CHAPTER (8)
On Naruto and Hinata's wedding day, they looked incredibly happy—and Sakura felt happy too. However, Sasuke showed no expression on his face and kept following Sakura. Wherever Sakura went, Sasuke would always follow her closely, which surprised her. He was like a duckling following its mother.
Naruto: "Thank you, Sakura-chan~"
Sasuke: "Congratulations."
Naruto: "Haha~ Sasuke, thanks for coming!"
The wedding was held in grand style, with many guests attending, including numerous celebrities. At that moment, Sasuke and Sakura's parents were chatting with Naruto and Hinata's parents.
Ino came over and asked Sasuke directly, "Mind if I borrow her for a moment?"
Sasuke frowned, "Hmm..." He clearly wasn't happy that Ino was taking Sakura away.
As they walked together, Ino asked, "What's going on with Sasuke? He's acting so funny~"
Sakura scoffed, "What's funny? He's getting weirder and more ridiculous—"
Ino said, "He likes you. Seriously, he's really into you. It's obvious."
Sakura was stunned. "Huh?"
Ino gave her a mischievous smile. "Amazing. What kind of method did you use to make Sasuke act like that?"
Sakura shrugged. "I didn't do anything. He's just being weird..."
Ino pointed her index finger to her lower lip and said, "You don't get it—he's falling in love with you."
Sakura tried not to shout. "Are you crazy? He's not that kind of guy!"
Some people nearby turned to look at them, and Sakura and Ino quickly left the area.
...
Sasuke looked around, searching for Sakura, who was now out of sight. Itachi looked at Sasuke and smiled, "Looking for Sakura?"
Sasuke faked a cough. "No."
Itachi chuckled and patted Sasuke's right shoulder, then walked off to mingle with familiar guests. Itachi had many friends, while Sasuke had very few—most were just acquaintances.
"Hi, may I sit next to you?" asked a red-haired woman with red-framed glasses, flashing a sweet smile.
Sasuke: (…) "Hmm..."
Sasuke tried to recall the woman speaking to him, and she continued, "I'm Karin, we were classmates in high school."
Sasuke: "Really?"
Karin pouted and teased flirtatiously, "Have you forgotten me?"
Sasuke: "Hmm..."
Karin said in a soft voice, "You're still the same, Sasuke. You haven't changed at all, and your attitude's just like before..." She looked at Sasuke shyly.
Sakura muttered in annoyance: (So noisy.) She stood up and walked away from Karin.
Karin reached out, trying to get Sasuke to stay. Her eyes followed Sakura. She glanced back and forth between Sasuke and Sakura, and jealousy bubbled up inside her.
Karin: (Sakura and Sasuke… are they really like what Naruto said?) In truth, Karin knew that Sasuke and Sakura were getting married—an arranged marriage.
Jealous of others' fortune, Karin couldn't accept that Sasuke and Sakura would marry. Karin had always liked Sasuke, but now was her chance. She was completely different from before. Now, she was confident, more beautiful, and a model admired by many men!
Sakura: "Long time no see, Shikamaru?"
Sakura greeted her former classmate, Shikamaru, who was now with a woman Sakura recognized.
Shikamaru: "Yeah, it's been a while. How are you?"
Sakura: "I'm doing well. Are you two—"
Shikamaru: Hurriedly "Ahem!"
Temari simply sipped the drink in her hand calmly.
Shikamaru: "As you can see—"
Naruto's booming voice: "Shikamaru!"