I didn't know what caused me to remember my previous life memories—It might have been the impact from an accidental collision, the inexplicable feeling of familiarity I sensed on the person coming right at me, or the person himself who may have been the key to this impossible phenomenon.
In that split of a second that felt like a lifetime, I was stuck in a limbo of two different timelines, reliving a memory prior to this one while the other is dead to the world—no awareness, eyes unseeing, and ears deaf.
When clarity rushed over me like a whirlwind, gaze shifting at the person across from me, I realized I didn't care who I am from this point onwards.
As fate has it, I regained something I had lost.
It was a memory—a memory that I have been reliving under the covers of a dream, fragmented and broken as they were, have finally resurfaced in full.
Faced with the person who influenced my predicament. An unbearable pain engulfed me along with the recollection, pain that has nothing to do with the throb in my back or the sting in my hands.
His presence, bright as the sun, broke something within me, and I couldn't stop the tears from spilling under my welling eyes. I never felt so broken until I realize how hard have I yearned for this moment.
'You're here,'
It felt like I had found a missing part of me again.
Regardless of the reason—whether from this life or another, whether I am merely in a bittersweet dream sleeping in my room and forgetting everything like all the dreams I've had before, or in a street dying under a moonlit sky, bathed in my own blood and whispering wishes that will never come to pass—none of it held significance.
Confronted by someone I shouldn't have recognized, the person who once filled the void in my heart—created by grief, loneliness and isolation with warmth, companionship and even the determination to live.
Obito Uchiha.
That person was him.
My comfort character whom my previous self used to cherish and relied on for the remainder of her hollow life. The one-sided bond I have built in my lowest of low, the last bond I held onto until the very end.
'I'm glad to have the chance to meet you like this, Obito'
My mouth quivered, teeth clenched as if striving to prevent the wail from escaping my lips.
'I'm glad. I'm glad. I'm glad.'
Hnnghhh! Hieek... Hueek...
Tears, however, continue to gush from my eyes, staining the ground and my hands—hands that kept wiping furiously, trying their best to clear the blurring vision of Obito, who was attempting to get up and check on me—his face stricken with panic due to my uncontrolled tears.
Like a losing battle of will, I let go of the restraint that held me in place and tackled the confused Uchiha, convincing myself that this is reality and not an illusion.
"Woah, what?!" Obito had to firmly plant his feet on the ground due to the momentum of my movement before grabbing me by the waist to steady the both of us once I was within his arm's reach.
Surprised, he instinctively tried to pry me away but I ended up tightening my hold on him all the more.
'Just this once, I don't want to hold back.'
I knew I was inconveniencing him and I was being rude but ", a little more..." I mumbled my thoughts out loud, completely out of it.
Obito, bless his soul, stayed still as I clung to him.
In my desperation, I hadn't noticed my chakra flaring wildly and my senses spreading with abandon, attention solely on the person in front of me as if trying to memorize every single detail of this encounter.
"Are you okay, now?" he asked a moment later, not knowing what to do with me clinging to him.
Silence.
He must have only noticed that I was already unconscious when I refused to respond and my hold on him has slackened.
Both of us have been oblivious of my reckless release of chakra—him for not yet honing his chakra in this time and age, and me for my single-minded intent to hold Obito.
It was when I had calmed down from the rhythm of his heart that I was forced to feel the brunt of my chakra exhaustion, regretfully passing out.
It's no surprise grandpa was there when I collapsed in the arms of this young Uchiha, tear-stained and bleeding from the scratches gained from the incident.
The hidden crest on my nape shone in a silvery glow.
Obito's POV
It wasn't Obito's intention to bump into her.
The path was narrow enough to begin with, and he was running at full speed, which might have been his fault in this matter.
He was already running late for his grandma's dinner and if it wasn't for the elderly needing his help over carrying her groceries, he wouldn't have been so late.
It just so happens on his way to the crossroads, she popped out.
Unfortunately, we were too close for either of us to move out of the way in time, forcefully slamming against one other to the ground.
Ignoring the pain from the impact, he tried to turn and check on the other person first whom he thought was unlucky enough to have bumped into him. What caught his eye, however, was the tears spilling on the eyes of the girl and the blank look on her face.
Somehow, he can feel that something isn't right.
"Hey! Are you okay?!" he shouted, unable to completely mask the panic in his voice.
