"Just kill me," Yugao hissed, jaw clenched so tightly it trembled.
She glared at Evan with eyes sharp enough to cut steel.
He looked refined, almost gentle — but every word he spoke chilled her marrow.
"I couldn't bear to kill you," Evan replied lightly.
He reached out and pinched her cheek the way one might tease a kitten.
Yugao's breath caught in humiliation.
"Be good, Yugao. Otherwise…" His smile sharpened.
"I'll go kill Moonlight Hayate."
"You dare!"
Her voice cracked.
[Uzuki Yugao — Hatred +5000]
"Oh, you know I do."
Evan's tone was soft, but the certainty in it was terrifying.
Yugao felt her blood turn cold.
This man — this boy — killed without the slightest hesitation.
But he usually targeted enemies, not comrades.
Why was he turning his blade inward now?
"What do you want from me?" she demanded, flushing as his fingers brushed her cheek again.
"I want to take you somewhere," he said.
"A private place. Somewhere we can… play a little game."
Her pulse jumped.
"And I'd rather not let you see where it is."
Before she could react, Evan crouched and grabbed the hem of her clothes.
"W-what are you doing?!"
Yugao tried to pull away, but her limbs were still sealed, her body sluggish.
RIP—
The sound of tearing fabric made her heart jerk—
but Evan simply held up a strip he'd torn from her uniform.
Yugao froze.
A horrible realization washed over her.
"I think it's best if you keep your eyes covered," Evan murmured.
"Wouldn't want you accidentally seeing something you shouldn't.
Then I'd have to kill you."
Yugao shut her eyes tightly.
She couldn't fight back — not yet.
Not like this.
She felt the blindfold slide over her eyes.
Darkness swallowed her.
Her breathing quickened despite herself.
To be blind, helpless, and trapped this close to him…
A shiver ran down her spine.
Then — she flinched.
A hand brushed against her midsection.
Whether intentional or not, the contact sent a jolt up her back.
"W-what are you doing?!" she whispered, voice shaking.
"What do you think, little Yugao?"
Evan's breath brushed her ear, warm and mocking.
Her heart hammered painfully as an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer with effortless strength.
"Ah—!"
Her knees nearly buckled, her entire body turning to air beneath her.
"If you touch me again… I'll haunt you as a ghost," she whispered through gritted teeth.
Evan clicked his tongue.
"Relax. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be in pieces."
He shifted his grip and—
"Hold on."
Before she could question him, Yugao reacted instinctively —
her arms looped around his neck, her face burying against his chest as the world blurred.
The next moment—
Wind howled past her ears as Evan moved.
Fast. Too fast.
Her mind spiraled.
Where is he taking me?
What does he want?
How do I protect Hayate?
She trembled, vision black under the blindfold.
His hand shifted at her side again.
"Don't—!" she gasped.
"Don't touch me—! You bastard!"
But he only chuckled.
The contact wasn't obscene, but it was possessive — invasive — dominating.
Enough to unravel her composure.
Her back arched reflexively, muscles locking.
Her arms tightened around him in panic.
You bastard… Stop… just stop—
She clenched her jaw, her face burning with humiliation and helpless rage.
And still — she clung to him like a frightened animal.
Meanwhile…
"That's how it was? I see."
Minato nodded solemnly as Hayate reported the incident.
A possible unknown assassin inside Konoha — right when Kushina was nearing labor.
It couldn't be ignored.
"You've done well, Hayate. Please inform the Third as well."
Hayate scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Cough… Hokage-sama, Lord Third already knows."
"I see."
After finishing his task, Hayate stepped out onto the Hokage Tower rooftop.
He gazed toward the forest with growing concern.
"I wonder what Yugao and Evan-dono are still discussing… She should have been back by now."
They had known each other since childhood.
True childhood sweethearts.
But after all these years, they had barely even held hands.
And lately, Yugao was becoming more and more beautiful…
Hayate's heart twisted.
Maybe it's finally time I confess.
He had no idea how close Yugao currently was—
Or the danger she was in.
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