Chapter 14 You gather the delicate white snow with silk...
Zabuza knows that getting you to say nice things is harder than climbing to heaven. Of course, if he knew that you often say compliments to Itachi, he would probably get furious. That's right, you are the kind of person who treats people differently.
"Still as sharp-tongued as ever, I really can't understand how those people are willing to risk their lives for you." Were they deceived by your beautiful and radiant appearance?
"Aren't you working for me too? Are you working for me unwillingly?" you said with a laugh. Zabuza couldn't win an argument with you. Once you refuted him to a certain extent, he stopped talking and just looked at you quietly. You tapped your fingers on the table and brought the topic back to business. Well, you weren't the kind of person who never smiled, but you didn't like to talk about too many unimportant things when discussing serious matters.
You were very satisfied with Zabuza's report on the mission, so as a conscientious boss, you said, "I'll transfer the bonus to your account." The mission you assigned him was quite simple, basically murder and robbery—no, I mean, eliminating your competitors in a reasonable way. Sometimes you have to thank the fact that the laws of this world aren't very sound. The legal system in this world is like Crocs, full of loopholes, allowing you to exploit them to your heart's content.
This is the place that's truly suitable for law students to grow wildly, you conclude.
Of course, you didn't immediately resort to physical extermination against your competitors. You would offer them some irresistible conditions. If they still refused, then you had no choice but to take this drastic measure. After all, none of the rivals you eliminated were clean-cut; they were all involved in gambling, prostitution, and drugs. So, it's no exaggeration to say that you were doing a service to the people.
Zabuza didn't want to hear that. He said, "Just the bonus?"
You raise one eyebrow. "What else do you want? I've already arranged sixty days of paid vacation for you every year, not to mention other allowances and bonuses." Where can you find a boss as good as you in this chaotic world? I've even heard of bosses who fire their employees as soon as they fail to complete their tasks.
Before Zabuza could say anything, there was a knock on the study door. Itachi's voice came through the door, sounding muffled. He said, "I've prepared breakfast."
Zabuza clicked his tongue and said, "Your little lover is really thoughtful."
"That's true, you can't even dream of having that, can you?" You nodded, then had Itachi bring in breakfast, which consisted of golden-brown, crispy toast, bacon, and fried eggs. Itachi placed the tray of breakfast in front of you and then said, "I'm sorry, I didn't prepare breakfast because I wasn't sure if this guest needed it."
You wipe your hands with a hot towel, then smile as you spread jam on the toast—your favorite raspberry jam—and say, "Hmm... I don't think he needs breakfast, but would you like some?"
Zabuza glanced at Itachi beside you, "Besides the bonus, I also need other weapons."
“That’s easy.” You took a bite of the toast, which was toasted to perfection, bringing out the aroma of the butter just right. The sweet and sour jam seeped into the toast through the pores on its surface. You whispered to Itachi, “Your breakfast is delicious, thank you.”
Now Zabuza finally understands your double standards. You can't say a kind word to him, but you'll even praise this Uchiha brat's toast.
"You make an Uchiha make you breakfast, and then praise him for it?" Zabuza said, not even realizing how sarcastic his tone was.
“Then I can have you do things for me.” You took another bite of toast.
"And what about my praise?" he asked.
You paused in your chewing, stared at him with interest, and then said, "You are also a capable subordinate. I am very satisfied with your efficiency."
Zabuza left the study after leaving a weapons list, looking as if he was sulking with you.
The study door opened and closed again. Itachi said, "He's really rude to you."
You ate more than half of the toast and a fried egg and were almost full. You said, "That's just how he is."
"It's all thanks to your high tolerance." Itachi was undoubtedly lying through his teeth. If Zabuza heard this, he would probably be furious. It was clearly him who had been tolerant of him all along.
Accept his praise, and after this little episode, get down to business for the day: work. Alas, being a ruthless capitalist is not easy, especially in this chaotic world.
You basically work from day to night. Itachi understands that you came here to work, even though you said you were here for a vacation. But he doesn't complain. After all, he can stay by your side the whole time. And there are only the two of you in the study. Even at home, you don't have much time alone together because Sasuke always interrupts your time together. He hasn't told Sasuke about the changes in your relationship yet because his intuition tells him that Sasuke might not be able to accept it.
