Ella blinked twice in utter shock, seemingly unable to grasp that I had already discovered her identity.
Her face flushed deep red, and she quickly covered it with both hands, stumbling backward in a panic.
"N–Naruto–kun! I–I, um… the thing is..."
"It's okay. I'm not upset or anything," I reassured her with a gentle smile, placing a hand on her right shoulder.
She looked incredibly tense and flustered.
Was this truly the same girl who had been fiercely attacking me just moments ago?
I handed her the mask as I spoke slowly.
"In truth, I wasn't entirely sure it was you. But I took a chance. It was your behavior today that raised my suspicions even more."
Ella grabbed the mask hastily and put it back on. I immediately noticed a shift in her demeanor. Her embarrassment seemed to vanish as if it had never existed. She let out a sigh and lowered her head.
"Naruto–kun..." she whispered my name as I looked at her in surprise. Then, without warning, she grabbed my cheeks and pinched them hard.
"You really scared me, you big idiot!!"
I stood frozen, unable to comprehend what she was saying.
Was this really the same shy girl who was about to faint from embarrassment just a few moments ago?
But more than that, it hurt. So in response to the pain, I grabbed her hands and pulled them away from my face.
Caught off guard, Scarlet lost her balance and stumbled forward, falling against me since I was still holding her hands.
My eyes disappeared beneath the shadow of my bangs as I let go of her hands. Scarlet braced herself by placing her head and hands on my chest.
It was the first time she truly felt the strength of my body. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she muttered under her breath,
"H–He's so strong…"
"Uhm, Ella–chan, could you maybe… move back a little?"
Realizing how closely she was leaning into me, Scarlet quickly lifted her head to look at my face. I was embarrassed, but not exactly panicked.
I looked into her eyes calmly, my cheeks still red. Normally, I would've looked away or become completely flustered—but that didn't happen this time...
She opened her eyes slightly in surprise, then smiled and said,
"Looks like you've finally stopped being a little kid, huh?"
After saying that, she immediately stepped back, her demeanor changing in an instant.
"What's that supposed to mean?! Ella–chan!"
"Call me Scarlet while we're here! And let's go—we still have a scene to shoot, remember?"
Oh crap, I had completely forgotten!!
I stood up and followed after her as she calmly made her way toward the door.
"Wait a second! Are you sure we can even pull this off? And I'm not done talking to you yet—you're not trying to avoid answering me, are you?!"
She looked back at me with a smile and a tender gaze I could feel even through her mask.
"Right now, let's finish filming this important scene for my new song. After that, we'll have plenty of time to talk about everything you want to know."
I stared at her in surprise for a moment.
Just how deeply does this girl value her work? It's like it's her very reason for living.
Ella... how much are you hiding behind that mask of yours?
I hurried after her as we headed to the filming area.
. . .
#Scene Ten
. . .
The Euphoria of Acting
. . .
"You're late. Hurry up—this is the final take," the director yelled in clear frustration, giving me a stern glare. I could tell he absolutely hated me for delaying the final scene, which was all that remained for the song.
Scarlet stood before me as I closed my eyes and exhaled sharply, trying to clear my thoughts.
I gazed at her with eyes burning with determination.
If I was going to do this scene, I had to become an actor in this very moment.
Scarlet wrapped her arms around my neck and slowly began leaning toward me.
I placed my hands on her waist and gently pulled her closer, locking eyes with her. Our faces inched nearer and nearer to each other.
At that moment, I separated my emotions and thoughts from everything else.
For Ella—no, for Scarlet to succeed in her career as an artist, I had to do this. There was no other option.
She was merely an actress, and I had to fully embrace my role beside her.
Nothing else should enter my mind.
It felt like I was diving into a new and intense world.
A strange calm overtook me, as if I were the only person on Earth. My mind was perfectly clear.
The director's eyes widened in shock as he watched my facial expressions subtly transform. The cameraman continued filming without interruption.
Scarlet's cheeks turned red and she closed her eyes beneath the mask.
I could see it clearly—her eyes—from this close.
I smiled gently and then began kissing her lips with a dreamy tenderness that anyone watching the scene would feel.
"Th–This..."
The director muttered in complete disbelief, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
But I didn't bother thinking about any of that. My entire focus was on the crimson-haired, immoral girl—Immoral Scarlet.
After parting from her, I leaned my forehead against hers, placing a hand on her cheek and gazing into her eyes with deep emotion.
"Was that good enough, Scarlet?" I asked softly with a smile.
"More than good… you almost made me lose my mind," Scarlet gasped, her hands still clinging to me.
Was she this weak to sensuality? I had just overwhelmed her with intensity.
She leaned into my chest, breathing heavily to regain her composure.
The director approached us, speaking in disbelief.
"You… how did you do that?"
I had no idea what he was talking about.
"What do you mean?"
"That final scene… how were you able to summon that level of power all of a sudden?"
I was even more confused.
"I don't know... I just felt like I was slipping into another world, like I was no longer here. In that place, I was completely alone, and all my focus was on becoming someone else—not myself. It's hard to explain. It was a strange feeling I've never had before."
"Euphoria of acting..." the director whispered, still in disbelief.
"Euphoria of acting?!" Even Scarlet was shocked.
"You... you were able to enter the euphoria of acting?!"
My mind filled with questions. Was what I did really that impressive?
"What exactly is this 'euphoria of acting'?"
"It's the peak of becoming someone else. A rare, almost sacred phenomenon. Only the greatest and most legendary performers in history ever reach that level of immersion. You were born to be an artist—or an actor, young man!"
My eyes widened in shock.
So that's why they were both so stunned.
