Chapter 177: Someone Must Always Be Sad
Naruko buried her face between her knees, shoulders trembling slightly.
Sasuko sat beside her, gaze falling on the rippling river surface, not rushing her.
Hinata stood beneath a distant tree, hands nervously clasped. She could see Naruko's condition was terrible yet didn't know how to comfort her.
Sasuko watched quietly for a moment before taking a clean handkerchief from her pocket and handing it over.
Naruko accepted the handkerchief, clutching that soft fabric. Finally choking out the question she'd asked herself countless times: "Why... why can't it be me?"
"I know this is very wrong..." Naruko sobbed. "But I truly... can't control myself..."
"He said... I'm excellent, will meet better people..."
"Sasuko..." Naruko suddenly raised her head, looking at Sasuko with reddened eyes. "I've actually always envied you."
"Since we were small..." Naruko forced out a smile uglier than crying. "You could always so naturally stay by his side, be cared for by him, protected by him... While I, even approaching him required thinking for so long..."
Back then, Naruko would always secretly watch Sasuko and Yu from the side. When discovered, she'd quickly turn her head away.
"I'm sorry..." Naruko's voice shattered. "I know I shouldn't say these things..."
Sasuko listened quietly from the side.
At this moment, any comforting words would only seem like bragging.
Naruko seemed to finally pour out everything accumulated in her heart. "Every time I saw you two together, I'd secretly imagine... how wonderful if the one standing beside him was me." "I know thinking this way is wrong, yet I can't control it..."
"Sometimes I'd even think..." Naruko's voice grew softer and softer. "How nice if you didn't exist..."
Just as her words fell, she immediately shook her head frantically. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way! I just..."
She opened her mouth yet couldn't think of justification—perhaps this was truly her heart's most genuine thought. She herself was such a despicable person.
Naruko buried her face deeply in her palms, no longer daring to look into Sasuko's eyes.
Sasuko didn't become angry because of those words.
She leaned forward, gently embracing the trembling Naruko.
"It's alright." Sasuko's voice was calm yet gentle. "If I were in your position, I might have similar thoughts, even... possibly done more excessive things."
Naruko froze in her embrace, tears suspended on her lashes. She'd already prepared for reproach yet hadn't expected to receive such understanding and tolerance.
At this moment, Sasuko's parents had safely returned. Yu had finally responded to her feelings. Her heart felt full and peaceful.
Precisely because she possessed so much, she could better comprehend the suffering in Naruko's heart.
If their positions were reversed, she might truly be even more obsessive, more unwilling, more insane...
Now, only time could heal this.
Sasuko said no more, only gently patting Naruko's back as tenderly as soothing a child.
Days of exhaustion finally overwhelmed Naruko. In Sasuko's warm embrace, she gradually relaxed, breathing becoming even and drawn out—since that night, she hadn't closed her eyes once.
Hinata stood at a distance, watching this scene, finally relaxing somewhat.
Sasuko could sense Naruko's gradually steady breathing in her arms, arms hanging powerlessly at her sides.
"She's fallen asleep." Sasuko said softly to Hinata who approached.
Hinata removed her outer coat, gently covering Naruko's shoulders. Watching Naruko's still-furrowed brows even in sleep, she couldn't help sighing softly.
"Let her rest properly." Sasuko adjusted her posture to let Naruko lean more comfortably. "These days, she must be exhausted."
Lakeside wind carried moisture, especially cold in autumn night. Sasuko carefully wrapped Naruko tighter before saying to Hinata:
"Hold my hand."
Then she gently lifted the sleeping Naruko horizontally.
"Let's go to my place." Sasuko said to Hinata.
Hinata nodded, reaching out to gently brush aside golden hair dampened by tears from Naruko's forehead. Watching her sleeping face still carrying sorrow even in dreams, Hinata's heart ached.
Sasuko formed seals performing Flying Thunder God technique. The three figures instantly vanished from the moonlit riverside.
Next moment, they'd appeared in Sasuko's tidy, warm bedroom.
Gently settling Naruko on the soft bed.
"Tonight I'll stay here with her." Sasuko said to Hinata. "Will you stay?"
Hinata hesitated briefly before gently shaking her head. "Father's side... I'll come see her first thing tomorrow morning." She'd originally sneaked out. Seeing Naruko safe and sound, she could finally relax and return.
In Konoha, Uchiha Yu's residence could be called the place all high-ranking officials feared most.
"It's very late now." Sasuko reminded.
Hinata shook her head. "It's fine. I know the way, and if I don't return soon, my family will worry." She bowed in farewell, gently closing the room door.
After seeing Hinata off, Sasuko sat bedside, quietly observing Naruko's sleeping face.
Suddenly sensing something, she turned toward the window. Yet when rising to investigate, outside was empty.
Hinata, who'd just walked out the main gate, felt dizzy. When recovering awareness, she already stood before her family residence's entrance.
---
Sasuko returned bedside, studying Naruko's sleeping face by gentle lamplight.
That face usually overflowing with brilliant smiles now showed complete exhaustion. Tear tracks dried into faint traces on her cheeks. Her golden hair had also lost its usual luster. Drawing closer, she could smell a vague musty odor.
Sasuko sighed lightly, lifting Naruko horizontally again. Just as she walked toward the bathroom, the adjacent room door was gently pushed open. Mikoto emerged wearing an outer robe.
The earlier commotion had disturbed her.
"Sasuko? So late... who's this?" Mikoto's gaze fell on Naruko in her arms, carrying some confusion.
"Naruko is staying over tonight." Sasuko explained softly. "She's been... in a bad mood lately."
Mikoto nodded understandingly, reaching out to help Sasuko tidy stray hair at Naruko's temples. "Do you need Mother's help?"
"No need. I can manage myself." Sasuko offered a grateful smile. "Please rest."
Mikoto gently patted her daughter's shoulder, watching her carry Naruko toward the bathroom, eyes flashing with comprehension and pity.
Inside the bathroom, Sasuko carefully settled Naruko before the vanity.
She first used a damp towel to gently wipe that tear-stained face.
Next, she patiently removed Naruko's sweat-soaked clothing.
Sasuko adjusted the water temperature, meticulously washing every inch of skin.
After washing, Sasuko changed Naruko into clean sleepwear.
After this thorough care, Naruko finally recovered her usual freshness. Though her brows still furrowed, at least she no longer looked so disheveled.
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