"Something? It's here."
At that, Satsuki immediately stopped on her way to the kitchen, turned around, and lightly hurried back into the living room. She walked straight to Naruto's side and sat down right beside him on the soft sofa.
Very close.
Close enough that her slender arm could clearly feel the warmth of Naruto's body. She turned slightly toward him and looked up at him, her black eyes brimming with undisguised concern and curiosity.
Feeling the reassuring softness and warmth beside him, Naruto found that the confidence he had rehearsed countless times had strangely turned into real, tangible nervousness.
His heart pounded like a drum in his chest, and even his palms were slightly damp. He knew how Satsuki felt about him. He knew this was a request she could never refuse.
But when it came time to take this final, most symbolic step, the unease mixed with anticipation and fear of the slightest mistake still felt so real.
He steadied himself, lifted the exquisitely wrapped gift box in both hands, and solemnly held it out to Satsuki.
"Satsuki... I hope you'll accept this."
The moment Satsuki saw the carefully prepared gift box Naruto had taken out, undisguised surprise and happiness blossomed across her face.
To her, any gift from Naruto, no matter how large or small, was a treasure worth cherishing.
"Is it a gift from Naruto?" Her voice was bright with delighted excitement as she reached out with both hands to take it. "Thank you! I'll treasure it properly!"
Even though Naruto himself, body and heart alike, now completely belonged to her, the obsessive habit she had formed over the years—collecting everything related to Uzumaki Naruto—had already been deeply ingrained in her instincts.
However, just as Satsuki's fair fingers were about to touch the edge of the