𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄 ━━ S. UCHIHA

XXXI

Hanao-san strolls off the train without glancing back. He disappears behind the crowds of people entering or exiting the train. The last I see of him was his snow-colored hair that ruffled in the light breeze of this hot Saturday afternoon. What a kind man.

It sounds your relationship has really developed, his words echo in my head. From the sounds of it, you really care about your friend. Quite the Young Love.

My face grows red again, of course, since I still can't handle the fact that he used 'love' to define us. But...

I can tell you're a very kind person, caring, and putting others before yourself. You have a natural love for people's wellbeing.

My eyes land on my hand and I continue to repeat his last sentence: You have a natural love for people's wellbeing. Do I? Am I the type of person who cares deeply for people? I didn't really think I liked people all that much. I'm an introvert, so people aren't really my thing. I can't even save myself in conversation, so how am I supposed to save them?

Especially when he cares for you, too.

I almost wanted to laugh, but I couldn't find the strength to believe it as a joke.

It may not seem like it, and it may not be much, but this person cares for you, too.

It's hard to see Sasuke as a 'caring' person, but after hearing Hanao-san's theories, I begin to think otherwise.

Why else would he push you away?

Maybe he just doesn't like me that much. Maybe he's an introvert himself. Maybe it's not the way I'm imagining it—

He doesn't want you wasting your time on him. He doesn't think he's worth you going out of your way to help him. In a way, he was trying to help you.

Silence fills the voids in my brain. That alone was enough to shut me up, no matter how hard I believe it to be wrong.

Just from that, I can tell you care deeply for him, and the best thing to do is accept it now before procrastinating. Only, he doesn't know your limits.

"Hmm..." I hum out loud from my heart continuing to pound with amounts of energy. On top of that, my Mark keeps acting up. So many different feelings all packed into two letters embedded on my skin. Ever since the first day I've had this, all the interactions with people, I've never undergone so many changes. Just when I think I'm getting to know myself, it's quite the opposite. So many mysteries I need to be answered, puzzles to be solved, and theories to be proven. I just need some sort of clue to understand everything happening to me.

"M-miss?" a small girl by me asks. Her bright wide purple eyes glance anywhere but at mine. "C-can I sit...?"

"Oh, yes, of course," I stammer and stand up, leaving the seat to the girl. I shouldn't have even been sitting in the first place.

Once I collect myself, I notice how the outside is very still. I take not the train isn't moving.

Oh, right. My stop. I check my phone to see when I need to get off. As I read the word, I hear the lady announce her same things as usual. Then she says it. The stop I'm supposed to be getting off at.

I've never felt more scared in my life as I bolted off the train just before the doors closed. I barely make it in time. Relief washes over me, but my momentum continues.

My body has its blood pumping oxygen throughout all of me as I dart past people and make it out of the train station. I take quick glances at my phone as I scurry down the streets, crosswalks, and everything altogether. It isn't until I recognize the street I'm on do I gasp and sprint faster.