March 31, 2021

Oh dear! Will I have to start rhyming again? Will there be any mischief in Naruto's plan? The hallway is quiet and as empty as usual. And now Sakura's the one trying to run from a presumable* ambush. "When's he going to make his appearance to spite me?" Is Sakura paranoid about nothing? She just might be. However, when the long-suffering girl turned around, she locked her door and quickly had found* that it was over. Said blonde-nutsack was standing right behind her. He was breathing excitedly, a colorful reminder. He probably has a gift too, one that would bind her* to the unwarranted conversation about him trying to be kinder. Finally turning around, she clearly guessed right. He looked ready to give Sakura a fright* in the form of a gift, but no mystery box included? This means the regifting of bath bombs is excluded* from the possibilities of what Naruto's gift could be. Will it at least be entertaining? Who knows? We'll see...

"Sakura... I'm not costing you anytime, am I?"

"You will if you don't cut to the chase immediately, Naruto."

Not necessarily in a bad mood, she's really just anxious; this whole situation smothering her like a pile of weighted blankets. Does she entertain it all just to see where it goes? It'll probably end in a prank that she'll absolutely loathe.

"Naruto, I truly don't know what you're up too, but I'm really not in the mood for-"

Fully in shock, Naruto accosted her with a hug. She had no idea how to respond, frozen in place like a squashed bug. If his intent was to try and kill her with kindness, then call him Jack the Ripper; the assault surely not mindless. As he pulled back from the hug, he revealed what was in his hands. Two pink rubber gloves? And a matching Minnie Mouse headband?

"What... what... why would I. What would I need...? What even is this?"

"Sakura, I just feel the bright pink matches your iridescent and irreplaceable soul."

"...?"

"..."

"I really don't... like... why would you get these? Where-"

It just dawned on her what Naruto was doing, she remembered the callback. Giving insulting gifts is only now having drawbacks? But unlike with hers, she really didn't get this, why was his gift so hard to decrypt? It's like any logic from this gift had been skipped, clipped, and stripped.

"...Is it supposed to be an insult that I'm gonna clean houses or something?"

"..."

On the message behind it all, she has truly been stumped. Has her masterful bath bombs gift finally been trumped? Was it his plan to give a gift worth overthinking? Her thoughts have collectively all started sinking.

"Naruto, just tell me what you even want me to do with these? And why are you giving me these?"

"...Well, it's a birthday present to help you out in the future. I'd just stay prepared for anything."

"That's uhhh-that's incredibly ominous and foreboding, Naruto... soooo thank you... for that..."

"HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, SAKURA!"

"Don't try to change the subject! Explain what you want me to do with all of this!"

"Oh, you'll be fine. Just try your best to keep wearing it all."

"Naruto! Stop! I-"

As quickly as he appeared, he's gone back inside. A danger in Sakura's future is heavily implied! Will she rise above and be better than ever? We're all just going to have to find out together.