Red String of Fate

Chapter 32 - I wish him happiness

1 week later.

"I'm offering to do your paperwork so can't you at least go out for some fresh air or something?" Tobirama demands, his expression strict but his voice was eased up with worry. "Tomorrow's the day after all-"

"I know." Hashirama who was lying on the couch quickly interrupts, voice and expression impassive as he sat up.

"I'll go on a walk then." Hashirama surrenders as he obediently walks out the room, shutting the door behind him.

The room was filled with the same unnerving silence as before and Tobirama slams the pen down, placing his hand over his face as he does so.

"Damnit." Tobirama swears as the pressure builds up. "I knew I was pushing him to do this but... I didn't think he would be this depressed."

It was almost like the time when he'd lost Madara.

"I think..." Tobirama mutters with much regret as he stands up, watching as Hashirama walks through the streets alone. "I think I messed up."

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I don't know what's going on anymore.

Everything blurred around Hashirama's sight and he was glad that no villagers were in this part of the village for he was in no mood to have a leisure chat.

I haven't seen him for three days and now he appears while not avoiding me but avoiding me at the same time.

Hashirama unconsciously picks up pace, his thoughts chaotically running wild as he did so.

"Ah-" Hashirama accidentally walks right into someone, almost falling onto the ground if the stranger hadn't caught his wrist first. "Sorry about that-"

The words stop.

"Don't worry about it, Hashirama-sama." Madara reassures with an amiable smile, removing his gloved hand upon seeing that the other had regained his balance already.

Why did he stop calling me by name?

"Why're you using honorifics now?" Hashirama asks with a slight frown, his usual benignant smile nowhere to be seen.

Madara hears the question and shows him the most innocent expression, showing genuine surprise as he answers him.

"I wouldn't want your future wife to misunderstand anything! Besides, as a citizen in Konoha, it's what I should call you." Madara answers, smiling kindly at the end of his sentence.

But his kind consideration did not touch Hashirama's heart.

What did he mean he didn't want to cause misunderstandings? Then when he said he loved me...

Hashirama's fingers began trembling at the thought and so he quickly tightened them into fists.

"Madara... the truth is-" Hashirama began speaking, hoping that if he'd told Madara he didn't like Mito, then he'd stop avoiding him.

"Well, I'll take my leave now." Madara says with a quick smile, giving a faint wave and walking away before Hashirama could even start thinking up of an excuse to keep him here.

Each time this happened, Hashirama couldn't help but feel more heartbroken.

Maybe he really just wishes for my happiness... Here I am throwing a tantrum about what I should do while he's wishing for nothing but my happiness.

"It's tomorrow..." Hashirama whispers as he looks up, the blue skies were the only thing that seemed to lighten his mood. "Time truly goes by quickly."

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