As for you, you never even thought about it. After all, you never cared what others thought. Who told you toiled for so long in your past life without a good outcome? So, starting over, you prioritize your own feelings in everything.
While Itachi was pondering how to find an opportunity to confess their relationship to Sasuke, Sasuke, who had finally returned to Konoha after a mission, rushed home only to be told that his brother and Itachi had gone on a trip a couple of days ago.
"Huh? They're going on a trip... Did they go together?" Sasuke asked a silly question. His mother, Mikoto, said, "Of course! It's good that way. Aki always wants to see the world, and your brother can protect her."
No, this is not good at all. He rushed back in such a hurry, just to see you and your brother as soon as possible. But now that you are both not here, it's a real blow to him. The gifts he specially prepared are useless. He put the gifts in your room, and after leaving the room, he asked Mother, "Why didn't they tell me beforehand?"
"Oh dear, you know that Aki is someone who sometimes gets impulsive, right? I guess she suddenly thought of going on a trip, and it just so happened that your brother was on vacation too." Mother Mikoto said with a smile, after all, you and Itachi are children she watched grow up, and they are indeed a good match. If they could become partners, it would be a happy event.
In stark contrast to his smiling mother was Sasuke's dejected expression. She thought her youngest son was disappointed because he couldn't go on the trip, so she comforted him, "Let's go next time. You can go on a trip together next time."
But this is different; you and your brother will only drift further and further away from him.
Sasuke lowered his eyes. "Never mind."
You sneezed twice in a row while you were far away in the Land of Cherry Blossoms. Itachi draped a coat over you and said, "Let's put our work aside for now."
You nestled your head against his chest, inhaling the scent of cherry blossoms. "And then, shall we indulge in this blissful embrace?"
“If you want to.” His voice rang out from above your head.
You looked up and said, "Actually, you're not that gentle."
"Really?" He listened patiently as you pointed out his flaws, such as his arrogance and his undisguised controlling nature towards his younger brother. You said, "Why did you send him away when we went for a walk last time? Seriously? You're jealous of that?"
The boy you were judging did not refute your accusations and readily admitted to the "crimes" you accused him of. He said, "How can he become a qualified ninja if he keeps clinging to you?"
You scoffed, "Come on, stop trying to fool me with these empty excuses. I'm not as easily fooled as your brother."
"I do care a little about how close he is to you."
He finally told the truth.
You hummed twice, "I'll tell you, I'll tell you."
“But you’re too dazzling, you’re bound to attract a lot of insects.” He sighed. That ninja from Kirigakure this morning had really annoyed him. He was just your subordinate, yet he was still trying to get your favor. He was far too arrogant.
Books describing love often unconsciously devote more space to outlining its positive effects, such as encouraging growth and making people braver. However, few books directly point out the negative aspects of love, such as making an already proud teenager treat his admirers with even more bitterness and sarcasm.
"Why insects? Shouldn't we use the metaphor of moths flying into a flame?"
"That would make them seem more like heroes who would do anything for love. Why would I praise them so much?"
You stand up. "Such a petty Uchiha."
"Given that I said the wrong thing—" He hooked his finger around yours, his eyes darting around, "So, what do you want to do with me?"
I won't go into the details of what happened next; you were just using the silk used to wrap the gift to do what you wanted.
There shouldn't be snow during the cherry blossom season, but you gather the delicate white snow with silk, letting the snowflakes melt into your body. It may be cold, but it is also warm. Your reflection is in the pure white snow, outlining your own silhouette.
Your field investigation is over, and so is your trip. When you return to Konoha, you see Sasuke with a somber face. Before he can speak, you take out the gift you prepared. The white wooden box has a bow tied with dark green silk on the surface. The only flaw is that the silk is wrinkled, making the bow look like it has been trampled on.
"Is this a gift for me?" Sasuke asked.
You smiled and said, "Of course, um... the bow is a little wrinkled, but don't mind it, because other things were packed before the gift box was packed."
"What is it?" Sasuke asked again, unaware of the situation.
Itachi coughed lightly. "It's nothing."
A note from the author:
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A green frog should be croaking here, ■■, ■■■!
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