12 Chapter 12
Hearing those words, Hikari was surprised and she looked at Naruto. She thought too much into and thought that they had gone further into the relationship, making it physical. Rika knew that her words were suggestive and she wanted Hikari to sweat. Hikari had known both of them from a younger age, 5 years old.
From the time she could remember, Naruto had always been the same. He had been strong and intelligent.
He had been warm and patient.
Hikari loved her brother a lot for being the best brother ever but she loved Naruto more than anyone else.
He was similar to her brother in a way and he had the other qualities that she liked. Most people weren't so gentle like him.
He made her feel like a little child and he did the same with others. She was a conservative person so Hikari had never been too direct about her interest.
She was beautiful and strong according to everyone else but Hikari felt that Rika looked better. She was sometime jealous of Rika's approach to things.
Rika was always close to Naruto and she made things difficult.
Just like Rika considered her a rival, Hikari also saw the same way.
Hikari was talented as a tamer but in combat she had never won against Rika. Even now her digimon's rookie form was not suited for combat against a combat species like Renamon.
Nonetheless, she decided to move forward and wanted to invite all of them to become part the Digi-Destined because the world out there was cold and unforgiving.
It was better for them to work together and increase the pace of improvement. She thought this even though she believed that Naruto was exceptional.
Hikari didn't see the point of rejecting the invitation. He wanted to roam freely and he could do that with them.
He wanted to lead his own team and he could so that with them.
He didn't want anyone above him and it was Naruto's actual reason to decline. Hikari couldn't believe those words, as he was acting prideful and vain.
She had always seen him act humble.
That was a shocker but this was one was even beyond that. Naruto had showed zero interest in sexual activities.
She could feel lust from others but he had never seen anyone with that gaze. His eyes were always pure.
He didn't even mention it.
She thought he wouldn't sleep with anyone and was someone that was looking for true love, something that he was sure about and would get married soon after.
Those were her thoughts and she wanted to be that person.
She had seen Rika try and fail, and honestly she felt happy about it.
She was a kind person but when it came to such things, it was hard to have positive emotions.
Regardless, she also saw Rika as a friend and would be happy if Naruto was happy with the relationship.
But this was too unexpected.
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Naruto looked at Rika with that smug smile on her face, screaming to her face that she had won.
He could feel Hikari go through various emotions within a moment and pinched Rika's arm before giving her a hug.
"Don't think too much about it, Hikari. I literally carried her around, nothing more."
Naruto responded to Hikari before turning his gaze back to Rika, "It is a good tactic, but don't use it. I don't want others to think that I sleep around. And, I don't want others to see you as a person that shares such delicate details."
Seeing his serious expression, Rika nodded. Thinking about it, it made her look like a bitch, "I won't do it."
"Good" Naruto pinched her cheek
Hikari looked at them both and could see the change. Their emotions seemed to have deepened and Rika was acting so girly in front of other people.
She could see that this wasn't some play. Something had happened and it caused such a massive change. Rika already liked him but Naruto didn't, so how did she convince him.
"Do you love each other? Is this your answer?" Hikari asked while keeping down her negative feelings. She obviously felt frustrated and wanted to scream.
"I love him and he will love me with time. So, you did confess. I thought you didn't have the courage to act. Are you going to try stealing him now, or will you step down like you always do?" Rika smiled victoriously. She loved it. She loved looking down from above.
Seeing her rival act so subdued made her really happy.
She walked closer and stood in front of Hikari, looking at her with a challenging gaze. Rika respected Hikari, so in a way she wanted her to speak up.
Hikari's gaze shifted around and she bit her lip. Those words definitely stung but she smiled.
"I don't know what you mean as I have never been a coward. As for you, what you are doing is definitely cowardly." Hikari stepped forward and looked straight in to Rika's eyes.
Their chest touched each other and sparks flew.
Naruto expected such an outcome and slapped Rika's bum lightly before pulling her away by the waist.
Rika cried out in a sweet tone but quiet down as she was held by Naruto. She didn't forget to give Hikari a smug look.
"Kari, Rika hasn't done anything. I gave her the same answer that I gave you. I am open to anyone trying to win my heart. Though, do you have the patience and desire to continue on such a path? Maybe you will regret pursuing me, as there is no guarantee I will ever answer your affections. I want you girls to think about it carefully." Naruto spoke up before Rika and Hikari ended up causing a scene.
The adults would blame him for not stopping it and it cause bad impact on their reputation. Things spread too easily.
Naruto had already used his ability so none could hear them. His powers had increased by a level since he became a tamer as the association finally fully unsealed his powers.
Plus his bond with Asura gave him another increase. Asura had fire affinity as the primary elements but he also had yin-yang so those affinities increased inside Naruto.
Rika stared at him with an intense gaze.
Are you really doing this?
Really, asking her while I am still here?
You got guts Naruto, guts I tell you.
Who knows maybe someone might stab you in your sleep.
She spoke through her eyes and Naruto patted her head to calm his little hellion.
Hikari was silent as she watched the interaction. It was something that she had been jealous about as she couldn't do it.
Hikari looked at him and blinked. She smiled after hearing the answer and realized that her thoughts were clouded. It was unexpected that she was acting pessimistic because it involved Rika and Naruto.
"Thank you for the clarification and the warning, but I have chosen to pursue this path. If I wanted to tread the easy path, I wouldn't be Tachi's sister nor would I join him on this journey to the unknown. From a young age, I have fought and faced the dangers present in our world. Do you think I will step back because of some risk of a heart break? Don't look down on me, just because I am soft spoken. My heart can handle everything and nothing can break my spirit. You just have to wait and see, my affections will break that ice. You and me, we are meant to be." Hikari was happy at his words and answered in kind, showing her declaration of love and war.
Turning to Rika, she gave a small smile, "Fortunately, I am an empath just like you. Our emotions will reach a crescendo once we connect."
"You are such a showoff, can't you speak normal. We will reach a crescendo, what a corny line." Rika joked, making Hikari embarrassed.
The girls glared at each other and it looked like a fight was about to start.
"I know the feeling. Your offer is attractive, but we will have to wait and see. I am not sure of you are ready for it. You girls may need to wait for another 2 years or so before my interest develops." Naruto caught both girls into a hug and whispered to them the truth that they wouldn't realize without knowing about his past life.
"It isn't a long time. I am willing to spend years to develop this bond and continue our path together." Kari didn't think of Naruto as her ultimate goal. He was the love goal while she had a purpose in life that she strove for.
"I will take that as a challenge and make you confess before two years are finished." Rika's answer was different as expected.
"I look forward to this surprise. Now act like good girls and stop making trouble for others."
