Back in the Data Center, Shinki, Shikadai, and Chocho were finishing their day of work. Chocho packed her bag quickly and said, "Good work today! I am leaving a little early because it is curry night, and I have run to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients."
"It has been a while since the last time I went to your house for curry night," Shikadai said.
"You two are welcome to join us," Chocho cheerfully invited them.
Shikadai was about to tell Chocho they could not go, but Shinki spoke first. "Thank you, Chocho, for your kind invitation, but aunt Temari is expecting us for dinner tonight. I hope there is another opportunity in the future to meet your family."
Shinki was extra gentle to Chocho that day for two reasons. The first reason was that he had expressed to Shikadai his interest in courting Chocho. The second one was because Shinki was still ashamed about the embarrassing incident that happened earlier that day.
Before lunchtime that day, Chocho and Shinki were reviewing some old scrolls that were not adequately labeled. Chocho was using the ladder to collect scrolls from the highest shelves while Shinki received them and organized them. He put all his efforts into focusing on the tasks and not stare at Chocho's tights that were close to his eye level when she was on top of the ladder. They were working diligently when a loud visitor surprised them. "Hey, guys! It is too quiet in here," Boruto loudly greeted the shinobi.
The sudden noisy visitor made Chocho lose balance, and since her hands were holding the scrolls, she was about to fall, but the quick Sand shinobi used his hands to contain her body. More specifically, Shinki prevented Chocho's fall by supporting her butt.
When Shinki realized where his hands were placed, he was beyond mortified. You could see him blushing even through the face paint. Chocho was blushing too; she was not sure how to react. In different circumstances, she would have slapped any man who did that to her, but Shinki was trying to help, and you could tell he was embarrassed.
"I am very sorry, Chocho. Please accept my apology." Shinki said after removing his hand and bowing to her. "Let me help you with the remaining scrolls."
"Don't worry about it. Thank you for not letting me fall." A flustered Chocho replied.
Chocho excused herself and went to the restroom to wait until her face stopped being red. Back with the boys, Shikadai could not contain his laughter. It was just too funny for Shikadai to see his very collected cousin reacting to an embarrassing situation. No diplomatic training prepared Shinki for that challenge.
"Sorry, man, your face is just too funny right now. Don't sweat it. It was an accident." Shikadai said, trying to comfort his cousin. Shinki did not reply to his cousin's comment since the event still mortified him. He just continued reviewing scrolls.
"Wait a second, man. If I did what Shinki did, you and Inojin would have beaten me up." Boruto added.
"Yes, because you have pervy tendencies. Shinki was helping Chocho." Shikadai said with a serious face to try to stop the conversation. "By the way, what are you doing here?"
Boruto explained that he was dropping off some more scrolls to be reviewed and left as soon as Chocho returned from the bathroom. She acted cool and did her best to move on even though she could tell Shinki was still embarrassed.
Fifteen minutes after Chocho left for the day, Shinki and Shikdai realized that Chocho left her wallet. Shinki volunteered to bring the wallet to Chocho since he wanted to do something nice for her. He was afraid that she would be caught in a troublesome situation when trying to pay at the grocery store without her wallet.
At the grocery store, Chocho quickly picked the items she needed and went to the cash register. As she was getting ready to pay, she realized she left her wallet at the Data Center. Chocho tried to explain to the clerk. "So sorry to hold the line. Could you please hold to my groceries? I left my wallet at work. I will be right back. It is just a few blocks..."
Before Chocho could finish speaking, a hand behind her handed a bill to the clerk. "Would that be enough to cover Ms. Akimichi's groceries?"
Chocho turned around to face the familiar voice. It was Mitsuki. He was across the street in the pet shop buying cat food for his pet when he saw that Chocho needed help.
"Yes, this is more than enough. Here is your change," The clerk responded with a smile, happy for not having to put Chocho's groceries away. She told Chocho, "You are lucky to have such an attentive and handsome boyfriend."
"He wishes he was my boyfriend," Chocho replied. She was not sure why she said that since she was the one who was rejected by Mitsuki.
"Anyway, thank you, Mitsuki. It would have sucked to go all the way to the Data Center to get my wallet."
"No need for that. Here is your wallet, Chocho," Shinki's voice said. He was behind them. He handed Chocho her wallet and greeted Mitsuki.
"Thank you, Shinki. It is very kind of you," a surprised Chocho said.
Mitsuki and Shinki were once again together. Shinki found it hard to believe that Mitsuki wasn't interested in Chocho since he always seemed to be around her somehow. On the other hand, Mitsuki found Shinki's presence troublesome. He did not like the sensation when he saw Chocho and Shinki together at the movies, and he did not like it now either. Chocho and the clerk felt the tension between them.
"Another handsome guy to your rescue. You are a lucky girl," the clerk added with a giggle, which did not help with the vibe of the moment.
Chocho thanked the clerk and took her grocery bag to move from the cash register area she held for a while. Mitsuki and Shinki simultaneously reached toward the bag to carry it for her.
"Mitsuki, I will carry the bag. Your hands are occupied with the sack of cat food." Shinki said in a firm, almost territorial tone.
Mitsuki put his classic smile on and replied, "Thank you for your concern, but I am okay. I can carry the bag."
Chocho was a bit confused by these guys' behavior. She sensed the rivalry feeling in their exchange and thought it was cute that both guys were attempting to do something nice for her.
"I will carry the bag! Are these two bothering you, Chocho?" A harsh voice said.
It was Choji, Chocho's dad. He went to look for her at the grocery store since she was taking too long to get home, and they needed the ingredients for curry night.
"Papa! They were just trying to help. Since you are here, could you please pay Mitsuki back? He paid for the groceries since I did not have my wallet."
It was not the first time that Mitsuki had met Chocho's dad, but it was the first time Shinki did. He wanted to make sure to make an impression. "Lord Akimichi, it is an honor to meet you."
"Who are you?" An uninterested Choji asked.
"Papa, you know him. He knocked me out in the Chunin exams. He is Shinki."
"Oh yeah, I remember." He gave Shinki a judgy look. After a second, Choji's face softened a little, and said, "Say hi to Gaara and Tenten for me."
"Let's go. Your mama is waiting for us." Then he looked at the young boys, "And you two stop bothering young ladies. If someone needs help carrying their groceries, it's the elderly, so you should go help them."
As soon as the Akimichis left, Shinki and Mitsuki were left alone, which was awkward. Mitsuki said bye and started walking away, but Shinki called his name.
"Mitsuki, I have become very fond of Chocho, and I intend to pursue her formally."
Shinki felt awkward with those words coming out of his mouth. It was still necessary since Mitsuki seemed interested in Chocho even though he heard from more than one person that Mitsuki said he was not interested in Chocho.
"And why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you have that conversation with Chocho, not me?"
"Because I see you two have a close relationship, and I want to avoid misunderstandings."
For some reason, that comment tremendously bothered him. Shinki did not say anything wrong or inappropriate, but it felt like a demand to keep a distance from Chocho.
"You must know that many guys in this village are interested in pursuing Chocho. That does not mean Chocho is interested in them. From my perspective, you are just one more of her admirers."
With the last words, Mitsuki left bothered by the interaction. That gloomy feeling was taking over his body again, that feeling the Karin described as jealousy. 'Do I have a crush on Chocho?' he asked himself.
Shinki did not like Mitsuki's words, but he had a point. If he wanted to pursue Chocho, he had to take action. He decided to ask the Sand Village council for approval to court Chocho with the intention of marriage.