When he was getting up to check on her, intent on apologizing and worried for her well-being—she was already up on her feet, limping towards him.
It confuses him why she started to approach him first despite the obvious injuries she has sustained, more so when she surprised him by her desperate hug.
It caught him off guard and instinctively tried to get away but stopped after taking account of her injuries.
The raw emotion she wore was a mix of relief and longing—an unexpected reaction from someone he had caused trouble for. It would have made sense if she were angry, if she had scolded him.
But not this.
Frankly, he thought she wasn't in her right mind or that she must have mistaken him for someone else entirely.
The hospital gown didn't do much to dissuade him.
He never was close to any of his peers, both from the villagers and his clan. The only friend he ever had was Rin Nohara, although he himself didn't know how that happened. It was the first time he met this girl.
After a moment had passed, he asked the same question, now in a calmer and reassuring tone.
However, he was greeted with silence.
Sensing something was wrong, he noticed her going limp in his arms, leading him to swiftly adjust her position by supporting her under the arm and shifting her weight onto his shoulder to maintain their balance.
His panic was short-lived as his fellow Uchiha landed only a few meters away from him.
Obito wasn't particularly familiar with his clan, so he didn't recognize the individual in front of him, except for identifying him as an Uchiha based on his appearance and attire.
"What happened?!" he asked, a little forceful, eyes drifting to the nape of the girl where a dying silvery light shone on her crescent mark. He proceeded to lift Noemi away from the young Uchiha's arms and place her in his.
"It was my fault, I accidentally bumped into her," he hurriedly said, explaining the whole situation.
"I don't know why but she started crying on her own and hu-hugged me" he stammered awkwardly.
While the elder adjusted the girl in his arms to a more comfortable position, he still continued to listen attentively to the young Uchiha, but when he stammered, he frowned. Glancing back at the young boy, he noted who he is.
"Obito Uchiha," the elder stated.
"Yes, that's my name, sir" Obito replied nervously.
"Ummm," Obito hesitated a little,
"..is she going to be okay?" he added.
The elder assesses him a little further, then he nods his head at him. Turning his back on Obito with an unconscious girl in tow, he halted his steps. As if sensing the turmoil in the young uchiha's head, sensing his guilt and shame, he tilted his head in Obito's general direction, addressing him as he speak.
"If you wish to apologize to her then look for her in the Konoha Hospital, she might be there for a while" he informed, facing straight ahead.
"I will allow you to visit her" after inviting him, he shunshin away leaving a stunned Obito.
Noemi's POV
Urrghhh.
Groaning, I tried to sit up just after regaining my consciousness but was stopped firmly by a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing me back under the covers of the bed.
"Don't get up yet," a rough voice resounded in the room, retracting his hand once I obediently settled back down, vaguely noting that it was Grandpa's voice.
There was a tapping sound of a medic's pen against her clipboard, as if jotting something down disapprovingly, that caught my attention.
Lifting my gaze to the footboard of the bed, where the medical ninja was glaring daggers at me. I soon got reminded of my little stunt this afternoon. I soberly got the gist of the situation.
To be fair, this wasn't really my first rodeo, but it was the first time I got back more injured.
As if seeing the guilt from my eyes, she ease her expression and let go of the matter, turning to face my grandpa.
"Uchiha-san,"
She addressed, loud enough for me to hear.
"The injuries sustained by Noemi-chan from her little trip.. " she worded sarcastically, "..outside aren't grave but also aren't light either," she surmised, glancing at me from time to time.
"That is to say, her already low chakra has come down to the point of chakra exhaustion," her brows furrowed at the gravity of it—chakra exhaustion can lead to death if not handled well.
"Aside from the scratches and sore pains which we have already treated, due to her chakra exhaustion she'll have to stay here for a week and please refrain her from using any more chakra" she said in a firm tone, unwilling to entertain any other suggestions.
'I didn't used them,' I thought.'I only performed tree climbing jutsu but that hardly warrants me going a roundtrip to the hospital.'
I slowly tilted my head to my left, eyes half-lidded and worn, staring blankly, gradually tuning them out.
I was in a world of my own.
Grandpa sighed tiredly.
"What happened, Noemi?" he shifted back at me after talking a little longer with the med-nin before walking out to see her next patient, his face looked so gaunt.
'Probably my doing' I thought, guiltily.
