Chapter Text
The words barely register and for a split second, he stands still in a stupor as he tries to understand what his former classmate just said.
The purple-haired girl shifts, the former bravado she has fading and the lightest tinge of pink dusts her cheeks. He must’ve misheard her but with her demeanor, he most definitely heard correctly.
"I'm sorry," she babbles immediately after striking Boruto with a confession out of nowhere. "I know this is untimely and ... "
He came to visit Sumire to give her an additional scroll, one that Koji had constructed together. It is future research that Class Rep would later on figure out, tools that could aid everyone. Research that would've taken his former classmate about three years to discover. Deciding to take measures, Koji tried to get the base outline for Sumire and now, Boruto is delivering it with the pretense of having her take a look.
With the scroll in her possession, Koji says it would take her just a couple of months if the timeline he saw accounts for it.
After handing off the scroll and getting a routine check on his sword, she had struck him. Not physically. No just simply with words that blindsided him.
He must've been quiet for too long because the girl continues on, surprised by her own behavior; her own confession.
"I don't know why I said it," she states earnestly. "I think it felt like the right moment even if it seems like it isn't."
Getting his bearings together, he knows he has to say something. Simultaneously, he isn’t sure how to go about this correctly. He doesn’t want to hurt her feelings but he has never seen her in that way.
What was even the best thing to say to a girl who's professed her feelings so directly?
In the end, he settles on this answer: "I appreciate you telling me your feelings, C— Sumire," he starts, cringing internally because he nearly forgets. The last time they spoke, she requested to be called by her name. "It must've taken a lot of courage to do so but ... "
"It's okay," Sumire interjects immediately, her tone sad but understanding. "After all, I know." Her shoulders sag slightly which contrasts the smile on her face. "You nearly called me Class Rep, too."
Oh, she caught onto that and now he feels worse. He had hoped he was a bit smoother at catching himself on the slip-up. To salvage any bit of this situation without hurting her but he clearly failed.
As if sensing his feelings, she laughs and waves her hands. "No, no, no," she exclaims, "don't feel bad about it. I think it's helping me."
Surprise takes over. He blinks. "Helping ... ? You're not hurt?"
She nods enthusiastically. "Not really," she clarifies. "I mean, perhaps a little but I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt me." She shifts the scroll in her hands. "Either way, I'm glad I did this. Makes it so I don't have any regrets."
She's awfully cheery for someone who had been rejected but he can't discern a lie. She's being truthful about her feelings.
"I'm really sorry," Boruto attempts again, apologetic.
She waves her hand again, smiling. "It's okay, Boruto. I don't regret telling you either. You know, with how indefinite the future is, I don't want to hold onto any regrets. Especially regrets of not saying something. The idea of never getting the chance to say what you feel ... Those unspoken truths ... “
The teen must've put a lot of thought into this and he appreciates the feelings, even if he can't reciprocate.
"That's true," Boruto agrees solemnly. "The future is unknown. We don't know if we’ll see the light of tomorrow."
The girl continues to smile despite the conversation at hand, and he's amazed at her strength. "Exactly. To live or to die with regret ... that is hard. I couldn't bear something like that." Then she tilts her head, a glint in her eyes that he can't properly decipher. "I'm sure there is something like that for you. Someone you care for."
It catches him off guard entirely. He pauses briefly, hanging on her words and he begins analyzing them.
Are there regrets he might hold for people? Yes.
His mind momentarily flashes to Himawari, his family, Master Sasuke, Kawaki, and his friends. However, having regrets of those unspoken truths doesn't have any bearing on him due to the fact that they don't remember him. His baby—not so baby—sister might sense something's wrong but with omnipotence in place, he can't relay anything to her.
As for his parents … He only wishes he could tell them how much he loves and misses them.
For Master Sasuke, he wishes he could express his deep apologies and gratitude a little more. The man had sacrificed his reputation and went against his memory for him.
Kawaki? The only thing he regrets is not being able to convince him that there were other solutions. However, without a doubt, he knows he can do it. He will do it. It's just a matter of time.
His friends? He regrets not trying harder but what person could try when reality is fighting against him? It can't be settled with words.
As he pulls apart his own internal feelings, there is a split second of a flash that makes him stand straight. As if zapped with an answer that slots into place, finishing the puzzle.
Oh.
Dark eyes that often flicker to ruby-red behind framed red glasses. Sporting short, soft black hair and that oversized jacket that’s familiar, sliding off her shoulder. Defiant stature and never relenting, she’s at the foreground of his memory.
The image is crystal clear enough for him.
The image disappears as quickly as it appears because his rumination is subsequently interrupted by Sumire.
"I must go now, Boruto," Sumire announces as she turns to head back into the lab. "Thanks again for listening and thank you for the scroll."
He's barely reeling back as he tries to understand that emotion that just rose up from the depths of his chest while giving Sumire a curt nod. He watches her figure slowly descend away before turning away himself.
The sun has already set which is his cue to teleport. Koji has been quiet the last several days which is suspicious. Something has happened but his mentor hasn’t given him an answer. If Boruto were to guess, it must have something to do with Ten Directions so Boruto won't question him just yet.
Soon, Boruto hopes, that Koji will let him know on how to proceed with his bait plan that he's involving Sarada in.
He's barely out of the outskirts of Konoha with every intent to teleport away. He's already overstayed his welcome in Konoha and whilst he's scheming with Shikamaru, it does not stop from other villagers, shinobi and primarily, the biggest issue; Kawaki. Boruto has his chakra signature erased to freely conduct within the village whenever he wants but only to a degree. Otherwise, Kawaki can probably sense him.
