Tomorrow at Nine, See You at the Park

Morning light fell across Obito's face. Mud still clung to his cheekbone, his right eye was bruised black, and there was a split at the corner of his mouth.

The wind had turned his hair into a complete mess, making him look as though he had just fought ten rogue ninjas.

Yet his eyes were frighteningly bright. Heat rushed all the way to Rin's ears, and even the hand holding the cotton swab refused to cooperate.

She lowered her head and stuffed the medicine bottle back into the medical kit. The bottom scraped against the edge of the case, nearly slipping from her grasp.

"Rin?"

Obito had barely called out when Rin grabbed his arm and pushed the still-dazed him toward the door.

"Wait!"

Obito's mind was a complete mess. Where had that part of what he said just now gone wrong?

Had he spoken too fast? Should he add that he would work himself to the bone to support her?

Though after buying Heat Pack Talismans, his meager salary barely had a few coins left.

If things came to that, he could always take on more jobs at the Strategic Investment Department. He had practically worn his mental abacus smooth.

Rin gave him no chance to salvage the situation. She shoved him straight outside, and the door closed right in front of his nose.

Obito stood on the steps, one hand still raised in midair, having forgotten what he was supposed to do next.

After a brief silence behind the door, Rin's trembling voice came through the wooden panel.

"Tomorrow morning at nine, meet me at Konoha Park. I'll give you my answer then."

Obito's eyes widened further and further. The smile squeezed onto his face looked unbelievably foolish, with a hint of bitter nervousness hidden inside it.

"Okay!"