chapter is unedited and not proofread (11/4/20)

Sakura

I admit that the whole storming in there, grabbing him by the tie and walking away was a tad bit dramatic, but goddamn it, I'm rightfully pissed off. How was I supposed to know the asshole was going to count the ride back and walk to our apartments, which are legitimately a few feet across from each other, as part of the date? Granted, on normal occasions, yes, it would count as one. But this is a complicated matter that I would have much rather he talked over with me first.

No, I am not overreacting. What if people, our coworkers catch the fact that we live near each other? I won't hear the end of it from Ino for probably years, and the whole stupid speculation that we have the hots for each other is only going to get worse.

Did I kiss him on the cheek? Yes. Do I regret it? Yes, solely because the man put it out for the city to read. And now I have to deal with knowing glances and suggestive winks as I walk to the elevators back to the floor of KWJ where I'll be subjected to other coworkers coming up to me with impromptu, unasked for "strategy" meetings.

God, why in the hell did I even put my lips on his face? Sure, he's gorgeous, annoyingly, frustratingly so. And yeah, maybe last night he was a decent man, and I actually enjoyed talking to him, and maybe, just a smidge, I checked him out because him in white was a new sight, and he looked good, and…

Shit.

What am I thinking?

You know, what? This is all Kiba's fault. Him and his frat boy article can go to hell.

Marching my way back to my office, making sure that everyone I pass by can sense that I do not want to be talked to right now, I wrack my brain for my next move. This is just them blindsiding me. I need to move forward. With my butt back on my chair, I open my laptop and the stupid poll meets my eyes yet again.

78% believe Sakura Haruno is more attracted to Sasuke Uchiha than he is toher.

Move forward, yes, but it doesn't mean I'm not still going to be pissed.

While stewing in my office alone for I don't know how long, my office door opens, hitting the bookshelf on the opposite wall as it does, and reveals my blonde bombshell of a best friend, Ino, with TenTen and Hinata right behind her.

Always making an entrance, Ino is someone with a flair for doing the absolute most of anything she does, so I've grown used to her brand of crazy. The last week felt weird because she toned it down, but thankfully, it seems to be back. I don't know whether or not there's an unspoken rule about relationship columnists and editors being loud, but her and Kiba fit the bill. Unlike Kiba, however, she's fun and a hell of a lot more tolerable. Yes, I'm still mad.

Hinata kindly closes the door behind them (always the angel), and sits herself on the couch to her right. Ino and TenTen, on the other hand, slam their hands on my desk and demand my immediate attention.

"What's your plan?"

"Good morning to you, too, oinky." I sigh. Here comes the "strategy meeting".

Folding her arms, she ignores my name calling and squints at me. "You kissed him on the cheek? Really?"

I shrug. "It was a 'thank you'."

She raises a brow. "Sounded like you were asking for a booty call to me."

I make a face. "You and I both know Kiba and his perpetual bachelor lifestyle isn't trustworthy."

"But Sasuke's article said the same thing, essentially," TenTen adds. "I mean, of course, with a lot more tact."

"KWJ's pride is at stake here!"

Hinata, on the couch, raises a finger. "I wouldn't go that far, but I do think that maybe we need to up our game."

Leaning onto the back of my chair, I look at all three of them before my shoulders slump in resignation. "Okay, what would you have me do?"

"Not accept rides from strangers next time?" Ino pouts. "I can't believe Uchiha gets to know where you live before I do. Why can't we ever have girl's night at your place again?"

"Because I think it's better to have it at your place."

"Back to the topic at hand, girls?" TenTen shakes her head, a hand on her forehead. "Have you set the next date?"

"No."

"Great because I have a great idea." Ino's lips turn into a mischievous smile, which could either be really good or really bad.

I'm intrigued though. "What is it?"

"Well, we're going to have to talk to Legal first."

Yeah, so we're leaning towards really bad.

I must be bad at hiding my thoughts because Ino looks at me incredulously. "It's not that bad. I'm just thinking since he blindsided you, why don't you blindside him?"

I raise a brow. "Should I be scared?"

"It'll be fine! I asked these two if it sounded alright before we came here."

"I think it's a genius plan." TenTen smirks. "Plus, your horoscope's looking good for the week."

Still reluctant, I look at the most level headed person of the three and Hinata stares at me silently with a small smile. Then, she shrugs. "Legal says it's fine, and we got the okay from CEO Senju, so I think it's worth a shot."

"The more you guys keep mentioning Legal, The more I get more nervous about this."

Based on Ino's conspiratorial grin, she's entirely too confident it'll work. Once I hear it though, I can see what she's going with.

It's brilliant, but…

"This? On Sasuke Uchiha? I don't know. On any other guy, it'll work, but-"

"But, I read his article." Ino pauses, feigning deep thought. "What was it again, Ten?"

"I think he said, Sakura's 'certainly more appealing' to him now."

My cheeks have the audacity to warm. "He also said it was only a 'decent' evening."

Ino scoffs, dismissing it. "Small details. He's just trying to sound cocky?"

"And you've spoken to him, what, once?"

"I can feel it in my gut, bighead."

Hinata stands and walks to the front of my desk, between TenTen and Ino with a sheepish smile. "Maybe let's just see how it goes?"

"Then, how are we supposed to get Sasuke to wherever this is happening?"

"How about the cafe on the first floor?"

"You don't think it's too public, Hinata?"

"Nah, Hina's got a point. It's perfect. I just have to get someone from Shinobi to help us." Ino takes out her phone.

"Like anyone there would. In case you've forgotten, this is a competition." Like I did last night, apparently.

"Not if this person is blonde, impulsive, and loud enough to annoy him to do his bidding." She starts tapping on her phone, her lavender colored nails tapping on the screen.

"I didn't know Shinobi had its own Ino."

"I'm going to let that insult slide, bestie. I'm doing you a favor." Done with her message, she places a hand on her hip. "And he is in no way Shinobi's me."

"Who is it?" Hinata inquires, seeming more invested in this than I thought. Turns out this is bringing our team's competitive side. I didn't even know Hinata had a competitive side.

Loud. Blonde. Impulsive. I think about Shinobi's staff, and I cannot believe I didn't realize who she was talking about sooner. "Naruto? The Politics Editor?"

As if on cue, her phone dings and based on her cocky expression, things are going her way. "Yup."

If anyone can annoy Sasuke to do anything, it's him. Now, I see that there's a shot this can work. However, I'm still a little bit dubious.

I stand up, gaining newfound confidence. "Alright. Let's go."

The girls give each other high fives. "We better head downstairs. Gotta get to NinjaBucks first."

Sorry, Uchiha. I won't know unless I try. And I did say all's fair in love and war.

Note:

Wrote this real quick to distract me from the ongoing election and will post the next chapter in a few hours. kdfjskf im so scared yall