[Congratulations: You've Unlocked Hiro's Interlude!]

"For your homework, you will finish chapters 2-4 along with these worksheets. You should be done with it by the end of tomorrow." The teacher placed a hand under her chin, stroking it gently. "Well, you should be fine, even with all the other subjects."

"Um," I spoke, my eyes trailing to the ground. My hands on my laps curled in hesitation, gulping down the lump in my throat. "Can-can I go play?" My voice was like a measly noise. My toes didn't even touch the ground.

I wasn't surprised when I heard my teacher sigh. "You don't have time to play— do your work. And stop slouching." In that instant, my back straightened. I felt some of my hair strands stray up. I... I don't want to. But the gripping fear in me stopped me from talking back. It was then that I heard another sigh, softer this time. "...Look, ask your parents. I don't have permission for that."

My parents... My brows knitted together with a small bob of my head. If only—

If only.

Being in a well-off family, I... never got to go outside: not on my own will, I mean. I never got any privacy in my life— nor did I ever forget the feeling of isolation. Every single day, it was the same thing: study, study, study. Never did I have the chance to do something— anything I wanted.

And yet, I didn't say anything. I didn't refuse it. I... I never really knew the reason why. Maybe it was because of how my parents looked at me. They were smiling— not in the wrong way or whatever. Despite the obvious expectations, I saw genuine love for myself.

I didn't understand. Why? If you love me, why do I not feel satisfied? Why is this not enough?

Or maybe, I was scared of the going against their wishes. Like I had mistaken my love for them for fear. What would've happened if I disobeyed? That question clung to my mind like a vice parasite.

I didn't know. And I was too afraid of an answer.

It was around that age that my parents thought of an idea about sending me to a high school. Whether it was for preparing me for my future (whatever that was), or because they got sick of me being in the house all day— I was just, just so happy.

For the first time, I could actually do something by myself! Just the thought of experiencing something new, something that could maybe change my life excited me.

However, stepping out into the world and in its invisible walls, I realized it.

I was alone.

On the first day, everyone else was in their bubble. A bubble that I couldn't pop. No matter how much I looked, I was out of place— I didn't find a place to be. Is this how it is? I thought to myself. Is this what school was supposed to be?

"Hey~!" Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned my head around. A stranger, one with others accompanying them, waved their hand in my direction.

My brows furrowed, tilting my head at the side. Who are they...? My eyes glanced over, only to find no one else in my direction. I blinked, a burst of nervousness blooming in my body. Whipping my head back at them, who were walking my way, I pointed at myself— just to be sure. "Me...?"

The one who waved at me smiled, stepping close to me. I reeled back, taken away by her sudden closeness. "Who the fuck would I be waving to then?!" She sharply exclaimed, a hand on her hip. My nose scrunched, a new scent lingering in the air. It was ashy, and a bit bitter— but I didn't comment on it. "Of course I'm talking about you, dumbass!"

I frowned. What's— what's a 'dumbass'? But before I could even do anything, the stranger suddenly looped an arm around mine. "Come on, you're a cute one. Got some money on you? Wanna spare some for us~?"

"Wh— what?" I stammered, my book bag slipping slightly. The other girls around us laughed, as the one with the most jewelry inched closer. What's going on?

"Come on," She puckered her lips like a baby. "Aren't you lonely? We can take good care of you!"

Oh, I realized, is this how it works? I thought to myself, straightening my back. Is this how friends are made? I forced a smile, glancing away. "Oh, um, sure— I guess."

That was the start. My descent towards everlasting regret.

"Oi, oi, oi, Tae-young. Got any money on ya?" A familiar man wrapped an arm around my neck, bringing me close.

I bit down a grimace, already reaching for my wallet. "Here you go," I offered, watching as my allowance instantly got snatched before I could even finish. I ignored the way he walked back to greedily finger through the cash. I didn't think much of the tiniest bitterness settling in my throat. This was just what the normal was, right? The giving and receiving.

