Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Character: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno

Setting: Alternate Universe.

Welcome message: It's been a while. Well, it's nice to be back here and give you this simple treat. Hope you enjoy.

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To ensure fairness, it doesn't always have to be equal. Some things just need to be shared with you.

"Maybe we should sit side by side and talk about nonsense. To find out how to complement each other."

I immediately diverted my attention from the smartphone in my hand when I heard Sakura choking. Seeing Sakura in pain, hitting her chest lightly, made me shift the glass of mineral water towards her.

"Why do you always choke? Even when drinking water. Seriously, I don't understand the appealing part of misfortune."

Sakura, who had just finished drinking the glass of water I offered her, looked at me sharply.

"I often choke on almost everything because of you, you know!"

I winced as she scolded me like that. Unconsciously, I scratched my left cheek.

"Was that my fault earlier?"

Sakura suddenly slammed the glass she was holding onto the table. Instantly, it made me tense. I looked at the glass she just slammed, checking for any damage.

If it's my own glass, it's not a problem, but it belongs to the café. Worse, the café owner is fierce.

If it breaks, how can I pay for it?

"You, you …"

"Hm?"

Sakura's pause confused me, even to the point of forgetting about the glass. Her expression looked very angry to me.

What did I do wrong?

"Forget it!"

Huh?! Is she on PMS or something?

After a few moments of deep breaths, I saw Sakura starting to calm down and breathing normally. She looked at me, still with the same angry expression.

"What were you looking at?"

"Eh?"

I became more confused because of her question. Sakura continued to glare at me, tilting her face towards me.

"What were you looking at that made you say those cheesy things?"

Hahh!

"Uh, well … I just read a caption, that's all."

"Haahh!"

I winced again hearing her half-shouted voice. Coupled with Sakura leaning forward, banging on the table.

"Hey, hey … calm down."

After I said that, Sakura seemed slightly startled and began to look around. People in the same café as us mostly directed their gaze towards Sakura.

Sakura became uneasy and nervous, slowly sitting back and trying to regain composure. All I could do was close my eyes and smile nervously at her behavior.

"All of this is because of you."

Is it my fault again?

"U-uh ...? I'm sorry."

Not wanting any more embarrassing problems, I quickly apologized to her.

Whether I was wrong or not I better apologize. It'll be even more embarrassing later.

Sakura still looked shy and nervous. She lowered her head, her trembling hands resting on the table. It seemed like she was trying not to cover her flushed face.

Unconsciously, I scratched my left cheek again. I'm still not used to Sakura's ambiguous behavior. But it's cute, so I just accept it.

Seeing Sakura still silent, I tried to make things normal again. I handed her my smartphone, displaying the social media account of someone whose caption I had just read.

Sakura started looking at what was displayed on my phone bit by bit. After a while, she became dejected.

"Is it your idol writer again?"

I pulled back my smartphone, smiling and place it on the table.

"Hm. When I read it earlier, I remembered some of my experiences with the behavior of people I've met. Many of his works have influenced me, and fortunately, they led me to a better path. So, unintentionally, I reread the caption while speaking."

Sakura pouted, and I just smiled seeing that.

"Do you know? He has helped me a lot in developing my mental awareness. Through his works, little by little, I started paying to the conditions of people around me."

I was so enthusiastic. I saw Sakura paying full attention to me, and that made me smile even wider.

"When I see and then study the attitudes of the people I've met, I can gain insights that grow from their lives."

… have you ever heard the saying; the number of worlds is as many as the number of eyes of the people living in it?" I saw Sakura nod. "By being able to see how others live, we can see another world through their eyes. When there are problems in that world, and we observe further, we can find various solutions to solve them. Isn't that a good thing and makes life more meaningful?"

"But what if there's a problem in your world, and you can't solve it yourself? While you're just studying solutions to solve other people's problems."

I remained silent for a moment when I heard Sakura's question. "If that's the case, I just need to invite others to come to my world, then ask for their help. And Sakura, humans always have their own comrades to face the problems that happen to them."

"What if no one accepts your invitation?"

"If it's you, you won't refuse it, right?" I saw Sakura slightly surprised. "You will definitely help me and won't let the problems I face kill your favorite guy here. If no one else will help, and only you are willing, that's fair enough for me."

I closed my eyes and smiled very satisfied after saying that.

"W-what if I'm not willing to help you later? And, what do you mean by your favorite guy? Don't be narcissistic!"

When I opened my eyes, Sakura looked embarrassed and shy.

"Ah, playing hard to get again, you're always like that. But, that could be evidence that you will come to help me."

Sakura glared at me. She glared at me for a while before turning her face away from me. "Stupid Naruto."

I just smiled a little. Even though it was faint, I still heard her swearing at me. Maybe for others, it sounds impolite, but for me, it's something special. Like a pet name, maybe?

"Your tsundere attitude is the best, Sakura." I said with a thumbs up and a big smile.

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Post-Script: I would be very happy if you could leave your comments regarding this fiction in the review column. Thank you for taking the time to read this unpretentious fiction.