The next day, Naruto woke up early, his mind already plotting how to right the wrongs of the day before. Though frustration still lingered, he forced himself to regain his composure. He looked at himself in the mirror as he got ready, adjusting his tie with precision and making sure his appearance projected the same perfect image the world expected of him. His practiced smile, the one that made him look like an icon of kindness and confidence, appeared on his face like a conditioned reflex. He knew it was his best weapon.

During the ride to the academy, his driver briefly told him about the day's events, mentioning that there was a rumor that Frill Shiranui had spoken to some students about him. Naruto gritted his teeth slightly upon hearing that, but didn't let his face show it. "I'll deal with her later," he thought, ignoring the potential complication it represented for now. His priority was still Ruby, his access point to the twins' core.

Arriving at the academy, the atmosphere was as lively as ever. The students noticed immediately, and a murmur of excitement ran through the halls. Naruto was used to this, but today he wouldn't stop to interact any more than necessary. He needed to control the situation from the start. He walked to his classroom, and to his fortune, he found Ruby and Minami together, talking near their seats.

"Good morning, girls," he said in his usual charismatic tone, interrupting their conversation in a friendly manner. Ruby looked up, surprised but clearly delighted that he was addressing them so early.

"Naruto-san!" Ruby exclaimed, nearly spilling the drink she was holding. Minami gave him an amused look, but said nothing.

Naruto noticed Ruby's reaction and decided to capitalize on it. "I'm sorry about yesterday," he said, bowing his head slightly in a genuine, or at least, convincing enough, apology. "It was a chaotic day, and I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you properly."

Ruby quickly waved her hands, shaking her head vigorously. "Oh, don't worry! We understand, right, Minami?"

Minami nodded with a smile. "Sure, it was a rough first day for everyone."

Naruto nodded, looking relieved. "That puts me at ease. Still, I wanted to make sure I made it up to you. How about we have lunch together today? We could talk more calmly then."

Ruby was speechless for a moment, clearly surprised by the proposal. Minami, more analytical, seemed to evaluate the invitation before nodding with a neutral smile. "That sounds good. What do you say, Ruby?"

Ruby finally reacted, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah, sure! That would be great."

Naruto smiled widely, making sure his expression reflected gratitude. "Perfect. Then I'll look for them when it's time for lunch."

With that, he made his way to his seat, satisfied that he had planted the seed of trust in Ruby. Meanwhile, he watched out of the corner of his eye as Aqua entered the classroom. Unlike her sister, Aqua showed no interest in her presence. He simply took a seat, pulled out his study material, and dove into his own business. Naruto watched him for a moment, analyzing his every move. He knew Aqua was a threat, someone who would require a much more meticulous approach.

When lunchtime came around, Naruto kept his promise and joined Ruby and Minami at a table in the courtyard outside. He had brought with him a precisely prepared lunch, the kind of food that projected the image of someone sophisticated yet approachable. During the conversation, he made sure to focus his attention primarily on Ruby, asking questions about her interests, her family, and her outlook on life. Every time Ruby spoke, he would nod, showing a genuine interest that she clearly appreciated.

Minami, though more reserved, also participated, but it was apparent that she was observing more than she was talking. Naruto took note of that, realizing that she could be either an ally or a hindrance, depending on how things played out.

After a few minutes, Aqua appeared near them, probably looking for Ruby. Naruto took the opportunity to invite him over. "Aqua! Come, sit with us. We're having a nice conversation."

Aqua looked at him, clearly surprised by the invitation, but approached anyway. "I don't want to interrupt," she said with a neutral tone.

"You're not interrupting anything," Naruto replied with a dazzling smile. "In fact, Ruby has been telling me a lot about you two. It's nice to meet you both."

Aqua raised an eyebrow, sizing him up carefully before sitting down. Though her words were kind, her gaze suggested that she didn't completely trust Naruto. "Thank you. It's rare to hear that someone like you is interested in us."

Naruto chuckled softly, a perfectly rehearsed sound. "I'm a curious person. Plus, you guys seem like interesting people. It's always good to make new connections."

The conversation continued, but Naruto sensed the tension in the air. While Ruby was completely delighted, Aqua was clearly keeping a barrier up. Naruto knew he would have to be more strategic in order to gain her trust. But he wasn't discouraged. This was just the beginning, and he was willing to play the long game.