This is what friends do.

"Oooh, Tae-young~!" Ae-ri chimed in, appearing in my vision with a hand on my chest. "What about me? Don't you care?"

My eyes widened, shoulders tensing as I reached for the inside of my wallet, only for her to straight out take it from me. "He— hey!"

"It's fine, isn't it?" She shot back, taking out the cash from it. There was a devilish smile that unnerved me. "This was for me anyway. Hell, this wouldn't even be a dent in your account!"

My feet shuffled together, eyes moving away as my hand reached to the back of my neck. "Yeah, yeah, you're right." It should be fine. I reasoned at the time. They're my friends— they'll just give it back later.

I didn't know how many times I had said that.

"Oh yeah," The man next to me pointed upwards, puffing out a breath of smoke from his cigarette. My brows scrunched at the smell. "We got a huge party at Han's house," He snickered, a faint blush of pink on his cheeks. "You better come!"

"Oh..." I tugged on my bookbag. That... probably means I'll be sneaking out again. "Sure."

Argh... I clutched my head, vision blurring as I took another shot. My head feels woozy. The party was loud— so many people and the music was blaring. Everybody was drinking and the prudent smell of cigarettes lingered in my nose.

I leaned against the wall, placing my shot glass on a table. People— everything was swirling together. My stomach churned. I... I should go. I blearily thought, running a hand through my hair as I forced myself to walk.

"Help!" A sharp and loud voice brought me back to reality, vaguely feeling a rough tug on my clothes. Wha... my neck rolled down to see a blob... a blob that was holding tightly on my clothes. "Help me...!" The voice was hoarse and shrill, it ringed in my ear.

My face scrunched. Huh...? He... helps her? A throbbing pain in my forehead caused me to grimace. God... I feel gross. I struggled to get my thoughts straight, so I didn't register the girl crying to me getting tugged back.

"Hey, Tae-young!" My head bobbed at a familiar voice, even amongst the music and even louder shrieks. I could vaguely see the silhouette of one of the people I had considered a friend. "Nice— isn't she just a cutie?!" He gripped the woman tight, or, at least that's what I could process.

The blob, one that I could register now as a female, thrashed around with tears streaking down her hair. My eyes widened, straightening my back at the sight. "What are you—"

The man then leaned forward, a glare shutting me up. "Are you blind? Drunk too much? She's clearly begging me to take her to a good place." He barked up a laugh, staring down at the girl. I flinched, a cold unease in me. It... it doesn't look like— "Why don't you head home, hah? I'll just have my fun."

"Ooh..." I trailed off, glancing back and forth at the two. Is... is that it? I gulped, fighting with my hands. It— it should be. I turned away from her throat-tearing screams, shutting my eyes. There's no way— no way they're bad people! Those very words repeated feverishly, despite the icky feeling I had. I turned my heels swiftly, running away with my head swirling with pain and questions.

Later would I realize that would be my worst mistake.

I turned my gaze at the sudden shout, an unfamiliar woman hunching over with a glare. What...? I lowered my phone at the sight of her. "Hu— huh...?" Do... Do I know her?

"Don't you play dumb!" She yelled, strutting forward with clenched fists. The girl suddenly gripped my shirt, my breath hitched, and pulling her arm back— punched my face.

"Ack!" I tumbled over by the harsh pain, losing my balance. My body fell with a loud crash, eyes widening as the air was sucked from my lungs. My hand raised to touch my cheek, the stinging pain causing me to wince. "Mi— Miss, I...!" I scrambled up, cold sweat dripping from my face as I forced my head up— only to stop.

She... she was crying. Tears streaked from her red cheeks, brows furrowing in anguish. The woman clenched the fabric on her stomach. "I'm tainted now— you hear me?! Why couldn't you help me?! I feel like shit now— my life is ruined because of

Wh— what is she going on about? I couldn't recall immediately. And then I noticed her hair: it was different from the usual browns and black.

