Temari remembered smiling dearly at the 120 likes she had gotten on her relationship status only two months ago. So how did she find herself with her finger on the button, ready to declare herself as "Single" once again? Well, maybe it was because she had intended to be "in a relationship" with Nara Shikamaru, not in a radical competition with Yamanaka Ino for his attention.

Temari had had her doubts even from before the relationship started. She recalled the ear-piercing screams from Ino playing Shikamaru's personal cheerleader in his match versus Temari, the first time they had ever laid eyes on each other. He had later admitted that was the first time he ever took interest in her, but Temari had honestly not even been able to hear her own thoughts over Ino's screaming – let alone check out Shikamaru. She should have taken the hint then, or perhaps she should have backed away when she strolled into Konohagakure with Shikamaru out of "escort duty" and Ino tackled Shikamaru to the ground, landing in a very suspicious position. The worst part of it was, all Shikamaru did was huff and mutter "Troublesome…" with the girl still on him.

Nonetheless, Shikamaru had asked Temari out, and after she accepted, on their fourth date, he kissed her, first. It also didn't hurt how great he was in bed, or how he was always gentlemanly enough to not let her pay, and to always insist on walking her all the way home. Temari complained about it, of course, claiming she didn't need anyone to do those things, but they secretly made her heart flutter. What actually bothered her, though, was the terrible Christmas Fiasco.