Praise for the Shadow Clone Driving the Carriage

"Chen~~"

Chihori was so overwhelmed with emotion that she could barely contain herself. She hugged Uchiha Chen tightly in return, tears bursting forth like a breached dam and blurring her vision.

She choked out, "I thought... I thought you would despise me..."

Uchiha Chen looked at the tear-streaked woman before him with aching tenderness. Gently patting Chihori's back, he comforted her softly:

"How could I? How could I ever despise you? Haven't you felt my feelings for you throughout this entire journey? Every action I took and every word I said was meant to show you my sincerity."

Yet Chihori still could not fully let go of the worry in her heart. Through her sobs, she said, "But I'm already so old, and I'm living with Karin too. I'm truly afraid of becoming a burden to you..."

Before she could finish, Uchiha Chen softly interrupted her.

He gazed at Chihori with incomparable tenderness, then slowly took her hand, as though he were holding the most precious treasure in the world. Solemnly, he told her:

"Age isn't a problem to me at all! I love you, and that love is pure and sincere. It won't change because of any external factor.

"And I love Karin as well. She is an indispensable part of our family too.

"As long as we love and support each other, that is enough!"

Uchiha Chen's words were like a spring breeze against her face, warming Chihori's heart.

She felt the warmth flowing from his palm, a strength that put her at ease.

At that moment, she could no longer restrain her emotions, and tears spilled from her eyes once more.

Just then, Chihori suddenly noticed a trace of restrained longing flash through Uchiha Chen's eyes.

Thinking back on what had happened before, ever since Uchiha Chen