Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Gotoubun no Hanayome.

AN: For those wondering, Naruto's work uniform is basically what you see in the story picture…..or whatever you call it. Minus the miniature Kurama. Someone asked about that too, so I'll be upfront and say that Kurama will not be taking part in this story. Now, I like the grumpy old fox as much as the next guy. Heck, after Naruto and Sasuke (yes, you can like both of them), he's my favorite character in the show. But in a story of simple romance like this, a character like him would only drag it down.

I apologize to those who wanted him.

On to the good stuff now.

Chapter 3:
It's Not Complicated

There were a thousand thoughts racing through Naruto's head right about now. Ranging from "what the hell is happening?" to "has Nino's chest always been that big?" and anything in between. That second question in particular only made things worse for him. He wasn't a pervert, but...they were big.

Yeah, this was not a good situation to be in.

"You're nervous."

Naruto swallowed the lump that had been building in the back of his throat. And when did it get so hot in here!? Maybe wearing a long-sleeved shirt today was a terrible idea.

"What gave you that idea…...?"

Why did his voice sound so weak!?

Nino didn't seem to mind this at all, simply staring right at him. She didn't flinch or anything. She just inched her face closer to his.

"Have you never thought about it before? About me? About us?"

How the hell did he answer that?

"Have you ever loved anyone before?"

So many questions.

"Of course I have-!"

"Not as friends. But the other kind of love."

Naruto's eyes did a quick scan of the room. He was still in his apartment, right? This wasn't some kind of weird dream he was having, right? No, of course not. That would be too easy.

"Answer me." Nino wasn't letting him escape, and she made this clear when she grabbed his face with her hands. Her very soft hands. Their noses were practically touching by this point.

"I….." The words died in his throat.

Love. Naruto had considered that before, a long time ago. Before he had arrived here. Sakura came to mind right away, but in the end that love had been false. Well, not exactly false, but it wasn't the kind of love Nino was talking about. Rather, Naruto had shared a type of familial love with Sakura. That's what it had developed to at least. Being on the same team for so long, it was only natural. What Naruto thought was love for a woman hadn't been that at all. He understood that.

What about now? Had he found someone else since coming here? As he had told Hayato a couple days ago, the answer was a resounding no. For a relationship to work, Naruto felt that he had to be completely honest with his partner. And when it came to him, 'being honest' wasn't exactly easy. Not with his kind of past. It wasn't like he knew many people either. More specifically, someone he could confine in. Someone he could be completely honest with. Asagi and Ken came close, as did Hayato. But something was still holding him back. Closer still were…..

Naruto didn't finish that thought.

"Is that a no?"

Nino wasn't being very patient right now. She wanted answers, and she was going to get them. One way or another.

Naruto stared back at her. "No. I haven't."

It was surprising how easy the truth came out. But Naruto had had a long time to consider his feelings for Sakura. Even before coming here, he had already accepted the truth. That's why her confession had felt so wrong to him, because he knew she had felt the same way he did.

Nino's face brightened. "Well, I can tell you that I have. I've had my first love for a while now."

How could she speak about this so easily!? It was like he was caught on the Nino-train, destination love.

…...okay, bad analogy. Never using that one again.

"Do you think it's possible?" Nino said. "To make that love possible? Or is family all we can be?"

The ceiling was starting to look pretty interesting right about now.

Nino wasn't letting him go without an answer, though.

So he answered.

"I-I mean, in my experience," not that he had any, "I'm pretty sure that a familial relationship is the best we can expect from one another. I-It's how it's always been, hasn't it?"

If it worked, why change it?

"That won't change." Nino's cheeks turned red. "We'll still be family. But we can also be…...more than that."

Could they? Naruto really wanted to say no, to push her off and pretend like none of this had happened. But his body wouldn't move. It wouldn't obey him anymore. All his senses were overwhelmed with Nino's scent. Her body was pressed up against his, and he could hear her heart beating. Or maybe it was his. Naruto didn't know anymore.

It was still funny. She was smaller than him, and much weaker. But at this moment, she was the one who had the power over him. If anyone from his gym saw him right now, they wouldn't recognize him at all.