"Help!" A sharp and loud voice brought me back to reality, vaguely feeling a rough tug on my clothes. Wha... my neck rolled down to see a blob... a blob that was holding tightly on me. "Help me...!" The voice was hoarse and shrill, it ringed in my ear.

My breath got stuck in my throat, eyes widening at the sudden memory. She...! In that instant, utter dread and remorse pooled my body like dark ink.

My body froze at how much pain was in her voice as she dropped, messy and in tears. I... I did this? Her terrified and desperate screams rang over and over and over and over and over and over a It became harder to breathe, hands trembling as I stared down at them. They— did this?!

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god oh god oh god oh god oh

It was my fault. It was my fault.

Why didn't I do something? Why didn't I help her? Why did I trust them?!

I stopped going to school— shutting myself away to my room. My body felt heavy and tired— yet so restless at the same time. Everything that I've done... everything that I didn't do— was it because I was careless? Because I was too obsessed with my own happiness?

That was the only answer I could think of. I was naive, I was the worst.

I wanted to change— I wanted to not make anyone suffer— I wanted to repent.

So I strived. Even if I hated it— I pushed myself to the limit. I stopped talking to anyone and got into college. I stopped letting myself get fooled. I strived my very best to be better. I tried so hard to pay back what I had done.

And yet, it wasn't enough.

🎶🎶

"You this...!" I could barely make out, the large pain from my stomach becoming unbearable. Plunge after plunge, my throat had long dried out— too used to even voice out a whisper. "This is for making her suffer!!!" The knife in my stomach twisted, causing large pools of tears to fall out of my eyes. Ah... it hurts. It hurts so much...!

This... this was my punishment, wasn't it? I thought numbly to myself, feeling my body losing energy. Another stab. This— even after all my efforts. Another stab. I couldn't even feel my body anymore, watching as the dirty concrete got spilled with red. In the end, I... I couldn't do anything.

My breath hitched when I heard a sharp gasp. Wh— What? Despite my tired eyes blurring, I could make another silhouette in the entrance of the alley I ran in. Where my body bled, my ears picked up shuffling, the avenger appearing into view as they chased them down.

No... I realized, dread lingering in my dead throat. No...! My jaw clenched but it was no use— I couldn't move. I was powerless— I couldn't do anything again again again again again again againagainagaina

Please... I begged, watching as black spots took over my vision. Life was slipping away from my feeble grasp. Please escape... I don't want anyone else to... to suffer... because of me...

I was dead before I heard the loud smash of a truck.

I was so confused when I woke up with no pain. I believed that that was my end— that it was over for me. But, by the sight of my new twin and family, I slowly adapted to my... new life.

I ended up thinking that perhaps, someone out there let me have another chance. Or just wants me to ruin other people's lives again. In the end, I put it up for myself to make sure I wouldn't be such a terrible person again.

I'd rather stay dead than do that.

I listened to my new parents. I followed the rules. I made sure Hinata and Hanabi was happy— I made sure that no one was suffering because of me.

But that wasn't enough— I thought that I was actually doing something. But then it happened—

The kidnapping.

"Hiro...!" Hinata wailed, thrashing against the thick material that we were trapped. My breathing quickened as I pushed against the tight, tight space. Wha— why— what is going on?!

We were just sleeping and then— and then a stranger came— and grabbed us— and then— "Let us out!" I yelled out, feeling the bag push us against gravity. The sudden movements made me want to puke, so much I had to put a hand over my mouth. "Let us out!!!"

"Shut up, you!" Our kidnapper shot back, stern and malicious. My brows creased at the sharp tone. Urgh... this motherfucker!

Just inches away, my twin whelped with tears streaking down her face. "I... I was— I want to go— go home!!!" I took a sharp intake in terrified shock at the sight of her.

"Hinata, it'll— it'll be fine!" I assured softly, afraid of freaking her out even more. And yet, I couldn't stop myself from shaking. It has to— I thought frantically, reaching for something— anything!

