Chapter 178: Letting Go
The next day, Naruko didn't wake until noon, consciousness slowly returning.
She opened her eyes to a ceiling both familiar and slightly strange, her nose catching an elegant fragrance—Sasuko's scent.
Sitting up, she saw sunlight streaming through the window onto the wooden floor, warming the entire room. Naruko couldn't help squinting slightly.
She sat dazedly on the bed for a while as last night's memories gradually returned. Looking down at the clean sleepwear she wore—
Hmm, a bit tight.
The door opened gently as Sasuko entered carrying a tray.
Seeing Naruko awake, she paused briefly before showing a warm smile. "You're up? Perfect timing. I made miso soup and rice balls."
Sunlight through the window cast a soft halo around Sasuko's profile.
She set the tray on the nightstand, naturally sitting on the bed's edge. "Feeling better?"
Naruko nodded, saying softly, "Yesterday... thank you."
"Eat something first." Sasuko handed her the warm miso soup. "You've slept half the day. You must be starving."
Naruko sipped the soup in small mouthfuls, warmth spreading from her throat down to her stomach.
She quietly looked up to study Sasuko.
Sasuko really had changed so much—gentle and accepting now. Those usually cool eyes had softened considerably, becoming brighter.
"Yesterday... I said a lot of terrible things." Naruko said softly.
Sasuko shook her head, reaching out to tuck a stray golden strand behind her ear. "None of that matters."
Sasuko asked again, "Did you sleep well?"
Naruko continued sipping soup, answering softly, "Yes, very well. Just..."
She pulled somewhat embarrassedly at her collar, the chest area feeling rather constricting.
"Feels a bit tight."
Just as the words left her mouth, Sasuko's expression shifted slightly, the gentleness fading somewhat—she'd dressed Naruko in her own sleepwear.
"Oh, my apologies," Sasuko's tone remained calm. "My clothes are indeed a bit small for you."
Naruko realized she'd misspoken, hastily apologizing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it..."
Sasuko reached out to lightly pinch there. Naruko's cheeks immediately flushed as she complained softly, "Sa-Sasuko, what are you doing..."
Sasuko withdrew her hand, eyes carrying some teasing. "We ate the same meals at the academy, yet somehow you developed so much more... prominently in that area."
This topic made Naruko even more flustered. She could only lower her blushing face, focusing on sipping her soup.
After this teasing, the shadows on Naruko's face gradually dispersed.
Sasuko propped her chin on her hand, quietly watching Naruko finish the meal. After hot food entered her stomach, Naruko's complexion was no longer so pale, gaining some color.
Seeing Naruko about to rise, Sasuko considerately handed over prepared clothing.
Naruko asked in confusion, "Huh? Where are my clothes?"
Sasuko pointed outside the window. "Yesterday's outfit was filthy. I washed it for you—it's drying outside now." She gently unfolded the light gray knit sweater in her hands. "Wear this for now. Don't worry, this one's quite loose."
Naruko caught her meaning, obediently nodding. "Oh."
After changing, Naruko looked completely different.
The soft knit fabric perfectly outlined her shapely figure, her slender waist and full curves forming beautiful lines.
Golden hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, making her skin appear even fairer. The loose collar slightly exposed delicate collarbones. The hem swayed gently with her movements, vaguely displaying graceful waist and hip curves.
Sasuko secretly admired the view.
Naruko usually wore that plain green shinobi uniform, completely hiding her excellent figure.
In casual attire, she unexpectedly displayed captivating curves—this was probably what novels called an "alluring figure."
Thinking this, Sasuko unconsciously looked down at herself.
Well, promising future development.
After changing clothes, Sasuko pulled Naruko to the vanity.
Naruko felt apologetic. "I've already caused you so much trouble..."
"Hey, we're sisters. Don't worry about small things like this, okay?" Sasuko deliberately echoed Naruko's usual phrases.
Hearing Sasuko say this, Naruko could only obediently sit before the mirror, letting her arrange her hair.
While gently combing Naruko's brilliant golden hair, Sasuko recounted yesterday's events.
She told Naruko how Hinata had first noticed her abnormality, actively seeking help, and had specially come to visit this morning.
Naruko listened quietly, the mirror reflecting her gradually softening expression.
Sasuko's fingers gently combed through Naruko's golden hair, tone warm. "In the future, if you're feeling down, remember to confide in us. Don't always shoulder everything alone. Everyone cares about you."
Naruko nodded lightly.
After Sasuko's meticulous care, Naruko's hair—usually tied in twin tails—now draped smoothly over her shoulders with naturally wavy ends.
Several stray strands perfectly framed her face, making those azure eyes appear even brighter.
Sasuko studied their reflection carefully, nodding with satisfaction. "This style really suits you. I don't understand why you always insist on twin tails. Changing your look occasionally is nice."
Naruko gazed at her transformed reflection before looking at Sasuko's gentle smile in the mirror, saying softly, "Sasuko, you've changed so much. Before, you never smiled like this in front of others or said things like this."
These words made Sasuko's smile falter slightly. "Really? Have I?"
Naruko turned around, giving Sasuko a warm embrace. "Thank you both."
Sasuko's body stiffened briefly before gently returning the embrace, softly stroking Naruko's back.
The current Sasuko emanated an aura of gentle tranquility, as though wrapped in layers of happiness.
If it were her former self, her world could only contain Yu—smiling only for him. But now, Sasuko had begun extending kindness toward those around her.
Naruko thought: This is wonderful. Sasuko had become so wonderful. Yu would surely be very happy with her.
She loved Yu so much, was so beautiful, such an excellent cook, and now so gentle and considerate—practically the perfect partner.
She should let go too. Truthfully, she should have given up long ago.
However much sadness and reluctance remained, she had to learn to release it.
Meeting them in childhood was already this lifetime's greatest fortune.
She shouldn't ask for more or make things difficult for them anymore.
This was already good enough. She should be content.
Naruko buried her face in Sasuko's embrace, breathing deeply, pressing that love buried deep in her heart even deeper, burying it even more thoroughly.
Until she could fool herself.
***
omg this is just stupid? What's the point of genderbending Naruto? Im losing interest.....