Chapter 116: Promise
Sasuko never expected to receive such an answer.
When she heard Yu admit he'd considered being with her, her heart trembled violently. But the subsequent abandonment plunged her into icy depths.
Her Mangekyo Sharingan appeared uncontrollably in her eyes as she shouted: "Yu! Then what do you want me to do?"
Watching her agitated state, Yu's heart grew heavier: "Sasuko, calm down first."
"I'll never abandon you. You're my only family, Sasuko. You don't need to be this afraid."
Sasuko's tears fell unceasingly:
"Since you can read my heart, why can't you just agree?"
"You know—even if I become just your shadow..."
"Even if I give you my body, my soul, everything—I'd do it willingly!"
Yu gently shook his head, his voice gentle yet firm: "In the past, I indulged nearly everything you wanted. But this one thing I cannot. I won't watch you become an empty shell, a shadow that exists only for me."
Sasuko raised her tear-filled eyes, carefully studying Yu's expression for a long while, her voice still carrying undissipated sobs:
"This decision... Yu, you must have considered it for a long time."
"Yesterday, you weren't like this at all."
Yu was silent for a moment, his gaze meeting hers:
"Yes. I thought about it for a long time, hesitated for a long time."
Sasuko suddenly laughed, that smile carrying bitterness and understanding: "Yu, you really are a strange person. You always maintain distance from the world, have few friends yourself, no particular hobbies—if reading jutsu scrolls counts."
She paused, her voice soft yet piercing:
"But I've noticed you spend most of your time researching those forbidden techniques about souls."
She looked directly into his eyes, continuing: "You also live in the past, also trapped in a cage. We're the same."
Speaking to here, her tone gradually calmed: "But if this is the life you've chosen, if you're destined never to escape... then I'll continue playing the good little sister."
Her reddened eyes stared intently at Yu. These words were her truest feelings at this moment, and the greatest concession she could make for Yu.
Yu froze in place. He hadn't expected Sasuko to say this.
Seeing Yu's silence, Sasuko raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face and turned toward the adjacent room.
Yu stood alone, gaze lowered toward the floor, remaining silent throughout.
That night, neither slept.
Until dawn's light began to break, Sasuko unprecedentedly didn't rise to prepare breakfast. Her tightly closed door shut out all sounds.
A sleepless night posed no problem for Yu, but Sasuko's appearance last night still left him somewhat worried.
But this time, his heart no longer held past hesitation—continuing to indulge without limits would only make Sasuko stray further down the path of losing herself.
I'm sorry, Sasuko.
Yu entered the kitchen, cooking breakfast himself after a long absence.
He recalled several breakfast items Sasuko had favored as a child. After so many years though, his technique had grown rusty.
Adding to that his desire to achieve perfection, this breakfast kept him busy from dawn until noon, repeatedly redoing items multiple times.
Not until the stove clock pointed to midday did he finally produce several satisfactory breakfast items.
Walking to Sasuko's bedroom door, he raised his hand and knocked gently.
Silence lasted a moment inside before rustling footsteps sounded.
The door opened a crack. Sasuko stood behind it, still wearing last night's nightgown, her eyes carrying faint shadows.
Her gaze swept over the tray in Yu's hands, freezing slightly.
Those were all the treats she'd loved most as a child. Even the plating arrangement was identical to her sixth birthday.
"You still remember." Her voice was somewhat hoarse, emotions unreadable.
Yu pushed the tray forward: "Try it. The taste might not match the past."
Sasuko didn't immediately accept.
She raised her eyes to look directly into Yu's: "Is this compensation or farewell?"
"Neither." Yu gazed back calmly. "It's a new beginning."
Sasuko's fingertips lightly rubbed the doorframe, her gaze lingering on the tray before finally reaching out to accept it.
She turned with the treats and entered the room.
"Yu, would you like tea?" Her calm inquiry came from inside. "After working all morning, you should rest."
Yu entered the room to find she'd divided the treats into two portions, one neatly arranged before his usual seat.
She took small bites of the glutinous rice dumplings, suddenly speaking: "Last night I thought a lot."
Her eyes lowered slightly. "I really should reclaim my own life. But Yu," she raised her eyes, "this doesn't mean I'm giving up."
She lifted her teacup, steam making her features appear soft: "I'll try making friends, cultivating my own hobbies. However, you must promise me—if... if one day I'm truly independent, and my feelings remain unchanged, we start over. At that time, you can't treat me as a sister anymore."
These words carried no petulance or threat, but were a solemn decision after a night of contemplation.
She still loved him, but no longer insisted on immediate response.
Since Yu hoped she'd possess this so-called self, she'd try possessing it...
Yu gazed at Sasuko, then after a moment nodded solemnly: "Alright."
Receiving this promise, Sasuko smiled brightly: "Then from today forward, please guide me well, Yu... big brother."
As she spoke, she extended her hand toward Yu. Yu also extended his hand to grasp that pale hand.
Their hands lightly clasped then released, but the tense atmosphere in the air had already dissipated.
"First," Sasuko withdrew her hand, tone feigning lightness, "I'm moving back to my own room."
Yu showed slight surprise, not expecting Sasuko to raise this decision first.
He nodded: "Alright. I'll help you."
Together they organized her clothing and belongings piece by piece, the entire process calm and natural.
They didn't mention last night's argument again, nor deliberately avoid each other's gazes.
However, when the last item belonging to Sasuko was removed from this room, Sasuko still couldn't help her eyes reddening.
Yu watched her reddening eyes, his heart aching slightly.
But he said nothing more.
Only gently stroking the top of her head.