Nino seemed to wait for his answer, to see if he would push her away. Or do anything that would show he didn't want this. But he didn't. That just made her happy. She knew she was having an effect on him. It was confirmation that a part of him, or perhaps all of him, was seeing her as more than just that twelve-year-old girl he first met all those years ago.

It just made her want to be bolder.

Naruto still didn't move as Nino leaned in for his lips. They were millimeters apart, and Naruto was sure the inevitable was going to happen.

Nino was going to kiss him.

The door of his apartment opening stopped this at the last second.

Ichika knew she was playing dirty, that she was meddling when she shouldn't. But before she could think things through, she was already out of bed and heading straight for Naruto's apartment.

She had seen Nino wake up extra early this morning, which was unusual. On Saturdays, they all liked to sleep in. Even Itsuki, the same girl who tried to be punctual and orderly, still acted like a bum during the peaceful Saturday mornings. That's why it was suspicious to see Nino up and about when she didn't have to cook for any of them or anything like that.

When Nino left their apartment, Ichika knew right away where her sister was headed to. Panic had set in at that point. It's why she took off, the desperation clear on her face. She didn't even bother to pick out her clothes, just throwing whatever was close at the time. Which was some jeans and a plain white t-shirt. It was the complete opposite of Nino's handpicked outfit. Ichika was sure her sister had even put on some sexy underwear to go along with it.

Nino was straightforward like that. It's why Ichika was so afraid. If she didn't do anything, she was sure something would happen in that apartment today. Nino had already made her intentions clear to them.

Nothing would stop her.

That's why she didn't bother to knock when she reached Naruto's apartment, choosing instead to use the key he had given her. They all had a copy. Naruto claimed it was for emergencies only, in case something happened or they needed to use his place for whatever reason.

Well, this was most certainly an emergency.

When she opened the door, Ichika knew she had made the right choice in coming here.

She was going to have to play dirty.

Nino was not happy, and she made this clear as she glared at Ichika who was now inside the apartment. Unlike her, Ichika was smiling, but Nino knew it was a fake smile. Ichika was well aware what she had interrupted, and this only pissed Nino off even more.

Naruto had already escaped into his bedroom. After Ichika had walked in on them, he had quickly made a run for it. It was all he could do after finally gaining control over his body again.

"What are you doing here?" Nino said through clenched teeth.

Ichika wouldn't meet Nino's gaze. Another admission of guilt. "Oh, it's not really a big deal. I just wanted to see if Naruto-kun was interested in spending the day with us. That's all."

Such a terrible lie. Nino expected better from her, but she was sure that Ichika was still reeling from what she saw minutes earlier.

'She's really bold…...' Ichika made sure to hide her blush as she thought back to what she saw. She had played it off in front of Naruto, acting dumb. But she knew what Nino and Naruto were about to do. Even though she was extremely popular and was asked out by many guys, Ichika had never done anything before. She had never even held hands with a guy before! So jumping from no experience to something like that…...

How could Nino do it? Why was it so easy for her? Ichika wanted to be able to express her feelings that confidently too. But she just couldn't.

And it angered her.

"This isn't going to work." Nino crossed her arms and glared at Ichika further. "I don't know what your full intentions are, but you can't beat me this way."

Ichika's fake smile grew. "E-Eh? What are you talking about, Nino? I don't-"

"Don't play dumb." Just like with Naruto, Nino wasn't going to let Ichika dance around the issue. She went right up to Ichika, which forced her to finally look at Nino. "I've known for a while. That's why I made sure to be honest about my feelings too."

Ichika was cornered. She realized this. This had been her move, but Nino was turning it against her.

"That's why I'm going to be clear about this too." Nino's eyes bored right through Ichika's. "If you think you can beat me and take Naruto from me like this, then you're wrong. Your indirect schemes won't accomplish anything but delay the inevitable."

"Ahahaha, you sure have a wild imagination, don't you?" Ichika made sure to not stutter. That would give her up right away. Another part of her reminded her that it was already too late for that. "Didn't you hear Itsuki? You're the only one who-"

"I know you love Naruto too." Nino didn't allow her to finish her lie. She wasn't in the mood for it. "Probably as long as I have, right?"

Ichika was left stunned, unable to come up with any more lies to save her. Well, there was nothing to save really. Not anymore. And the worst part?

