Chapter 282 The Illusion of Being Surrounded by Him
"that is……"
Yamanaka Ino gazed at the sky and spoke slowly.
“You’ve known each other since you were little, and you’re both smart and calm. You look like a perfect match standing together.”
Haruko Hayama's misunderstanding from before hasn't been cleared up; she still thinks that Shikamaru Nara has always had a crush on Ino Yamanaka.
Hearing Yamanaka Ino's words, Hayama Haruko couldn't help but feel happy for Nara Shikamaru and sincerely congratulated him for finally winning over Yamanaka Ino's heart after years of silent companionship.
Haruko's words were laced with a smile, directly expressing her attitude.
"Neither Shikamaru nor I probably have this idea."
No, he does.
Yamanaka Ino internally refuted her.
"What about Ino? Do you have someone you like?" Haruko asked Shikamaru Nara.
Under Haruko Hayama's expectant gaze, Ino Yamanaka's fine eyelashes trembled involuntarily.
She stammered, "...No, I don't think so."
Facing Haruko Hayama's sparkling eyes, Ino Yamanaka always felt an indescribable joy and impulse to open up her heart and try to tell her something.
But she didn't know what she wanted to say, and in the end she just moved a little closer.
"It's a bit cold, I want to be close to you."
"Okay, let's get a little closer."
Yamanaka Ino could feel the heat of her breath, which inexplicably warmed her heart.
"Haruko, we're best friends, right?"
"Of course, whatever choice Ino makes, I will support you."
"...Thank you, Haruko."
The secret and complicated feelings of a young girl thus came to an end within the definition of "best friend".
The one on night watch was Sarutobi Asuma, who stood under the tree with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the tree.
Because of his anxiety, he was chewing the lollipop in his mouth so hard it was making a crunching sound; this was his eleventh lollipop of the day.
Each of the previous ones was chewed and crushed by him as if venting his emotions.
Kurenai sat with him on the thick tree trunk, looking up at the bright moon.
She parted her red lips slightly and murmured silently: Best friend...
Haruko Uchiha and she never referred to each other as best friends.
During that war-torn period, teammates were those with whom they shared joys and sorrows, and were always there for each other.
Beyond teammates, there is a deeper and more intense relationship – that of friends.
Haruko Uchiha is her friend.
Kurenai's sorrowful gaze turned to Haruko Hayama, who had already closed her eyes and was fast asleep.
"Asuma..."
Hearing her call, Sarutobi Asuma gave a low "hmm" and his gaze drifted toward the black-haired girl whose profile he could only see slightly in profile.
Her long, obsidian-black hair and delicate, pretty face were exactly the same as Haruko Uchiha's.
Compared to Haruko Uchiha's silent disappearance, their sealed and forgotten memories are even more perplexing.
They will never forget Haruko Uchiha.
Their memories could only have been deliberately sealed away, and Haruko Hayama, who served as the key to unlock this door, was undoubtedly special.
Click.
The candy in his mouth shattered completely, and Sarutobi Asuma took out the white stick he had been holding in his mouth and twirled it between his fingertips.
He used to frequent a general store in the Uchiha territory, where the candy had the most familiar taste to him.
Later, the store closed down, and he was never able to buy the candy he used to like again.
So he became less picky. While smoking became popular among his peers, he stood out by frequently having a lollipop in his mouth, which was laughed at by many of his friends.
Looking back now, it makes him feel inexplicably sad.
It turns out that I can only remember her in this unconscious way.
Sarutobi Asuma suppressed his emotions and remained silent.
The incongruous snoring grew louder, and Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi looked in the direction and saw Might Guy sleeping in a strange posture, snoring with his mouth open.
Kurenai Yuhi & Asuma Sarutobi: ...
What a carefree, hot-blooded bodysuit!
...
The next day, halfway through their journey, they happened to run into Temari, who was returning to the village.
Upon learning of the situation in Sunagakure from them, Temari couldn't hide her urgency and immediately followed them to Sunagakure.
Looking at the red glow rising on the horizon, Nohara Rin thought they were traveling quite fast, so she gave up her rest time and hurried forward.
Finally, before night fell, she spotted a light not far ahead.
Sensing someone approaching, Sarutobi Asuma's eyes narrowed, and he took out a kunai and held it across his chest.
"who?"
Nohara Rin jumped down from the tree and smiled at him after a long time. "It's me, Asuma."
"Lin?!"
Nohara Rin thought Sarutobi Asuma would be surprised, but she didn't expect his reaction to be a mixture of fear and helplessness.
Sarutobi Asuma frowned to hide his expression. "When did you get back?"
“Yesterday, I went with you to Sunagakure on behalf of my master to provide medical assistance.”
After explaining, Nohara Rin couldn't help but ask, "It seems like you don't want to see me?"
“No, it’s just… it’s just…” Sarutobi Asuma stammered for a long time, unable to give a proper reason.
Kurenai quickly stepped forward, interrupting their conversation, and introduced her to the students present.
Hinata Hyuga and Tenten went to fetch water, while Haruko Hayama went to find firewood with Kiba Inuzuka.
Therefore, Nohara Rin did not immediately see the senior sister who had surprised her.
"Why is Akamaru going further and further away?"
Haruko looked back at their encampment; they had walked quite a distance.
Kiba Inuzuka put his hands behind his head and said nonchalantly, "Anyway, I can take you back, so what's there to be afraid of?"
As if agreeing with him, Akamaru, who had been sniffing the air, raised his head and let out a howl.
"Alright, I shouldn't have questioned you. I'm sorry, Akamaru."
Seeing Haruko apologize to Akamaru in a gentle voice, and Akamaru even let out a happy howl, Kiba Inuzuka simply couldn't stand its cheap behavior.
"Hey, why don't you seem this happy when you're with me?" Kiba Inuzuka muttered unhappily.
Knowing his master's temper well, Akamaru pretended not to hear and focused on sniffing the scent.
"..."
Kiba Inuzuka opened his mouth wide, causing his nose to wrinkle, giving him a wolfish and angry look.
Fortunately, it was quite dark, so Haruko didn't have to worry about him noticing her upturned lips in the morning.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and Haruko couldn't help but shiver.
She murmured, "Is it because it's close to Sunagakure? The temperature difference between day and night is quite large."
Kiba Inuzuka glanced at her, then looked ahead without replying, continuing to follow Akamaru with his hands under his head.
Thinking he was annoyed by her noise, Haruko also fell silent and walked quietly to his right front.
After a while, Kiba Inuzuka suddenly stopped.
In the morning, Haruko only heard the rustling sound of clothes rubbing behind her. Before she could turn around, a large, warm coat was placed over her.
The aggressive aura belonging to Kiba Inuzuka surrounded her, giving Haruko Hayama the illusion that she was enveloped by him.
The boy's hand pressed down on the hood of her coat, covering her head.
In the morning, Haruko vaguely felt that hand stroke her head a few times before withdrawing.
The hood, trimmed with fur, was too big, completely obscuring Haruko's eyes. She hurriedly lifted the hood to look at him.
"tooth?"
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