The Delinquent The Quiet Girl
Episode 5 – Jealousy
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Morning: Unwanted Attention
Miku had noticed something strange over the past few days.
More and more girls had been approaching Naruto.
In the classroom. During lunch. Even after school.
She didn't understand why.
Wasn't he supposed to be a delinquent?
And yet, the same girls who used to avoid him were suddenly interested.
"Naruto-kun, can you help me with my notes?"
"Hey, are you free this weekend?"
"You're not as scary as everyone says~"
Miku sat at her desk, gripping her pen tightly.
She wasn't sure why it bothered her so much.
It shouldn't.
Right?
--
Classroom 2-B: A New Face
The bell rang, signaling lunch break.
As usual, Naruto stood up, stretching.
Naruto: "Alright, Miku, let's—"
Before he could finish, a girl suddenly stepped in front of him.
She was tall, with long brown hair tied into a ponytail.
???: "Hey, Naruto-kun~"
Naruto blinked.
Naruto: "…Uh. Who are you?"
The girl giggled, twirling a strand of hair.
???: "I'm Reina. I've seen you around, and I just thought… why not get to know each other?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Naruto: "…Not interested."
Miku, watching from her seat, felt something unfamiliar stir in her chest.
Reina pouted.
Reina: "Aww, don't be like that! I heard you like strong girls."
She leaned in way too close.
Miku froze.
She had never seen a girl be so… bold with Naruto before.
And Naruto…
He looked annoyed.
Naruto: "Oi. Personal space."
Reina giggled again.
Reina: "Oh? I don't bite~"
Miku's grip tightened around her lunchbox.
Why…
Why was she feeling angry?
--
Lunch Break: A Different Kind of Tension
Naruto and Miku sat under their usual tree.
But this time, Miku was quiet.
More than usual.
Naruto, taking a bite of his lunch, noticed immediately.
Naruto: "…Alright, spill it."
Miku blinked.
Miku: "…Spill what?"
Naruto pointed his chopsticks at her.
Naruto: "You've been weird all morning."
Miku looked down at her food.
She didn't know how to say it.
After a long pause, she mumbled:
Miku: "…That girl from earlier. Reina."
Naruto groaned.
Naruto: "Ugh. That chick? Annoying."
Miku glanced at him.
Miku: "…She was pretty."
Naruto blinked.
Then, a slow smirk spread across his face.
Naruto: "…Wait a sec. Are you jealous?"
Miku's face turned red instantly.
Miku (flustered): "N-No!"
Naruto chuckled.
Naruto: "Uh-huh. Sure."
Miku huffed, stabbing at her rice with her chopsticks.
Naruto leaned closer, grinning.
Naruto: "I mean, if you're jealous, you could just say so~"
Miku glared at him.
Miku: "…I am not jealous."
Naruto smirked, amused.
Naruto: "Right, right. And I'm the Emperor of Japan."
Miku puffed her cheeks, looking away.
She hated that he could see through her so easily.
But…
Was she really jealous?
--
After School: A Small Realization
Miku was walking to her locker when she heard voices.
Reina: "…So, what do you think? Wanna hang out this weekend?"
Miku froze.
She peeked around the corner.
Naruto was standing in front of his locker, arms crossed, staring at Reina with a deadpan expression.
Naruto: "…No."
Reina pouted.
Reina: "Why not~?"
Naruto sighed.
Naruto: "Because you're annoying."
Miku covered her mouth, hiding her giggle.
Reina scoffed, flipping her hair.
Reina: "Tch. Whatever. I bet you're just into that weird, quiet girl."
Miku's smile vanished.
Naruto stiffened.
Naruto: "…What did you just say?"
Reina smirked.
Reina: "Come on. Everyone can see it. You're always hanging around her like some kind of bodyguard. What, you like girls who can't stand up for themselves?"
Miku's chest tightened.
She wasn't sure what hurt more—the words themselves, or the fact that she kind of agreed.
But then…
Naruto laughed.
It wasn't a kind laugh.
It was a dangerous one.
He took a step closer to Reina, towering over her.
Naruto: "Listen up, princess."
Reina froze.
Naruto: "You don't get to talk about Miku like that."
His eyes were sharp, filled with something dangerous.
Naruto: "She's got more guts than you ever will."
Miku's eyes widened.
Reina scoffed, crossing her arms.
Reina: "…Tch. Whatever. Have fun babysitting her."
She turned and walked off.
Miku stood there, stunned.
Naruto sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
Then, he turned around—and locked eyes with Miku.
For the first time, she didn't look away.
She took a deep breath, then stepped forward.
Miku: "…Naruto."
He raised an eyebrow.
Miku: "…Thank you."
Naruto blinked.
Then, for the first time…
He looked flustered.
Naruto: "…Tch. Whatever."
Miku smiled.
Maybe she was jealous.
And maybe…
She didn't mind that feeling.
--
End of Episode 5.