"No..."
At Haruno Sakura's words, which had completely exceeded his expectations, Chiba narrowed his eyes slightly and denied it expressionlessly.
"Then how did you know what I was thinking?"
In response to Chiba's answer, Haruno Sakura spoke with complete confidence.
From earlier until now, this Taki Chiba had undoubtedly voiced everything she had been thinking. Whether it was the Romance Guidebook (For Women), or her disappointment at feeling unable to keep up with Naruto and Sasuke, every word had hit the mark, piercing straight to the heart.
If that was not mind-reading, then what was? Indeed, she had gradually begun to feel that the distance between herself and Naruto and Sasuke was growing wider and wider.
It was not that the emotional bond between friends was growing distant. It was simply that the distance itself was growing wider.
Haruno Sakura believed that the feelings they had built through so many missions had not changed.
But during this period, especially since the Chunin Exams began, she had felt increasingly distant from her teammates.
It was as though she could only watch them from far behind, unable to get close to them no matter what she did.
To be honest, Haruno Sakura had been quite troubled and lonely during this time.
She had simply buried it in the deepest, deepest part of herself.
She had believed that no one could see through her, not even her parents or Teacher.
Now that it had been pinpointed so accurately, Haruno Sakura became even more convinced that the other party possessed the ability to read minds.
"I guessed."
Chiba answered as such.
His words and tone were filled with sincerity.
He really had guessed.
He had merely guessed based on his understanding of the original Haruno Sakura.
Although he had not observed her for long,