Chapter 291 Wishing Us to Soar High
According to the Sand Village ninja who treated Hyuga Neji, he had many broken bones throughout his body, and even if his condition stabilizes, he will need to rest for at least a few months.
After finishing her speech, the Sand Ninja wisely left the room, leaving the two of them alone to talk.
Neji Hyuga has always presented an image of unstoppable force, but now, lying in a hospital bed due to serious injuries, he resembles a bird with broken wings.
To make it easier to talk, Haruko stood directly beside the hospital bed and looked at him.
"I heard he needs to recuperate for a few months. It seems the Great Demon King of Physical Arts has suffered a Waterloo."
"Your forced smile looks a bit awkward."
Haruko Hayama, who was mocked by Neji Hyuga, was not angry at all; instead, she showed a genuine smile.
Her initial gloomy mood vanished in the face of Hyuga Neji's unwavering attitude.
"It must hurt a lot."
Haruko's gaze swept over the bandages wrapped around his body, her almond-shaped eyes lowering and revealing a hint of sorrow.
Catching the change in her eyes, Hyuga Neji tried his best to make his voice sound normal.
"It's alright, ninjas all get injured, they'll be fine once they recover."
Haruko forced a smile, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Neji Hyuga's pale forehead.
Without the Konoha headband to cover her, her bare skin was completely exposed.
There was nothing there.
There are no intersecting marks, nor are there hooks in the opposite direction.
There is no symbol of another fate for a caged bird.
Haruko suddenly asked in the morning, "Neji, are you happy with your life?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this kind of question?" Hyuga Neji glanced at her curiously, his eyes darting around. "Do you think my life is miserable?"
The Demon King, lying motionless in his hospital bed, stared at her expressionlessly and asked if she thought his life was tragic.
Haruko almost burst out laughing.
"No, I just wanted to get to know you better."
Neji Hyuga was caught off guard by her words and his eyes widened in surprise.
He lowered his fine eyelashes, avoiding looking at her.
Those who don't know the situation might think that the mighty Demon King was angered by a girl.
Hyuga Neji thought for a moment and then answered her seriously, "I'm quite happy."
"I see." Haruko's expression softened. "It's good that Neji is living a happy life."
Since she had mentioned that Hyuga Neji needed to rest, Haruko didn't want to disturb him too much. After greeting him, she prepared to leave the room.
Seeing her almost at the door, Hyuga Neji, overcome by an unconscious, secret impulse, called out to her.
"Haruko!"
Haruko turned around in the morning. "Hmm?"
After she actually stopped, Hyuga Neji didn't know what to say.
He believed it was impossible for him to fall in love with anyone, or even if he did, it would be a very, very long time from now.
But... it seems he really has fallen for Haruko Hayama.
I can't help but steal glances at her, my heart races whenever she gets close, and I feel inexplicably annoyed when I see her walking close to other boys.
But when she came to find him, a secret joy involuntarily welled up inside him.
Why do I have this special feeling for her?
Neji Hyuga himself couldn't explain it, but he felt that her personality was dazzling, that her smile was radiant, and that... the world would be painted with bright colors when he was near her.
However, Haruko Hayama probably doesn't like him, otherwise she wouldn't have given him the nickname "Great Demon King".
Thinking of this, Hyuga Neji fell silent.
Seeing that he hadn't said anything, Haruko thought for a moment, then walked back.
She reached out a finger and lightly tapped Hyuga Neji's forehead twice, then smiled slyly as he looked at her in surprise.
"What are you doing..."
"Is it because you can't bear to part with me?"
The two voices overlapped, and upon hearing Haruko's words clearly, Neji Hyuga's ears immediately flushed red.
He glared at the innocent-looking Haruko Hayama with shame and indignation, "How could I possibly miss you!"
Vibrant emotions were displayed on Hyuga Neji's handsome face, a vitality that was incomparable to any other destiny.
This is the kind of free spirit that Hyuga Neji should have.
Haruko asked him softly in the morning, "Neji, a caged bird will eventually spread its wings and soar, right?"
