Chapter 111: Naruko - I Have One Too?
Golden light flickered as Yu's figure materialized quietly in his family courtyard.
With a casual wave of his hand, he released Sasuko, Naruko, and Fubuki Koyuki from the Kamui dimension.
The moment Sasuko's feet touched the ground, her gaze immediately locked onto Yu.
She spotted his torn sleeve at first glance, the exposed arm showing smooth, defined lines that made her heart clench with worry.
Those beautiful black eyes instantly filled with concern.
She quickly walked to Yu's side, leaning in slightly and using her delicate nose to sniff carefully—no heavy scent of blood. That let her breathe slightly easier.
Still, she'd need to conduct a thorough full-body examination tonight to truly feel reassured.
She had so many questions burning inside her: Why had he suddenly appeared in the Land of Snow? Why had that earth-shaking aura erupted? Who had he fought?
But her peripheral vision caught sight of Fubuki Koyuki standing in the courtyard, and she forcibly suppressed all her questions, conveying her concern only through her eyes.
The current Sasuko had matured. She understood clearly that some matters shouldn't be discussed in front of outsiders. Protecting Yu's dignity mattered far more than satisfying her own curiosity.
Naruko, standing nearby, took in every detail of Sasuko's intimate actions.
Watching Sasuko approach Yu so naturally, an indescribable bitter-sour feeling quietly welled up in her heart.
She worried for Yu too. Seeing his damaged clothing, her heart had leaped into her throat.
But that very thought made her feel even more dejected—what position or standing did she have now to stay by his side as naturally as Sasuko did?
She was no longer the child who understood nothing from before... She couldn't hide behind a young body to conceal her true feelings anymore.
Fubuki Koyuki, meanwhile, was completely stunned by the scene before her.
Just moments ago, she'd been in the snow-covered Land of Snow. In the blink of an eye, she now stood in an elegant courtyard bathed in warm sunlight with lush greenery.
This beyond-imagination spatial transition made her temporarily forget her earlier terror, her blue-white eyes filled with the curiosity and wonder unique to artistic professionals.
She looked around, finally unable to resist speaking, her voice carrying incredulous inquiry: "Where is this?"
Yu first cast a reassuring glance at Sasuko and Naruko, indicating he was fine, then turned to Fubuki Koyuki with an ordinary tone: "Konoha. My home."
Fubuki Koyuki realized her loss of composure and quickly bowed slightly: "Thank you again for saving me. I am Kazahana Koyuki."
Yu merely nodded slightly. "Hello. I'm Uchiha Yu."
Seeing his such indifferent reaction, Fubuki Koyuki felt a trace of surprise.
With her current fame, countless nobles and wealthy individuals sought to converse with her. When had she ever received such ordinary treatment? But her gaze swept over the cold, ethereally beautiful black-haired girl beside Yu, and she immediately understood.
Compared to such rare beauty, her celebrity status truly counted for nothing.
She unconsciously glanced quietly at Naruko and, as expected, that girl's eyes watching Yu were filled with undisguised adoration and nervousness.
Fubuki Koyuki sighed inwardly.
Miss Naruko's romantic feelings would likely face tremendous difficulty—her "rival" was simply too outstanding.
Moreover, that handsome young man was clearly closer to Miss Sasuko. That rapport could be seen with just a single exchanged glance.
Sensing the subtle atmosphere in the courtyard, Fubuki Koyuki tactfully decided not to linger.
She stepped forward, bowing gracefully to Yu:
"Thank you for saving me today. I will remember this kindness deeply. I won't disturb you further. Another day, I'll certainly prepare a modest gift and formally visit to express my gratitude."
She turned to Naruko and Sasuko, nodding amicably: "Thank you both as well. I'll take my leave."
Before leaving, she quietly cast Naruko an encouraging look.
As a friend, this was the only support she could offer right now.
She recalled Naruko confiding her unrequited feelings in the carriage, how she'd secretly complained about her friend not recognizing good fortune.
But now seeing this with her own eyes, she finally understood—a worldly girl with excellent qualities herself would naturally have high standards. If a man wasn't exceptional enough, what made anyone think gentle consideration alone could win a beautiful girl's favor?
Every time filming scenes with the cliche "head pat confession" trope, Fubuki Koyuki found it difficult to immerse herself—did the male lead's hand have some hypnotic drug? One gentle pat and the female lead becomes devoted for life?
Out of courtesy, Yu watched Fubuki Koyuki depart until the gate closed softly.
The sound of the closing door left only three people in the courtyard.
Sasuko immediately looked up at Yu, brow furrowing slightly, directly voicing the question she'd been holding back: "Yu, what happened to your sleeve? What exactly just occurred?"
Naruko stood to the side, her lips moving but making no sound. She wanted to ask too, but Sasuko had already asked the question she cared most about.
Moreover, another unease lingered in her heart—Yu had previously erased the Flying Thunder God mark she'd left.
That matter stuck in her heart like a thorn, making her constantly fear she'd been completely excluded from his world.
Seeing both of them present, Yu decided not to hide anything.
He explained calmly that he'd indeed fought an enemy just now, but hadn't been injured.
The reason he'd appeared in the Land of Snow was because he'd previously left a special protective mark on both of them. This mark not only possessed defensive capabilities, but once triggered, he could immediately sense it and arrive to rescue them at the first moment.
Hearing this, warmth touched Sasuko's heart. So he'd been secretly protecting her all along.
But the moment that warmth rose, another thought flashed through—Naruko had one too.
That realization made her eyes darken instantly, but the next second, she covered it with a smile.
What he'd given wasn't unique to her after all.
Unlike Sasuko's complex churning emotions, when Naruko heard "both of you have them," her chest suddenly warmed, as if sunlight had pierced straight through.
She had one too.
So in Yu's heart, there really was still a space reserved for her.
Even though he'd personally erased her Flying Thunder God mark, whether because of Sasuko or some other reason, none of that mattered now.
As long as she could confirm she was still remembered in his heart, even in the most inconspicuous corner, the warmth that knowledge brought was enough to dispel all unease and self-doubt.
Yes, as long as that tiny space still existed, she had the courage to keep running toward the sun.
Yu looked at the two bright smiling faces before him, but his tone became serious: "However, I hope this mark will never be triggered, that you'll never need to face danger." He paused briefly, his voice deepening: "Perhaps one day, we'll encounter an enemy even I can't handle."
As his words fell, the smiles gradually faded from the girls' faces.
Yes—if such a powerful enemy truly appeared, wouldn't that also drag Yu into danger?
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