The next morning.
Karin got up early. After washing up, she went to Yakumo's room. As expected, Yakumo was already awake.
"Morning, Yakumo."
"Morning, Karin."
After greeting each other, Karin first recorded Yakumo's physical data. Then they went out to get something to eat before heading out for a walk hand in hand. When they neared the place where Uchiha Sasuke trained, Karin stopped.
Has Sasuke not come yet?
He must have trained too late last night, so he couldn't get up.
Sasuke really has it hard.
Karin stared blankly ahead.
Suddenly, she saw Uchiha Sasuke slowly walking toward her from afar with a cool expression.
"It's Sasuke!"
Karin excitedly clenched her fists, then realized something was wrong. She had clearly been holding Yakumo's hand, so why was her palm empty when she clenched her fists?
Yet as soon as that thought arose, it vanished inexplicably.
It was clearly something bizarre, but Karin noticed nothing.
Uchiha Sasuke drew closer and closer.
Karin's heart pounded as she thought, If Sasuke confesses to me, I-I...
The instant the thought fell, Uchiha Sasuke coolly walked over, his hands in his pockets as he glanced sideways at her. "I... I like you."
"Huh?"
Karin's heart nearly burst out of her chest with a bang.
"I like you!" Uchiha Sasuke said, shy but resolute.
Karin's breath caught. Her whole body went dizzy, and she threw herself at him without thinking, hugging Uchiha Sasuke and kissing him wildly.
Saliva instantly flew everywhere.
Suddenly, an enraged voice seemed to drift over hazily from a thousand miles away.
"Hey, hey, Karin, you idiot, stop it! What the hell are you going crazy for?!"
Huh?
That sounded like Sasuke's voice!
But wasn't he the one she was hugging and kissing?
Karin blinked dazedly.
Before she could react, the hazy