Ruby was visibly excited as she chatted with Naruto. Time seemed to have stopped for her, completely absorbed by the attention the famous artist was giving her. Naruto, true to his image as a kind and understanding star, listened to every word with a genuine smile—or at least, it seemed that way. Ruby took advantage of every moment to talk about her dreams and aspirations, and when she mentioned that she was considering forming an idol group, her enthusiasm was so palpable that even Minami got a little bit of it.

"I've always wanted to be an idol," Ruby confessed, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement. "But not just a solo artist. I want to form a group, something special, where we can convey happiness and genuine emotions to the public."

Naruto nodded slowly, showing seemingly genuine interest. "That sounds amazing, Ruby," he said, leaning slightly towards her to close the distance, as if her words were of vital importance. "Forming an idol group isn't easy, but with passion and determination, you can make it. And believe me, you have all the potential to excel."

Ruby nearly melted at the praise, feeling her heart beating a mile a minute. "Do you really think that, Naruto-san? That means a lot coming from someone like you!"

"Of course I do," Naruto replied with a warm smile. "In fact, if you ever need any help, advice, or even contacts in the industry, I'd be happy to help you realize your dream."

Ruby's eyes widened, surprised and excited by the offer. "You'd really do that? That would be amazing! I'm so grateful to have this opportunity."

While Ruby was completely enthralled by Naruto's words, Aqua, who had remained relatively quiet throughout the conversation, picked up on something in Naruto's attitude that made him even more wary. Although Naruto projected an air of sincerity, Aqua noticed small details: how his eyes didn't always reflect the emotion his voice conveyed, or how he seemed to subtly guide the conversation towards his own terms.

Naruto was about to seal his proposal when Aqua, seemingly casually, stepped in. "Ruby," she said in a calm but firm tone, "have you considered the risks involved in entering the entertainment industry? It's a complicated world and not always fair. Before you jump in, you should carefully plan your steps."

Ruby blinked, surprised by her brother's comment, but nodded slowly. "Yes, I know, Aqua. But if I have support, like Naruto-san's, I think I can handle it."

Aqua kept his composure, though internally he was frustrated by Ruby's response. "I'm not saying you can't, just that you should think through all the implications before you commit. Besides, the idol industry isn't just singing and dancing; it also involves dealing with contracts, media pressure, and constant competition."

Naruto, noticing the intent behind Aqua's words, chimed in with his usual tone of kindness. "It's true what your brother says, Ruby. This world has many challenges, but it's also incredibly rewarding if you manage to find your way. That's why I'm offering to help you: so you don't have to face everything alone."

Aqua crossed her arms, looking at Naruto directly for the first time. "That's very generous of you, Uzumaki-san, but Ruby is still in school. Maybe she should focus on that before committing to something so demanding."

The tension was subtle, but palpable. Ruby, unaware of the subtext between her brother and Naruto, attempted to smooth things over. "Come on, Aqua! We're just talking about possibilities. I'm not saying I'm going to drop everything right now. But it's exciting to think about the future, isn't it?"

Naruto smiled, regaining control of the conversation. "Exactly. There's no rush, Ruby. The important thing is that you're clear about what you want and work towards it at your own pace. I just want you to know that when you're ready, I'll be there to help you."

Ruby nodded gratefully while Aqua remained silent, carefully evaluating Naruto's every word. Although his intervention had been intentional to slow down any connection Naruto might make with Ruby, he didn't want to be too obvious, as that would only provoke an opposite reaction from his sister.

When the conversation drifted to other, lighter topics, Aqua took a moment to carefully analyze Naruto. There was something about him that didn't quite add up. Perhaps it was his excessive kindness, or perhaps his unusually specific interest in Ruby, but something told her that this boy wasn't as perfect as he seemed.

Ruby, on the other hand, was completely overjoyed. To her, the fact that a celebrity of Naruto's stature was showing interest in her dream was a validation she had never imagined receiving. Although Aqua had planted some doubts in her mind, these were easily overshadowed by the excitement of the moment.

