What awaited Boruto on the other side of the portal was not what he was expecting. A field illuminated by fireflies stretched out before him, a river to his right. To his left was a forest, and above him, the moon felt enormous. What is this place?

Ask your father when you get home, said the author. I think you'll both be surprised.

He stood there for a moment, marveling at the scenery and completely forgetting that he was still holding a girl in his arms.

"It's beautiful…"

Boruto's eyes slowly looked down at her face. Hebi… Don't watch.

…Fine.

Cheeks slightly pink, Boruto savored the few moments he had to watch Sarada in a rare state: completely captivated by something. She was usually going about her own business, only caring that everyone else was following the rules. So it wasn't very often that her eyes lit up with excitement. And with the moonlight reflecting off her skin, and the fireflies dancing around her face…

He gently set her feet down in front of him, and hesitantly stood back up. When their eyes met, she averted hers. But he reached out and gently took her fingers into his hand, loosely holding it, his heart rate starting to rise.

"Sarada…"

She looked back up at him, her cheeks dusted with pink. She didn't flinch or recoil when he moved closer. She just… waited.

"I need you to promise…" His other hand gently came to rest on her forearm. "Actually… Just close your eyes."

Chin lowering, she hesitantly closed them, her eyebrows furrowing. It seemed like she didn't know what he was about to do. But she trusted him. And that was enough.

As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Boruto tilted his head to the side and slowly touched his lips to hers.

He felt her go rigid, eyes most likely snapping open, every fiber of her being screaming at her to punch him. But he didn't care. Three. Her rigidness died down. Two. She began to ease into his touch. One. She brought her hand up. Whether it was to pull him closer or push him away, he didn't want to find out. In all technicality, he had completed this part of the mission. There was only one thing left to do.

Receding back, he breathed out the breath he didn't know he was holding, his heart thudding against his chest like a kick drum. His gaze lifted to see her eyelids, still sealed, eyebrows furrowed slightly in bewilderment and confusion. His mouth curled into a gentle smile, still mere inches away from hers. "Sarada," he said, letting go of her arm.

As if his words startled her, she blinked open her eyes, and he could have sworn her face turned a shade pinker. "W-what?"

"I love you."

With that, Boruto let go of her hand. He turned towards the moon, knowing the words would leave her in a state of shock for a good bit of time. But with this, the mission was fully complete. Kiss Sarada for three seconds and tell you love her. Without getting punched. At first, it seemed impossible. He never thought he could pull it off. "Welp Himawari," he said to himself, but loud enough that she could hear. "I saved the world without lying. You should be proud of me."

"…oit…"

"Hmm?" He turned back around.

"Boruto… You… Idio-!"

"Woah," he said, catching her clenched fist and pulling her into a reluctant tango-like position, one hand snaking around her waist as their noses nearly touched. "If you punch me, it doesn't count."

He smirked down at her as her face turned bright red, unable to process what was happening.

"B-But… That was the mission?! That?!"

"Yup. That."

"But you don't even lov—"

"I do."

"Since when?!"

"Hmm…" Boruto pretended to look off to the side, deep in thought. Turning towards her, he smiled an idiotic smile. "I dunno. I just do."

"What kind of an answer is that?!"

"Hey, cut me some slack," he said, gently letting her go, his blue eyes staring directly into hers. And suddenly he found it difficult to meet her gaze. Awkwardly blinking away, he felt the heat rise to his face. But his hold on her didn't loosen. Like heck he was letting her ruin the moment. "I'm not kidding, you know."

"…" Sarada couldn't process anymore. If smoke could come out of her ears from overthinking, it would have.

He knew it was going to take her some time to process, but at least he wasn't punched. In attempt to clear the tension he had created, he turned around. "Man," he said, fingers intertwining behind his head, "I'm kinda hungry now. I guess I gotta treat Mitsuki to two burgers."

"M-M-Mitsuki knew?!"

"Hm? He's known the whole time."

Sarada's face exploded in a fit of red. "Back then when I fell towards you, was that—"

"All according to plan," replied Boruto, continuing to walk forward. Oi Hebi.

Yeesss?

You can look now. Could you open a portal back to the village?

…I suppose.

Thanks.

"Sarada, let's go back." But Boruto heard no movement. "Sarada?"

She was frozen, her mind spinning.

With a sigh, Boruto smiled. "I guess it can't be helped." Walking over to her, he scooped her back up into his arms, holding her like a princess. Perhaps teasing her would be more fun than he thought. "Come on, let's go eat."

"What is… where is… who is…"

Boruto ducked his head and brought his right arm up, touching his lips gently to her forehead. "I am." With a mischievous grin, he walked through the portal with Sarada in his arms.

. . .

On the other side, Mitsuki was waiting for him. A smile lit up on his face once he noticed Boruto carrying her like a princess. "Did you complete it?"

"Yup," said Boruto, his cheeks so tense from grinning that his eyes were closed.

"Then, this calls for a real celebration."

"Hm?" His smile faded. "What do you mean?"

Mitsuki's eyes searched the clearing. His voice lowered. "There's something I have to tell you, but I think we're being watched by Sasuke and The Sixth… Carry on the conversation like it's normal."

Boruto's eyes widened.

"I've been preparing since I found out about the mission. You can treat me to burgers later, Boruto."

"Huh?"

"While you were gone, I asked Hebi to help me prepare a few things. Will Sarada be able to move anytime soon?"

He looked down at her. It seemed like her head was still spinning. "Maybe if she has a change of pace."

