In another part of the city.
Two figures walked hand in hand, smiles gracing their faces as though the world contained no one else but them. Happiness filled their hearts to the brim.
"How was your training today, Sasuke?"
Ino asked as she gazed at her lover, cheeks flushed a tender red. Sasuke, walking beside her, kept his eyes ahead, then glanced at her with a faint smile.
"Almost the same as usual. The coach was harsh on us because we lost our rhythm after Suigetsu's disappearance."
His tone dimmed slightly at the end, and Ino noticed. But Sasuke continued with a brighter note.
"Still, it seems Karin has already found someone who can cover for him. She said he'll start practicing with us tomorrow. I can't help but feel a little excited to see who this new teammate will be."
"Oh, I see… You must've had a hard time without Suigetsu around. He's your team's playmaker, isn't he? I noticed your performance has dropped a bit since he went missing."
Ino placed a finger on her lips in thought. Ever since Sasuke had become part of the basketball team, she had taken the time to study the game herself, determined to cheer him on with all her heart and to discuss it with him with ease. She had worked diligently to understand the sport he loved.
"You're right," Sasuke admitted. "That's why adding a new playmaker to the team will be a huge improvement. I wonder who it'll be…"
Their steps slowed, and before long, Ino's home appeared in the distance.
"Would you like to come in? I could make you dinner…"
Her face flushed crimson as she asked, unable to meet his eyes from sheer embarrassment.
Sasuke, cheeks burning as well, gave a small nod—though Ino did not see it—and answered softly, "Alright…"
Still holding hands, the two headed toward Ino's house.
Once inside, Ino bent slightly to remove her shoes. "You can sit wherever you like," she said.
But the moment she straightened, Sasuke's arms wrapped tightly around her. Her heart pounded, her face turning as red as a tomato.
"S-Sasuke?"
"Nothing… I just wanted to hold you."
His quiet voice fell against her shoulder, his head resting there. Ino, flustered, placed her hands gently over his arms and tilted her head against his.
"You really are spoiled…"
"Am I?"
"Yes, very much so… but I don't hate it."
"That makes me happy."
They stayed in each other's embrace for a while longer before Sasuke finally released her and sat down on the sofa, a small smile lingering on his lips. Ino, cheeks still warm, began preparing dinner.
Of course, she didn't forget to set out water and a few appetizers for him as he waited.
Dinner passed quietly, and soon the two found themselves sitting across from each other in silence, eyes darting downward in embarrassment. Their hands moved slowly across the sofa, drawn together as though by invisible force. Their fingers intertwined, and as they raised their heads, their gazes locked.
They leaned in, lips meeting in soft, tender kisses. Closing their eyes, they let warmth flood their hearts in that shared closeness.
They parted briefly for breath, faces flushed, still holding hands as they gazed at one another with love.
"I love you, Ino."
"I love you, Sasuke."
They smiled before leaning in for another kiss.
Time slipped away, and at last Sasuke rose to leave. Standing at the door, both were so shy they hadn't gone beyond kissing—yet that alone was their greatest joy.
"Safe travels, Sasuke," Ino said, smiling warmly.
Sasuke answered with a nod, pressing one last kiss to her lips.
"I'll see you tomorrow, my dear. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
He turned and walked away, while Ino watched from inside until he vanished from view, then closed the door and went to bed.
---
Naruto's point of view.
The next morning, my routine was as usual—breakfast with my family, a short chat with Grandma Mito, then off to school.
I came early to have some time to pass by the first-year classrooms before the day began. So, I walked alone all the way to school.
When I entered, I headed straight for the first-year floor, catching plenty of admiring glances from younger girls. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good to be popular, but I kept my mind fixed on my true goal—Hinata.
From what I knew, she and Shion were in the same class, 1-A. That was why I came early, hoping to avoid running into that troublesome girl.
She hadn't done anything since the day she confessed and kissed me in front of Sakura, but I still needed to be cautious.
Finally, I reached the classroom and saw the students inside. At the front, I spotted Hinata—dark blue hair falling over her shoulders, eyes focused intently on her book.
She was breathtaking. No different from the Hinata of my previous world. In her school uniform, she radiated a charm that was both gentle and mesmerizing. I couldn't help but wonder how I had overlooked her until now.
Shaking away my thoughts, I approached with deliberate footsteps. At first, she didn't notice. But as the sound drew nearer, she lifted her head, curious who was disturbing her peace.
When her gaze met mine, her lips parted in shock. She trembled slightly, staring without a word.
I coughed lightly into my hand, knowing what I was about to say would spark rumors across the school.
"Hinata, I apologize for appearing without warning, but there's something I'd like to talk about with you. Could you spare me a little of your time?"
Her daze broke at my words. She sighed, closed her book, and rose to her feet, replying in a cool tone, "Yes, of course."
Relieved, I led the way out of the room, feeling the whispers of first-year students rising behind me. Oh, great—what have I gotten myself into?
Closing my eyes, I tried to think of ways to kill the rumors before they spread, but for now, my focus had to remain on Hinata.
We walked for a while until we found an unused classroom. I entered first, glancing back at her as she hesitated, then stepped inside at last.
We faced each other. She broke the silence first.
"You must be very bold, showing yourself to me after what you did last time…"
Confused, I blinked. "What I did to you? What do you mean?"
