Chapter 146: I Hate You
Seeing Yu still respond with such lukewarm tone, Sasuko suddenly stopped walking.
She reached out to grasp his wrist, her gaze burning as she looked at him.
Yu turned to face her with slight confusion. "What's wrong?"
Sasuko stared at him momentarily before finally just shaking her head lightly, releasing his hand and continuing forward.
They both remained silent on the way home.
Sasuko recalled childhood when Yu often carried her on his back through these familiar streets.
Back then they'd had so much to discuss—whether commonplace clouds or occasionally appearing butterflies, Yu and she had talked about everything. Then, Yu would still show teasing expressions and joke playfully with her.
But since that incident, everything changed.
Yu remained gentle toward her, even more indulgent, yet no longer easily revealed genuine emotions. He seemed to have lost interest in everything except her, sealing himself within that small courtyard.
Today's deliberate suggestion to walk home, inviting him to join the gathering—partly hoping he could interact more with the outside world, dispersing some obsession with the past. Also to observe his attitude toward Naruko and others.
Yet it now appeared Yu was fundamentally an extremely difficult person to approach.
Naruko's feelings were so obvious. Someone as perceptive as Yu couldn't fail to notice.
But he'd always maintained an affectionate yet distant attitude, like treating a junior requiring care.
Wasn't this a form of gentle rejection?
Sasuko realized Yu sealed his heart even more tightly than herself.
He required her to be independent, to grow, yet remained trapped in the past himself.
Appearing courteous and amiable on the surface, actually aside from occasionally visiting Shisui and persistently infatuated Naruko, he barely cultivated deep friendships with anyone.
Even these two acquaintances of many years—he'd never thought to draw closer.
She'd previously worried he'd philander outside. Now it seemed completely unnecessary concern.
Even Naruko, presented right before him, devoted and deeply attached, he wouldn't cross boundaries he'd set by even half a step.
So what about herself? Would truly doing as he expected change this Yu trapped in the past?
The two returned home, warm light spilling from the entryway.
As Yu bent to change shoes, Sasuko pretended to straighten her skirt beside him but suddenly rose, unhesitatingly kissing his lips.
This sudden kiss left Yu, who'd never guarded against Sasuko, frozen in place.
The girl's soft lips carried sweet fragrance, warm sensation transmitting through touching skin.
He could feel her slightly trembling lashes sweeping across his cheek, hear her rapid breathing exceptionally clear in the quiet entryway.
"Sasuko, you..." Yu instinctively retreated half a step, rare shock in his voice.
Yet Sasuko looked directly at him without flinching, her eyes shining with determined light. "Yu, I don't want to continue that agreement anymore. I regret it."
Yu completely failed to understand why a single meal's time had caused Sasuko to suddenly change. He thought his banquet behavior impeccable, the atmosphere harmonious.
"Why?" he asked in confusion.
Sasuko's fingers lightly traced the lips she'd just kissed, her expression complex. "Because I discovered that following the agreement changes nothing. You require me to grow yet remain stuck in place yourself. What meaning does such an agreement have?"
Sasuko stepped forward, again closing the minimal distance between them.
Her voice rang clear and resolute. "My love for you was never the problem. The one who truly needs to change is you."
"I can attend school, join a squad, even accept friends like Naruko—but what about you, Yu?" She raised her face, looking straight into his eyes. "Besides staying home all day guarding those scrolls, what life of your own do you have? You have no right to demand this of me."
Their bodies pressed together. Yu could clearly feel her softness tightly against his chest. Beneath thin fabric, that warm sensation, the slightly rising curves were fully exposed, the girl's body temperature silently permeating through.
This was Sasuko's first time speaking such words to Yu, yet Yu didn't anger at her words. He merely placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, tone gentle. "Sasuko, calm down first."
She looked straight at him, gaze clear. "I'm very calm. The one who needs to change is you."
Sasuko's words left Yu momentarily speechless.
She spoke truth.
These years, he'd indeed sealed himself within the courtyard's depths. Under the guise of recuperation, he conducted forbidden research unacceptable to the world. He couldn't refute. Before successful experiments, before completing unpayable debts to his adoptive parents, he didn't believe he qualified to embrace any bright future—whether love, friendship, or deeper bonds.
He ultimately said nothing, merely closing his eyes and silently sighing, allowing Sasuko to hold him tightly, feeling the fine tremors from her chest due to agitation.
However, his silence became the most hurtful weapon in Sasuko's eyes.
Watching his closed eyes and utterly calm expression, nameless fury suddenly surged in her heart.
Initially he'd righteously demanded her independence, her growth. Though reluctant, she'd ultimately agreed through tears. Yet now when she threw the same question at him, he chose silence as response?
Why?
Unwillingness and grievance intertwined. Sasuko stood on tiptoes, wanting to again touch those thin lips so close, using action to break his detestable calm.
But the next second, an invisible force gently pushed her away. An unseen barrier separated them.
Yu took this opportunity to escape her embrace.
He didn't look at her, walking straight toward his bedroom. The door closed lightly behind him with a soft click.
Having already made his decision, he wouldn't hesitate as before.
Sasuko froze in place, arms still maintaining their embracing posture, her arms now holding only cold air.
Watching where he'd vanished, tears silently fell. She bit her lower lip, tasting saltiness.
Unwilling to accept it, she swiftly formed seals, attempting to activate her most familiar Flying Thunder God technique—that closest connection between them, the mark carved on his heart.
However, the technique failed.
The spatial perception usually effortless as extending her arms now met only emptiness. No matter how she channeled chakra, she couldn't sense that coordinate that should be right before her.
He'd blocked her. He'd actively severed this unique connection.
This realization felt like ice water pouring over her head, leaving her chilled from head to toe.
What kind of reason could make him so resolute?
Enormous grief and loss surged like tides, instantly drowning her.
Grievance, anger, incomprehension—all emotions ultimately transformed into violent pain in her heart.
Tears flowed fiercer, like broken pearls that couldn't be stopped.
"Ugh..."
She raised her hand to forcefully wipe away tears, yet futilely.
Ultimately, all emotions gathered into a shout. Using all her strength, she screamed hoarsely at that tightly closed door:
"I hate you, Yu!"
Her voice echoed in the empty corridor, carrying a crying tremor.
Then she whirled around and slammed the door as she left.
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