It was like everything was caving in and everything was going to suffocate me and I'll

I felt the ninja kidnapping us move around hazardously. Kicking the bag, dread swept my mind. "Please, My throat got painfully hoarse, but I kept on screaming.

It was when I was hugging my sibling closely that the bag suddenly changed directions. Huh?! The force of gravity became prominent— we were falling. My breath clung to my throat, feeling the back of my hair stand up. Holy shit! In my delirious and frantic state, I forced myself to push my back at the bottom, making sure Hinata wouldn't get hurt.

I didn't feel the crash.

"Hinata, Hiro, are you alright?!" My lungs were suddenly exposed to fresh air as the bag we were trapped in unveiled. I blinked, taking in the starry night. My hair was a mess, but I was too busy looking around to care. My eyes cleared up to see the familiar face of Hinata's— our father, Hiashi.

Fa... father...? Hinata's tensed body seemed to relax at the sight of him. "Uwahhh..." She hiccuped, trembling as she broke. "O— Otou— Otou-sama!" She cried out, pushing me away slightly to hug the adult. The said man held a frown as he caught her, bringing my sibling close.

"Da... Otou-sama..." I trailed off, glancing away. "Wh— where... where did the ninja go—" My breath was stuck in my throat as I froze. In front of us was the ninja— brutally murdered with blood splattered on the dirt.

My body tripped, causing me to fall to the ground. My stomach churned— so much that I had to whip my head just in time to throw up. Acid— I tasted acid but as tears welled up, all I could think of the dead dead dead dead dead dead dead dead dead deaddeaddea

...I thought that would be it. I thought that would be the last of it. It was like fate was playing with me.

"What?!" That was one of the first time I raised my voice at someone, even in both lives. My hands slammed against the floor from where I kneeled, eyes widened at my father.

"Kumogakure refused to admit that their head ninja kidnapped you two." Hiashi sent me a stern look, causing me to frown but go down. In the corners of my eyes, my twin fidgeted, in which I squeezed her hand in reassurance. "They demanded my head in compensation or else of risk of war."

I was taken back, my chest beating faster. Wait... I shook my head slightly, finding something strange. But then... "You're... you're still alive." That doesn't make sense... if we're not at war... and he's still here, then...

Hinata gasped before I finally realized it— why I haven't seen Hizashi or Neji in a while. "You..." Hinata trailed off, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You used uncle Hizashi?!" I finished for her, disbelief settling in my throat. "But he's innocent!"

"It is better for the clan for a branch member to go," What? That was utter bullshit in my ears.

My head hung low along with my hands in my lap turning into fists. "But... but that's just—" I raised my head. "How could you say that?! He was your brother!" His face wasn't fazed, not an inch— which only made me feel worse. Is— is in this world like this?! Is everyone just this fucking awful?!

No— I won't be like them. Not like my past life.

I stood up, clenched fists at my side. "I'm going to my room," I announced bluntly, turning my heel without waiting for a response.

"Hiro!" The clan head yelled at me. And even if it did hurt to do so, I leave the room with the door slammed shut.

A few years later would I be declared clan heir, one of the things I never wanted to be.

It was only years later that I began thinking differently. I didn't think I would ever to— until I met Megumi, that is.

The first time I met her, I flat out disliked her. The reason wasn't really that deep. There was just— just something with her carefree attitude that annoyed me: Just how can she just smile like that?

But then, one day after an incident...

"Hinata-tan? Hiro-kun?" My head lifted, looking over my shoulder as a familiar silhouette of an Uchiha peered through the door frame. My brows furrowed as my arms crossed. Oh, her. Watching her skip over, I shifted so she wouldn't be so close. "Are you okay?"

Well, at least she's concerned. I briefly thought. "I'm— I'm fine, Megumi-san," I let out a small huff at her lie. She's not fine at all, her heartbeat was fast just a minute ago. "I just... I just got tired during training, that's— that's all."