The door to the tea room closed, shutting out everything beyond it.
Naruto Uzumaki's departing figure seemed to remain imprinted in Yui's eyes.
She remained seated properly, motionless for a long while, until Hase beside her let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
"Princess, it is time for us to return."
Only then did Yui come back to herself. Looking down at the cup of tea before her, already completely cold, she suddenly said, "Grandpa Hase, I think I understand a little why the people of Konoha admire him so much."
Hase's eyelid twitched, but he asked calmly, "You mean... his strength?"
"No." Yui shook her head. There was not the slightest displeasure on her face at having been treated coldly. Instead, an unusual light appeared in her eyes. "It is because he carries everyone's safety on his own shoulders. He has no time to smile, nor the energy for pleasantries, because he has to devote his whole self to maintaining this village's Order."
She raised her head, her eyes astonishingly bright. "That feeling... it is like offering himself as a sacrifice to something far greater. Don't you think that is remarkable?"
Hase's heart sank. The thing he had feared most had still happened.
"Princess, forgive this old servant for speaking bluntly." Hase's tone turned stern. "Naruto Uzumaki is Konoha's blade, the shadow that protects the Land of Fire. He... ultimately belongs to a world different from ours. Your admiration for him should end here."
"Why?" Yui asked in confusion. "Shouldn't heroes be admired?"
"Blades have no feelings, and shadows have no need for companions." Hase lowered his voice. "He is someone who walks in darkness. Too much attention will do neither you nor him any good."
Yui fell silent. She kept kneading the corner of her clothes between her fingers.