Scene Three.
. . .
Strengthening Bonds (1)
. . .
Kiba stood frozen in place, staring at Scarlet, who was smiling warmly at me.
I turned toward the dumbfounded Kiba and smiled mischievously, amused by the hilarious look on his face.
"You must be Naruto–kun's friend, then. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Immoral Scarlet. And you are?" Scarlet looked at Kiba and spoke politely.
She never talks to me in that tone!
I smirked sarcastically but refrained from commenting.
"I–I'm Kiba. It's an honor to meet you in person, Scarlet–san," Kiba replied excitedly, his cheeks glowing bright red.
"Well then, since we're here, let's have something to eat." I took the seat across from Scarlet, and Kiba sat beside me, still visibly tense.
We began chatting about various topics, and before long, Kiba had become a bit more comfortable around Scarlet.
At the same time, someone was strolling through the café, accompanied by several girls trailing behind her as if she were their idol.
This person radiated an explosive beauty — long blond hair flowing down to her lower back, large violet eyes, a charming smile, and a high school uniform that clearly didn't belong to our school.
It was none other than Shion.
Shion walked with arrogance and pride, and as she passed by our table, her eyes landed on me. She stared for a brief moment, and her eyes sparkled mysteriously.
She paused for just a split second to memorize my face before continuing on. The girls trailing behind her only noticed her sudden stop a few seconds later.
(Hmm … That blond guy seems… interesting ) she thought slyly, her hand resting on her chin, a sign of the cunning and wicked aura surrounding her mysterious character.
She exited the café without any of us noticing, while we continued our conversation, carefree and cheerful.
. . .
Time flew quickly during the first term. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that period—at least nothing worth mentioning here.
One day, Sakura and I were chatting alone on the school rooftop about sports. Ever since we lost the middle school soccer finals, we hadn't spoken about sports much. We avoided the subject to spare Sasuke any painful memories.
I looked up at the sky, leaning against the iron railing, and spoke quietly.
"So, Sakura–chan... what's your favorite sport? Back then, you said it was soccer, but I never felt any real passion in your voice. It was more like..."
I paused for a moment, thinking to myself softly, (...like admiration or love.)
I quickly continued before she could question my silence. "It was more like you were trying to boost Sasuke's morale, right?"
Sakura looked away, avoiding my eyes, and whispered just loud enough for me to hear, "As always, you see right through my emotions."
But then, she murmured something too softly for me to catch: "...and that scares me."
I was about to ask her what she meant, but she interrupted me, almost as if she had read my mind: "We're straying from the topic—my favorite sport."
I smiled awkwardly and scratched my head. "Ah, right… of course."
Sakura leaned on the railing like me, then closed her eyes as if lost in a dream, speaking in a wistful tone.
"It's basketball. I'm thinking of joining the cheerleading squad for the basketball team. I've always dreamed of being a cheerleader for basketball in high school." She finished with a shy smile, clearly embarrassed by the idea of cheerleading.
The reason she chose basketball was because her older brother, Sasori, had been a professional player until he retired after high school.
She admired him and wanted to be part of that world, even if only on the sidelines.
"What a coincidence… I've been thinking about joining the basketball team too! I think it'd be nice having you there cheering for me, Sakura–chan."
I looked to the side, a light blush creeping onto my cheeks. Sakura noticed my expression in surprise before I added, "Your cheers would push me beyond my limits in my weakest moments."
Sakura gave me a warm, heartfelt smile and said, "In that case, I'll be the first to chant your name when that time comes!"
I smiled back. "That would be amazing. With you there, I feel like I can't lose."
"Hehehe, you dummy. Don't flatter me too much."
We giggled softly, then burst into laughter as the wind played with our hair, tossing it around freely.
It was a happy moment between Sakura and me.
A moment that filled my heart with overwhelming warmth.
But what we didn't know… was that we weren't alone up there. Someone else had heard everything.
