head—puppy love at a tender age, Rin dying before his fragile worldview could mature, turning him into someone else's pawn. And he couldn't even control his little dihh, popping out a headache like Rubik way too early.
Karma's a wheel, alright—the boomerang hit fast and hard! Quiet as he'd been, he'd not only done the deed but outdone Obito. At least Obito had a year-plus with Mom before...
Rubik's "opening pitch" was straight to home base, and they'd known each other less than two months. Talk about skipping bases! His cheeks burned; this boomerang stung his face raw.
Lost in his frantic inner roast, the girl in his arms stirred. Momoki seemed roused by his warmth and heartbeat, murmuring sleepily like a kitten seeking heat. She burrowed deeper, cheek rubbing his solid chest.
Rubik's heart melted into mush. He tightened his arms around her gently yet firmly, chin resting on her hair. Seeing her total trust ignited an unprecedented, heavy sense of responsibility, flooding his chest like a tide.
*Since it's done... I have to take full responsibility!*
Rubik silently vowed to himself—and to her sleeping form.
*I'll never be another "Prison Obito "!*
From today, his life trajectory shifted. The carefree days trailing Jiraiya worldwide (mainly hot springs and bathhouses), cracking jokes without a care—over. He is a married man now! A thick barrier of "married man responsibility" separated him from that eternally immature pervert.
Imagining Jiraiya's dramatic wail and winks, Rubik's mouth twitched, but his eyes burned with resolve.
Then, a cool little hand pinched his forearm. Rubik looked down into Momoki's slowly opening eyes. Hazy with sleep, they lacked her usual chill, brimming instead with lazy affection as they met his gaze.
"Awake?" Rubik's voice was soft, husky from morning and laced with warmth. "It's early. Sleep more? I'll make you some porridge."
He shifted to rise, but she tugged his shirt corner.
"No need..." Her voice was soft and glutinous from sleep, like a feather tickling his heart.
"The first exam... should be over by now, right?" Her eyes cleared, regaining their calm. "The second one in the Forest of Death... it's about to start. Aren't you going to check?"
True enough, by his timeline, the written test had ended, and the survival trial in the Forest of Death loomed. He'd left safeguards on Naruto and Sasuke—no life threats there. But someone else nagged at him.
In his plan, he wouldn't stop Sasuke from going to Orochimaru. Keeping Sasuke in Konoha stunted his growth; shipping him off let Orochimaru raise a live dad for him—perfect.
Plus, Naruto would chase strength with him...
Most crucially, he had zero interest in letting Itachi survive because of his meddling. That guy's too clingy—had to die.
He looked down at Momoki. Fresh off Orochimaru's assault, body and mind drained, plus last night... She was at her most fragile, recovering.
Danzo's shadow lingered; Orochimaru's parting "expectations" hung like a sword overhead. Leave her alone?
Momoki seemed to read his hesitation. Her clear eyes watched quietly—no pressure, no complaint, just patient waiting.
Finally, Rubik shook his head slowly.
"Nah, I've got backups on them—they'll be fine. And..."
He reached out, tenderly tucking a stray lock behind her ear, fingertip grazing her silky skin.
"Right now... you're more important."
The words rippled through her eyes like a stone in still water. Her cool features thawed like spring ice, blooming into a soft, sweet smile that lit the room. Relief, security, cherished fulfillment—all in that grin.
"Rubik..." she murmured, voice shy yet sly.
"Then... one last request. Okay?"
Her rare playfulness melted him; he nodded instantly. "Sure. What?"
Assured, her smile deepened. She propped up in his arms without speaking. The thin blanket slipped, baring her pale, rounded shoulder and delicate collarbone, glowing like jade in the dawn.
Rubik's heart skipped.
Momoki didn't see his eyes, just shifted. Back to him, she settled slowly between his legs amid his puzzled stare.
Instinctively, his arms encircled her slim waist; her hair's fresh scent teased his lower half.
She glanced back, eyes clear with silent invitation and possessive hunger. Sunlight pierced the curtain gap, gilding her smooth neck and the stubborn gleam deep in her gaze.
Dawn hung serene; the room held only their entwined forms and mingling breaths. Last night's storm seemed soothed in this warm haven.
World War II began.
***