Naruto, meanwhile, was feeling satisfied with the progress he had made. Though Aqua had tried to interfere, Ruby was clearly on his side, and that was enough for now. He knew that winning Aqua over would be a bigger challenge, but he was also used to dealing with obstacles. It was all part of the game, and he was a master at playing it.

As the bell signaled the end of lunch, Naruto bid the three farewell with his usual charisma. "It's been a pleasure talking to you. Ruby, Minami, Aqua... I hope we can continue chatting in the future. And Ruby, don't forget that you can count on me for whatever you need."

Ruby bid him farewell with a radiant smile, while Aqua only slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement. Minami, though more reserved, also appreciated the conversation.

As Naruto walked away, Aqua watched as his figure disappeared into the crowd of students. "I'll have to keep an eye on him," she thought. "I don't know what his true goal is, but I won't let him manipulate Ruby."

After Naruto walked away, Ruby stood for a few moments, still smiling as if she was on cloud nine. Minami looked at her with curiosity and a hint of amusement, while Aqua crossed her arms, deep in thought. Finally, Minami broke the silence.

"Ruby, I don't think I've ever seen you so excited. You were practically glowing!" Minami said with a giggle.

Ruby nodded excitedly, hugging her notebook to her chest. "It's just that it's Naruto Uzumaki! I can't believe he's willing to help me with my dream of becoming an idol. This is like... a dream come true!"

Aqua, who had remained silent until then, let out a small sigh before speaking. "Ruby, I understand that you're excited, but you shouldn't trust someone so easily, even if they're famous. Especially someone like him."

Ruby frowned, her joy diminishing slightly. "What do you mean by 'someone like him'? Naruto-san is kind, talented, and... he was sincere in offering his help!"

Aqua shook her head. "I'm not saying he isn't, but you don't know his true intentions. We don't know why he's really here, let alone why he's so interested in helping you so soon after meeting you."

Ruby snorted, crossing her arms. "Why do you always have to think the worst of people, Aqua? Maybe he just wants to be nice. Not everyone has ulterior motives like you think."

Minami, uncomfortable by the change in tone of the conversation, stepped in. "Well, Aqua's not entirely wrong. It's important to be cautious, Ruby, especially in these kinds of things. But I also think Naruto-san seemed genuine. Perhaps you can accept his help, but carefully."

Ruby nodded slowly, understanding Minami's point, though she was still a little annoyed by her brother's protectiveness. "Okay, I'll think about it. But I don't want to pass up an opportunity like this. It could be the start of something amazing!"

Aqua watched her sister, noticing the determination in her eyes. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to change her mind, but she couldn't afford to let her guard down. If Naruto had some ulterior motive, Aqua would make sure to find out before he could harm Ruby in any way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, Naruto was in the backseat of his car, his face grim and his eyes fixed on the scenery flashing past the window. Although his smile and charismatic attitude had been impeccable in front of the twins, inside he was irritated.

"All in good time," he thought, gritting his teeth. "He's too observant for my taste. He won't be as easy to manipulate as his sister."

He knew that Ruby was his best card. The admiration she felt for him was evident, and he could use that to get close to her and gain her trust quickly. However, Aqua was an obstacle he would have to handle carefully. He couldn't afford to raise suspicions with him or anyone else.

"I'll win Ruby over first," Naruto thought, adjusting his jacket. "She'll be my ticket. Once she trusts me, it will be much easier to neutralize any interference from Aqua. I just need to be patient."

The car stopped in front of his luxurious residence, and Naruto got out, thanking the driver with a fake smile. Entering his house, his expression hardened again. He knew he needed to refine his plan to deal with Aqua while cementing his connection with Ruby.

"It's a game of chess," he muttered to himself, as he sat down on his couch and turned on his laptop. "And I've always been the better player."

He opened a file in which he kept a detailed record of every step of his strategy. In Ruby's section, he added a new note: "Possible inclination towards idol dream. Use as a connection point. Support to gain full trust."

In Aqua's section, he wrote: "Analyze behavior. Observe reactions and possible weak points. Neutralize if necessary, but with discretion."

Naruto smiled, though without a trace of joy. "The stage is set, and the pieces are in place. Now, all that remains is to move them correctly."

With that thought, he closed the computer and leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes as he planned his next move. To him, this was all just a game, and he was determined to be the winner.

And end of the chapter