I myself didn't know what happened, everything felt so bizarre and absurd. I'm essentially in between the past and the present. To relive a lifetime of memory, to meet the character I depended on, to be reincarnated in a pre-canon Naruto torn by war and idealism.
I didn't know what to say or where to start.
Everything just felt so overwhelming and I haven't made a decision yet. With the body of a four-year-old, there is so much I can hold onto and take-in.
My breathing started to pick up, "Jii-chan," I pleaded brokenly. Almost close to tears but controlled enough not to break down.
I wasn't always this emotional in front of Grandpa—not even when having spent a good number of my life inside the orphanage, I never complained about it.
It really felt like I got pushed against a wall.
The deep regrets and pain seems to have carried over from my previous life to the present to the point I wish my memories didn't came to light.
'At least this life is better than the last—here, I have the opportunity to be with the people I love again, who are still alive and real,' I reflected
Wiping the remainder of my tears, I determinedly faced grandpa, eyes conveying promise and resolved.
'And I'm going to keep it that way, no matter what'
"Jii-chan," I began, vulnerability seeping into my voice. I was going to make a request for the first time.
"I want to be stronger," I pleaded. "..stronger than I am now—to be the strongest kunoichi".
It wasn't easy to ask for favors to the person who gave more than one can ask for. I was afraid it would burden them from my unnecessary wants. It wasn't easy, moreso if its from grandpa.
Grandpa didn't expect to hear this from me, but if he was shocked, I couldn't tell. He had already put on his expressionless face, never once faltering in the face of my big ambition.
"Why?" he asked,
"It has only been a day, what changed your mind?"
'It couldn't be,' his thoughts were grave with suspicion, hands clenched.
He didn't show it, but he had an inkling that it had to do with what happened at the shrine and the incident in the streets, both times she passed out only to have a crest bloom on her nape. There was definitely going on that he was unaware of and that made him feel ashamed for not addressing it early.
Still, he wanted to make this right.
At that moment, I didn't notice Grandpa's worries, his thoughts didn't seem to reflect on his face. Not hesitating the slightest, hope started to bloom in my heart.
"I want to protect the people I love... with my life," I responded slowly.
"All of you, with my own strength, Jii-chan" I added.
'I don't want to wait for another miracle, or another reason to regret, or for others to die on me again'.
I know what I'm asking could lead to my death—I'm also completely aware what would become of me if I failed, especially with the war in the horizon, waiting to break out in half a year's time. By then, if I kept this up a lot of characters people I'm close to will not survive.
Losing everyone I cherished—that's a future I am not ready to face.
Kazuma's POV
I already knew that one day, this lovely child, would soon choose the path of a shinobi. I didn't expect she would ask to be the strongest however. The optimism she had on her face, as if ready to face the world with hope and dreams, Kazuma Uchiha didn't seem to share the same sentiment. Now, he has to make the decision and resolve himself for the risk she has to take.
Unlike her, who lives within the safety of the village's walls, he had already experienced the horrors of war.
Had it not for her condition, her lineage alone would have been enough to make her a splendid shinobi, but it will eventually be an excuse to send her to the front lines, if a war were to ever break out—whether or not she had the talent for it or not.
He would have come forward had she wished to choose a civilian life and protect her from the village elders.
But now that it has finally come to this.
He has no choice but to respect the resolve in her promise—he also understands that it is for the best.
It is true that he may have guided her to this path ever since teaching her how to control her chakra, but that was then and this is now. It wouldn't be just skills, she may need to adapt to the mentality of a shinobi.
Even though he himself became a child soldier at her age, his reluctance still persists as he doesn't want that for her.
'If possible, I want you to hold onto your childhood for a little longer' he lamented.
But this is a world where 'what you want' doesn't align with 'what you need'—it has always about survival. And he'll damn make sure that this child will survive the perils of the world.
His eyes hardened as he reached a decision.
"Fine," he responded, tone flat.
"Your desire to protect is commendable, but if you want my support, you'll have to prove yourself ready to me by passing my test" he declared firmly.
"It won't be easy," he let on.
Noemi might not know what kind of test her grandpa has planned for her, but she won't back down.
With her selfish desire to hope again and the burden of changing the future weighing heavily on her shoulders, determination is etched into her expression.
Kazuma can't help but sigh from her stubbornness, a personality so in contrast to both of her lifetimes.
However, with that out of the way, his countenance then softened to the grandpa she knew.