"Perfect," said Mitsuki, turning around. "Follow me."

"Mitsuki… Did you really get captured by that hooded guy?"

"I did," replied Mitsuki, "but thanks to Hebi, it wasn't all that uncomfortable."

"What was it like?"

"I was knocked out for most of it, so I don't really remember. But when I came to, I felt as though I couldn't interrupt your sweet—"

"Ahh ahh, alright. I get it. Where are we going?"

"My apartment."

"Oh," smiled Boruto. He looked down at Sarada who was still in a daze. "I wonder if she's ever going to snap out of it…"

Mitsuki laughed. "Say Boruto, isn't she heavy?"

"Huh? Now that you mention it, she hardly weighs anything… Must be Hebi."

"Hmm... I see… And? How did she respond to the completion of the mission?"

Boruto grinned. "She tried to punch me."

"Huh? I thought it would go better than that…"

"But she didn't punch me!"

"Hmmm… I see. I suppose for Sarada, that's quite the progress."

"Right? Hey Mitsuki, I never did thank you. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would have agreed to this in the first place."

Mitsuki walked up the stairs to his apartment, grinning back. "I'm glad it worked out."

When they opened the door, Sasuke and Kakashi were waiting for them.

Boruto blinked a few times, looking to Mitsuki who clearly wasn't expecting visitors in his apartment.

"Well," said Mitsuki, closing the door behind Boruto. "It seems as though we have more guests."

"Boruto," asked Kakashi with a smile, "why is Sarada in your arms?"

Boruto looked down. If it was an object, he would have hidden it behind his back. But he couldn't exactly do that with Sarada. "Ahh… something came up, and she got really… dizzy! So I carried her back."

"Back to a boy's apartment?" Sasuke questioned.

"Ahahaha, well, we were hoping she'd wake up soon so we could celebrate."

"Celebrate what exactly," Kakashi inquired.

"We'll explain in a second… Mitsuki?"

"Yes, Boruto?"

"Can I borrow your bed?"

Both the adult's jaws dropped. Mitsuki simply smiled. "Sure."

"Thanks."

With that, Boruto gently lay Sarada on top of the blankets, making sure none of her limbs were at an awkward angle before returning to the scene. "So? What brings you guys here?"

"We'll be asking the questions, thank you." Sasuke's intimidating gaze peered down on Boruto. "What are you doing with my daughter?"

"Well you see… You remember that person from earlier?"

"…What person?"

Boruto looked at Mitsuki. "The one that you fought."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "We didn't fight anyone."

Hebi! Did you erase their memories?!

But there was no response. It was then that Boruto remembered. The reward for completing this mission is the erasure of my existence from your world. "Oi! This isn't funny!"

"That's my line," said Sasuke. "Now answer the question. What were you doing with my daughter?"

"I was…" Boruto couldn't answer.

"He was with Dr. Katasuke, testing a new scientific ninja tool that emits a powder to make people dizzy."

Thank you, Mitsuki! Boruto said mentally.

Sasuke wasn't convinced. He stared at both of them suspiciously, his visible eye narrowed. "So why didn't he go alone?"

"If he was dizzy, he wouldn't be able to walk back alone," Mitsuki replied.

"Right," said Boruto. "I lost at rock paper scissors, so Sarada tested the product and made me carry her back."

"And why were you holding her bridal style instead of on your back," asked Kakashi.

"Well… I was hoping maybe it would wake her up faster?"

Kakashi sighed. "Well, there you have it, Sasuke."

Sasuke's posture shifted as he looked around the empty room, the aura of doubt never clearing from around his figure. "What is this celebration for?"

"This is for Mikazuki's birthday," replied Boruto, "we were just about to go find him. Right Mitsuki?"

"…Mikazuki?" Sasuke and Kakashi looked at each other.

"My cat," replied Mitsuki. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

"…If that's what you're up to, I suppose we won't interfere," said Sasuke, "but it seems as though my daughter is incapable of celebrating with you. I will take her home."

"…Right," said Boruto, his face a bit glum.

"Wouldn't want to interfere with the cat's birthday celebration," Kakashi said, standing up. "Good luck finding him at this hour."

Sasuke walked over to Mitsuki's bed tried to pick up Sarada, who was now asleep. But she wouldn't budge. Frowning, he knelt down on the ground and pulled at her feet. But they didn't move.

"…Sasuke?"

"Boruto. What did you do to Sarada."

"…Huh?"

"She feels like she weighs as much as 10 small buildings. Were there any side effects of that product?"

He frowned. "She didn't seem like she weighed anything to me."

Kakashi stood up. "Maybe you're just getting old, Sasuke. I'll carry her."

"You're one to talk…" Sasuke mused as he watched his former teacher put his arms under his daughter. But Kakashi had no luck either. He almost threw out his back just trying to move her arm.

"Well," said Kakashi with a frown, "It seems like she's immobile."

"Like I said," Boruto went over to the side of the bed and gently picked up one of her arms, placing it on top of her so he could lift her up. "She hardly weighs anything."

The two men stood, their mouths agape as Boruto easily lifted her into his arms.

Mitsuki smiled. At that moment, they both knew Hebi had done something before disappearing.

"Fine. Boruto, follow me home. I'll help you look for the cat afterwards."

There was a meow on the other side of the glass door. Mitsuki smiled. "It seems like that won't be necessary. Boruto, you can come back after you take her home, if you'd like."

"Sure Mitsuki," replied Boruto, "I'll be right back."