In the Cafeteria
Naruto's group sat together as usual around a long table.
The table consisted of Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Sasuke, Shino, Rock Lee, Karin, Shikamaru, and Choji. These nine, along with Kiba, had grown accustomed to sharing lunch together, their friendship slowly deepening with time.
Naruto felt happy to have made friends in this new world, though he couldn't help but feel a touch of sadness that Hinata, Neji, and Tenten weren't there to complete their circle. Still, he was content with what he had.
Lucien was around as well, but he had his own circle of friends. He only joined this group on special occasions related to the gang—like the gathering they had the previous day.
"So… what do you all think? Will Kiba go through with it?"
Ino asked with a curious smile, glancing around the table. Naruto had already confessed the truth to them after Ino noticed something unusual that morning between him and Kiba, when he had mentioned Kiba's meeting with Hinata. Pressured by Ino, Naruto had no choice but to tell them.
"I'm certain he will," Sakura replied with confidence in their friend. Yet it seemed the girls alone carried such optimism.
"He's an idiot, so I know he'll do something reckless as usual…" Rock Lee muttered with concern, but Naruto, staring into his spoon, answered firmly, "I'll trust him."
The chatter went on for a while, but no matter how long they waited, Kiba never came. Strange, since he had promised he wouldn't miss lunch break.
"I'll go check on him."
Naruto rose, setting his spoon down, and hurried out of the cafeteria.
He knew exactly where to go, so it didn't take him long to find the place.
The classroom door was shut, and as he drew near, a heavy dread weighed on him.
(Did I make the wrong call? Was it a mistake to push him forward? But… he begged me…)
Naruto opened the door quietly. A bouquet of flowers lay scattered across the floor. And there, slumped against the wall beneath the windows, was Kiba.
He sat curled up, arms wrapped tightly around his legs, trembling faintly. To Naruto, it was painfully clear: his dear friend was suffering alone—broken, rejected, and in despair.
"Kiba…"
Naruto's voice was soft as he approached, but Kiba didn't lift his head. He only shrank further into himself, as though his life had lost its meaning.
Standing right in front of him, Naruto found himself at a loss. How could he comfort someone, when he knew that very pain himself—and had never truly escaped it?
With a quiet sigh, Naruto lowered himself beside Kiba, his gaze fixed on the classroom door.
"So… Hinata rejected you, didn't she?"
Kiba gave a small nod. Naruto didn't need to look to understand.
"She was so beautiful… I panicked. I didn't know what to say. So I just blurted out my feelings, asked her to go out with me, when I should have left a gentler impression… I couldn't resist. I'm the worst."
Kiba's voice was frail. Naruto stayed silent, listening.
"And the cruelest part?" Kiba's tone broke. "She's already engaged. She's getting married in two years."
The revelation surprised Naruto, but he said nothing, letting Kiba pour his heart out until his words ran dry.
"…I see."
Naruto's reply was colder than he intended. Still staring forward, he continued, "I don't know if I'm the right person to ease your pain, but you know this much—love doesn't always work. Just because you love someone doesn't mean they'll love you back. I learned that the hardest way possible. You… and I…"
Memories of Sakura and Sasuke washed over him—times when he felt like nothing but an intruder, an obstacle to a love that wasn't his.
Then words spilled from his lips, words that sounded like the worst hypocrisy.
"But… she isn't the only one in this world, you know."
Naruto pressed his hands to his lips, realizing how blind he had been all this time. Sakura had never been the only one.
Kiba's muffled voice came from between his knees. "You say that… but you still cling to Sakura like your life depends on her. You hypocrite."
Naruto tightened his lips, then said quietly, "Isn't it better to think that way, rather than chase someone who's already promised to another? Do you really think you can do anything at this point?"
Kiba raised his head angrily. "Don't talk like some bastard, Naruto… Do you even know what I'm feeling right now?"
"…Yeah. I know all too well."
Kiba was ready to lash out—but the calm understanding in Naruto's eyes silenced him.
"I know. You're refusing to accept it. Clinging to this illusion. Believing there's still something you can do. Waiting for some chance—for Hinata to be there for you, or for you to be there for her…" Naruto's voice faltered, as though he were speaking to himself as much as to Kiba.
"But that's why it won't work. She isn't the one for you. This love of yours will never see the light. So instead of drowning in darkness… why not start searching for the true light? Why not open your eyes for real?"
"Damn it…"
Kiba cursed, tears spilling at last. "She was the best… so kind, so sweet. Back when we were kids—when I had no friends—she reached out to me, smiling with such innocence, and asked me to be her playmate. She asked me to be her real friend… because she lived in a world full of illusions."
Naruto sat silently, letting him vent.
"But then she just… disappeared. Said she'd already found her real one. And now they're engaged. It's infuriating. I knew her first… I was there first… so why…?"
His sobbing grew harsher until he could speak no more. Naruto's only answer was to place a steady hand on his shoulder.
They stayed that way until the lunch break ended.
---
When Naruto and Kiba finally returned, Kiba wore the same expression as ever, as if nothing had happened. Their friends didn't know what had passed between the two, but they could tell Kiba was already trying to move forward.
Of course, he later exploded in embarrassment when he realized Naruto had told everyone about his little love story.
Classes ended, and students drifted off toward their clubs.