That person was lying atop the stairwell room's roof—completely silent and hidden from view unless they made a sound.
They had been there the entire time, quietly listening.
. . .
Later that day…
Sasuke was walking home with Kiba, while Sakura and I had gone to apply for the basketball club.
"That's awesome! Naruto joining the basketball team… I don't remember ever beating him at that game. He's a total beast on the court," Kiba said, full of admiration and confidence in my abilities.
"Yeah, that's really great. Maybe this way, he'll finally forget about that soccer championship loss," Sasuke replied with a smile.
"Exactly! I hope he succeeds this time!"
As they walked together, a few whispers circulated in the background.
"I heard that Naruto–kun from Class 1 is dating a girl from his class. I think her name was Haruno Sakura?"
"You mean from that Haruno family? I've heard the same! They're always together—someone said they even saw them flirting on the rooftop today!"
"Rumor has it they even kissed!"
"Such bold lovebirds~!"
The girls nearby giggled as they chatted.
Sasuke overheard the conversation, his eyes shaded beneath his hair, concealing any hint of emotion.
"Hey! Sasuke, are you even listening?!"
Kiba's voice snapped Sasuke out of his daze.
"Huh? Sorry, what did you say?"
"I said, can I borrow your math homework? There were some problems I couldn't solve…"
Thanks to Immoral Scarlet's new song, Kiba had forgotten he even had school today. Luckily, his mother had woken him up just in time.
"Oh, here you go."
Sasuke handed Kiba his notebook. Kiba thanked him, and they continued walking home together.
Sasuke kept his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable as his eyes remained hidden beneath his hair.
. . .
Scene Three
. . .
Strengthening Bonds (1) — End
. . .
Scene Four.
. . .
Strengthening Bonds (2)
. . .
A few days later, on a Monday morning… Sakura was walking down the school hallway, heading toward her classroom. Though there was still some time before class started, being a diligent student and a candidate for class president, she made it a point to set a good example.
Just as she reached the door, two boys appeared from inside the classroom and stood in her way, blocking the entrance.
"Shino–kun? Lee–kun? Is there something I can help you with?"
Sakura spoke in confusion, puzzled by their sudden and deliberate interference.
"There's nothing, Class President–chan."
From the sarcastic and mocking tone, Sakura instantly sensed something was off. It reminded her of someone she had met long ago—Izumi, who had once been connected to a large and dangerous gang.
Of course, that gang was Mizuki's, the same one that had nearly gotten Naruto killed. Mizuki was part of an enormous criminal network that had posed a national threat for a long time.
Sakura's expression hardened. She stared calmly at Shino and spoke firmly: "Very well, then. If there's nothing to say, would you please step aside?"
Rock Lee smiled and slowly stepped closer. "Things don't always go your way."
Sakura took two steps back, her voice edged with irritation. "You're blocking my path, Lee–kun. Please move."
Naruto's teachings about humility and respect remained deeply ingrained in her. Even though she wanted to curse at him, she held her tongue—she would not let herself stoop to that level.
"What's wrong, why are you so worked up? Sakura–chan, you're spending a lot of time with Naruto and Sasuke, and there's been some talk about your relationship." Lee suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer in an inappropriate gesture. Sakura froze, stunned by what he had just said.
"W–What do you mean by that?!" she exclaimed, recoiling instinctively once she realized the foul nature of his actions.
"There's talk that you were flirting with Sasuke and doing certain things with him... And now you've betrayed him with his best friend, Naruto," he sneered.
Sakura's eyes widened in shock, as though an immense weight had been dropped on her chest. She was left speechless for a few moments.
"T–That's all nonsense! Complete lies with no truth to them whatsoever!"
This time, Shino stepped forward, casually wrapping an arm around her shoulder while brazenly eyeing her chest. "We could help make those rumors go away… if you do for us what you did for Sasuke~."
Fwoosh!
A powerful wind swept through the corridor—and in an instant, Sakura was yanked out of Shino's arms into the embrace of another.
