Chapter 162: Walk With You
The couple watched their daughter's slight figure disappear behind the door, simultaneously falling into silence.
Fugaku raised his hand to rub his brow. Mikoto sighed lightly.
Everything that happened today truly exceeded their expectations.
After Sasuko left the bedroom, she glanced at the living room wall clock then at the night sky, brow furrowing slightly.
From when Yu left until now, too much time had passed.
With his abilities, walking Naruko home required nowhere near this long.
Though Sasuko was certain that even if Naruko revealed her feelings, Yu wouldn't easily accept, as time passed her heart's unease gradually spread.
She couldn't help recalling the scene she'd witnessed the night her Mangekyo awakened—though it hadn't occurred in this timeline, she knew of Naruko's admiration for Yu.
The little blonde was practically obedient in every way before Yu. She definitely wouldn't refuse any of his requests. Moreover, her feelings for Yu were obvious as day. Who could guarantee she wouldn't do something excessive?
What's more, it was so late, and Naruko's home had only her alone...
Sasuko pressed her lips together, finally making a decision.
She couldn't just wait like this any longer.
Sasuko performed the Flying Thunder God technique, her figure instantly appearing before Yu.
In the night, Yu was walking alone along an empty street.
Seeing her suddenly appear, he froze slightly before revealing a smile.
That smile remained warm yet vaguely showed unusual paleness.
Sasuko felt momentarily dazed by this familiar smile until Yu asked softly, "Sasuko, why did you come?"
Only when he spoke did Sasuko snap back to awareness.
Recalling she'd just quarreled with him yesterday, now rushing to find him seemed too unable to keep composure.
She somewhat uncomfortably turned her face away.
"Mother saw you hadn't returned after so long and sent me to check."
Yu gazed at Sasuko's slightly reddened profile without saying more, responding gently, "I'm sorry for worrying Mother."
Sasuko still somewhat stubbornly averted her gaze. "Good that you know. So late and still not going home..." She paused, asking as though casually, "Where's Naruko?"
"After walking her home, I thought I hadn't strolled in a long time and walked around the streets." Yu's voice remained calm. "Didn't expect to make you all worry."
Sasuko nodded lightly, thinking perhaps she'd indeed been too nervous.
But watching Yu's composed appearance, she couldn't help complaining inwardly—if not for him always being neither here nor there, why would she be so anxious about gains and losses? Just accepting her earlier would have been so much better.
She quietly pursed her lips before suddenly reaching out to grasp Yu's hand. "I'll walk with you."
The cold touch transmitted through fingertips made her freeze. Sasuko raised her small face, eyes carrying concern. "Your hand is so cold."
Yu's expression shifted slightly, tone remaining bland. "Probably because autumn has arrived."
Sasuko didn't release his hand but instead gently enclosed that cold palm in her embrace. Through thin fabric, Yu could clearly sense her body's warmth and soft curves.
She carefully rubbed his hand, raising her face to show a charming smile.
"Now you won't be cold."
Dim lamplight fell on her pure, lovely cheeks, long lashes casting fine shadows beneath her eyes.
With her movements, Yu's arm occasionally touched the soft rises before her. The maiden's unique fragrance faintly lingered at his nose.
This was completely different from Naruko's scent—Naruko carried sunshine-like warm fragrance, while Sasuko's scent was more elegant, subtle, making one involuntarily want to draw closer for careful appreciation.
Yu's expression froze slightly. He unobtrusively withdrew his hand, instead gently grasping Sasuko's small hand. "Holding hands like this is fine."
Sasuko caught his minute reaction, smiling gently. "Yu, are you... a bit moved?"
After brief silence, Yu responded softly:
"Yes."
Sasuko's entire person froze in place, footsteps unconsciously stopping.
She'd originally only habitually teased and flirted, never expecting to receive a response—at least not now.
At this moment she raised her face gazing at Yu, eyes rippling with luminous moisture, as though this unexpected answer had disrupted her emotions.
"Yu." She called softly.
"Mm?"
"What you just said... is it true?"
Yu didn't answer, only tightening his grip on her fingers.
This minute action made Sasuko's heartbeat accelerate.
They passed beneath a street lamp. Warm yellow light gilded Yu's profile with a soft halo.
Sasuko noticed his ear tips carried faint redness. This discovery made her unable to suppress a light laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Yu turned his head to look at her.
"Nothing." Sasuko blinked. "Just thinking... Yu like this is very cute." She charmingly tilted her head. "Yu is rarely frank."
Yu said nothing more.
Sasuko watched him return to that wooden appearance, knowing that continuing to tease might make him use his abilities to escape.
She stopped while ahead, instead using fingertips to lightly tickle his palm, heart feeling sweet.
Today was so wonderful it felt unreal—her parents had returned, and her relationship with Yu had progressed.
She couldn't help speaking softly. "Yu, do you know? I'm especially happy today. Everything feels like a dream... Father and Mother truly returned."
Saying this, she suddenly recalled something, raising her face to ask seriously, "I asked them. You said these years they've been in the secret chamber in a vegetative state, only suddenly awakening today. But Yu, what exactly is going on? Why didn't you ever tell me these years? I thought they'd truly..."
Yu pondered briefly before answering warmly, "I feared seeing them unconscious would make you sad, so I settled them somewhere safe to care for them. Never expected today—somehow—they suddenly woke."
Sasuko carefully studied his expression, finding no flaws, and thus accepted this explanation.
This indeed seemed like something Yu would do—always hiding matters deep within, shouldering everything alone.
She gripped his hand even tighter.
Night wind brushed past. Several strands of hair swept across Yu's arm, bringing vague itchiness.
Sasuko took advantage of night's cover to quietly move her body even closer.
Her shoulder brushed Yu's arm almost imperceptibly, hair's elegant fragrance faintly lingering with the night breeze.
"Yu~" Her voice carried wheedling overtones, saying softly, "From now on, don't hide anything from me."
Yu sensed the warmth transmitted from beside him, fingertips moving slightly. The maiden's soft form was close at hand. Each inadvertent touch felt like feathers lightly brushing across his heart.
"Mm." He responded in a low voice.
This simple response made Sasuko's eyes ripple with amusement.
She deliberately slowed her pace, using the road's unevenness to stumble lightly, taking advantage to grip his arm even more tightly.
"Oh—"
Yu instinctively reached out to support her waist.
Sasuko took the opportunity to lean her weight against him. When raising her face, eye corners and brows both carried successful mischief.
"Almost fell. Fortunately you are here."
Yu didn't expose her usual little tricks, only imperceptibly adjusting his posture to let her lean more comfortably.
Sasuko sensed the warm touch transmitted from her waist, heartbeat gradually quickening.
She secretly raised her eyes to observe Yu's profile, quietly hoping in her heart this road could be a bit longer.
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