Chapter 30 - New Secret ?

Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she processed Naruto's bold confession. Her cheeks were still flushed, but there was a spark of determination in her eyes now. "Alright," she said, her voice a little shaky but firm. "My turn."

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her jacket before she met his gaze. "Here's my naked truth… I'm not as innocent as I look. And honestly, the way you're looking at me right now? It's making it really hard to focus on this game."

Naruto's smirk widened, and he leaned forward again, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Is that so?"

Emma nodded, her confidence growing as she matched his intensity. "Yeah. So, if you're trying to throw me off, it's working."

Naruto chuckled, low and deep. "Good to know. Guess I'm not the only one being honest here."

Emma rolled her eyes, but there was a playful glint in her expression. "Your turn again. Think you can top that?"

Naruto leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest as he considered her challenge. "Alright," he said, his voice smooth and direct. "Here's my next truth. If you told me to kiss you right now, I wouldn't hesitate. And I guarantee you'd forget all about that rooftop and anything else bothering you."

Emma's breath caught again, her heart racing as his words hung in the air. She bit her lip, her cheeks still red, but she didn't look away. "Bold words," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto laughed gently, and looked at her with an smirk, "Depends, if you will tell me to do it or not."

Emma's breath hitched slightly as Naruto's words hung in the air, his voice low and deliberate. She met his gaze, her eyes darkening with a mix of challenge and something warmer, something she hadn't let herself feel in a long time. Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "What if I say 'do it'?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with a quiet intensity.

Naruto didn't hesitate. His smirk softened into something more dangerous, and he leaned in closer, his hand reaching up to brush her jawline. "Then I'd say you're finally catching on," he murmured, his voice rough with anticipation.

Emma didn't back down. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. "Do it," she whispered, the words barely audible but firm, unyielding.

Naruto didn't need to be told twice. In one fluid motion, he closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was hungry, insistent, and Emma met him with equal intensity, her hands tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer. The world around them faded into nothing—there was only the heat of his mouth on hers, the way his hands gripped her waist, pulling her into him until there was no space left between them.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they tried to steady themselves. Naruto's smirk was back, but there was a raw edge to it now, something that made Emma's stomach twist in the best way. "Told you it'd be worth it," he said, his voice rough but teasing.

Emma let out a shaky laugh, her fingers still tangled in his hair. "You talk too much," she murmured, her lips brushing against his as she spoke.

Naruto's grin widened, and he leaned in again, his voice a low growl against her ear. "Then shut me up."

Emma didn't hesitate. She kissed him again, harder this time, her nails digging into the back of his neck as she pulled him closer. Naruto's hands slid down to her hips, lifting her effortlessly onto his lap as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that made her head spin. The cold night air was forgotten, replaced by the heat of their bodies pressed together, the way his hands roamed over her, pulling her closer, tighter, until she could barely think.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing hard, their foreheads resting together as they tried to catch their breath. Naruto's hands were still on her waist, his grip firm but gentle, and Emma's chest rose and fell with each ragged breath.

"Still think I talk too much?" Naruto asked, his voice low and rough, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Emma laughed softly, her fingers trailing down to rest against his chest. "Maybe not," she admitted, her voice just as breathless as his. "But you're still cocky as hell."

Naruto chuckled, his hands sliding up her back to pull her closer. "You love it," he said, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke.

Emma didn't argue. Instead, she kissed him again, slower this time, savoring the way his hands felt on her, the way his lips moved against hers. The rooftop was quiet, the city below them a distant hum, and for the first time in a long time, Emma felt alive. And from the way Naruto was looking at her, she had a feeling he felt the same.

Just as Naruto leaned in for another kiss, the sharp buzz of his phone cut through the quiet of the rooftop. He sighed, pulling back slightly, but Emma's fingers curled around his collar, keeping him close.

"Cut it," she murmured, her lips brushing against his as she spoke.

Naruto hesitated, his smirk returning as he glanced at her. "I would, but this is... interesting," he said, his tone more serious now. He pulled the phone from his pocket, the screen lighting up with an unknown number. His brow furrowed slightly. "My phone's on DND. Only numbers in my contacts can get through, and even then, they've got to call more than once. This?" He nodded at the screen. "This means they've called at least ten times. Plus , it's an Japanese phone number,"

Emma frowned, her hands relaxing their grip on his shirt. "Who would call you that many times? Especially this late?"

"No idea." Naruto replied, and in a moment, the both separated, as Naruto stood up and fixed his dress , while Emma went back to her chair, fixing her dress as well.

Naruto's phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with the same unknown number. He hesitated for a moment, then answered the call, walking toward the ledge of the rooftop. Emma stayed where she was, leaning back in her chair and gazing up at the sky, giving him space.

"Hello," Naruto said, his voice calm but cautious.

"Finally, you picked up," a woman's voice replied in Japanese. "I was starting to think I had the wrong number."

Naruto's brow furrowed. Though he'd spent most of his life in South Korea, he'd learned Japanese from Hiruzen, along with a few other languages. He had no trouble understanding her.

"Wait, who are you again?" he asked, his tone straightforward. He tried to think if he knew anyone from Japan or if Hiruzen had ever mentioned someone like her, but nothing came to mind.

The woman on the other end sighed. "I guess Hiruzen-san didn't tell you about anything until now," she said.

Naruto's confusion deepened. "Wait… didn't tell me about what?"

"About…" She paused, as if choosing her words carefully. "I won't tell you. It's too much to believe just by listening to someone. Do you still have all the things he left in his room? Everything's still there, right?"

Naruto was even more confused now. She knew his name, and she clearly knew Hiruzen. "…Yes," he replied slowly.

"Go check them now," she said. "If I know him as well as I think I do, he's left the information there—things he couldn't tell you directly."

"Couldn't tell me directly? What do you—" Before Naruto could finish, the call ended abruptly. He stood there for a moment, staring at his phone, his mind racing.

Emma noticed him standing there, looking lost in thought. She got up and walked over to him, stopping beside him. "What happened?" she asked, her voice soft but curious.

Naruto glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "It's nothing," he said, his tone clipped. "Just… something I need to take care of."

Emma raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Alright. Let me know if you need anything."

Naruto nodded, his gaze distant. "Yeah. Let's meet up sometime else. I've got to go now."

Emma hesitated for a moment, then pulled out her phone. "Here, give me your number. I'll text you."

Naruto took her phone, quickly typing in his number before handing it back. "Got it."

Emma smiled faintly. "Good. Don't disappear on me, alright?"

Naruto gave her a small nod, his expression softening just slightly. "I won't. See you around, Emma."

With that, he turned and walked toward the rooftop door, his mind already elsewhere. Emma watched him go, her arms wrapping around herself as the cool night air brushed past her.