It had smashed the dessert shop in a furious BOOM, and Konan thought this could easily make the headlines. Even if it didn't, it would surely make a page, complete with a subheading: "Moral Decay or Humanity Twisted?" Yes, it would sell well. Too bad no newspaper would dare print it, especially since Pain had come out to calm the scene—and paid a hefty sum in compensation. Still, she couldn't help thinking: Obito did well. I've long wanted to do exactly this.
With that thought, Konan happily peeled the oranges she had bought on her way home that day, prepared for her lover who had skipped dinner and gone straight to sleep in their room.
Kita didn't want to escalate the situation. She hadn't even had time to react before Obito dragged her away, forcing her to make a split-second decision to save herself and leave. She hadn't expected Obito to be so emotionally charged or to say things so impossible to accept. Becoming the center of attention was never a good thing—especially when the spotlight included someone in a red-clouded black cloak. She didn't mind eating, drinking, or joking on the rooftop with Akatsuki members, but this crossed her personal line. Kita knew precisely what Akatsuki represented in the village. She had maintained this delicate balance for years, and now Obito's outburst had undone it. She didn't fear being blamed personally—but Akatsuki could not bear it.
True, she thought. This cage was one I built for myself—but without it, where would I even find shelter?
She felt a familiar presence behind her. No need to guess—it was him. She had been lying awake for three hours, unable to sleep.
"Here, eat some oranges. Supermarket's having a sale. Really sweet." Konan said nonchalantly, presenting a tray of peeled and sectioned oranges. Kita shook her head and turned back to the bed.
Konan didn't mind the refusal. She walked to Kita's side, sat cross-legged on the bed, eating an orange while watching Kita sulk.
This wasn't the first time they'd had such a situation. Kita's moods had levels: the highest meant leaving immediately, middle meant sulking like now, lowest meant silent, focused work. As long as she didn't leave, she could be coaxed.
"You didn't eat dinner. Have some fruit so you don't wake up hungry. We're out of instant noodles and biscuits anyway." Konan said, offering a piece of orange to Kita. Kita turned her head in clear refusal. But that didn't stop Konan. She followed Kita's movements, always offering the fruit, urging, "Open up."
After repeated evasions, Kita finally relented:
—I brushed my teeth.
"Eat first, then brush again. What's the harm?"
Kita stubbornly reached for the orange, only to have it dodged again.
"Open your mouth."
She finally lifted her body slightly and bit into the orange. Sweet juice filled her mouth. As Konan had said, it was incredibly sweet.
"Delicious, right?" Konan teased. Kita chewed thoughtfully, then sat up on the bed and replied:
—After the Madara thing is over, let Obito leave Akatsuki. This isn't a place for him.
"You'll have to tell Nagato. I can't handle this."
—He's strong, and he has nowhere else to go. I tried guiding him, but after today, I realized I can't manage him.
Kita spoke with serious intent, taking another bite of orange from Konan.
—He's like the sun—he cannot accept what he saw as Obito. If this continues, he will truly become Madara. Then not even Rin could stop him. Leaving now, there's still hope for redemption, but later, it will be nearly impossible. I'm sorry, Konan. I know he caused Yahiko's death. Redemption shouldn't even be an option—but seeing him like this, I feel it's a shame.
"You didn't know Yahiko. It's okay. If Nagato can accept it, why not him?"
—The difference between Nagato and Obito is essential. Before the turning point, Nagato was an assistant. Obito was the initiator. He's too pure, too extreme. Nagato has you by his side. Obito has nothing. He's not suited for Akatsuki.
Kita was analyzing Uchiha Obito—behavior, psychology. She couldn't hide it. Before, when he was pretending to be Madara, Konan could convince herself Kita was studying an enemy. Now, with no hostility, jealousy surged in all directions. She fed another orange slice to her partner, carefully masking her envy with genuine advice.
"You said Chūnibyō is a sickness that must be cured. If you can treat Nagato, you can handle Obito. Honestly, Nagato's harder to treat."
Kita shrugged.
—You can cure Nagato's Chūnibyō. Who except Kakashi can cure Obito's?
"I think Nagato can handle it," Konan said. "Men are strange. You can't use normal logic. All Akatsuki men are a bit off. Personality aside, Nagato and Obito had similar experiences. Helping them both isn't impossible. Besides, Nagato already has a sense of direction."
—He'll be tired.
"Who? Nagato or Obito?"
—Nagato.
"Well, nothing we can do," Konan sighed. "Nagato sees Obito like he used to see himself. He didn't kill him initially because Obito was still trapped in darkness. Saving him now is also a form of redemption for Nagato. He genuinely wants to help him. We extended a hand when he was suffering, and now he's extending it to Obito. It's a good thing. When he forgives Obito, he also forgives himself. I trust Nagato—he's stubborn, but he'll do the impossible sometimes."
Kita reflected and found Konan's words reasonable. Thinking of Nagato and Obito saving each other, she sighed.
—Nagato's really been through a lot.
"Well, men's problems are for men to solve. Our brains don't operate on the same level. Thinking too much is pointless."
The orange tray emptied. Konan looked at Kita.
"Want something else? You'll wake up hungry at night."
Kita shook her head.
—No appetite.
Her face was calm, revealing no emotion—sadness, discomfort, nothing. She lay back on her side, turning her back to Konan, hands beneath her head, body slightly curled. Konan couldn't see her face, only her back and narrow shoulders.
Konan placed the tray on the bedside table, then lay down, wrapping her arms around Kita's waist. The embrace stirred rising emotions. She could manage everything in life—but in Kita's presence, her heart was never at ease. Kita was like a gust of wind—always elusive, always coming on its own schedule. All she could do was wait.
She held that warm body tightly, as if afraid it would vanish.
"Kita, can you not do this?"
Do what?
"When you do this, I feel unsafe. Obito was right—you've done nothing wrong. So, don't. I don't care. We don't care. Others' words don't matter. I promise you anything. Please… just don't…"
But… I do care…
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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