At the basketball club, the gym buzzed louder than usual. Most of the audience consisted of girls, eager to watch Sasuke practice.
But today, the excitement was doubled. For not only was the school's most handsome boy there, but the second most handsome as well—standing beside the coach.
"As you can see, this is the one Karin discovered. From now on, Sarutobi Naruto will be joining the basketball club. Take good care of your new teammate."
As the coach finished, Jugo, Kimimaro, and the other players approached Naruto to greet him—all of them except Sasuke.
Sasuke stood frozen in shock.
(What is he doing here? Why would he join the basketball club?)
His hand clenched tightly.
(He already stole my butterfly… Now he wants to steal my place as the star of the club? Wasn't it enough when he stole the spotlight from me back in middle school? Damn it…)
Darkness clouded Sasuke's face. Just seeing Naruto surrounded by the people Sasuke considered his refuge left him seething with anger and jealousy.
---
After practice and Naruto's introduction, Sasuke left first, heading for a place he had only visited once before.
The place where he had met the famous actress known as Shion.
As expected, she was there—standing arrogantly, fussing with her long nails.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Sasuke slammed his hand against the wall, startling Shion slightly though she had expected him after their recent contact.
"What's with you? Have you finally lost your mind?"
"Shut up… damn you…"
His anger only fueled her irritation.
"Why did Naruto join the basketball club? Didn't you say you'd keep him away from me? Now he's closer than ever!"
"How should I know? I haven't even built my network yet—we only struck our deal yesterday, remember?"
Shion crossed her arms with a cool smile, then smirked at him. "But isn't this good news? This way we can watch him more closely. Do your part to make sure he stays in the club through next year."
Sasuke fell silent, fists clenched. "How long do you need?"
"By the middle of third year, I'll have a perfect plan in place. Just endure a few more months."
Sasuke closed his eyes, exhaling deeply before turning away. "Fine. That's my limit. After that… the one who regrets it won't be me—it'll be you."
"My, how frightening you are ~ Fufufu."
Shion laughed behind her hand, her sly smile glinting. Sasuke's face, however, was grim and colorless, as though the world itself had turned gray. Naruto's joining the club—his only sanctuary—was the final straw.
(I won't let you take anything else from me, Naruto!)
From the shadows, a pair of unseen eyes witnessed their secret meeting before slipping away.
---
As Naruto left the school gates, he expected to head home alone. Kiba had football practice, and Sakura usually returned home early.
But to his surprise, Sakura was waiting at the gate.
She clutched her bag with both hands, leaning quietly against the wall, as if expecting someone.
"Sakura? Didn't you go home already?"
Naruto tried to sound casual, hiding his delight. Sakura's cheeks reddened slightly as she replied, "I thought about it… but then I figured you might feel lonely. So I waited."
Naruto's face flushed as he scratched his hair awkwardly. "So you were waiting for me, huh…"
"Of course, idiot. Who else would I be waiting for?"
They smiled at each other. Naruto extended his hand, and though surprised, Sakura lifted hers and held it.
"Two 'friends' aren't supposed to hold hands, you know. Trying to break your promise?"
"You still remember that?!"
"How could I forget, when you promised me after that kiss… You promise-breaking fool!"
"But I didn't break it this time, did I?"
"…What are you implying?"
"Nothing."
They laughed together as they walked side by side.
From behind, Sasuke watched, his hand clenching into a fist, eyes shadowed as he pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Hello… Ino? Are you home? …I'll be there soon."
He hung up and walked on.
---
Hours later that night.
Sasuke and Ino sat across from each other at the dinner table, sharing several elegant dishes she had prepared.
Smiles adorned both their faces as they ate.
"It's delicious… I'll never tire of your cooking, Ino," Sasuke said, savoring the rich flavors that rivaled even his family's chefs.
"I'm glad you like it."
Her cheeks flushed. She had poured her effort into giving Sasuke wonderful meals and moments, content to see him once a week—unless he chose otherwise, as he had tonight.
After dinner, they washed the dishes together. Ino tried to do it alone, but Sasuke insisted on helping—and to her surprise, he was quite skilled at housework.
Standing close, her heart raced wildly. No matter how much time passed, her shyness never faded.
At last, they finished and settled onto the couch. As usual, their lips met in heated kisses.
Ino closed her eyes, fingers interlaced with his. But something felt different. Sasuke was more passionate, more consuming than ever before.
Suddenly, she felt his tongue invading her mouth. It was her first time experiencing such a lewd kiss, and her mind went blank.
Before she knew it, he had pushed her down onto her back, their kisses deepening, his touches overwhelming. Ino's eyes glazed as she gasped beneath his dominant caress.
His sweet, husky whisper filled her ears.
"Ino… I want you. Let's do it."
Dizzy with pleasure, she couldn't resist his spell. Her only answer was a small nod—an answer that opened the door to an entirely new, frightening world. The world of adults.
Sensation blurred into ecstasy, pain mingled with bliss.
What felt like an eternity ended in the blink of an eye.
Ino, having surrendered herself, found herself lying in bed, naked beneath the sheets beside him. Sasuke slept soundly at her side, while clarity—and pain—sharpened her awareness.
"…We did it."
She whispered, her lips curving into a smile as she watched him breathe peacefully. Reaching out, she stroked his hair gently.
To her, their bond now felt eternal.
---
To Be Continued…