"I'm not going to pretend that nothing happened to you, Emi-chan. And I know there must have been a reason for you to change this much, but I'll wait until you're ready to talk to me" he said, eyes dropping.
"I will always be here to listen, patiently"
Noemi couldn't help but feel ashamed for not confiding in him. He deserved to know, but something within her held her back from sharing her experience with others.
Kazuma thought of the ambition she wished of him.
"Just remember, being the strongest doesn't equate to power just as the skills one possesses in their arsenal wouldn't guarantee success, true strength often lies in the ability to endure, to withstand adversity, and to continue moving forward" he advised.
'Perhaps, she might grow up as resilient as that person had, but for now...'
Shifting back at her, he continued to part his beliefs that he held close to his heart.
"The bonds you create with those you call your own, the people you love and cherish shall one day aid you in your journey to strength," He paused. "And I will be here, supporting you along the way"
A subtle but genuine smile graced his lips.
His sincerity left Noemi completely shaken, wide-eyed in disbelief. He smiled. Grandpa smiled.
I wondered, is he proud of me?
Is this what it feels like to have someone genuinely supports you? I'm not alone anymore.
Her grandpa's words are the words she secretly wished she could have heard from her parents in both lifetimes. To hear it from him is like having her existence validated once more.
After Kazuma was done, he reverted back to his expressionless face.
His mind preoccupied in his thoughts about his origin and belief.
In the Uchiha Clan, Kazuma is a respected elder, a strong shinobi in his prime.
Yet he was also one of the few elders who, despite being born into the clan, had his own unique way of thinking that differed greatly from the majority of their clan.
Kazuma believes in the peace of the clan and the village.
But because of their clan's long lasting obsession with their lineage, they fail to grasp that bonds are not confined to those of their kin.
That's why he doesn't want her to pursue a path fixated on power, a warped and cursed concept of strength in his clan.
Noemi's POV
After being confronted by grandpa last night, and getting his support on my ambition to get stronger, I was left to rest in the hospital bed, still in a daze.
The bitterness to spend a week in a hospital and the chakra exhaustion, forgotten.
Reminiscing about the events that occurred the other day, she tried to process her interaction with grandpa.
His show of vulnerability and genuine support has continuously provided me with endless solace.
'I didn't realize I meant that much to him.'
It's just too good to be true.
This instinctive denial for love might have been influenced by my personality in my past life.
Yet, the few bonds I managed to form out of hope hurt when they shattered, strengthening the barriers around my heart. That's why I chose a one-sided bond that will never come to fruition, to minimize the pain.
In the end, I closed myself off to the world.
Reflecting on it now, I regretted it.
The me from the past is nothing but a coward.
I wasn't brave enough to save them let others into my life—I was afraid of the pain they will leave behind.
I was afraid that I was the cause of their deaths.
However, remembering grandpa's comforting words makes me realize how grateful I am to be alive.
He wouldn't die because he's strong.
'I want to belong here, I don't want to give up, I won't give up'
Speaking of, that stopped me in my train of thoughts.
'I won't give up' an echo in my mind.
'Right, Obito.'
A soft smile wore on my face, neither knowing if it was out of longing or sadness.
'I won't let you suffer the same fate as you did in the original, I promise.' I thought obsessedly.
In Kakashi Gaiden, there was a scene where Obito declared to Rin that saving Obito is the same as saving the world.
'How convenient' I thought.
'So I just have to keep Obito from turning over, right?' I nodded to myself as if that alone isn't a problem itself.
In truth, I am aware how hard that will be, I'm just too exhausted to think it over and flesh it out. But in a way, that's the plan for now, and I'm going to make it happen with the strength grandpa believe in.
I'm not alone anymore.
This time, I will have the power to make it happen.
'I'll think about the Kyuubi Attack and Uchiha Massacre after I ensure Obito's safety and preserve all the things that define him—his love, his comrades, his village—one by one'
'Somehow I will,' I groggily thought as I drifted off to sleep.
Not knowing the sacrifices and hard decisions I'll have to make, in order to achieve those goals.
As time progressed, I spent most of my days sleeping to recover from chakra exhaustion—the sooner I get better the faster I'm out of here.
At other times, I engaged in strategic planning in order to counter the events of the original, a pass time to remedy my aversion to idleness—a sentiment that both the past and present me share.
The time spent recovering and the constant visits I had to endure around the clock by none other than my hardworking assigned med-nin is exhausting.
