Natsuki's True Gift

Senyo quietly continued guiding Rin through Yamanaka Inoichi's ability.

Hearing Kakashi's question, Rin spoke in a voice as soft as a whisper in the wind.

"If you don't like me, then don't meddle in my affairs."

Not long ago, Kakashi had witnessed Rin weeping like rain upon pear blossoms, as well as her harrowing brush with death.

In that moment, it felt as though his heart had been struck hard by a hammer, hurting so much that he could barely breathe.

And now, as he looked at the fragile yet stubborn woman before him, he finally understood where the unease he had carried for so long came from.

It was because Rin was too wonderful—so wonderful that he felt ashamed of himself, believing he was utterly unworthy of her deep affection.

But Rin liked him this much. He knew he could no longer run away.

Kakashi knew he could not keep avoiding this any longer. If he ran away again this time, he would miss his chance for the rest of his life.

He took a deep breath and gathered his courage, completely unconcerned with where they were or who was around them.

His gaze locked onto Rin's face, still streaked with tears, and he said with absolute seriousness and conviction,

"I like you!"

This sudden confession was like a bolt of thunder tearing through the sky, freezing the entire world in an instant.

Rin's delicate body trembled. As if struck by a paralysis jutsu, she slowly raised her head in disbelief.

Her once-dim eyes suddenly shone with surprise and joy as she stared straight at Kakashi, her lips trembling as she asked,

"R-Really?"

At that moment, Rin's heart was filled with joy, grievance, and deep disbelief.

For so many years, she had silently given of herself, silently guarding a