Snow on tall trees.
A young man wearing a dog-faced mask crouched on a tree branch, gripping the snow-covered trunk. His tone was a mix of sarcasm and envy as he muttered, "Just a bunch of kids playing love games."
He had, of course, been sent by Danzo to monitor Hayashi Ren. Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi had left Ren, Naruko, and Sasuko earlier, the masked youth had been observing everything from the shadows.
"Heh, I don't know what exactly Lord Danzo sees in that brat. To think he actually assigned me to watch over him. What a boring task—there's absolutely no challenge in this."
The dog-masked youth sneered in disdain.
Inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Ino's hand was now firmly grasped by Naruko.
Ignoring the look on Ino's face—as if she'd just swallowed a fly—Naruko smiled sweetly and said, "Hehe, Ino, I'm so sorry about what I did to you in the MOBA space earlier. I really didn't mean it!"
"Nice job, Naruko!"
Sasuko's face had already darkened when she saw how excited Ino was to be clinging to Hayashi Ren. And the moment Ino reached out to touch Ren's hand, her expression nearly turned murderous.
But thankfully, Naruko wasn't one to be underestimated. She snatched Ino's hand midair, stopping her cold from making contact with Ren.
Sasuko couldn't help but feel thrilled at the outcome.
Next to Ino, Sakura subtly let out a breath of relief—though no one seemed to notice her reaction.
"Aww, no worries!" Ino said cheerfully. "It was just the first closed beta anyway, so I didn't get any penalties. Plus, I got to see Ren-kun's amazing taijutsu skills in action—it seriously made my heart race!"
As she spoke, her bright, lively eyes sparkled with admiration as she turned to look at Hayashi Ren. Her gaze practically glittered like little stars.
"Ren-kun, you're really so cool! I think I'm falling for you more and more every day!"
"Oh? Thanks," Ren replied with a gentle smile. "But honestly, I think it's better if you don't fall for me."
"Why not?"
Ino's voice was filled with confusion. Sakura perked up beside her, clearly eager to hear his answer too.
"Haha… because I'll never develop feelings for anyone," Ren replied with a carefree smile.
His words were a direct rejection of Ino's feelings.
Originally, Ren had considered saying outright that he could never like someone like her—but that felt too harsh. So he chose softer wording, something less hurtful, hoping Ino would back off after hearing it.
"You'll… never have feelings for anyone?"
Ino's expression lost all color. Her heart felt like it had fallen into a deep abyss.
Beside her, Sakura's legs suddenly felt weak. Her mind went completely blank for a moment.
"Yeah… that's just how I am. I'm sorry," Ren said softly, still wearing the same gentle smile.
He knew Ino must be hurting deeply right now.
But he also knew this was the only way.
He really didn't like her.
Better to hurt her once than lead her on with empty hopes. A clean, honest rejection was the kinder path in the long run.
"I-it's fine."
Ino's voice was pale, her face ghost-white, as though all the blood had drained out of her.
Naruko couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
She had always been ridiculed as a fox demon—she knew better than anyone what that kind of helplessness and shame felt like.
Though Ino wasn't facing the same torment she once had, Naruko could still sense how much pain the other girl was in right now.
"Only those who've been soaked by rain know how cold it really is."
"And if that person is kind, they'll always hold an umbrella for someone else caught in the same storm."
With that thought in mind, Naruko shot a sharp glare at Hayashi Ren.
Then she gently took Ino's hand and said quietly, "Ignore him. He's just being mean."
Sasuko, though silent, seemed to give a small approving nod.
She too had been caught in life's rain before.
And she too… was a kind person.
Hayashi Ren could only let out a sigh.
What is going on here?
I just rejected a girl who's not even my girlfriend… and now you two are mad at me?
Is this a joke? Because it's not funny at all!
He wanted to speak up and say it out loud—his frustration was almost spilling over. But just before the words left his mouth, he forced himself to swallow them.
Get real, he told himself.
Naruko and Sasuko were just one step away from being in a relationship with him.
If he said the wrong thing now and they remembered it later… well, in the future, whether it was domestic violence—or heck, even playful flirting—he'd probably be the one getting beat up.
No thanks.
Sometimes, it's better to be wise than right.
"Being wise doesn't mean being a coward," Ren reminded himself.
"It just means respecting someone else's feelings. There's nothing wrong with that."
He cleared his throat gently, thinking it was time to make things right.
So in the warmest voice he could muster, he said,
"Sorry, Ino. Let me make it up to you—ramen's on me. Sakura, come too."
"M-me too?" Sakura's eyes lit up. She was both thrilled and flustered.
"Of course," Ren said with a kind smile.
He then asked Old Man Ichiraku to prepare two more bowls of ramen and motioned for Ino and Sakura to sit.
As the two girls took their seats, Naruko leaned in and began chatting with them, lightening the mood.