I've Actually Been Watching You All Along

Konoha was steamed by geothermal pipes in the early morning, and the whole street smelled like freshly uncovered steamers.

Snowmelt dripped from the eaves with soft plops.

The scent of damp earth mingled with the aroma of meat buns sold three for two dollars, boring straight into people's noses. This was where the living belonged.

Obito wandered down the street with two dark circles under his eyes, his arms and legs moving in sync like a sleep-deprived walking corpse.

He clutched a wooden carving in his hand, one he had whittled out with a Kunai in the latter half of last night.

He had meant to carve a medical kit, but his trembling hands had refused to cooperate. In the end, the finished product looked exactly like a rice ball someone had stepped on twice.

No, damn it, at least a rice ball had a shape. This thing was just a chunk of firewood!

But he truly had no energy left to keep carving. If he did, the sky would be fully bright.

"Handmade gifts earn the most points."

Obito muttered Asuma's words under his breath. His legs felt filled with mercury; for every step he took, he swayed three times.

Even a stray dog walking past was steadier than him!

His mind was filled with five-dollar dango and Rin's crescent eyes.

Every time that image flashed through his head, his heart beat a little faster.

Before confessing, should he go to Konoha Hospital and register for emergency cardiology?

He stopped in front of a puddle and glanced at his reflection.

His goggles were crooked beyond saving, his hair exploded into a bird's nest, and his dark circles were unbearable to look at.

Was this really how he was going to confess?

This looked more like he was turning himself