Nohara Rin wore a faint smile.
But—
The moment she spoke, everyone froze.
Clearly, none of them had expected that Rin already knew everything.
Namikaze Minato, in particular, looked awkward.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn't help but ask:
"Uh, Rin… how did you figure it out?"
The others also turned toward her, puzzlement written on their faces.
"This is actually very simple," Rin said softly, her tone faint and self-aware.
"I know myself very well.
I'm just an ordinary girl from a civilian background.
If not for the coincidence of learning a bit of medical ninjutsu, and my ties with Kakashi and Obito, I never would've been placed in sensei's squad.
"Maybe I do have some looks, but I never thought myself capable of catching Uchiha Kai's eye.
"Especially after spending time with him… I'm sure of it now.
Kai-kun has vision, he sees through people at a glance—mere beauty won't attract him.
"Someone like him shines far too brightly.
I don't believe there's anything about me that could truly draw him in.
"On top of that, the timing of his confession was far too coincidental—
the very night Nara Shikaku came to me, and I was already preparing for suicide.
"With so many coincidences piled up, of course I sensed something was wrong.
"But regardless…
I'm deeply grateful to all of you. You've troubled yourselves so much on my account.
"Today, Kai-kun convinced me completely, and I've given up my thoughts of suicide.
Tomorrow, when I meet him again, I'll lay everything out with him directly.
"He's so busy every day—I can't keep dragging him down with my problems."
Yes.
Rin was clear-headed.
At first, her heart had been in chaos, so she hadn't noticed.
But after ten days of calm contact, she'd slowly pieced it together.
Truth be told, curiosity about Kai—and the time spent together—had sparked genuine feelings for him.
But she knew full well:
The gap between them was far too wide.
So today, in giving up suicide, she also gave up her dream.
It was time to wake.
"Th-that's… that's great news!" Obito blurted out, the happiest of them all. "So Rin doesn't have to meet with Uchiha Kai anymore? That's amazing, I—uh, wait! That's not what I meant. I mean, I'm happy for Rin!"
His joy ran ahead of his tongue, and the truth slipped out before he even realized it.
Only after did he scramble to patch it up.
Kakashi: "…"
His lips twitched.
With a teammate like this, words failed him.
Kakashi, however, was more detached—perhaps because he had no desire in this matter, he could see further than the rest.
He knew clearly:
Rin didn't like Obito.
Even without Uchiha Kai in the picture, there was never any chance between them.
But such words couldn't be spoken outright.
So with a quiet sigh, he chose silence.
Minato too stayed silent at first.
But… thinking of his student's happiness, after a long pause he finally said:
"Rin, there's one point you've misunderstood.
Kai-kun doesn't reject you. On the contrary, he's quite willing to marry you.
"In his own words, he greatly cherishes your kindness and gentle heart.
"It's just… there's one complication.
Before you, Hyuga Aya from Shisui's squad had already entered the picture.
"So if you can accept it, there's no need to overthink things.
"Of course, the choice is yours.
I won't interfere—I only wanted to tell you the truth.
The decision is entirely up to you."
Minato's voice was quiet, but firm.
He wasn't blind.
From Rin's expression, he could see plainly enough—she did like Kai.
She was only lacking confidence in herself.
So he gave her the truth, and handed her the choice.
Rin froze.
She hadn't expected Kai to say such things about her.
Hyuga Aya?
Of course she knew the girl. A branch member of the Hyuga clan.
So Kai had taken her too?
How domineering.
Clearly, he didn't put the Hyuga clan's rules in his eyes at all.
Everyone in the village knew—the Hyuga clan absolutely forbade its members from marrying outside.
Yet Kai had dared, and Aya had accepted.
After a long silence, Rin drew in a deep breath, then smiled.
"I don't mind.
Kai-kun is a wonderful person, and I'm very satisfied with him.
I'm willing to marry him."
Yes.
In this short span of time, she had already been conquered—by Kai's power, his wisdom, his vision, his sheer presence.
So since he was willing, she had no objections.
As for sharing with another woman?
In the ninja world, it was hardly unusual.
So long as both parties were at peace with it, no one would say a word.
Minato's lips twitched.
He hadn't thought his disciple would be so direct—without even a pause for hesitation.
Kakashi stayed expressionless, though his gaze at Obito turned sympathetic.
And indeed—
Obito, who moments ago had been beaming, now looked like a wilted eggplant, his face fallen into utter dejection.
What could he do?
Back when Rin and Kai were only "acting," he already couldn't stand it.
Now, even after knowing everything, Rin still chose Kai—and this time, it wasn't an act anymore.
How could he endure that?
But… there was nothing he could do.
This wasn't like in the original tale, where Rin's death had driven him into darkness.
Here, Rin had chosen of her own will.
What reason did he have to interfere?
It seemed… beyond giving his blessing, he had no power at all.
Rin looked at the despair written across Obito's face, and sighed softly.
Of course she could see his feelings.
But feelings are selfish—
and she simply didn't love him.
To her, Obito was only like a younger brother.
Nothing more.
"Alright then," Minato clapped his hands, breaking the heavy air. "Since everything's been settled, let's eat. Rin, help Kushina in the kitchen. Kakashi, set the table.
"As for you, Obito—Sensei has something to tell you. Come with me to the sitting room, will you?"
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