The sun had set hours ago, but neither of you had moved.

It was quiet now. Just the rustle of tree branches brushing the window, the scent of tea long gone cold between you. Naruto sat on the floor with one leg drawn up, his elbow resting lazily on his knee. His gaze wasn’t on you, it was on the wall ahead. But his thoughts were somewhere else.

When you spoke, he blinked. Then turned his head toward you, slowly.

There was no smile this time. No clumsy laugh or quick deflection.

He stayed quiet for a moment longer than necessary.

And then, softly:

“…She’s a good person. Strong. Better than people give her credit for.”

Another pause. You could almost see the words building in his chest.

“But I told her no.”

He finally looked at you then—really looked. No hesitation, no distraction.

“Because it wouldn’t be fair to say yes when someone else has had my heart this whole time.”

His voice didn’t crack. It didn’t need to. It was steady. Warm. Real.

“I didn’t know what I was feeling back then. I was too busy chasing dreams. But now…”

He exhaled, fingers curling into his leg.

“Now I know.”

The silence that followed wasn’t empty. It was full of everything he never said. Until tonight.