Chapter 189: His Heart
Sasuko finally relaxed slightly, leaning her body gently against his shoulder as she murmured quietly:
"Mm, alright... but..." She paused briefly, her tone carrying both curiosity and concern. "Was this work very troublesome? You were gone so long."
Yu stroked her hair, explaining gently: "There were some unexpected developments, but everything's been handled."
He didn't want to hide things from her, but the existence of the Otsutsuki clan, the slaughter across the stars... these dark and cruel truths were far from something she should be exposed to now. He didn't want Sasuko's pure world stained by such bloodshed.
Everything he did was simply to protect these peaceful everyday moments.
The tragedies of years past must never repeat. This time, he would eliminate every hidden threat.
"That's good then." Sasuko didn't press further, only sighing softly. "Yu, don't think I'm being annoying... I just... can't help worrying about you."
Yu said gently: "I don't find you annoying."
He tightened his arms slightly, drawing her more firmly into his embrace. "Having you care about me like this makes me very happy."
These words made Sasuko's ears flush with a faint blush as she unconsciously pressed closer into his arms.
The sweet fragrance from her body drifted to him, her soft curves molding against him without reservation.
"But Yu is always like this..." Sasuko murmured softly, her warm breath brushing past his neck. "Never saying anything, shouldering everything alone."
"I know I probably can't help much... but if you have troubles, I hope you'll confide in me."
Sasuko's voice carried a trace of grievance. "I can't see through people's hearts as easily as you can... so I can only wait for you to speak up on your own."
"Don't always bear everything yourself... saying it out loud might make things easier."
Yu gazed at the trembling eyelashes of the girl in his arms, her small face full of concern. Through the thin fabric of clothing, Yu could feel her soft warmth and slightly quickened heartbeat.
This warmth was precisely what he would protect at any cost.
This was exactly why he so detested those Otsutsuki who treated life as mere nutrients—they could destroy everything he cherished as life itself at any moment.
"Sasuko, don't think that way." His voice was low and gentle, caressing Sasuko's cheek. "Your existence gives meaning to my presence in this world."
"If you can be happier, everything I do will have been worthwhile."
Yu gently cupped her face, looking into Sasuko's eyes.
"So, Sasuko, could you be a bit happier?"
"Actually, whenever I see you smile, I can't help smiling myself. But when I see you sad..."
He took Sasuko's hand and pressed it against his chest. "Right here feels stuffy and uncomfortable."
Beneath her palm came his steady, powerful heartbeat. Sasuko felt her own heartbeat losing its rhythm.
"These feelings—you gave them all to me."
"Before, I didn't really understand such things."
Sasuko stared at him in a daze, eyes widening slightly. Yu was usually reserved, never speaking such direct words of affection, rarely revealing his emotions so openly.
She'd never imagined that her every smile and frown could move his heart the same way he affected hers.
She lowered her head, even her ear tips flushing crimson.
"Yu..."
"I... I don't know what to say... but..."
"I'm really... really so happy."
She quietly nuzzled into his embrace like a small cat seeking warmth, her voice growing softer: "Then... I'll smile for you every day from now on. But you have to promise me too—you'll always watch over me like this, okay..."
By the end, her tone carried a coquettish nasal quality, sweet enough to melt hearts.
Yu gazed at her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, warmth surging through his chest, though his gaze unconsciously dimmed.
He tightened his arms slightly, holding her closer.
"Mm, I promise." He responded softly, chin resting lightly atop her head.
Sasuko keenly detected that trace of something off in his tone, looking up at him with worry. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"No." Yu shook his head, placing a light kiss among her hair. "Just thinking how fortunate I am to have met you."
Only then did she show a reassured smile again, obediently leaning back into his embrace. "Me too..."
The two quietly nestled together on the veranda, time flowing peacefully.
Yu played with the ends of Sasuko's hair, asking casually: "By the way, did anything special happen at home while I was away?"
Sasuko lazily leaned against his shoulder, recounting softly: "Father's the same as always. When you're not playing shogi with him, he goes walking around the Uchiha compound. Mother met up with some aunties she knew from before to go shopping, leaving me to watch the house alone..."
She paused, as though suddenly remembering something. "Ah, also... I sensed Yoya's chakra fluctuations. That child probably came by the area today. But she disappeared quickly—maybe she came looking for Lady Kaguya."
"Speaking of which, I'd also like to have someone like..."
Yu listened quietly, his gaze unconsciously falling on Sasuko's opening and closing pink lips.
Sasuko noticed his focused attention, looking up to ask softly: "What is it, Yu? Is something strange?"
Yu's lips curved slightly. "Nothing, just thinking how especially cute Sasuko looks when she's talking."
These words made Sasuko's ear tips flush, but now she wouldn't frantically dodge like before. Instead, she actively met his gentle gaze, pressing her body even closer.
"Just cute?" Her voice dropped very low, fingertip tracing faint circles on his chest. "Then... Yu, do you want to come closer and get a better look?"
She tilted her face up slightly, long lashes trembling, her black eyes rippling with watery light.
But Yu no longer grew flustered by these little tricks of hers. He laughed softly while pinching her cheek:
"Didn't Sasuko used to blush at the slightest thing? You've certainly grown bolder now."
These words brought a blush to Sasuko's face, yet she retorted righteously: "Hmph, Yu has some nerve saying that—who's the idiot who always remained unresponsive... even when opportunities were delivered right to your lips."
As she spoke, she deliberately moved closer still, her warm breath brushing against Yu's neck.