Under Naruto's puzzled gaze, Hikari naturally took his hand.
"Don't tell me... you'd just stand by and watch Ino, Hinata... or Karin marry someone else?"
"Let those girls whose hearts are full of you, who have eyes for no one but you, put on wedding dresses and walk toward other men?"
"...Huh?"
The sudden question left Naruto stunned again.
Am I under a Genjutsu?
Nine-Tails: No. If I say you're not under a Genjutsu, then you're not! Are you underestimating me again?!
I'm not under a Genjutsu?
Then what's gotten into Uchiha Hikari today?
Did someone use the Transformation Technique?
Seeing the continuing shock and disbelief on Naruto's face, Hikari seemed to realize that what she was saying today really was unlike her usual self.
She pressed her lips together slightly, but her gaze remained firm. She had no intention of backing down or changing the subject.
"This is something we'll have to face sooner or later."
She explained.
"Rather than drag things out and cause misunderstandings, we might as well talk openly about it."
She had indeed imagined Naruto marrying only her, and she had instinctively resisted and avoided this topic, unwilling to think about the complicated situations the future might bring.
But after learning that Karin had already begun "planning ahead," even seeking outside help to "deal with" her, Hikari understood that avoidance would solve nothing.
This matter would come up sooner or later.
And she, Uchiha Hikari, had never been one to drag her feet or deceive herself.
Making a decision when one was needed and facing problems head-on-that was her nature.
Rather than wait until things spiraled out of control, or passively accept them, she would lay everything out now.
At the very least...
She needed to establish where Naruto stood and make her own position