It seems the stunt I made caused the other med-nin to keep an eye on me whenever they passed by.
A 24/7 human surveillance.
'Ugh, I really hate the hospital'
My body sagging deeper in bed.
It was about time for grandpa to show up just as he always does every mid-afternoon.
When he came at a nick of time, he dragged himself a chair close to my bed and sat comfortably. He didn't forget to bring me dango, which I happily received.
'Ah, dango' I sighed contently.
I always have a sweet tooth.
If there is any saving grace about this place then its the scenery and grandpa's daily visits.
Remembering a life where everything was unbearably noisy, with overly crowded areas, towering buildings obscuring the starless sky, and an unbelievable amount of air pollution.
'Compared to there, this is freedom!'
As I hummed with my mouth already full of sweet and flavorful dango, Grandpa was staring at me strangely.
"Jii-chan," I called after swallowing the dango, "is there something wrong with my face?" I asked genuinely, choosing to embody the child I always am, or have wished to be.
"Hm..." He trailed off.
"You're happy," he observed, "almost too happy" raising a brow.
My sunny smile froze, and I looked away.
"Well, uh..." I began to force a laugh, shoulders lifting with one side of my mouth turning up, conveying a message of 'It is what it is'.
When goofing around wasn't effective, I took a breath and sincerely offered a smile, with my crescent eyes.
"I guess I feel alive again, Jii-chan. It's like I've rediscovered myself. The whole place seems brighter than usual, and I can't help but feel more!" I exclaimed excitedly.
It was the truth. I don't know if it's because I died once, letting go of the world that suffocated me and the broken bonds I kept, or that I was given another chance in life. What's important is that I can finally do something now. I have the power stop my tragedies.
Grandpa, however, wasn't convinced and only frowned, asking, "Is it a boy?"
If I had something in my mouth, I'm sure I would've spat it out.
"What?! Jii-chan, No!" blood started to rise on my cheek.
"It isn't like that at all!" I shouted, flushed.
"Uh-huh". He replied flatly.
"Besides," I mumbled. "I'm four."
I hid my face from him. Totally embarrassed.
Grandpa let out a drawn-out sigh, a clear sign of how tired he was, with his hands haphazardly covering his ears.
'I swear, he always looks tired these days, must be his age catching up to him' I reasoned, glancing at him, my face scrunching up.
"Jii-chan," I pouted.
A moment later, with my smile back in place.
Grandpa and I went back to our pleasant conversation.
'It's weird. I think I got a little closer with grandpa than I ever had this past two years.'
"Jii-chan, can't you really tell me anything about the test?" I asked once more, just like every time since that day.
Grandpa ignored me as he packed up to leave.
Not much time had passed since his visit, but I wasn't too sad to see him leave—I knew he would visit again.
But seeing him go is still tough—I wished he would stay.
"Thank you for raising me," I suddenly said, catching him off-guard from my sudden shift of emotion. I am immensely grateful for this person who cared for my existence greatly.
'And I love you'
...were the words left unsaid.
I know that I didn't need to say it to Grandpa, as he knows me better than anyone. But as I continue to be honest with myself, I realize that I am a sentimental person. I wondered, how have I lived so emotionless before.
Maybe that's why I went mad when I lost him.
That is why I am incredibly sorry for Grandpa because I will continue to be selfish from now on.
'If I could keep them alive...'
Staring at Grandpa's back, he halted in his steps just as he was about to open the door—his back straighten and his hands clench on his sides. He glanced back at me, his expression lighter than ever, with a smile tinged with sadness.
"Hn." was his only response.
As he was out of the door, he paused once again.
"Just so you know, it's too early for you to have a boyfriend." Without another word, he left.
"Eh?! A boyfriend?" I asked incredulously, taken aback by the notion itself. It only took a few more seconds before a small visitor entered my unit, carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
'I see,' as clarity came, so was my pending panic.
"Sh*t!" I muttered, eyes darting around to escape my predicament. As much as I'm eager to meet this boy again, I can't help but hide instinctively.
Just like before, I would always recognize this person anywhere. The boy holding a bouquet in his hands is Obito Uchiha, a boy with spiky black hair and matching dark eyes hidden behind his orange goggles.
He wore a plain grey shirt under a blue high-collared jacket with long, open sleeves.
The inner lining and hems were dyed orange, paired with simple brown pants and open-toed blue leather sandals.
