Yahiko raised his hand and wiped the lingering tears from Konan's face. Then he glanced at Shin Uchiha beside her and teased:
"You're a grown woman now, Konan. You shouldn't cry so easily anymore. Look at you-you even have a boyfriend. Seems I missed a lot of your growing up."
Konan's pretty face flushed at Yahiko's teasing. After stealing a quick glance at Shin Uchiha, she said:
"Shin really cares about me, and I like him a lot too. He paid a considerable price to bring you back, just to make me happy."
Hearing Konan's explanation, Yahiko turned his gaze to Shin Uchiha and walked straight up to him. He extended a hand and said with a bright, open smile:
"Hello, Shin Uchiha. I'm Yahiko. Thank you for bringing me back. I trust Konan's judgment. Since she chose you, I won't object as her big brother.
"But you must treat her well from now on. Konan is an orphan, just like me. We've depended on each other since childhood, and she doesn't have many people to lean on.
"Since you're the one who saved my life, I'm hardly in a position to have the nerve to say I'll stand up for her.
"Still, I hope you'll treat her well. If there's anything you need me to do, just say the word. Even if it costs me this life, I'll get it done.
"And if-just if-you stop loving her someday, I hope you won't hurt her. At least she'll still have a home with me."
Yahiko's bond with Konan ran deep. Back then, he had willingly gone to his death to save her.
Naturally, he wanted to treat this boyfriend of hers, whom she loved so deeply, with care.
At Yahiko's words, Shin Uchiha's expression grew serious. He reached out and