"Shimizu-kun, what will it take for you to heal Obito?"
Nohara Rin lowered her head, the tea in her cup reflecting her features—delicate and refined.
But at this moment, she felt restless, unable to sit still.
She didn't particularly want to be beautiful. If she had her way, she'd rather look more ordinary.
That way, she wouldn't attract Shimizu's prying gaze.
"In principle, I don't want to heal him. But for you, Rin, I can make an exception just this once."
Nohara Rin's expression remained calm as she waited for the inevitable "but" from Shimizu.
Shimizu paused, then spoke, "But the price is…"
His voice echoed softly through the living room as his figure moved behind Nohara Rin.
A familiar faint fragrance wafted over, and Shimizu took in Rin's rapidly maturing presence from this past stretch of time.
As a ninja, Nohara Rin was, in truth, no different from a grown woman.
Her body trembled, her delicate brows furrowed, and her eyes shut tight.
Time passed—how long, she couldn't tell.
With a sharp cry, Nohara Rin shoved Shimizu away.
"No… no, this won't do."
She shook her head helplessly.
She had already sacrificed half of herself; no matter what, she had to protect the other half.
"Rin, are you really so heartless? Do you have any idea how much Obito is suffering?"
Shimizu rose slowly, his expression turning cold, adopting a tone of righteous indignation.
Nohara Rin hung her head in silence, wiping away tears before bolting out the door.
To have done this much for Obito was already her limit.
After all, Obito was just her junior.
She had already gone above and beyond what duty demanded.
Her final shred of purity—she had to save that for Kakashi.
By the time Nohara Rin reached the streets of Konoha, the sky had darkened.
The crowd grew livelier, the shops lining the streets aglow with bright lights.
Ninja and civilians alike, off from work, laughed and bantered with their companions, reveling in the night's bustle.
The weather today was hot, and by evening, a stifling heat lingered.
Rin pulled her clothes tighter around her, yet somehow, she still felt a chill.
The liveliness belonged to everyone else—but not to her.
Neither Kakashi nor Obito could understand her.
Understand… her pain.
She ran herself ragged for their happiness, while she was left battered and bruised.
Always the optimist, Nohara Rin suddenly felt a pang of loneliness.
She walked alone down the street, heading home.
The next day.
Training Ground Three.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
Obito formed hand signs and opened his mouth to exhale.
"Pfft!"
The anticipated fireball didn't materialize—only a flicker of flame, accompanied by a searing pain in his throat.
"I… I'll definitely be able to use ninjutsu again!"
Disappointment flashed in Obito's eyes as he clenched his fists.
He believed that with enough effort, he could make a miracle happen.
As long as he worked hard enough, after the storm, a rainbow would surely follow.
"Obito, don't push yourself like this. You might make it worse."
Nohara Rin tried to dissuade him.
The doctor had said no strenuous activity—Obito was going against medical advice.
"Rin, I know my own body."
Obito shook his head.
Once he set his mind to something, he'd pour every ounce of his strength into it, unwavering.
That was his ninja way!
"What did Shimizu say?"
Kakashi approached at that moment.
He'd just arrived and caught the determination in Obito's eyes.
"He said… it can't be healed."
Nohara Rin stammered, her gaze darting away, avoiding Kakashi's eyes.
"Is that so? Even Shimizu can't do anything."
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes seemed to sink even lower.
Obito overheard this too. Though his heart ached, he forced a smile and said, "Rin, you've done your best. That Shimizu guy must've been pestered by you for ages."
Obito scratched the back of his head. Rin had said Shimizu couldn't heal him, not that he wouldn't. Shimizu and Obito didn't get along, yet Shimizu had still considered it—only his skill fell short. Rin must have gone to great lengths.
"No, I didn't do anything."
Rin's eyes flickered incessantly. Obito's pure, trusting gaze weighed on her like a massive stone, pressing down on her heart, leaving her breathless.
Shimizu had said he could heal him—nine times out of ten, he could succeed.
It was she who refused to pay that price, choosing a lie instead.
This was all her fault.
She knew she'd let Obito down—this junior who had always trusted her unconditionally.
Those eyes of his, shimmering with hope and faith, had now become the one thing she couldn't bear to face.
"Rin, what's wrong?"
Kakashi sensed something off about her—her lips were even paler than usual.
Nohara Rin brushed it off with an excuse, saying she hadn't slept well last night.
Seeing this, Kakashi didn't press further.
The two stood quietly, watching Obito train, exchanging a few words now and then.
Kakashi had no heart for conversation; Rin's mood was heavy.
When it was over, neither said much.
The three parted ways at a fork in the road, each heading home for dinner.
Just before they split, Rin caught a glimpse of Obito wiping tears from the corner of his eye.
Obito noticed her looking and sheepishly scratched his head, flashing a bright smile.
Rin's heart clenched, as if an invisible thread had tightened around it.
She forced a smile in return, her lips trembling slightly, but she knew how hollow and weak it was.
Guilt flooded her soul like an ocean.
Obito—always teased as the dead-last.
But Rin knew it was only because he stood in the shadow of Kakashi and Shimizu that he seemed that way.
To shake off that label, Obito worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Now, all that effort had evaporated into nothing.
Rin also remembered how Obito was often late—back then, on his way to the ninja academy, he'd stop to help an old lady cross the street.
In the end, Rin bit her lower lip, her eyes swirling with conflict and hesitation.
At Nohara Rin's home.
After a bath, Rin changed into fresh clothes.
Holding a wooden comb, she gently brushed her smooth, short hair.
The reflection in the mirror was beautiful, yet it felt unfamiliar to her.
Rin's gaze lingered on her image—a girl with a slightly pale complexion, her brow hinting at hidden worries.
She sighed softly, running her fingers along her cheek, hoping to bring some life to her appearance.
Picking up the powder box from the dresser, she lightly patted it onto her cheeks, giving her face a rosier hue.
She'd never used such things before, but to hide her pallor and keep others from noticing anything, she tried applying some.
Rin stood before the mirror for a while, studying her made-up face.
She smiled, but it felt stiff.
"Kakashi, Obito is your dearest friend. Will you forgive me?"
Nohara Rin murmured to herself.
She opened the door and stepped outside.
The sunlight felt harsh, unaccustomed as she was to it. Today, dressed in her finest, she was the most beautiful version of herself.
Yet she felt that today, she was also the ugliest.
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