His sudden appearance made my breath hitch and triggered a flight-or-freeze response from me.
But since there was nowhere to run, I ended up staying still until his gaze shifted to mine.
The sight of him left me breathless.
I don't know if its just me but he looks so incredibly cute in his pre-academy self. Patches are seen popping out from his clothes and his hands and legs where signs of bigger injury left to heal on their own.
I realized I have been staring too much for it to be comfortable and Obito looked guilty of something.
Forcing myself to breathe, I straightened up and sat on the edge of my bed, clad in my hospital gown as per protocol, with my hair loose and softly curling. I was very conscious if I was presentable enough to meet.
I know Obito wouldn't mind at all, sadly. But I mind.
"Hi" I greeted dumbly, mind still in a daze.
"Hello." he responded back, holding out the bouquet in his hands. They looked like they were freshly picked. It was mainly covered in grass and a few dandelions in the center, with only his hands keeping them together.
"I'm sorry for what happened last time," he started, still holding out the dandelions for me to take.
"My Obasan said that it's rude not to apologize when I was at fault," he explained further.
".. and to show my sincerity, I made a bouquet of flowers" he beamed like he did something right.
Still in a daze, I remained where I was, staring intently at the dandelions in his hands instead of the person in front of me.
"They're dandelions," he stated obviously.
"Obasan said they would speed up your recovery, they're really hard to find in the late autumn, you know" he added, seeing as I was fixated on them.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I apologized when I realized I wasn't responding to him. I secretly mustered the courage to face him—my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
I gave him my sunny smile that's a little wider than usual.
"They're just so beautiful that I think I fell in love," I paused, "with them," I added, not hearing myself anymore, gaze fixed on his widening black eyes as I reached for the flowers gently.
"Ahem. I'm Obito Uchiha from the Uchiha Clan" he introduced confidently, back turning to showcase his clans' crest, his hand pointing to his back with his thumb sticking out.
"Konoha's future Hokage!"
He even introduce his candidacy to be the hokage that was equivalent for a president in my past life. It was loud enough to attract the attention of the few shinobi patients passing by the hospital ward.
Yet he continued to smile—so radiant that I feared my chakra might start to run wild again.
'I can't believe he'd say the same lines in the anime' I furrowed my brow, exhaling in disbelief and amusement. This person is impossible, to have the same dream as 'him', a part of me sobered down.
An image of a young adult came to mind, overlapping with the smile of Obito. I gritted my teeth to control myself. This isn't the first time I met someone who foolishly believes the title of Hokage.
'Seriously, remembering the past can be so mentally draining' I lowered my head, trying to calm myself as grief overtakes me. 'They're both crazy' I relented, 'And I'm on a different level as I loved that part of them' I smiled bitterly.
Returning to face Obito once more, I made another promise to this world. I just hope I can keep them all.
"Then I'll be waiting for that day, Obito-kun. I'm sure one day you'll be a great and kind Hokage." I respond sincerely, with a tinge of regret for a dream once dreamt in another world.
'I want to see him become the Hokage, for his sake and mine'
Since I will be remaining in this world for the foreseeable future, I figured that I should also have a dream to pursue, yet I couldn't make out any.
For now, I desire the happiness of this young Uchiha, a wish carried over from a different life. To do that I need to be stronger than I am now.
Wearing my most confident smile, I followed his tempo and declared just as loudly, "I am Noemi Tsukiko, and I'm gonna be the strongest kunoichi of the hidden leaf". I huffed and made a funny pose.
"So you better keep an eye on me, because I'm going to be a valuable asset to your village, future Hokage-sama" I smirked.
"Eh?! Really?"
Obito and I remain as we were, a little dumbfounded by my bold claims that seems to carry the same weight as his.
It wasn't long to convince him that I wasn't spouting nonsense just to spite him, even though he himself knows how grand of a dream he wishes to pursue.
'I hope this will be enough for him to see me as an equal, a friend'
For all it's worth, Obito is the type of person who doesn't associate with people he doesn't consider as a friend. I, for one, didn't want to be seen as a mere acquaintance and be forgotten.
'I just want to be closer to you' admitting my motives.
"Then, Noemi-chan!" He started, back on his usual self.
"...you'll have to work harder if you don't want to be left behind" he grinning widely.
'Right. This is the smile I'm willing to fight for.'
"You as well," I replied, returning his smile.