It was a ride. More than 50 minutes later, they were in the underground parking of Temari's residential building. "Sorry I forgot to mention that it was pretty far away". From Temari's flat to Kono Private University it would take around 40 minutes by car, that is roughly 2 hours when taking public transport. "You've lived here since the first year?". Not answering the question, Temari slowly grabs her crutches and opens the door. But probably because of all of the medication they gave her, Temari was left with no strength in her hand. She suddenly felt her classmate's chest on her left shoulder. Shikamaru bent over to open the door for her. He instantly regretted that proximity, somehow wanting more or wanting to just be with her. "I can help you go upstairs, but I know you hate being bossed around, I will do so only if you agree formally". Agreeing formally for them was "yes". Temari and Shikamaru spend 4 years and a half as Class Representatives. Most of their time together was a quiet observation. Without talking much, they understood each other and also reached a superior level of nonverbal communication. "Yes, I would need your help". This was 10 times more than what the Nara heir even dreamt of.

The walk to her doorstep was quiet but intimate. Because of her back pain, Shikamaru asked Temari to jump on his back and to hold her crutches. He would then just need to carry her instead of walking one step at a time. Without realizing it, the second head of the Nara clan had developed a sexual attraction toward the blonde foreign student. He had affection for her as well but his testosterone tonight was boiling hot. Her arms were around his neck and her slow-paced breathing on his ear was driving him mad. He wanted to drop her and run away as fast as possible. She was light weighed but Shikamaru could feel the weight of her breasts. They were soft and warm. He wanted badly to softly caress them and to make her shiver.

It would usually take 4 min from the underground parking to Temari's flat, but that 4 minutes, maybe 6 tonight felt like an eternity for both law students. More than the pain, it was the shame that was killing Temari. She always told herself she would not ask for a man's help, apart from her brothers, but she was now on the back of a man she would have not expected to help her. Maybe she just had a wrong opinion of him. Shikamaru had everything: money, recognition, intelligence, apparently strength and beauty. His life was easy and deep down Temari hated that he could even rank 2nd in their entire graduating year without much effort. Nonetheless, he never made fun of anyone else and never took part in any gossip at the university. He was actually very quiet and a lot of groupies asked Temari to pass him a word or two, something that she always refused. He was not the perfect picture bachelor, he had flaws, he was a bit lazy and slow. He had more flaws though Temari, she just needed a bit more information about him to figure it out.

Once they finally arrived in front of her door she asked him to open the door using the key in her bag. At this point, better make good use of him. Inside on the right side of the front door, Temari switched on one of the lights in the living room. After entering the living room, Shikamaru dropped Temari on her sofa at her request. Her flat was small, the living room had a sofa, a TV and in the back a dining table with 3 chairs. On the other corner, there was the kitchen area or at least something that looked like it. It was as big as a toilet, at least according to the Nara's standards. Near the sofa, on the other side, he could have a glimpse at her bedroom. A bedframe, a mattress, and a wardrobe. Some people might have said her flat was cozy, but Shikamaru would rather say her flat was small and functional. He was now alone with such a mysteriously attractive girl that his testosterone level was kicking higher and higher. He had to stop those thoughts. He would never force her to do anything, and even more tonight.

Shikamaru suddenly snapped out of his daze after hearing the voice of the beautiful lady still waiting on the sofa. She asked him to bring a few things to her so she would be able to spend the night directly in the living room rather than her bedroom. She was a bit in pain and she was not willing to take any risks with her back in pieces. Shikamaru suddenly noticed a box full of seashells on the dining table. "Are those real ones?" An honest laugh came out of Temari's mouth. "You think that I, Temari No Sabaku, would pay for fake seashells? First of all those are real and secondly, I picked them up. It's like a souvenir I would pick up each time we will go to the beach" Shikamaru looked up at Temari and looked back at the box, "I could never pick up stuff from the sea nor collect things as souvenirs, those types of things are prohibited behaviors in my clan". Although the young boy had loving parents, they were both raised in traditional and strict families. Being born into two affluent families and being the only child makes the responsibility heavier. The choices were limited, he will have to carry both clan duties, including paying attention in all types of networking events and pleasing every effing one of them. Speaking of which, for Christmas Eve, his family was always the hosting family as both clans were involved. Even though they were supposed to be just a big family, he had never been close to any of them. He felt better in this small flat, still cold and wet from the weather outside than in those grandiose events. He then dared to ask "So, No Sabaku, I invite you to my boring Christmas Eve party. I heard you have no friends but you have a Christmas Eve party with some unknown friends. I thought I can also be your best option there, so you are joining?" Temari was speechless, and she did not even know the real reason. Was it because he implied that he knew she would spend Christmas Eve alone, was it because he invited her to join his Christmas Eve, or was it because she felt like he cared for her? "Why did you ask that Nara." It was a weird way of answering his questions but it was Temari after all, she was weird, or unique depending on how you would see it. Indeed, the Nara himself did not really know why he started to get involved in this whole scheme. First staying with her at the hospital, then lying to her brother, bringing her back and asking to join his clan's Christmas celebration. Temari, she is like, she is like a friend thought Shikamaru. "Well, your brother told me that you are not spending Christmas together, so I thought since we are like friends I can ask you if you want to eat and drink for free. I thought your other party is probably even worse than mine". Shikamaru meant to say I know you are alone and this is worse than spending it with me. Temari also clearly got what he meant. He was trying to be polite and to not make her feel even more miserable of her own condition. Whatever complaints she can have about Shikamaru, Temari can't say he has ever been mean to her. He has always been, a bit like a quiet supportive friend. "So, we are friends now? I will think about it then". The highly desirable bachelor pull out from his wallet and put it on the dining table. "You need that for the party, it's a small family and friend gathering but it is pretty formal. Most people like to dress up for such things but do whatever you want, just don't forget to bring that card."

Just after dropping the card, the bachelor was getting ready to leave. "Do you want to have a beer with me? I can't drink alcohol because of the medication but I can't sleep either, I need a talking partner tonight." This was unexpected. Nara really never had a "conversation" with his classmate. They had their regular monthly meeting at the same time and the same place, they would greet each other before the lecture out of courtesy. After 4 long years spent around each other, they felt close but strangers at the same time. Without answering, Shikamaru opened her fridge to grab a can of beer and the half-empty orange juice bottle. After handing the bottle to her, he gently sat down on the sofa next to her. Feeling both awkward in silence they started to drink their beverage until Temari asked "Is purple your favorite color?".

Shikamaru left a few minutes after Temari fell asleep. It was the first time they spent such an intimate moment, shoulder to shoulder, laughing and debating what was right or wrong. Nothing special happened but tonight they both discovered a little bit about each other, the feeling of warmth growing stronger in Shikamaru's heart.