Chapter 182: Awkwardness

Even the soup base was completely finished.

This fully exemplified the saying "teenage boys can eat their parents out of house and home."

Not only did they finish this pot of ingredients, but they also devoured all the prepared side dishes meant for the next meal, as if they were eating hotpot.

Watching from the side, Tōshirō's heart ached as his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

However, seeing his friends' expressions change from initial numbness and dead silence to liveliness and cheer, he heaved a sigh of relief.

At least his efforts weren't in vain.

"Speaking of which, Tōshirō, you are indeed quite ruthless! Chunyan told me she still can't forget you~"

After eating and drinking to their fill, they naturally entered a chatty phase, and Asahi, who had just returned from the rear hospital, cheerfully addressed Tōshirō.

"I didn't expect you to be so cruel, treating a girl like that. You know, Chunyan showed you her most embarrassed side..."

Thanks to medical ninjutsu, Asahi's injuries were healed within a week. While staying at the rear hospital, she met Uchiha Chunyan, who was also recuperating there.

The two couldn't help but chat, and Asahi learned about Chunyan's tragic experience and the person responsible for it—Tōshirō.

"???"

Ruthless, unforgettable, cruel, embarrassed.

These words, coupled with a scenario involving a boy and a girl, made every friend in the tent start imagining things. Their ears perked up, and the fires of gossip burned brightly within them, hoping to hear even juicier details!

Seeing his friends' reactions, Tōshirō resignedly rubbed his forehead. These guys really couldn't be left at ease; otherwise, they'd start making things up for entertainment.

"Asahi! Don't say such nonsense! Chunyan was in a critical condition at that time, and I had no choice. Although the treatment was harsh and painful, it saved her life, didn't it?"

To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, Tōshirō hurriedly explained, otherwise, unfounded rumors would spread rapidly.

Learning it was because Tōshirō's treatment was 'rough,' the friends were disappointed.

They then turned to Uchiha Asahi, hoping for more exciting news to satisfy their gossip-hungry souls!

"That might be true, but she lost all her dignity and self-respect in front of you, crying non-stop!"

"With the suffering and psychological impact you caused, Chunyan will probably remember you for life!"

Despite Tōshirō's explanation, Uchiha Asahi didn't intend to let him off easily and continued.

Her expression filled with more amusement as her voice became vaguer, causing the friends to become even more excited.

Tōshirō felt helpless about what Asahi said. Chunyan was on the brink of death at that time, and while his treatment saved her life, it definitely caused more pain than just tears.

Her mental state kept alive only with drugs, her body on the verge of collapse, naturally led to some embarrassing incidents.

Tōshirō, who was treating Chunyan the whole time, was fully aware of everything.

At that time, she might have been too much in pain to notice, but when she regained consciousness after treatment, recalling everything was beyond mortifying, making her wish she hadn't survived the ordeal.

Her youthful heart shattered into pieces, leaving her desolate.

In such a vulnerable state, Asahi's comforting and sympathetic words led Chunyan to confide in her, revealing her embarrassing secrets.

Now, just out of the hospital, Asahi used this to tease Tōshirō, leaving him at a loss.

Although he was saving her life, Tōshirō did know some things he shouldn't have, leaving him uneasy.

"Rather than that, we haven't congratulated Ryūka on awakening his Sharingan!"

To deflect, Tōshirō quickly shifted the focus to Uchiha Ryūka, who had recently awakened his Sharingan.

Though a worn tactic, it was highly effective.

"Hmph! Coward~"

Uchiha Asahi was very dissatisfied with this. She had prepared many things to probe Tōshirō's reaction.

However, seeing their friends' attention shift to Ryūka, she had no choice but to grumble.

Tōshirō ignored her entirely.

He could grasp the deeper implications behind Asahi's persistence.

But during wartime, he had no intention of engaging in such emotional entanglements with a 12-year-old girl.

Ignoring the vast psychological age gap, no one could guarantee they'd survive to see another day in such perilous times. Investing too much in emotions felt impractical and misplaced.

Above all, they were both just 12 years old. Even if...

What could possibly happen?

Given the circumstances, focusing on strengthening oneself to survive the brutal Third Shinobi War was far more pragmatic than any romantic notions.

As for everything else...

They can wait until he grows older.

(End of Chapter)