He's sure that Kawaki will ignore him for now until threats are resolved but the guy could still snuff him out for loitering around.
Despite the danger ...
Those unspoken truths that Sumire had mentioned cycle through his brain.
For whatever bizarre reason, it clings onto his conscious. Plaguing him.
Her face flashes again and he pauses in the sky, simply floating as a heavy feeling sits on his chest. His heart constricts involuntarily and while he doesn't have the complete answer, his body is reacting without him wanting to.
Sumire's word have a profound effect on him.
He glances back at his home with a moment of hesitation. His heart has already made up its mind and his brain is catching up but he knows he can’t leave. Not until he inspects these feelings that are arising.
Closing his eyes, he tries to locate the shapes. It's far more difficult because the pins are on her person are not scattered on the floor. He's also realizing that he doesn't want to teleport unannounced, possibly startling her while she's inside for the night.
There are a lot of factors stacking onto his hesitance. They make perfect sense in why he shouldn’t. He should go on and return back to Koji but Sumire's words ring again.
I'm sure there is something like that for you. Someone you care for.
He hadn’t understood it in the moment just yet and quite honestly, he’s not sure if he’s sorted his feelings out. It’s too soon for his discovery to put a label on it. Nonetheless, he knows he feels something and the thought of regret lingers.
If it pertains to her, he doesn’t want to regret anything. Especially if she’s playing as bait and there’s no timeline on when that happens.
Furthermore, it solidifies the resolve to see her.
Deciding against teleporting to her directly, he tracks the pins. It's still hard to differentiate with the pins, the chakra murky but there's a perceptible trace that he follows. The pins seem like they moved, no longer clouded and much easier to trace.
Flying through the night, he concentrates on that path and before long, he’s outside an unfamiliar quiet, neighborhood, close to the outskirts of Konoha. Surveying, he’s cautious over his presence and the location is puzzling him.
The old Uchiha residence he remembers is closer to the heart of Konoha, not far from the hospital since Sarada’s mom is the Head of Hospital. He’s been there so many times, he’s questioning why Sarada’s trail led him here.
Hesitantly, he tries to find the chakra trail and finding it again confirms that she’s on the second floor of the apartments.
The bottom of his sandals barely make a sound at contact, inaudible as he glides down to land on her balcony. The neighborhood is quiet with no one around, it makes the ideal surroundings for him. No onlookers can spot him.
Honestly, he should’ve thought this a bit more thoroughly because there is no way he could've came to her otherwise. Sarada’s old family home had been just one street off the busy market.
No less, what if Sakura was home?
The regret that lingers must’ve made him lose his head for a moment to not think clearly of certain factors.
Either way, he’s here.
He swallows as he peers through the shadowed glass, the curtains obscuring his vision. The lights are out in every room from his observation but there’s a dim flicker of a light. Somewhere in the back of the home, there's life.
She’s definitely inside and while the moon is taking its perch, he doubts she’s already in bed.
So he tries his luck.
Three steady knocks. Not too loud but not soft enough. Just loud enough that if she’s awake, she’ll hear it.
The moment stretches before him and he finds himself feeling anxious. Expectantly waiting of the answer.
He doesn’t hear any movement just yet. Briefly, he worries that he's got the wrong location.
Then, almost imperceptible, he hears feather-like padding of footsteps inside. There’s a pause and he holds his breath.
The curtains move and her face peeks through, eyes widening at him. Lips part in surprise.
Then the curtains are pushed back and the balcony door slides in haste, as though life matters on this very moment to survive.
”Boruto?” She stands before him, voice quiet, and he hears the awe and concern as she stands at the opened door. Hand hovering over the handle, she glances up at him with soft worried eyes.
Unlike her usual attire, she’s wearing black pajama shorts and a dark red loose top. Normally, she’s taller but without her platformed sandals, she’s shorter and it seems to strike him on how much they've grown in the three years.
They’re not twelve anymore.
He can’t seem to get his vocal cords to work to say something. It's like he's been rendered silent.
Her dark eyes gaze past him before they’re back on him. “Are you okay?” The concern carries on with her words. Her lips tug down.
He nods, his lips not moving because he can’t find any suitable thing to say.
She frowns even deeper despite his response. “Is something the matter?” she asks. “Did you … “ She pauses, her voice lowering even more. “Is there something you forgot to tell me?”
He understands the implication despite the vague words. She’s probably thinking that there’s new development in regards to their plan. It's a natural thought process based on his unexpected visit. Something pits in his stomach at the thought. He felt like this last week when they spoke but didn't examine his thoughts thoroughly. Especially since he trusts and believes in Sarada's capabilities but with Sumire's words lingering in his mind, his stomach churns.
He shakes his head. “No,” he finally gets his words out. “Nothing’s wrong." It's the truth but simultaneously, it still feels like a lie.
Her brows raise at him, unconvinced. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he responds steadily. "I just ... wanted to come." His gaze slips off her and past the teen, stealing glances inside. "You live here?"
Sarada blinks, and she makes an expression that's akin to being forgetful, before giving a half-glance back. "Ah, on some days."
Now, it's his turn to be confused, his mind trying to compute and piece the life she's lived the last three years.
The wind picks up as the illuminating moon settles to watch over them, rustling his hair. Sarada shivers under the February breeze. Sarada leans away from the entrance and their eyes meet once again. Under the pale moonlight, his breath is stolen at the sight of her face and something from the depths of his heart tugs.
Sarada shifts again, inclining her head, a signal for an invitation. "Are you hungry?" she asks.
He knows he should go but his feet are rooted. Sumire's word murmur distantly in his head again and he know's he can't leave.
A soft smile pulls up on her face and before he can respond to the invite, she says, "I might have something you like."