Everything had happened too suddenly. Yakumo Kurama chose to leave; she refused to accept it. Naruto had voiced his feelings directly and boldly, because every girl who liked him was outstanding.
Shion stood beside Naruto. What she had just said to Yakumo Kurama made her intentions clear. The only ones left were Kazahana Koyuki, Hinata Hyuga, Haku, and Uchiha Hikari.
Haku smiled gently. "Naruto, you've grown up. And you've become more handsome too."
"Sorry, Sister Haku. You must be disappointed in me now, right?" Naruto asked weakly.
Haku shook her head. A faint smile bloomed across her peerlessly beautiful, otherworldly face, as pure as a lotus rising from clear water. "No, quite the opposite. Naruto, you're still that ninja full of surprises—the Naruto I know. If you had kept dragging this out, then I really would have been disappointed."
"You must have made up your mind after great difficulty to do this, right? You never wanted to hurt anyone. Naruto, you must have been suffering all along. I'm sorry I couldn't stay by your side."
Haku gently took Naruto's hands. Her soft voice was like a spring breeze caressing all things, making Naruto, who felt as though he were in the depths of winter, feel incomparably warm.
The gentleness flowing from her palms always made Naruto feel at ease. He unconsciously leaned into it, tears streaming down his smiling face. "Thank you, Sister Haku."
"You're almost an adult, and you're still crying?" Haku took out a handkerchief and wiped away Naruto's tears.
"I was just excited, okay? Hehe..." Naruto grinned foolishly. He looked a little restrained, yet also rather content.
Standing nearby, Shion's eyes were as wide as bells, her cherry-like lips parted in disbelief.
Haku was clearly weaker than she was, so why was her presence so overwhelming? And