The next day, I was at the playground, swinging lightly on a swing. I was supposed to meet up with Squad 8 today, but I didn't feel like going. "Look, it's him." I looked over at the slide as I spotted some kids there.

"Let's go." They said before leaving. "Forget about them, Eita. They're just being jerks." Inari said. I didn't reply as I stared at the ground. I saw a shadow stretch towards me, making me look up. "Konan!" I said in realization.

"Hello, Eita." She greeted with a smile. I ran over to her and hugged her. "I'm glad I got to see you again." I said, taking a step back so I could see her. "Likewise. I wanted to see how you were doing." She replied. I was about to say something until I heard, "Eita!"

I turned around as Teruko was running over to me.

"Teruko?"

"So, this is where you ran off to. Who's this?" Teruko asked, looking at Konan. "I am Konan. Are you Eita's mother?" She asked. "Ha! No way! I'm his sister. The name's Teruko. Teruko Shingeru." She said, shaking Konan's hand.

"So, Eita, when were you gonna tell me you had a girlfriend?" Teruko asked while nudging me, making me blush. "Get real, Teruko!" I yelled, in which she laughed. "Relax, I was just messing with you, little brother. Konan, would you like to have dinner with us?" Teruko offered.

"Are you sure?" Konan asked. "Of course! It's no trouble at all." Teruko said as she took Konan's hand and lead her back to our house.

"Mom! Dad! Someone's going to be joining for us for dinner!" Teruko called. "Hello. Welcome." Mom greeted. "Mom, this is Konan. She's a friend of Eita's. Is it okay if she stays for dinner?" Teruko asked. "Why ask her when you announced she was staying for dinner?" I mumbled to myself.

"Sure." Mom smiled. "You're too kind." Konan said.

When dinner was ready, Konan sat next to me while Teruko sat next to her. "It's nice to meet you, Konan. My name is Isamu Shingeru, Eita's father." Father introduced. "You don't look like you're from around here. Where are you from?" Mother asked.

"I'm from the Rain Village." Konan answered. "Whoa, you came all the way here just to see Eita? That's so sweet." Teruko said. "Eita is a very special boy. I'd hate to have something bad happen to him." Konan said, making me blush a little.

"Really? What do you think of that, Eita?" Teruko asked. "Konan's nice. I really like her. She's a good friend." I said, smiling. Konan smiled back.

*Time skip*

"Thank you for dinner, Ms. Shingeru. It was delicious." Konan said, heading out. "I'm glad you like it. You're always welcome to come back, Konan." Mom said. "Really?" She asked. "Of course. Anyone who's a friend of Eita's is family." Mom smiled. "Yeah!" Teruko agreed.

Konan smiled back a small smile. "Thank you very much." She said giving a polite bow.
"Konan, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked. "Of course." Konan replied. "We'll give you some privacy." Mom said, and took Teruko inside the house.

"What's wrong, Eita?" Konan asked. "Konan... Have you ever... liked someone?" I asked. "Like?" She repeated. I nodded slightly. "Is there someone you like?"

"Yes, however... I'm not sure if they like me back... in that kind of way." I explained. "Oh. You mean, love." She said. "Yeah." I admitted, blushing.

"Well... Have you told them you liked them?"

"No."

"Don't you think you should?"

"Yes, but... I don't know. We've hung out a few times and we've really grown close. But I'm afraid they'll reject me."

"Eita, you won't be able to know how they feel about you until you confess first."

"Gee, that makes me feel so much better,"

Konan giggled at my sarcasm. "I'm scared... that, that person I like will fall for someone and leave me." I confessed. "Then, you should confess to them before someone else does." Konan advised. I smiled at her, then hugged her.

"Thank you for listening." I whispered. "Anytime," Konan replied.

Konan's POV

I smiled as Eita hugged me and hugged him back. "Farewell, Eita." I said. I made wings out of paper and flew back to the hideout.

"Welcome back, Konan." Pein greeted. "Hello." I greeted back. "Where have you been?" He asked. "In the Leaf Village. I was visiting someone." I said, making my wings disappear. "Who?" He asked, curious.

"A young boy..." I trailed off. "That boy... He seems so sad. Yet... He's able to smile. An innocent boy... covered in scars." I whispered. I was concerned about the bandages on Eita. Where did he get them? Why him? How much pain has he endured?

I wonder...

I care about the boy. I care about Eita. Someone so sweet, so innocent... He's like a gentle flower. A fragile flower. Something like that needs to be cared, to be loved, to be protected.