She didn't notice Naruto standing in the room with them until after Nino spoke.

Naruto had to hide himself in his bathroom after everything that had happened with Nino. It was a cowardly move, he knew this. But he had no choice. He couldn't face her right now, not after that. He needed a few minutes to get his thoughts together at least. He deserved that, right?

He was thankful for Ichika's intervention. Otherwise, he and Nino would have crossed a line that they could never return from. And worst of all, he hadn't done anything to stop it!

'What the hell is wrong with me?' He splashed some cold water on his face as an attempt to purge himself from any bad thoughts. He couldn't do this. It just wouldn't be right.

Would it?

He had made a promise to their mother to look after them. If he did this, it would be like he was taking advantage of that promise. Taking advantage of their trust.

Nino didn't seem to look at it that way, though.

'She's all grown up now.'

They all were. It was something that hadn't fully hit home yet until now. Nino had been right on the money when she said that he only saw them as the same little girls from five years ago. It wasn't by any means intentional. It just was. But before he knew it, those little girls were now on the verge of adulthood.

Naruto nearly cringed. 'Okay, bad word choice.' He didn't need to be further reminded of what he and Nino almost did back there.

'But she got me.' Naruto couldn't deny this either. A part of him had most definitely been receptive of Nino's actions. Or was it all of him? No, it couldn't be all of him. It just couldn't.

…...could it?

'Shit.'

He cursed again. He cursed everything.

'Why did this have to happen?'

He couldn't hide in here forever, as much as he would have liked that. He needed to face Nino, to come to some resolution about this. Leaving things in the air like this would just leave a bad taste in his mouth. It wasn't in him to run away either. He had made that mistake once. Granted, back then, he had been more focused on other stuff. Like the Akatsuki and Sasuke. But now, he didn't have those excuses.

'I need to face this. I need to face Nino.'

He had to.

Getting his resolve, Naruto took a deep breath in before marching back to the small living room of his apartment. He didn't know what he was going to say, or how he would start things off with Nino. He would have to tell Ichika to give them a few minutes-oh crap. That was another thing. Ichika! She totally saw their compromising position! There was no way she had missed it. She was too clever for that. What was she going to say!? Would she tell him that he was some kind of deviant for getting into that position with Nino?

'But it wasn't my fault!'

It really wasn't. At the very least, he would have to explain things to Ichika too. The last thing he wanted was for Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki to know about this. That would just make things more complicated. And he didn't want that.

But as he stepped back into the living room, all those thoughts left his mind as he heard Nino's words.

"I know you love Naruto too."

His brain crashed for the second time this morning.

Ichika felt like she was about to die from embarrassment. She knew it wasn't Nino's intention to blurt out her feelings to the one person Ichika wanted to hide them from, but that didn't bring her any comfort. It was the opposite really.

It just made her more embarrassed.

Nino was confused about her reaction until she followed her gaze. It was then that she gawked when she realized that Naruto had come back from the bathroom and was now in the room with them. And judging from the way he was staring at Ichika with wide eyes, he must have heard what she said just now.

Well, crap. This was shaping out to be one hell of a morning. Nino hadn't planned on this development, but there was no turning back now.

"So all the cards have been put on the table," she said rather chirpily, which didn't fit with the mood.

Ichika suddenly squeaked and made for the door, but Nino stopped her by grabbing her wrist before she could get too far.

"Oh, no you don't!" she said, looking annoyed now. "If you left now, it would leave things on a bad ending!"

"B-But I can't talk right now!" Ichika shouted, struggling to get free from Nino's hold. "This wasn't how it was supposed to be!"

"If things had gone your way, then it would have been worse!" Nino shouted back. She wasn't going to let Ichika play the victim here. "Or what? Do you prefer to rely on your tricks rather than be honest about your feelings!? Do you really believe that would have made things better!?"

Ichika had no answer to this. Instead, she stopped struggling and lowered her head. She didn't know how she wanted things to go. She had never bothered to think that far ahead. That was another difference between her and Nino. She only looked at what was before her while Nino made sure to think ahead. Things didn't always go as planned, as today had shown. But Nino always made sure to think about the future.

Naruto looked between the two, silent. He was still trying to process all of this.