Her cheeks flushed red, her fists trembling. "Do you dare forget? I… I suffered for nights because of that!"
I stepped back as an ominous aura radiated from her. Why did I feel more afraid now than when I faced Tiger or even Lady Tsunade?!
"W-what do you mean, Hinata?"
I searched my memories desperately—until it hit me. The only time I had interacted with her… when I caught her as she nearly tripped and fell.
"Ah… you mean that time…"
Remembering her earlier threat, I stammered, "Look, Hinata, it was all a misunderstanding…"
Her eyes narrowed coldly. "A misunderstanding? You call grabbing me like that a misunderstanding?"
"No, no! I never intended anything indecent, I swear. My body just moved on its own…"
Hinata closed her eyes, exhaling slowly to calm herself. Then she fixed me with a steady gaze. "So… what do you want from me, Naruto?"
"You already know me."
"Of course. Who doesn't, after the festival that was held when you returned to school after weeks away?"
I scratched my head, recalling the secret celebration organized by the Breakers gang and disguised as a festival. I chuckled sheepishly. "Fair point…"
Then, with a serious breath, I faced her again. She remained silent, though her eyes flickered with emotions I couldn't read. Unlike the Hinata of my old world—who would faint at the mere sight of me—this Hinata held herself firmly.
And it made sense. Here, we were strangers. The only bond we shared was that fleeting moment when I caught her. Her wariness wasn't something I could blame.
"I didn't call you here for myself," I said finally. "I came at the request of a friend."
Her expression shifted instantly, as if she had expected something else entirely. She lowered her head, shoulders trembling slightly, fingers tightening on her skirt.
"A… friend of yours…?"
I nodded nervously, though she couldn't see it. "Yes. He's interested in you. He wondered if you might meet him and get to know him. He's shy, so he asked me to speak on his behalf."
Hinata stood quietly, her body trembling ever so slightly. I couldn't make sense of her expression, but she answered in a strange tone, "When, and where?"
"Lunch break. In this classroom."
"I see… Tell him to be here on time."
With that odd note in her voice, she hurried past me and left the room, leaving me alone. I scratched my head, suddenly worried for Kiba.
"Will he be alright…?" I muttered as I watched her disappear.
I sighed and left after a moment. I had done my part—now it was up to Kiba.
As I walked down the hall, I caught sight of a figure turning the corner. Recognizing that silhouette instantly, I groaned.
"Oh, no…"
Shion lifted her head, spotting me in the middle of the corridor. Surprise flickered in her eyes, but quickly she lowered her gaze before raising it again, a small, coy smile playing at her lips.
"Good morning, Naruto."
"G-good morning…"
She began walking toward me slowly, hand covering her mouth as her eyes glinted in a way that unsettled me. So, I did the only thing I could think of—I walked forward quickly, trying to pass her.
As we brushed by, she whispered softly, just loud enough for me to hear, "So… have you thought about my proposal? It still stands, you know."
I closed my eyes, replying firmly, "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. I'll be leaving now."
She didn't stop me. Instead, I heard a quiet chuckle escape her lips.
"Fufufu…"
Pushing away the unease, I hurried off the floor and returned to my classroom before Kakashi arrived. A short walk, yet so full of events.
Of course, I didn't forget to tell Kiba about his meeting with Hinata, giving him the location of the classroom. With that, my role was done.
---
Narrator's perspective.
At lunch break.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway toward an empty classroom, where Kiba stood waiting, cheeks flushed, a bouquet of roses in his hands—no one knew from where. Nervous though he was, he wore a foolish grin, brushing his wild hair in a rare attempt to look presentable.
The door opened. Hinata stepped inside, her face calm, tinged with coolness that concealed something deeper—pain, perhaps, and unspoken burdens.
Kiba, oblivious, couldn't see any of this. And who could blame him?
Hinata, however, understood at once. Her hand clenched tightly.
(Am I… nothing to him? That he could so easily hand me off to his friend? Am I that simple in his eyes? That insolent…!)
Kiba's words reached her dimly, her thoughts turning darker and darker. Until his sudden step forward startled her back to the present.
"S-so… Hinata… I've loved you for a long time. Since elementary school. So… would you go out with me?"
He bowed deeply, offering her the bouquet with trembling hands.
Yet Hinata stood silent for long moments, leaving Kiba bewildered. He raised his head to meet her gaze—only to be met by an expression that shattered his heart.
Not anger. Not disgust. Not even sadness.
An empty expression. Hollow.
Hinata bowed lightly. "I'm glad to hear your feelings, Kiba. Of course, I remember you from elementary school. We had fun times then. But things have changed greatly for me. And… I never felt that way toward you. I'm sorry, I cannot return those feelings."
Rising again, she slipped a hand into her pocket and drew out a small, gleaming white object. Sliding it onto her finger, she revealed a ring.
Kiba froze in shock—it was an engagement ring.
"And… though I hate to refuse you like this, the truth is, I am already engaged. My marriage has been arranged for two years from now."
She removed the ring, tucked it back into her pocket, and bowed once more.
"If that's all, then I'll take my leave. It was nice seeing you again after so long, Kiba."
She turned and left.
The door closed, and Kiba collapsed to his knees. The bouquet slipped from his hands, roses scattering across the floor.
Tears streamed down his face as he wept in silence, alone.
---
To Be Continued.