bookbashuk Chapter 142 What is your family?
Chapter 142 What is your family?
When Naoki saw that look in the other person's eyes, he felt a sharp pain in his heart, along with a sense of fear...
"I...I didn't..." Naoki's voice trembled, unsure how to answer.
Takita looked slightly disappointed. He knew that Naoki hadn't told him the truth at all, and even his outward behavior was full of falsehood.
"If you don't want to talk about it, then forget it..." Takita waved his hand, his expression softening again.
He actually longed for a new friend, even if it was just to have time to chat. Unfortunately, Naoki didn't seem to be the person he imagined; at least, he completely lacked the honesty that Naoki valued most...
Having made up his mind, since the other party had already gotten close to him, and based on the two times he had taken him home, Takita decided to treat him to a meal, and then he would not have any further contact with him in the future.
Naoki was in a state of confusion. He didn't understand Takita's personality, and he never expected that his words would bring him closer to failure...
If Takita likes his honesty, it means he has to tear down all his pretenses and tell him the real reason, but wouldn't that... completely conflict with his mission?
"I'm sorry... I really didn't want to lie to you." That was all Naoki could say.
Takita shook his head, saying sadly, "But you've already lied to me, haven't you..."
"..."
Naoki remained silent, his heart feeling as if it were being roasted over a fire.
Seeing that Naoki was unwilling to open up to him, Takita stopped worrying, stood up, smiled politely, and naturally changed the subject.
"Forget it, don't think about it. I won't care too much. It's okay if you don't want to tell the truth. The food is ready; I'll go get someone to bring it over..."
Takita left the room, leaving Naoki alone.
He felt wronged. He didn't want to deceive Takita, but failing the mission would surely bring him dire consequences. No one in this village would care about him; when he returned to his clan's territory, he would likely be met with...
So what if I am the young master of a family?
The family already has a very outstanding eldest son, and he will only be a hindrance in the future. His cousin doesn't like him, and no one in the clan cares about his life or death. When he was forced to take on this mission, he had nothing to do with freedom anymore.
The Shimura family is far more cold and indifferent than the world perceives them to be.
The entire family is strange; they are profit-driven, cold-blooded, and willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even sacrificing themselves...
Feeling out of place—that's Naoki's own opinion.
However, not long after Naoki thought about it, Takita returned with two food boxes and placed them in front of Naoki with a happy expression.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Dinner isn't very lavish, I hope you won't mind, haha..."
Takita didn't dwell on Naoki's situation for the time being; at least he was happy at the moment, since it had been a long time since anyone had eaten with him.
“Thank you, Takita. I’m sorry… for some reason, I can’t tell the truth, but I won’t do anything bad, I swear,” Naoki murmured.
He didn't start eating because his mind was filled with guilt—the pressure from his family, the torment he had endured, and the pain of being beaten for not completing the task.
He longed to burst into tears, but he didn't have the chance. The only time he could relax now was probably when he was alone with Takita.
Takita didn't seem to hear him, he just smiled and said while eating, "Don't think about that, eat quickly, it'll get cold soon."
Naoki nodded, clasped his hands together in thanks, and then silently picked up the lunchbox...
The food was really delicious. Both the ingredients and the cooking methods were much better than what I ate in my clan... Well, after all, the Feathered Clan is a large clan, and their clan leader's usual meals should naturally be much better than mine.
The heavy rain outside the window highlighted the warmth inside the house, and the delicious food stimulated his wounded heart... As Naoki ate, a string of clear liquid slid down his cheek... and dripped into his bowl.
He forced himself not to make a sound, tears streaming down his face as he ate. Only after finishing his meal did he quickly lower his head and wipe his cheeks with his sleeve.
Takita actually noticed that even if Naoki didn't say it or cry out, he could still clearly feel the overflowing sadness.
"Sorry, did you not like the food...?" Takita knew that wasn't the case, but he still made the conversation.
"No, the food was delicious." Naoki shook his head, his face still buried deep in his eyes, unable to meet Takita's gaze.
The other person's gaze was too intimidating; for a hypocrite like him, the most frightening thing was meeting the eyes of an honest person.
Takita was feeling a little down and didn't know what to say.
In the past, he would probably have kept asking until he helped him resolve his inner conflict, but now Takita seems to have different thoughts than before.
He knew that many things, no matter how hard one pursued them, would not change the outcome.
However, Takita decided to ask him one last question, because Naoki didn't seem alright at all; the overflowing sadness was almost overwhelming the boy...
“There’s no one else here, and no one will be eavesdropping…” Takita walked up to Naoki, gently patted his shoulder, and said, “I can help you with any problems you have. Tell me the truth… okay?”
The voice was very soft, and the tone was not aggressive at all, just like the most ordinary conversation between friends.
In that instant, Naoki was devastated.
I don't know how long it's been since anyone spoke to me in that tone. All I hear are commands and cold stares.
Back in our family's ancestral home, my unreliable father was the same; aside from saying nice things to my grandfather, he was probably a complete failure. As for me... he never cared about me at all.
"I'm sorry..." Naoki wiped away his tears, his fists clenched tightly, and his toes involuntarily curled back.
"Don't say sorry, you have nothing to apologize to me for. What you need to think about now is whether you've been true to yourself."
"I...I don't know." Naoki hadn't thought about it; he had never thought about whether he was being true to himself.
Takita wasn't in a hurry, and just sat quietly next to him waiting. Another silence followed, and by the time Naoki came to his senses, Takita was already sitting down beside him.
"I can tell... but please, don't tell anyone, okay?" Naoki turned his head, his eyes full of pleading.
Takita didn't answer directly. Instead, he grabbed Takita's hand and placed it on his heart, saying, "I can't guarantee I won't tell anyone; it depends on your situation. But don't worry, I'll help you... Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Naoki's heart skipped a beat. He hesitated, wavering, and after several seconds of thought, he slowly said, "I understand... I'll tell you the truth, which is why I approached you..."
"This is my mission..." Naoki's voice was low, his tone full of suppressed emotion.
Takita's expression didn't change much. After all, this strange situation was completely opposite to his outward demeanor. He couldn't think of any other reason than that he was being forced into it.
"The goal is simple: in order for our clan to enter Konoha Village, I need to cultivate a good relationship with you. Through this relationship, I can then secure a sliver of an opportunity."
"So... I was arranged to meet you here as an object. To gain your trust, you can do whatever you want to me, even..."
Naoki couldn't bring himself to say it, but his eyes glanced at his lower body... the meaning was clear.
Takita frowned, observing Naoki's reaction. He was stunned for several seconds before he finally reacted... He abruptly stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief, as if his entire worldview had been severely shaken...
"You...you...your family...how could you do such a thing!"
He simply couldn't imagine how disgusting those people must be to think that way about him and Naoki.
"I'm sorry..." Naoki apologized, not daring to look at Takita.
He knew his actions were disgusting and despicable, even if he was forced by his family, but he was still the one doing it...
Takita stood there, trembling with anger, his fists clenched tightly...
"Your surname, what is your family...?" Takita's voice was low and emotionless, but in reality, he was forcibly suppressing his anger.
Naoki had given up on thinking and answered blankly, "The Shimura clan. My real name is Shimura Naoki..."