Even so,
Gaara was stubborn and tsundere to the core. Although Naruto had touched the softest string in his heart, Gaara would never show that vulnerable side of himself.
He fought back the sting in his nose, refusing to let his emotions collapse. He reached out and knocked away Naruto's hand, which had been gently patting his head, then stiffened his neck and said, "I... I don't want your concern!"
Naruto naturally understood Gaara's feelings. When someone who had supposedly been doing fine alone suddenly tore away the veil of strength they had been pretending to wear, Naruto himself would have been unwilling to admit it at first.
First, because of his competitive nature, he did not want others to know about his weak side.
Second, because he cared too much about saving face. He would always show others his strong side, while the scars in his heart could only be licked alone in the dead of night.
But now, Gaara's strength was being stripped of its disguise layer by layer. He could not hide the panic in his eyes, and the sting in his nose spoke of his pain. That made Gaara feel uncomfortable. What made him uncomfortable was that Naruto was right behind him.
How could Naruto be allowed to see his weakness?
Gaara knocked Naruto's hand away and still refused to turn around. He was thinking about when Naruto would leave, but to Gaara's disappointment, Naruto had no intention of going anywhere.
Naruto wanted to untie the knot in Gaara's heart and help him actively embrace a better life. Of course, he would not simply walk away.
Looking at Gaara's back, he said softly, "But if you can't find the wound, how can it heal?"
Another simple sentence made Gaara's body tremble slightly.
"Gaara, you're the One-Tail