She looked up at the person holding her, her face flushing red as she clung to him like he was the last safe place in the world.
"What do you say, my friends? How about I do something fun for you instead of her?" My voice turned dark, the smile vanishing from my face. "Don't worry, I'm very gentle. I'll make sure they take you to the finest hospital—with every bone in your body shattered just like your twisted brain."
Shino's gaze narrowed slightly as he replied, "Tch… trying to act tough in front of your girl? No problem. I'll be waiting in the garden behind the school after classes, you bastard Naruto."
"Don't run… we'll chase you to the ends of the earth, lover of the s l u t ~" Rock Lee sneered, dragging out the slur so both Sakura and I could hear it clearly. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed Shino, who walked away coldly.
"Thank you, Naruto…"
Sakura whispered with deep gratitude, still clinging to my chest like it was her true home—a place of serenity and safety, addictive like a venom that, once tasted, leaves no room for return.
She closed her eyes, savoring a peace she hadn't felt in a long time—perhaps so long she had forgotten what it even was.
My face was still blushing furiously from the intimacy of the moment. I wrapped my arms around her and said softly: "I–It's my duty to protect you, Sakura–chan. You're someone precious to me."
But we weren't the only ones sharing those warm emotions.
At the far end of the hallway… Sasuke was standing silently, his eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his dark hair, watching as we embraced one another so intimately.
Well… I could understand how he must've felt. I had once cried when I saw them merely walking side by side.
Sakura and I stepped apart, awkward and red-faced, then quietly entered the classroom.
. . .
Scene Four.
. . .
Strengthening Bonds (2) – End
. . .
Moments later, Sasuke entered and went straight to his seat without saying a word. Karin followed behind, clearly uninterested. Elsewhere in the room, Shikamaru was sleeping, Chōji was stuffing his face with chips, and Rock Lee and Shino were chatting, while Neji and Tenten quietly awaited the teacher's arrival.
"Hey, Naruto–kun, that was pretty bold of you back there."
As I was lost in thoughts of my old friends, I heard a girl whispering in front of me.
I suddenly recalled that embrace with Sakura, which had been—without a doubt—a deeply intimate hug… right in front of the whole class!!
My face turned crimson. God, I had been so captivated by Sakura that I hadn't even noticed we were cuddling in public!
I scratched my cheek shyly and joked, "Yikes, that might be a problem."
"Kyaaa~!"
"So cool~!"
The girls squealed, hearts in their eyes as they looked at me dreamily. I couldn't believe how popular I had become all of a sudden.
I laughed awkwardly while Sakura sat nearby, head lowered in quiet embarrassment. At that moment, I felt a dark, intense gaze from my right side—where Sasuke usually sat.
I glanced sideways subtly, as if checking casually… and saw Sasuke staring silently at his book, unmoving.
. . .
I let out a quiet sigh. Maybe… it was just my imagination.
. . .
The classes passed quickly, and school was finally over.
Now it was time to settle the score with Shino and Rock Lee—those two who dared to hurt my Sakura!
Even though I phrased it with possession, I knew full well whose heart she truly belonged to.
But that didn't mean I was going to give up so easily!
I walked, lost in thought, Sakura quietly walking beside me, both of us in complete silence.
. . .
We arrived at the garden—and the trap Shino had laid for us revealed itself in full.
Sakura gasped, her mouth agape in horror at the sight. But I had been prepared for the worst. I wasn't as shocked as she was.
A group of twenty or twenty-five boys from our school stood in coordinated black outfits, golden characters emblazoned on their shoulders, each representing a certain word. Standing in their center was a boy wearing a long gray jacket and a hood that obscured his face and hair, with dark sunglasses hiding his features entirely.
But I recognized him instantly.
It was Shino—his hands casually stuffed into his coat pockets, waiting for us.
It's time to settle this once and for all.
. . .
#To_Be_Continued.