Chapter 187 Qualification
Completely wary of Orochimaru, Hiruko asked to take Haruko back first, leaving Orochimaru and Jiraiya alone.
Jiraiya shifted his gaze from their vanished figures to Orochimaru, pressing him with a slightly aggressive tone: "You told her everything?"
Orochimaru nodded noncommittally, showing none of the gentleness he displayed towards Haruko.
Jiraiya slammed his fist on the lab table, seemingly trying to redirect his anger. "How could you just tell her like that!"
"What are you worried about?" Orochimaru asked, looking back at him with an innocent expression. "Do you intend to keep this from her forever?"
“I’m not…” Jiraiya was interrupted and started scratching his head in frustration again.
Orochimaru lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Telling her everything is the only way to show her respect."
Jiraiya sighed, realizing he was most likely persuaded by him.
Knowing full well what kind of person Orochimaru is, he still insists on taking his anger out on him...
Jiraiya calmed down and asked him another question, "What do you think of Haruko's situation?"
...
Haruko walked slowly ahead, but Hiruko followed behind her at an even slower pace, keeping a two-meter distance between them.
After leaving the lab, Hiruko remained silent, as if he had lost his mind, while Haruko didn't know what to say either. So the whole time, they were like two strangers traveling the same route.
Unable to bear the eerie atmosphere any longer, Haruko suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.
A few seconds later, Hiruko quickly stopped, but because he had gotten closer to her, he was stared at by Haruko's direct gaze. Embarrassed, Hiruko silently took a few steps back until he was back within a safe distance of two meters before stopping.
"Do you hate me?" Haruko asked him humbly.
“No! How could I…” Hiruko’s voice, which had been rising unconsciously, fell back down under her gaze, “…hate you.”
Haruko took a few steps closer to him, but seeing that Hiruko, who had been startled by her, had retreated to a fixed distance, she said helplessly, "Then why are you so far away from me?"
"I...I..."
Originally, he was infected by Jiraiya's anxious emotions, and his tension and unease completely overwhelmed his fear of Haruko, so he went to her in a daze, but unexpectedly it turned into taking her home alone.
After walking with Haruko, Hiruko belatedly felt a surge of fear.
How could he be worthy of being by Haruko's side? He had done so many things to wrong her, how could he still have the nerve to approach her so casually...
A man like him is only fit to hide in the shadows and yearn for the fleeting glimpses of her figure that she inadvertently reveals...
Having redefined his identity, Hiruko finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if this would spare him the possibility of Haruko's disappointment and disgust.
"I... am not qualified." He said this almost through gritted teeth, then lowered his head, not daring to look at her.
"Qualifications?" Haruko asked, puzzled.
Hiruko glanced at her, then added in a low voice, "The qualifications to be by your side..."
"Why do I need qualifications?" Haruko was even more confused.
"Because...I..."
Not only did I forget you, I also said hurtful things to you...
Haruko couldn't stand his stammering and awkward manner, so she ran straight to him.
Upon discovering that she was rushing towards him, Hiruko's already pale face turned even more ashen, and he immediately turned around and ran away.
So passersby on the street could see a cute little dumpling with short legs chasing after a long-robed man who was running faster and faster.
Unexpectedly, she scared the person away. Haruko chased after her, but her short legs were no match for the long legs. Moreover, Hiruko showed no consideration for her child's stamina and ran faster and faster, making it impossible for her to catch up.
Completely unable to run any further, Haruko stopped, panting, and said intermittently, clutching her knees, "I...I can't go on!"
Sensing Haruko's voice from the air, Hiruko immediately stopped and observed her from a distance, but still dared not approach her.
Haruko was truly speechless; this was the first time she had ever encountered someone with this kind of personality.
What are they doing?
Will it be a story where he tries to escape and she chases, but they can't escape?
Haruko originally wanted to use her tried-and-true method of playing the victim, but then she suddenly remembered that she had already used this method on him before. Haruko struggled to think of any other way.
Unable to figure it out, she became unusually irritable. Haruko angrily kicked the ground and yelled at him, "If you don't come here, I'm never talking to you again!"
Feeling clearly threatened, Hiruko hesitated in place. Seeing that Haruko was about to turn and leave, he hurriedly ran to her and stopped just a meter away.
"Closer!" Haruko demanded domineeringly.
Hiruko tentatively took a step forward, and seeing the dissatisfaction in her eyes, she took another step forward.
It's not like I'm sending him to his death, why are you dragging your feet... Haruko sighed and facepalmed.
If Hiruzen could hear her thoughts, he might tell her that dying would be easier than this.
“Hold hands!” Haruko stretched out a hand to him.
"No, no, no, how could I..."
"If I say you can, then you can!"
Seeing Haruko's domineering attitude, Hiruko's face gradually flushed. He slowly moved closer and carefully took her fingertips in his trembling hand.
He was still looking at her with his watery eyes, as if asking if this was alright.
Haruko:......
Haruko stepped forward and took his long, slightly cool hand in hers, saying in front of Hiruko's flushed face, "Whether I'm qualified or not is up to me to decide, isn't it!"
"I told you last time, I quite like you!"
Looking into her sparkling eyes, Hiruko almost succumbed to the same selfless affection she had given him before.
With a choked voice, a tear slid down Hiruko's right cheek as he tried to gently tighten his grip on her hand—this was the biggest step a coward could take.
Haruko gestured for him to squat down, then took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his porcelain-white, rosy face.
Hiruko stared intently at her earnest expression, looking like a pitiful big bird seeking comfort in the arms of its smaller master.
After wiping his face, Haruko patted his shoulder maturely, "Don't be so timid. Adults should be brave."
Hiruko quickly climbed up the pole, stammering, "Haruko said last time I could come directly to you..."
Seeing Haruko nod, he eagerly asked, "Then, if I miss Haruko, can I come to see you anytime?"
"Is it...okay?"
Haruko replied to him uncertainly, since he made it sound like he would come to see her very often, which made Haruko unsure of what to do.
But seeing Hiruko unable to contain his joy and smile shyly at her made Haruko feel guilty.
Let them look for me! How often can it happen?
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of March 26, 2024:
grateful--
Inspiration capsules sent by Ranxia Q
A love letter from Bobo Banjiang ×9
K, the one who sent the update reminder charm
Huang, soda isn't the kind of bubble tea served with soda crackers.
Cat bites the flowers x2
Zero, the "King of Part-Time Workers," received flowers from Lin Chenlin, who likes wild geese.
Lu Lu Lu Lu Xiao Chen, Master Sun of Gushan Chunjiang, Sprite-flavored Pig, Mo Wentian who loves red bean jelly, Sun Ao who loves bayberry distilled liquor, yyim, Brother Gu who is smoky, Utzon, User 33165895, Where the Rivers and Mountains Shake Off, Tang Xiaoyu of the North, Lin Laoji, Early Summer.Starry Sky, Fisherman's Song, Lin Chenlin who likes wild geese, Red-clothed Xiang Yi Sai Gao, Yun Cheyun of Ancient Desert Island, and the indignant Ruiqi who sent her love-powered electricity.
Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Orochimaru uses his beauty to seduce (uu)
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