After she received a text from her father, she returned to her old self. Temari started wearing the standard skirt and blouse uniform. She wears more neutral makeup which compliments her skin tone. The next school day, on Monday, she didn't stroll too much around the campus like she always did just to mock the council. She decided not to play with them anymore, she gave up, and she was done. Temari moved on from her loss.
In a few months, they will graduate from High school. Her time was spent more in the library after classes, she was preparing for her college applications. Her time was divided between her classes, library, and drama club. The drama club spent late nights just to finish their play, for some reason the showing date was rushed and moved earlier. Their drama for a cause will show on Friday, the club has been practicing and preparing it for two weeks now and they're almost done with everything. The council did a pretty good job in endorsing the play and all the tickets were now sold out.
Shikamaru spend his time watching the clouds in one of the grass areas on the campus. Usually this hour, he monitors the campus where he scolds and reprimands Temari. Well, she was the only student who mostly violate the school rules, but this time she was not around. This makes some of his time vacant, he's not used to it. Everything is perfect on the campus, it felt different. He didn't even see her from Monday to Thursday, which is odd. His memory brings back to the last time he saw her, at the bookstore.
"What the hell was that?" He said lowly while looking at the cloud dancing with the wind.
Shikamaru tried to shrug it off and walked to a different part of the campus, shaking what was invading his mind. Outside the drama club room, a big stand of their play details was posted.
"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya"
His eyes widened, Shikamaru loved The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. He remembered watching it a few years ago with Choji and Ino. How he was captured by the story, the art in the animation, and of course the beauty of Princess Kaguya. He heard a familiar voice echo from his side.
"Shikamaru"
"Ino?"
"Hey! You'll come tomorrow, right? You gotta support me and my club!" Ino placed her palm on her waist.
"Do I have any choice? Neji gave us the tickets. We'll watch it tomorrow"
"Have you told Choji about my play?"
"He has a date tomorrow, he'll be meeting Karui" He responded dryly.
Ino gasped like she was offended "WHAT!? Why he didn't tell me?"
"Oh c'mon! Give your friend a slack! He didn't decline any of your requests before, he needs it this time"
Ino groaned "You two, ughh!"
"I'm coming right? And we did the promotion. Besides, it's sold out"
"You better do! You love this one!" She points her finger at the poster stand
"I remembered how you always say that you'll be going to find your own Princess Kaguya" Ino starts laughing at him while reminiscing about their childhood.
"Stop it Ino! That was before!"
"Okay, whatever you say. I'm going to leave you now. I have a date with Sai. Byeee!"
Ino left Shikamaru standing outside the drama club still laughing at him.
On Friday, after their classes, the five council officers went to the theater to see the drama for a cause. Sasuke, Naruto, Shino, Kiba, and Shikamaru were seated in the center row, the best seat.
The play started with a beautiful sound of an instrumental song called Ever Mountain Village, Neji did a pretty good job with the lights and sound. The sways and dance of the actors compliment the beat of the sounds, it was beautifully executed. The story started with the Princess born in the bamboo and her journey to adulthood.
A petite girl acted as the young Kaguya, which seems like she was a freshman. Then another transition was performed, lights were now dimmed. Hiding the adult Princess Kaguya, Shikamaru peeked at the actress but could not see it.
A set of men lined up for the next scene, it was the suitors who were asking for the princess's hand in marriage. Then the narrator speaks.
As word of her beauty spread through the land, aristocrats and dignitaries dreamed of marrying her. Dozens of suitors flocked to the vicinity of her home seeking to somehow get word to the princess and convey their passion, but lacking the least encouragement, most eventually gave up.
One suitor, an emperor yearned to at least see her face. There was a scene when he peeked at the bamboo divider. At his first sight of Kaguya, he was astounded by her radiance.
A warm and soft light was focused on the actress, and Shikamaru was greeted with familiar teal eyes on the stage. His body was now frozen, unable to move. The girl he was thinking about and looking for the past few days, was now in front of him, on the stage. Her features under the warm light were much softer, it was a different Temari he was seeing. Her hair was loose and not arranged in a silly pigtail that he always saw. Her appearance screams soft, ethereal, warm, and beautiful.
Oh, fuck! This is not happening!
"Hey! Is that my babe?" Kiba said loudly that the students inside the theater almost heard him. Something inside Shikamaru's gut was churning and he did not like it.
Temari began to sway and dance gracefully, following the rhythm of the music. Shikamaru's heart began to pound, his lips were quivering, and his hands were now cold. How can he cope? He will meet her tomorrow for Saturday community service. Questions that were now invading his mind.
The play ends, and Shikamaru was now panting and breathless from all the emotions he was feeling. The students start clapping and giving their standing ovations, he cannot move from his seat. He walked outside the theater along with his co-officers. Kiba was spilling words and expressions to them, amazed by the play and how Temari did a good job. Shikamaru turn his gaze to his left, and he saw Ino, Neji, and Tenten. Then, a familiar sandy-blonde girl joined them. His eyes were stuck on them, seeing the group laughing and celebrating.
In a split second, he swears he saw Temari glaring at his position and smiling at him. Or was he just being delusional? This made him immediately turn around, afraid to show any expressions.
Kiba positioned himself in front of him "Shikamaru! I heard you're spending time with my Temari every Saturday. Can you help me arrange a date with her?"
Shikamaru furrowed his brows "C'mon Kiba, cut the joke! You know you cannot handle her. She's crazy" He was still showing that he hated her but in reality, he was now lying to himself.
"Help a friend, will you?"
"Tch, I don't think I'll be able to help you. I cannot even tame her"
"Just convince her and tell her about me. She might probably grow something out of love from that" Kiba explained
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at him "You fucking corny. I cannot promise but I'll try"
He went home that night overthinking until midnight how will he be able to face her tomorrow.