Tenten was wearing thin pajamas, and the embrace made Neji's heart race.
She held Neji and said with great relief, "Thank you, Neji."
"Good thing you came. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do."
"I was so afraid this was a dream, or maybe a genjutsu."
Neji's heart settled as well. He gently stroked Tenten's hair, his eyes full of tenderness. "It's not a dream. This is real."
"I won't leave you again."
"My father has already agreed, and he'll come to meet your parents tomorrow."
Feeling Neji's presence, Tenten felt more at ease than ever before.
"My parents agreed too, so we can do it tomorrow."
"Mm, get married."
The two held each other for a long time.
Tenten softly asked, "Don't go back, okay?"
Without even thinking, Neji agreed.
"Okay."
Natsuki chose to show Neji all of Tenten's longing over the past decade or so.
It dealt Neji a devastating blow.
No man could refuse a woman he already liked, who had continued loving him for sixteen years after his death.
Tenten only wanted Neji to stay and keep her company. If she had wanted his life, he would have given her that too.
Neji urged Tenten, "Go to sleep. I'll stay right beside you."
Tenten lay on the bed while Neji sat at its side.
Their fingers were intertwined.
It made Tenten feel as though she had grasped the whole world, filling her with a deep sense of security.
Tenten kept her eyes open as she looked at Neji sitting by the bed. "You'll be uncomfortable sitting there all night. Lie down."
Neji reached out and gently caressed Tenten's cheek. "Not today. Tomorrow."
Tenten shook her head. She knew what Neji meant, but she did not care about that.
"No, you have to lie down, or