A moment later, Obito recovered from the devastating shock. His gaze remained fixed on Rin, and his voice scraped through clenched teeth, painfully dry:
"Lord Yongye... I beg you..."
Yongye spoke again, still unhurried, but with a cold finality that left no room for argument:
"You're dead. You have no right to beg me."
Rin Nohara stood in the corner, watching Obito curled up on the floor. After a moment's silence, she turned to Yongye and spoke softly:
"Lord Yongye, please. I'm begging you."
"Spare Obito."
"He only saw me as an ordinary classmate and wouldn't help me, but I've always considered him my best friend."
"I can't just stand by and watch him die."
Yongye leaned back against the sofa. His gaze rested on Rin's face for an instant, then his easy smile turned mischievous as he moved to the next part of his plan:
"Fine."
"If you can stir my interest, I'll let him go."
"Go on. Show me what you've got."
"With a figure that flat, you'll have to work very, very hard."
Color rose across Rin's cheekbones, spread to her ears, then crept half an inch down her neck.
She lowered her head and stayed silent for two breaths before slowly nodding.
Obito sprang up from the floor, his voice hoarse and urgent. "Rin, don't..."
Yongye turned his head toward him, slipped off a shoe, and hurled it with perfect aim.
The sole struck Obito square in the face, stopping his words and plugging his mouth.
Obito fell backward and hit the floor. The shoe covered half his face, leaving only his one eye exposed, wide with shock.
Rin Nohara took a deep breath. Then she raised both hands, set her fingertips against the sash at her waist, and gave it a gentle tug.
Her pale