Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Spy? Marry a spy!
"You want… to marry me?"
Haruto thought he must have misheard and asked again.
Uzuki Yugao averted her gaze, her cheeks tinged pink as she lowered her head. "...Yes."
Shy or perhaps uncertain, she kept her eyes down, unable to meet Haruto's questioning gaze.
"You… just happened to capture my heart…"
"..."
"Wow~" Haruto thought, nearly taken aback by her bold statement.
For someone with extensive experience in relationships, Haruto had heard plenty of confessions, but this one nearly floored him. The way Yugao, usually so pure and composed, blurted out such bold words felt strangely out of character.
Something seemed off.
Despite being smitten by beauty at times, Haruto was not one to fall for obvious ploys. And this seemed like one. Yugao's approach, her suggestive words, and her uncharacteristically bold behavior—none of it seemed genuine. Her sudden affection had too much of a fabricated tone, almost like a setup.
There was a momentary silence as Haruto assessed the situation, his eyes studying her with a raised eyebrow. It felt as though he was scrutinizing every word she had spoken, causing Yugao to feel increasingly flustered.
"Why… why is Haruto reacting like this? He wasn't supposed to hesitate," she thought, growing nervous. "Could it be that he didn't take the bait?"
Indeed, Yugao hadn't come to Haruto out of personal affection. She was sent on a mission, one directly assigned by the Third Hokage. Her intentions were tied to duty, not desire, and this unconventional assignment required her to employ all the charm and persuasion she could muster.
Yugao, being unaccustomed to such spy tactics, had spent over two weeks researching Haruto's preferences, gathering information from various contacts about his personality and his rumored fondness for women. She even went as far as observing behaviors of women skilled in flirtation, hoping to mimic their mannerisms to appear more alluring.
After all her preparations, today was supposed to be the day she finally put her plan into action. But now that she was face-to-face with Haruto, her mind blanked. In her nervousness, she accidentally brushed up against him, an unexpected collision that startled them both.
As she hastily pieced together something from her rehearsed lines, her panicked mind led her to utter the line that had just slipped out: "You just happened to capture my heart…"
It was corny and awkward, and as soon as she said it, Yugao could hardly believe she had. She wanted nothing more than to sink into the ground. But her mission remained paramount, and she had to push forward. Despite her resolve, she felt her body react unwillingly, and soon, a single tear slipped down her cheek. She hadn't even realized she was crying, but Haruto noticed the tear immediately.
"So that's it…"
The situation clicked for Haruto. He realized that this sudden affection didn't align with the Uzuki Yugao he knew. Her demeanor, her behavior, and the fact that she worked as an ANBU under the Third Hokage—it all pointed to one conclusion: this was a ploy. Yugao was sent here with a purpose, likely to spy on him.
In his heart, Haruto chuckled at the irony. Such dedication to duty, such willingness to follow through, even when it required personal sacrifice. It was a reminder of the unyielding loyalty that shinobi sometimes showed, even at the cost of their own happiness.
He could guess that she was performing out of obligation, following orders from her superiors, yet he found himself smirking. Since the Third Hokage wanted a spy, Haruto thought, why not have a little fun? If they intended to play this game, he would play his own part.
"Yugao, I accept your offer. From today, you will be my wife!"
Without hesitation, Haruto embraced her warmly.
Uzuki Yugao was stunned, her face going pale in shock as her body instinctively pulled back. However, she quickly regained her composure, allowing herself to nestle into his arms, feigning compliance.
But Haruto, perceptive as ever, felt the slight resistance in her initial movement, which only solidified his suspicions.
"Yes," he thought to himself, "she's definitely not being genuine."
He continued, his voice smooth and calculated, "Let's go home, Yugao. Tomorrow, we'll hold a grand wedding, with all of Konoha invited to witness our happiness."
"A… wedding?"
"Of course!" he replied enthusiastically. "You're marrying me, so naturally, we should have a proper celebration."
"B-But…" Yugao stammered, clearly unnerved. "Haruto, I… I'd prefer something more private. I'm not one for big ceremonies… could we maybe keep it simple?"
"Simple? That's nonsense. You're my bride, my wife-to-be! A wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event. You must be there," he insisted firmly.
Her face grew pale as she realized her predicament. She was supposed to marry him quietly, gather information as assigned, and then leave once the mission was complete. Keeping things discreet was vital to the mission's success.
But now, with a public ceremony, the plan would fall apart. If they truly wed with everyone in attendance, leaving afterward would be impossible. Her heart raced with anxiety.
"This… this wasn't part of the mission!" Yugao thought frantically. "Why does he want a big celebration? He's a man of indulgence, yes, but he never struck me as the type who values ceremony so much… Is there something more behind this?"
---
Through the night, Haruto carefully considered his next steps. He suspected that the Third Hokage's intentions weren't as benign as they appeared, but he could use this situation to his advantage. Haruto's plans began to take shape, a strategy forming that would ensure both Yugao and those who sent her wouldn't see the outcome they expected.
Meanwhile, Yugao continued her inner conflict. Her mission required her to gather intelligence, yet the more time she spent with Haruto, the more she felt conflicted. His charisma, his subtle manipulations, and the intensity of his gaze all unsettled her. As her emotions tangled between duty and the strange pull she felt toward Haruto, she knew she would have to tread carefully.
Over the next few days, Yugao became more aware of Haruto's complex personality. He was neither the typical shinobi nor the playboy she had assumed. Every interaction with him pulled her deeper, unsettling her preconceptions and making her question the nature of her mission.
The Hokage's spy had indeed arrived at Haruto's doorstep, but whether her loyalty to her orders would hold was an answer that only time would reveal. Haruto, aware of her turmoil, only smiled to himself, knowing that he had already begun to win the game that they had set in motion.
The grand wedding day arrived, drawing crowds from across Konoha. People gathered in excitement, eager to witness Haruto's union with Uzuki Yugao. As they exchanged vows before the village, an unsettling realization dawned upon Yugao: she had become part of Haruto's world in ways she hadn't foreseen, and whether or not she could fulfill her mission was now the least of her worries.
With the ceremony completed and her fate intertwined with Haruto's, Yugao couldn't deny the turmoil of emotions that churned within her.
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