"You look overwhelmed, so I won't pressure you now. But if the day ever comes when you want to enter the entertainment industry—contact me! I'll turn you into a global superstar!"
The director handed me his business card with overflowing enthusiasm and immediately left the room.
The same director who hated me just half an hour ago?
I chuckled inwardly.
. . .
#Scene Ten
. . .
The Euphoria of Acting – End
. . .
"Phew, finally, this nightmare's over," Scarlet let out a deep sigh as she stepped away from me.
"You know, you could've just refused the role," I said, half teasing.
"No way. I'm Immoral Scarlet—I won't refuse any role, no matter how indecent!" she declared proudly.
"And besides, I've got you, my assistant! We'll tackle every role together!"
"Absolutely not, thanks. I'm leaving," I said, closing my eyes and turning toward the exit.
"Hey, hey! Assistant! Don't abandon me!"
"Who're you calling an assistant? I only did this because of our long-time friendship. And I'm just a high school student—I'm done with this."
"Wait, don't be so stubborn, assis—uh, I mean Naruto–kun!"
I stared at her coldly.
"You were about to say 'assistant,' weren't you?"
Scarlet smiled nervously and looked away.
"Of course not! No way!"
I sighed, placing a hand on my chest.
"Look, Scarlet, I've never acted before. Sure, it's exciting to hear I might have talent or whatever, but that doesn't mean I suddenly want to become an actor. I'm still too young for all this. I need time to think it over."
"But—"
"No buts. That's my final word."
Scarlet closed her eyes, disappointed.
"I understand… pushing you now won't do any good."
I placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"But I said I'd think about it. I never said I'd never do it."
Scarlet's mood brightened slightly. Then, looking mischievous, she said,
"If you agree, I might let you kiss things other than my lips."
I glared at her sideways and turned away.
"I think I'll tell Uncle Yukiteru his daughter needs another round of discipline."
Scarlet froze for a moment, then quickly caught on to what I meant.
"N–Nooo! Naruto–kun, I was only joking!!"
. . .
In the streets of Konoha, two girls were walking together, chatting as they went.
They drew the eyes of every passerby, like two heavenly maidens who had chosen to live among mortals.
"Can you believe it? After that, Naruto–kun started calling Sasuke 'Sasuke–chan.' He was so embarrassed when he brought up Itachi–san's past. I remember Sasuke got super mad and stopped talking to him for a while."
"Really?! That's unbelievable! For Sasuke–kun to say something so sweet!" Ino exclaimed, her cheeks blushing in excitement.
"Yes, it really happened years ago," Sakura replied with a warm smile. Her expression turned nostalgic.
"They were beautiful days when the three of us spent time together."
"I'm jealous. I don't think I ever had memories like that at that age," Ino said, smiling faintly but with a trace of pain.
Sakura fell silent, unsure what to say to the saddened blonde before her.
They arrived at one of the branches of Future Generation Corp. Ino looked surprised—it was one of their major outlets, located in a large, strategic commercial area.
"A–Are we really going in here?" Ino asked, voicing the doubt that lingered in her heart.
"Of course. Didn't you say you wanted a special dress?" Sakura said with a gentle smile.
"I'll get you something that'll make any guy who sees you fall head over heels."
Ino beamed with joy and hugged Sakura.
"Then I guess they'll be too late—because I'm already falling in love with you!"
"H–Hey, Ino!! People might get the wrong idea!" Sakura stammered in embarrassment, glancing around.
"I don't care, let them think whatever!" Ino laughed, then suddenly grabbed Sakura's hand.
"Right now, it's shopping time—let's go!!"
"Don't pull me, I'm right behind you!" Sakura closed her eyes as she followed Ino's quick steps, her heart thumping hard in her chest.
She wondered what this feeling was that she felt near Ino.
A sense of closeness and affection, like they were fated to meet this way.
Fated to be together.
Ino, too, walking ahead and laughing, felt the same thing at the exact same time and moment.
It was strange—and beautiful.
Not the lustful or romantic kind of love, but pure and innocent.
A deep friendship, wrapped in cheerful and heartwarming feelings, surrounding these two sweet-hearted maidens.
. . .
Meanwhile…
In a palace so grand it resembled something from a fantasy tale of demon kings—yet it was merely the terrifying Uchiha Clan's mansion.
At the gates stood a young man with spiky black hair, his eyes hidden beneath his bangs.
In that moment, his emotions were unreadable.
The massive gate opened, and who was waiting for Sasuke?
Not the servants, not his parents, not even the brother whose fate remained unknown.
It was his younger sister—Karin.
The same younger sister who had grown up beside him since infancy, adopted under mysterious circumstances by Sasuke's father, Fugaku Uchiha.
"Onii–chan… what's wrong?" Karin asked slowly, puzzled.
At school, she seemed calm and reserved. But in truth, she was the opposite—lively, energetic, and often noisy.
Yet no matter how long she stood blocking her brother's way, she got no reply.
"Nothing happened. Now move," Sasuke said coldly.
"I know you're lying, Onii–chan. Did something happen with Naruto? Or maybe… her name was Sakura, right?"
Sasuke's gaze darkened as he growled in anger.
"Don't say her name in front of me!!"
Karin flinched a little but smiled.
"I knew it. So she rejected you?"
"I'm the one who rejected her."
"Whaaaaat?!?!"
Karin screamed in disbelief, as if such a thing couldn't happen even in her worst nightmares.
"B–But why?! Isn't she the girl you l–"
"Let's end it here. I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
Sasuke walked past her, leaving Karin staring after him in shock.
"…Wouldn't it have been easier if he'd just confessed properly without complicating things?"
She sighed helplessly, turned back, and slowly closed the door behind her as she entered the mansion.
. . .
To Be Continued...