"I'm so happy for you, Naruto. You can finally see the person you love."
Haku looked up at Naruto with a smile. "I'll take care of everything in the Land of Waves. You can go without worrying about a thing."
Naruto knew how Haku felt, yet she still had to pretend to be happy in front of him. It left him with feelings too complicated to put into words.
"All right. I'm leaving, then."
"Naruto... stay safe."
Naruto set down his teacup and turned toward the council hall's entrance.
Before he could reach the door, however, a pair of pale arms wrapped tightly around his waist from behind.
Naruto could clearly hear Haku's quiet sobs behind him. Her body was trembling, too.
"I know I shouldn't say this... but, but I know that if I don't say it now, I might never get another chance in this lifetime."
Naruto slowly closed his eyes and listened closely to the feelings pouring from Haku's heart.
"I'm sorry... I know you already love someone, Naruto, but I can't stop myself from falling for you. I know it's wrong, but I can't stop my heart from loving you, from missing you, from worrying about you..."
"To keep that longing under control, all I can do is throw myself into my work."
"I try not to give myself any time to daydream. That way, I won't think about you."
Haku choked out her confession.
She was saying these words to him.
Naruto had no idea how much resolve it had taken her.
On the night Naruto left for secluded training on Clear-Mind Island two years ago, Haku had wanted to say something.
But when Naruto asked, she had only told him to take good care of himself.
Today, however, as Naruto prepared to leave, Haku