"Ah... ah!"
Mei Terumi suddenly snapped back to attention at Kou's words. A hint of panic flashed in her emerald-green eyes.
Thinking of how she'd just lost her composure, she felt her cheeks grow slightly warm, all the more noticeable beneath the sunlight.
But as she listened to Kou, her expression turned serious.
She gazed at Uchiha Kou before her, thought for a moment, then said firmly:
"At least during this brief period of working together, I trust you."
"Is that so..."
Kou murmured softly, a hint of relief flashing in his dark eyes.
"Then..."
His voice grew even softer, almost pleading:
"Close your eyes. No matter what you feel, don't open them, okay?"
Mei Terumi looked at Kou in confusion.
Asking a ninja to do that? It was no different from saying, "I'm going to kill you, so just stay right there and don't move, okay?"
For a ninja, that was the same as putting their life in someone else's hands.
Even the most trusted comrade would never make such a request!!
"...Do I look that stupid to you?"
Mei Terumi eyed Kou suspiciously, her cool, striking face openly wary.
She parted her lips, ready to refuse.
But just as she looked at Kou, her gaze met his deep, dark eyes.
Mei Terumi froze for a moment. She saw how serious he was.
At that moment, she understood.
This guy... was serious!
Looking at Kou, Mei Terumi couldn't help recalling all that had happened along the way.
For some reason, though they'd known each other for less than a day, she felt strangely familiar with this annoying guy—as if he were a stranger she'd known for years.
An inexplicable trust welled up inside her, and, as if possessed, she nodded.
At the same time, Kou watched Mei Terumi's response,