Ichika had feelings for him too? No, no, no. That couldn't be. Like…...how? Why? When? How had he not seen this coming? Was he that blind?

He chose to ignore that last question.

"You too!" Nino turned her focus to him. "Say something!"

"W-What am I suppose to say…...?" Because Naruto didn't know!

Seeing that Ichika wasn't going anywhere, Nino let her go and stepped over to Naruto. She grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him down to her eye level.

"My feelings. Ichika's feelings. You know now. We both love you. That's the truth."

Ichika opened her mouth to deny that, but no words came out. It would have been a fruitless effort anyway. After all this, there was no way she could lie or make excuses. Not anymore. Nino had seen to that.

"I…..I just don't get it," Naruto said, shaking his head. "Why? Why would you-"

"Does that really matter at this point?" Nino cut him off with a huff. "Any reason we give you wouldn't make a difference. Our feelings will remain the same."

She made it sound so easy, like none of this was complicated. But it very much so was complicated! At least, to Naruto it was.

Still, the blond got some of his act together, enough to turn to Ichika.

"Is this true, Ichika? What Nino said….. you have feelings for me?"

He wanted to hear it from her. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to come to any sort of decision about what to do next.

Ichika still didn't face him. Her legs were wobbly, and her shoulders were shaking.

Nino huffed again. "Stop being a wimp. He already knows. The hard part is over. You just have to be honest with yourself."

Wasn't that usually the hard part? That's what Naruto wanted to say, but he wisely kept his mouth shut as he waited for Ichika's response.

The 'oldest' of the quintuplets took a deep breath of her own before finally looking at Naruto. Her cheeks were flushed, and she still squirmed under Naruto's gaze. It was one of the few things that could make her weak, after all.

Regardless, Ichika made sure to stand her ground. For once, she wasn't going to run away. That was the choice she was forced to make.

"Yes. It's true. I've loved you for a long time." Just saying it was a huge relief for her.

If Naruto thought that hearing it from Ichika would make things clearer for him, then he sure didn't now. It was the opposite. He was floored. All of this affected him more than any punch or kick he had received when fighting in his matches.

"There you have it." Nino looked pleased.

Ichika's eyebrow twitched a little. Seeing Nino look so smug rubbed her the wrong way.

"Oh? Why are you so happy? You know what this means, don't you?" No longer hesitating, Ichika stepped to Naruto's side and grabbed his arm. "You've given me the perfect opportunity to finally do everything I've been too scared to do before. It's on now."

Wait, what-

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Nino grabbed his other arm while shooting Ichika a smirk. "It's like I said in the beginning. I'll be the one to win. You won't be able to stop that."

So that's where the situation was now, was it? They were on the hunt, and Naruto was caught in the middle.

Nino and Ichika then started to laugh as they released their hold on him. This only made Naruto feel more confused. What was happening now?

"What are you-"

"Your face, it's just too funny," Nino said through her laughter.

Ichika nodded. "Yeah, I think this is the first time I've seen you this confused since you first started high school."

What the hell, she still remembered that!?

"But I guess that can't be helped." Nino got her laughter under control. "We sprung a lot on you. Especially since a certain someone decided to meddle in."

Ichika shrugged. "I wasn't going to let you get ahead of me that easily."

"Whatever." Nino waved her off before winking at Naruto. "But now you know. You'll probably need some time to process this. I can deal with that. But the ending has already been decided. I'll be sure to make you mine, Naruto."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Nino." Ichika stood next to her, looking just as confident. "I won't let you have him."

Naruto looked at the two of them, too amazed to say anything in return. He just had one thought.

This was really complicated.

And with this, we bring round 1 to a close. The combatants? Nino and Ichika. The objective? Naruto.

Lucky bastard.

These opening chapters were meant to establish the major differences going into the start of the canon story line. This will trickle down to further differences and so on.

Speaking of canon, the last several chapters have left me shook. Ichika has left herself in a bad position, and it looks like one of the fan theories has turned out to be right. That Fuutarou met all five of them during different times. It doesn't surprise me really. Although a part of me really thought that Ichika was lying about that at first. Turns out I was wrong.

Yotsuba still confuses me.

But that's all from me.

Till next time.