Let's Be Friends

"Sometimes I wonder if meeting you after having so many girlfriends was just a romantic rehearsal arranged by the heavens for me."

"Rin, I know you can't accept those girlfriends of mine."

"But, I like you too much."

"I want to be by your side every single day."

"Even if... it's just as a friend."

"That is why I used the excuse of asking for advice on medical ninjutsu just to spend more time with you."

Having said that, he stared fixedly at Rin Nohara, his eyes filled with fervor and sincerity.

Rin Nohara was stunned.

If an ordinary boy had said "I have many girlfriends" but "I still can't help but like you" to a girl, she would likely have cursed him as a "scumbag" and slapped him across the face.

But he was Nebula Kotetsu.

Nebula Kotetsu, known by the teachers and students of the Ninja Academy as a "Sprite."

Being gazed at sincerely by that face, Rin Nohara felt the truth in his heart.

Perhaps he had no other choice but to act this way, a thought surfaced in Rin Nohara's mind.

She didn't even dare to meet his eyes anymore, afraid that she would fall into them.

She lowered her head.

A moment later, Rin Nohara whispered, "What you just said... about being friends, what do you mean by that?"

Nebula Kotetsu: "Rin."

"I know you won't accept someone like me."

"I don't expect you to agree to my pursuit either."

"So, let's be friends."

"Let me stay by your side as a friend."

Rin Nohara looked up.

Reason told her that if a boy said he liked a girl very much but was willing to just be her friend, it was ninety percent likely a lie.

But the person in question was Nebula Kotetsu.

Although he was a playboy, based on what she knew of him, he didn't seem like the type to make empty promises.

She said slowly, "Are you sure you want to be friends with me?"

Nebula Kotetsu nodded with absolute certainty: "Best friends for life!"

Rin Nohara stared at him intently.

After a long while, just as Nebula Kotetsu was nervously thinking she would likely refuse, Rin Nohara suddenly beamed.

"Alright, Kotetsu."

"Although I don't understand why you have so many girlfriends, nor why you like me so much."

"But... let's be friends."

She extended her hand toward him: "Kotetsu, please take care of me from now on."

Looking at the slender, jade-white hand extended before him, Nebula Kotetsu was taken aback.

He confirmed repeatedly that Rin Nohara really wanted to shake his hand.

Should he shake it or not? Nebula Kotetsu was conflicted.

Seeing that Nebula Kotetsu didn't move, Rin Nohara playfully lowered her head to look into his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Planning to go back on your word?"

"Not at all!" Nebula Kotetsu said: "It's just... Rin."

"Is it really appropriate for us to shake hands?"

Rin Nohara was puzzled: "It's perfectly normal for friends to shake hands, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

Seeing this, Nebula Kotetsu explained with some embarrassment.

"Rin."

"Do you know one of my nicknames?"

"They call me the 'Hand of God.' They say there is a magical power in my hands, and once you hold them, you won't want to let go."

Rin Nohara: "Really? People actually believe such an outrageous thing?"

Nebula Kotetsu: "What if... it's true?"

Rin Nohara was amused to laughter.

She took a step forward, took the initiative to hold Nebula Kotetsu's hand, and said, "Stop trying to trick me. I don't believe in such..."

Their hands touched.

In an instant, Rin Nohara's beautiful eyes widened.

She froze.

Then, her small mouth parted involuntarily.

"..."

The sunset glow grew redder.

The fish shyly dove beneath the water's surface.

Three seconds later, Rin Nohara finally understood what had happened.

Immediately after, she pressed her lips tightly together.

Feeling the sensations transmitted through their clasped hands, it was as if magical currents were surging from her fingertips into the depths of her heart.

Using immense willpower and determination to endure, Rin Nohara forced herself to let go.

"Whew~" She let out a long sigh of relief.

In an instant, she felt a sense of lightness in her heart, mixed with a touch of loss.

Nebula Kotetsu scratched his head awkwardly: "I told you, but you didn't believe me."

Rin Nohara: "..."

Her face was redder than the sunset, as if it could drip blood.

Nebula Kotetsu: "From now on, we won't hold hands, got it?"

Rin Nohara nodded incessantly: "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Nebula Kotetsu: "Rin, then from now on, we are friends."

"We can train together and exchange insights in the future."

"Besides, although I have mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, I really don't know many basic medical ninjutsu. When the time comes, I will have to ask you for a lot of advice."

Rin Nohara simply nodded.

A while later.

Having completed the day's "date" mission, Nebula Kotetsu walked Rin Nohara home.

Watching the bright-smiling girl disappear from his line of sight, Nebula Kotetsu's mood was somewhat complex.

The image of Rin Nohara covered in blood, trembling as she treated Obito Uchiha during the day, lingered in his mind.

She was a good girl—resilient, kind, and warm.

It was a pity she had met a scumbag like him.

"Rest assured."

"I won't be a scumbag to you in vain."

"This time, I will let you live a brilliant and happy life."

Back home.

Just as he stepped through the door, the aroma of food wafted toward him.

Walking into the house, Kotetsu Hagane was wearing an apron in front of the kitchen, stir-frying dishes quite professionally, with the sound of sizzling oil and waves of fragrance spreading out.

Sensing footsteps behind him, Kotetsu Hagane turned around and was very surprised to find that Nebula Kotetsu had returned.

"Back so early today?"

"Finished all three dates?"

Nebula Kotetsu: "The graduation exam was today."

"I only went on one."

"Oh~" Kotetsu Hagane feigned realization. Then, he asked casually: "How is it? Are you hungry?"

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

As he asked, he observed his brother's expression.

Nebula Kotetsu smiled: "I'm alright."

As he spoke, he tossed a forehead protector onto the table: "I graduated this year."

Kotetsu Hagane's eyes lit up.

Three seconds later, he jumped up in joy!

"Yeah!~"

"Awesome!"

After saying that, he scurried back into the house, and ten seconds later, he emerged holding a cake, which he placed on the table in front of Nebula Kotetsu. On top of the cake, the words "Congratulations on graduating!" were written in red jam.

Kotetsu Hagane clapped his hands. "Hey, this is the cake I prepared for you to celebrate your successful graduation."

Nebula Kotetsu felt a warmth in his heart, though he retorted, "You were being so sneaky about it."

"You didn't happen to have another cake hidden in the room with 'Better luck next time' written on it, did you?"

Kotetsu Hagane chuckled. "As if."

"Do you have any idea how expensive two cakes would be?"

"Actually, the space for the words was blank, and I just wrote it now."

"If you hadn't graduated, I would've written 'Congratulations on being held back again!'"

Nebula Kotetsu: "..."

Considering the effort the other had put into the preparation, Nebula Kotetsu said nothing more.

The two brothers brought the food to the table and poured two glasses of soda.

"Cheers!" Kotetsu Hagane raised his glass.

"Brother."

"After all these years, you've finally graduated."

"From today on, you are a Genin."

"Just focus on your missions from now on, and whatever you do, don't go anywhere dangerous."

"Catch some cats, find some lost dogs, or help people clear out their sewers—just stick to whatever is easy."

"As for what comes next, leave it to me."

"I, Kotetsu Hagane, will definitely make the name of the Kotetsu family ring throughout Konoha!"

Watching the high-spirited Kotetsu Hagane, Nebula Kotetsu smiled and took a sip of his soda.

My little brother is all grown up, he thought.

He's reached the age where he needs a proper education.