- Oh yes, I was studying agronomy. Mr. Yamanaka paid for my studies, he said he did it because one day he wanted to build a greenhouse, but I knew he was only being generous because he was a good man - I paused, my tone becoming more serious - and because he saw that Pain had spent all my family's money.
- Your brother?
- Yes, he stopped in his last year of college and married Konan. We lost all the money we invested in him.
- Well, if my grandmother listened to me, she'd say that everyone should have access to college. I'm developing a project to fund public universities; wouldn't that be great?
- Don't be discouraged. But education alone won't solve everything.
Naruto's animation seemed to diminish as quickly as I spoke, as if my words had taken the shine off him. We sat down side by side on a bench in the garden.
- What do you mean?
His tone was full of accusation. And it was fair. I was destroying an idea that he defended so fervently.
- Have you ever been hungry, Naruto? Not that hunger before dinner, but real hunger? Six, Seven and Eight live with that feeling. I'm talking about a hunger that has no solution in sight, as if you were in a place where there is no food and no hope of it ever appearing. When you feel this way, it's easy to think about stealing, and even easier to give up studying.
- But... if we made these colleges, we could help them move up the castes...
- Could you wait four years to eat?
Naruto swallowed, clearly shaken.
- Sakura, I'm not denying that some people's lives are difficult, but stealing isn't the solution...
- Close your eyes, Naruto.
- Close your eyes, Naruto.
- Close your eyes.
He made a disgusted expression, but obeyed. I waited until his eyes were completely closed and saw his expression soften a little.
- Somewhere in this palace is your future wife.
I noticed that his mouth trembled, and a small smile of hope began to form.
- Maybe you don't know who it is yet, but think of the girls in the hall, or even your sweetheart.
Unexpectedly, the prince took my hand. I didn't move, I just watched, not knowing what to make of this gesture.
- Now, imagine that this girl depends on you. She needs you to look after her, to protect her. What if the day came when there was nothing left to eat? Imagine a night when you couldn't sleep because the sound of her empty stomach was louder than any other noise.
- Enough!
Naruto stood up at once, avoiding my gaze. I stood there, feeling a heaviness in my chest, annoyed with myself.
He looked at me once more, the worry on his face, and gently took my face in his hands.
- Is it like that? Does it happen out there? Do people often go hungry? - His voice was filled with a quiet sadness.
- Naruto... - I could only whisper, not knowing how to respond.
- Tell me. - He insisted, his features firm, as if he wanted to understand every word.
- Yes, it happens. I know families where people give up their own plate of food to give to their children or younger siblings. I know of a boy who was whipped in the public square for stealing food... - A wave of pain swept through my chest as I remembered Pain. To this day, he carries the scars, and even after years, the memories still haunt him.
- A boy? How old was he? - Naruto's voice became softer, but the worry was still there, visible in his eyes.
- Nine... - I swallowed, feeling the lump in my throat. Naruto was stunned. He didn't know how to respond to that. Then he looked into my eyes and, with a tender gesture, tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.
- Have you ever been through this? Hunger? - The question was soft, but the weight of it seemed to weigh on my shoulders.
I lowered my head, and he understood. I didn't want to talk about it, especially with the prince. But I knew he wouldn't give up.
- How? - Naruto insisted, the anxiety in his voice now mixed with a twinge of anger.
- It'll only make you angrier," I muttered, trying to shield myself from the compassion he was offering.
- Probably... - He sighed, his expression now grave. - But it only makes me realize how much I still don't know about my own country.
His eyes were pale, as if the pain he felt was mine. And at that moment, I realized that I didn't want to see him sad. So, I decided to talk. I told him about Christmas, the snow covering the fields, the cold that cut like a blade, and how I could see my own breath inside the house.
I talked about the nine-year-old boy who got thirteen lashes for a packet of cookies. I omitted to mention, however, that the boy was my brother and that the packet of cookies was for me.
- Sakura... Can I tell you something? - His voice was soft, almost like a prayer.
- You can... - I said, feeling my chest tighten.
He moved closer, the tension between us increasing. Then, with a deep sigh, he looked at me with intensity.
- I promise this will change. - The sincerity in his words left me breathless.
- Naruto... - I tried to speak, but I couldn't. He leaned over and kissed my forehead tenderly, as if to ease all the pain I was carrying.
- I'm in love with you. I'm madly in love with you. - His words hung in the air, while his lips were still on my forehead.
I felt my heart pounding, not knowing what to say.
- I have no idea what I did to deserve you... - The words came out shaky, my throat tight.
- You didn't have to do anything. - He whispered, the warmth of his breath enveloping me. - You just had to exist.
***
- I won't let you do that. - said Karin, after hearing my idea. - I'll call Grandma and she'll be here before you can destroy the country.
- Destroy the country? I'm trying to save it!
- You're not saving the country, you're trying to save a few people, and that's going to break us.
For a moment, I wondered if Sakura saw me like that too - a spoiled, blind boy, living in his castle of illusions. The hatred I felt at seeing my sister talk like that was intense. I hated it even more because, in the past, I thought exactly like her.