Lin Yu didn't want to waste any more time trying to fool Nagato. He'd leave that task to Obito, considering it his first test!
Lin Yu activated his Kagura Shingan to locate Konan's figure. He had already memorized Konan's chakra signature. Within this complex maze of a tower, he was… dizzy! He was completely bewildered!
What was Nagato doing with these strange pipes! It was delaying his search for Konan!
A long time passed…
After Lin Yu got lost for the 521st time, he finally found Konan's room. He gently knocked.
"Konan, it's me."
"Ah!"
A startled cry came from the room. It seemed Konan hadn't expected Lin Yu to find her. She quickly said, "Wait a moment, I'll tidy up, I'll be ready soon!"
With a clatter and bang, after a flurry of activity, Konan opened her bedroom door. A slight blush graced her delicate face, and her voice was soft, "Lin… Lin Yu, how did you know I was here?"
"I guessed! Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Mm… okay."
Lin Yu stepped into Konan's room and took a brief look. It was small and simple. There was a pale blue bed and a small desk by the window, covered with paper flowers and origami. It was a bit messy, likely knocked over in her haste.
A pleasant scent wafted through the air, the natural fragrance of a young girl, unadulterated by any cosmetics.
"Konan, do you always wear this black robe?"
Lin Yu asked, noticing the absence of a wardrobe in Konan's room, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Konan's face turned red, and she misinterpreted his words, "Lin Yu, what are you talking about! I have other clothes underneath, and I have many black robes too!"
"Ahem, I see!"
Lin Yu realized his question might have had a double meaning after hearing Konan's response.
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet. Konan was the first to chuckle, "Lin Yu, you've changed so much. You weren't like this ten years ago!"
Konan's fair cheeks flushed. Ten years ago, Lin Yu used to "flirt" with her! How had he become so stiff now!
"Hahaha, really!"
Lin Yu scratched his head. He could barely remember what he had done ten years ago. He seemed to have just given her an origami shop, not done any other "bad things," right?
Thinking this, Lin Yu's face was filled with apology, "Konan, you've had a hard time these past ten years. I'm so sorry I haven't come to see you even once."
Konan suddenly grabbed Lin Yu's hand and shook her head, "But I always felt like Lin Yu was by my side. I can feel it here!"
Konan gently cupped her chest, where the Undying Nether Flame resided.
Lin Yu swallowed. Konan's gesture was too alluring! Feeling the soft touch of her small hand in his, his mind began to wander…
I'm an adult now! An adult!
Konan parted her red lips slightly, "Meeting you ten years ago, Lin Yu, was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. Seeing you again after ten years, I feel that happiness cannot be greater than this."
Konan stepped forward two steps, resting her head on Lin Yu's chest. She looked up, her watery eyes meeting his, and gathered her courage, "Lin Yu, I love you!"
Boom!
At this moment, if Lin Yu didn't make a move, he really deserved to become like Nagato and Obito!
"Mmm!"
With a soft murmur from Konan, Lin Yu lowered his head and kissed her lips. It was warm, delicate, and as calm as water—this was Konan's kiss!
Lin Yu cradled Konan with one arm, while his other hand gently cupped her hair, savoring the angel's first kiss with tenderness.
Konan's eyes were tightly shut. Her small hands first clenched Lin Yu's robe, then slowly relaxed, wrapping around his back as she responded shyly.
Konan: *Eep! Lin Yu kissed me! He kissed me! So embarrassing! (⸝⸝•‧̫•⸝⸝)!*
Lin Yu scooped up Konan's slender body, removed her black robe, and tossed it aside, then kissed her again.
Eep!
Konan was now completely flustered, her head spinning. She could only blindly respond to Lin Yu, her small hands hooked around his neck, her eyes squinting, as if slightly intoxicated.
Lin Yu held Konan's delicate form tightly, feeling the softness against his chest, plump and full…
Hiss! Konan has developed so well!
Lin Yu couldn't help himself and casually asked, "Konan, how old are you this year?"
Konan, still lost in the lingering sensations, blurted out, "I… I should be fifteen or sixteen…"
…Silence!
Fifteen! Sixteen!
Lin Yu instantly sobered up, scrambled to his feet, and recited a calming mantra!
Damn it! I'm an adult! But Konan isn't!
Konan felt a lightness in her body, the intoxicating scent she was beginning to fall for had disappeared. Still disoriented, Konan murmured,
"Mmm… What's wrong? Why did Lin Yu stop?"
Lin Yu pulled Konan to her feet and said, "Konan, you're still young. We should take things slow…"
Konan shook her head, recalling what had just happened, and her face instantly flushed crimson.
Oh my goodness! I was just "seducing" Lin Yu! How embarrassing for Konan!
Konan covered her face, then glanced at her intact clothes and calmed down. They hadn't done anything serious, just kissed!
Hmph! Brother Lin Yu is such a stubborn old man!
Lin Yu saw Konan first cover her face in shyness, then glare at him with a hint of disdain, and was suddenly at a loss.
What… what is Konan thinking?
Konan tidied her hair slightly and leaned into Lin Yu's embrace again, saying, "Lin Yu, when are you leaving?"
"Konan, you…"
Konan nuzzled her head, finding a comfortable position, and said, "I know you won't be staying long, and I won't hold you back. As long as you don't forget me."
Lin Yu said, "Konan, come with me. Live in Konoha with me."
Konan's eyes widened. She stared at Lin Yu for a good while, then finally shook her head, "Not yet. The Akatsuki is in a crucial developmental stage, and I must stay to help Nagato."
Lin Yu internally grumbled: You're not of much use staying here anyway!
Before Lin Yu could say anything more, Konan added, "Besides, the Land of Rain is also my birthplace. I wish for it to have no more war, to become better and better!"
"Lin Yu, give me a few more years. When the Land of Rain and Konoha can coexist peacefully, on that day, wherever you go, I will go!"
Lin Yu sighed. Since Konan had said so, what else could he do? He could only nod!
Konan chuckled and took a stack of blueprints from the table, placing them in Lin Yu's hands. Smiling, she said, "Let's talk about something else!"
"I'm planning to design uniforms for the Akatsuki members. Do you have any suggestions, Lin Yu?"
Lin Yu flipped through the blueprints and blurted out, "Red clouds on a black background!"
Konan tapped her chin with her slender finger, thinking, "A robe with red clouds on a black background would be quite handsome. If we also added…!"
Lin Yu suddenly turned his head and said very seriously to Konan, "Never! Absolutely never apply nail polish!"
Konan: … (๑ŏ﹏ŏ๑)