Shikamaru arrived at the school earlier than expected. He cannot sleep for the whole night after the play and is now practicing his possible speech outside the principal office, how can he explain that he was that damn early.

"Well, you see my alarm just malfunctioned"

No damn it!

"Uhm, yeah Temari I'm early. And what it is to you?"

Ugh no! It's too obvious

"As you can see woman, I'm actually really a morning person guy"

Fuck! No, Impossible.

He heard a voice behind him and was startled when he saw who it was.

"What the hell are you doing?" Temari asked.

"Uh Temari, you're here" He slides his hands inside his pockets to calm his shaky and sweaty palms.

"Why are you so early?"

"Uhm, I just—I was uhm tried jogging earlier" He was stuttering, all his words were now in mumbles.

"Oh, okay. So that's explained why you're sweaty"

"I am?" He rubbed his palms in his temples to wipe all the sweat.

"Yeah, look at you" Temari knocked on the door and both were greeted by Shizune as per usual.

Lady Shizune hands the list for their task today, the art department needed some materials for their finals. Shikamaru and Temari peeked on the list. It was a list of art materials, fifty-five materials to be exact. They start going to an art shop to buy it, then went to another shop to get the remaining items on the list.

It was already 12 noon when they decided to eat at a ramen shop.

"Why I haven't seen you at the campus?" Shikamaru asked

"Huh?" Temari hummed while munching the boiled egg that Shikamaru placed in her bowl.

"You, I haven't seen you around in school?"

"Why are you looking for me? You're the last person I want to see at school" She cocked an eyebrow and chuckled at him.

"Be serious!"

Temari sigh and rolled her eyes "I spend my time at the library you know"

"Why?"

"For college applications duh?"

"Why? You're not confident enough to pass it?" He asked, his gaze focused on her while dipping the ramen noodles.

She plucked her lips, there was a moment of silence before she answered "You see I have a bad record, uhm you know back in Suna. Do you think the college might consider me? Uh no, I have a little chance"

"Why? are your grades not enough?"

"I do have good grades! I just wanted to secure my spot at college, so I need to double or triple my work to make sure they consider me"

"Tch, that'll be easy"

"Easy for you to say, you're an officer. The one that you robbed me, remember?" She laughed, she already moved on so she could joke about it "That's the reason why I run"

Shikamaru feels his throat tighten after hearing it. Now, he felt guilty about the student council war thing, he didn't know that it was that much important to her. He wanted to say "sorry" but he couldn't do it, his cowardice stopped him. They walked out of the ramen shop once they finished their meal.

Temari felt a cold gush of wind, she was feeling it earlier and could not tolerate the coldness now. She regrets not bringing her hoodie today. So, she decided to look for a clothing shop to buy a new jacket.

"Shikamaru, can you stay here? I'll just go to that shop" Temari asked while pointing to one of the stores they passed by.

"Why?"

"I'm buying uhm-a jacket" She crossed her arms hiding the fact that she was feeling cold.

"You're cold?" He mockingly laughed at her.

"And what's funny?" Temari gave him a sassy look for mocking her "You know what, just stay here. I'll be quick" She turned around and put the bag of art materials beside him.

"Here" Shikamaru extends his arm, giving his jacket to her. Temari cocked an eyebrow at him "What? Don't you ever think that I'm having a soft spot for you, I'm not! I'm just cutting us time so we can go home early"

Temari hesitated at first but grabbed his jacket, she was too cold to decline "And I'm not accepting this because I'm being kind to you, I'm cold"

They both turn around and continue walking. Shikamaru walked behind her, and they both hid their smiles from each other.

When they reached Shikamaru's car, they went straight to their school, delivering all the materials needed. This time they finished their task early and decided to go home. Shikamaru offered her a ride back home, still assuring her that it was not out of malice and Temari agreed and told him that she just accepted it because she need it.

In the library, the Suna siblings were doing their school works. Gaara and Kankuro needed to leave early as they have some errands to do.

"Hey Temari, what time will you go home?" Kankuro asked while lifting his books and placing them in his bag.

"Probably around 7 or 8, I need to review for the college exam" She replied while her eyes focused on the book she was reading.

"Alright, suit yourself"

"Temari, text us if you need a ride" Gaara offered.

"Alright, see you when I got home" Temari waved them goodbye

She finished reading 2 books that day and was not aware that it was already 7:30. Temari leaned her back in the chair, to relieve the back pain she felt during reading and closed her eyes to rest them for a minute. She heard a stump on her table. Temari opened her eyes and was surprised to see Shikamaru in front of her.

"Here, you'll need these books for your college exam" Shikamaru placed four hardbound books.

"Why are you here?" She asked

"I—I need to get my jacket back and the books, here are the books you'll need for the college exam"

"Oh yeah, sure I'll bring it tomorrow, and thanks" She pulled her phone out and hand it to him "Here, put your number. I'll text you in my free time to return your jacket"

Shikamaru reached for her phone and typed his number, he typed longer than expected because his hands were shaking while clicking the numbers on her phone.

"There, I'll see you tomorrow" He immediately left her spot and walked out to the door.

Temari's eyes followed him until he reached the library door. She cannot find the reason why he was doing this, he seemed different lately. She must admit, she enjoyed her peace for the past few days. Temari pulled the books that Shikamaru placed on her table and starts browsing them.

Was that fucker growing on me? No