Her topic jumped so quickly that the slight blush on Hyuga Neji's cheeks from excitement hadn't faded yet.
He pursed his lips, trying his best to calm himself down. "Of course, no bird doesn't yearn for freedom."
After receiving confirmation from Hyuga Neji, Hayama Haruko finally realized that even if the memories she saw were closely related to her, they were not the real world she was in now.
Having not yet suffered any major tragedy, her complacent mindset has not changed.
She continues to live her peaceful life.
Having confirmed this, Haruko Hayama's eyes revealed a sense of relief towards him.
"I look forward to seeing Neji fly to a wider sky, to a height where no one can hold him back."
Hyuga Neji paused for a few seconds, then gave a faint smile.
"The same to you."
The two fledglings who met resisted fate with their indomitable spirits, grew strong with their weak bodies, and pierced through misfortune with their soft wings.
In the altered lines of fate, they look at each other and smile, wishing each other happiness and freedom.
Then, it spread its wings and took flight.
...
After completing their mission to assist Sunagakure and taking care of everyone's health, the Konoha group stayed in Sunagakure for a few days before setting off back to Konoha.
Before they left, Gaara, who had largely recovered, and the villagers of Sunagakure came to see them off.
Gaara walked up to Haruko Hayama, his peridot-like eyes gliding through the glowing light with a yellowish-green luster, appearing surprisingly lively.
His blank words were tinged with reluctance: "It will be a long time before we meet again."
"The day you become the Kazekage may be our next meeting."
"Yes, I will try my best."
A hot breeze carrying fine sand blew across Gaara's bright red hair, and his earnest expression in response was almost endearing.
Haruko couldn't help but smile in the morning.
Suddenly, she felt a strong gust of wind coming from her right hand.
In the morning, Haruko looked down and saw that the flying dust lifted her hand, which was then taken by Gaara's outstretched hand.
To others, it looked as if Haruko Hayama had taken the initiative to place her hand on Gaara's palm.
Temari and Kankuro, standing behind, were both surprised to see this. They looked at each other and then smiled knowingly.
It was obvious who was behind this childish trick, and Haruko, going along with his idea, grasped Gaara's hand in return.
He joked, "Could it be interpreted as the sands being reluctant to part with me?"
“Okay.” Gaara nodded, adding, “I’ll miss you too.”
The words were straightforward and plain, yet they inexplicably exuded warmth and sincerity.
Meeting Gaara's clear gaze, Haruko Hayama found it difficult to blurt out the promise, "We will definitely meet."
Promises that cannot be kept will become shackles.
So all she could reply was, "I'll miss you, Gaara."
******
The list of recipients of gratitude as of July 23, 2024:
grateful--
A love letter from Jin Jiajun, who loves crispy snacks.
Uchiha Yuexing, Haruko is so cute, the flowers were given by Rurika Butterfly.
The Empera alien of Yancheng Mountain Island, Mikhail, Yi Gu You Tai Du Wei, Uzumaki Rasengan, The Chinese people are great :-), Yi Su Yuan, Meow Meow Meow, Forever support the writer, Passerby A, Sanhao Squirrel, Uchiha Yuexing, Babuzeer, Please eat strawberries~, Mu Xue Shu Yu, iivv and Kafka died, Fang Jing who loves to eat osmanthus pickled cabbage, Old Moon, Gala, Little Sparrow who loves to slack off, Ping, Fall into the deep sea, You Ji Ze Ling, Ying You's gift of love-powered electricity ×3
Username 29133188, ★★●, 鸢帷＾ sent 2 "Powered by Love" gifts
Colorful July, Xia Youjie, Wu Ziyun, Username 29133188, Sliver_w, only thinking about boredom, Username 30239160, Shishishi, Ningci ILOVeYOU, Damn it has been applied, Unforgettable regret, Muyu Qingfeng, Ya Ya yicw, Rising Sun Hidden in the Breeze, Jin Bai who loves eating astragalus and black tea, powered by love
Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Gaara sends you sand hearts ヾ(●゜▽゜●)
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