"Konan..."
Before Hyuga Wuye could finish speaking, Konan's soft, warm little hand covered his mouth.
"Don't."
The shyness in her eyes slowly faded, along with the desolate sorrow that had nearly become anguish moments ago, disappearing into the depths of her gaze.
Those eyes returned to their tranquil calm.
Like a deep, secluded spring—pure and peaceful.
As though they had crossed a thousand years of time and drowned Wuye within them.
"I don't need your answer..."
She spoke in the calmest voice, "Because this has nothing to do with you. I like you, that's all."
This was a love destined to bear no fruit, so she did not need Wuye's answer.
If he accepted, it would only deepen the pain of parting; if he refused, it would hurt her even more.
It was better to stop here.
I like you. It has nothing to do with you.
"Teacher, I'm glad you wish for peace in the world."
Konan addressed him as Teacher again.
"But what I want to do is different from what you want to do."
She withdrew her hand and tucked the hair beside her ear back behind it.
"We'll work toward achieving our dreams in our own way." Konan lifted her eyes to him. "I think Konoha will be our greatest obstacle by then."
Hyuga Wuye silently watched her.
This girl had developed her own understanding of peace after experiencing the most painful things in the world.
"Teacher, thank you for teaching me for three years..."
Konan said softly, "Without you, Teacher, I wouldn't have everything I have now, nor would I have my current ideals and convictions. You could say that everything I have was given to me by you."
"But I think that when you saved me, protected me, and taught me, what you wanted