The boys had to carry Araya back to the Kazekage's headquarters. Shikadai and Shinki took Araya to his room to put him to bed. Shikadai noticed that Shinki was looking around, studying Araya's room. He saw a picture on Araya's desk. It was a picture of his team eating at a restaurant near the Kazekage's headquarters. They went there together after training to rest and fuel.

"Is it your first time here?" Shikadai asked.

"Yes," Shinki responded, which surprised Shikadai.

Shinki could not ignore his cousin's face, "Why the surprise? Do you visit your teammates' rooms often?

"No too often, anymore. But we used to before. Just to hang."

"We spend time together when training and planning," Shinki said, almost justifying himself.

Shinki thought he not even close to the people he felt the closest to.

"Did I say something wrong?" Shikadai asked.

"I put all my energy into making my father proud and preparing to be a Kazekage, to the point that I have neglected connecting with everyone around me. You are right. I fell for Chocho because I gave myself the chance to get to know her. I am disappointed for not giving myself the chance to get to know my best friends."

Shikadai felt sorry for his cousin, "I am sure you are close to them."

"Do you think you and I are close?" Shinki asked.

"I do. We were not too close, but we became better friends every time you visited the Leaf. Especially after this last mission. Although you disapproved of my work style, you had to admit we had fun. I even dragged you out from a fight at the Hokage's front yard before Master Sasuke kicked you out for not being a gracious dinner guest. We are definately close."

"Excuse me. You did not drag me from a fight because there wasn't a fight." Shinki explained since he felt embarrassed by that incident. But he continued, "If we are close, why didn't you tell me about asking out Yodo?"

"I don't particularly like advertising when girls reject me. And I know you and Yodo are close. What if you are an overprotective brother like Inojin is with Chocho."

"I like how you pretend you are not equally overprotective as Inojin. More importantly, Yodo did not tell me either."

Drunk Araya was half asleep listening to the conversation. Interjected, "Yodo didn't want anyone to know that Shikadai asked her out because he goes out with every girl from the Sand and …"

Both cousins looked at Araya surprised, it seemed like Araya wanted to say something else, but he fell asleep again.

"Even Araya knew about it," Shinki said with a little disappointment.

"Araya thinks I go out with every girl from the Sand…" Shikadai said with embarrassment. Both cousins laughed at each other's faces and left the room to let Araya rest.

Lying in bed and reflecting on his day, Shinki realized he needed to change the way he lived. He had to learn to connect better with the people closest to him to connect with the people from the Sand that we wanted to serve. He wanted to go out for drinks with Araya and Yodo and talk about things that were not related to work. He wanted to visit his cousin Shikadai in the Leaf Village and accept Boruto's invitations. He also wanted to maintain his friendship with Chocho. Although there might not be a possibility for a romantic relationship now, Chocho was special to him.

The next day, Shinki requested an audience with his father.

"How was your night out with the boys? We had to stop Guy sensei from trying to join you."

"It was quite entertaining. The boys are fun. Spending time with them made me realized that there are other aspects in my life that I'd like to work on."

"What is it?"

"Did you know that some people from the Village think I am stiff?"

"Sometimes people from the Village might make assumptions."

"Did you know Araya is very handsome?"

"I can't say I have seen his face before. Is that what you want to work on? Your looks?" Gaara said, trying to be light the mood, but Shinki was still serious.

"Did you know Shikadai asked out Yodo, and she rejected him because he goes out with too many girls from the Sand?"

"I have heard that story from your aunt Temari. Chocho told her. I have also heard from the elders that he is quite popular with the girls from the Village."

"Even the elders knew about it… Yodo and Araya are my best friends, and I don't know much about them outside of work. I want to get to know them more outside of our responsibilities. I also want to go on more missions to other villages. Especially the Leaf Village because I want to spend more time with aunt Temari's family. And I want to work more closely with the people of our Village. I cannot be a leader if the Village does not trust me."

Gaara has happy to hear his son's words. He was waiting for a long time for his son to have this realization. Although he was brilliant, he did not prioritize his connection to people, which worried Gaara. But now, he could rest easy. His son had taken one more step towards becoming a great Kazekage.

"Father, one more thing. Do you remember I wanted to cancel my trip to the Leaf? I want to postpone it for a couple of weeks. I still want to visit my friends from the Leaf."

"Of course, son. You always have my support. I am thrilled to see the great leader you are becoming."

After finishing the meeting with his father, Shinki was on his way to the training arena, where he found Araya, who was not in his best shape.

"Hey, how you are feeling today. I am surprised you are up?"

"I am sorry about last night. I usually don't drink."

"Don't worry about it. How about you tell me about the girl you met last night."

An embarrassed Araya replied, "Umm… I would not want to bother you with that kind of conversation. I know you are busy with more important matters."

"We are friends. We can talk about anything."

"The same goes for you, Lord Shinki."

Shinki had been feeling left out, but Araya's words made realize that he did not share much about his personal life with his friends either.

"Thank you, Araya. I will." Shink smiled and told Araya everything that happened in his last visit to the Leaf Village, including his feelings for Chocho.

"Are you over Chocho?"

"I wish I could say yes. I am respectful of Chocho's relationship, but that does not mean I don't think about her anymore. If there is ever another chance to be with her, I will not hesitate to go for it."

After that conversation, even though it was about his heartaches, Shinki's heart felt lighter and stronger. Having his best friend support made him feel stronger.

Once the conversation was over and the young shinobi did a little training, they caught up with the guests from the Leaf, who were still sleeping off their hangovers. Shinki was now ready for the next chapter of his life. Ready to see the world with an open mind and an open heart. And with the hope that when he would cross paths again with Chocho, he will be the type of man that she deserves.

And this is the end to Shinki's story for now... I am thinking about the next time he will meet Chocho and see what Mitsuki feels this time. Thank you for reading! I hope to connect again with the next Chocho-Mitsuki - Shinki love triangle.