The Delinquent The Quiet Girl
Episode 8 – The Protective Side of Naruto
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Morning: A Quiet Walk
Miku wasn't used to walking to school with someone.
But ever since their "not-a-date" at the café, Naruto had started waiting for her outside her apartment complex.
Naruto: "Yo."
He greeted her as usual, hands in his pockets, standing casually against the wall. His black-and-orange custom jacket was unzipped, showing his white T-shirt, and his headphones rested around his neck.
Miku felt her heart do that weird thing again.
She clutched her schoolbag tighter.
Miku: "G-Good morning."
Naruto grinned and started walking beside her.
At first, they didn't say much.
But it wasn't an awkward silence.
It was comfortable.
Miku glanced at him.
He was watching a video on his phone, barely paying attention to where he was going.
Miku: "…You're going to trip."
Naruto: "Huh? Nah, I—"
Right as he said that, his foot hit the edge of the sidewalk, and he stumbled.
Miku tried not to laugh.
Naruto cleared his throat, shoving his phone in his pocket.
Naruto: "…Anyway, shut up."
Miku smiled.
--
At School: Trouble Returns
Miku had been feeling safer at school lately.
Naruto's presence kept most people from messing with her.
But not all of them.
As she placed her lunch on her desk, a familiar voice made her stiffen.
Student A: "Hey, Nakano."
She turned to see a group of three students, the same ones who used to take her lunch money.
She instinctively clutched her bag.
Student B: "Haven't talked to you in a while. Let's fix that."
Miku hesitated.
Naruto wasn't here.
He had said he was grabbing something from the vending machine.
Student A: "How about you be a good girl and hand over your lunch?"
Miku's hands trembled.
She thought this was over.
Student C: "C'mon, don't make this difficult."
Just as one of them reached for her lunch—
A loud thud echoed through the room.
The bullies froze.
A chair had been kicked aside.
And standing there—was Naruto.
His usual smirk? Gone.
His blue eyes? Sharp. Cold. Dangerous.
He cracked his knuckles.
Naruto: "…The hell do you think you're doing?"
The air in the classroom shifted.
The students who had been watching in silence held their breath.
The three bullies hesitated.
They weren't afraid of Miku.
But Naruto?
Naruto was a delinquent.
He had been expelled from three schools.
And right now—he looked ready to fight.
Student A: "W-We were just talking—"
Naruto: "Bullshit."
He took a step forward, and the bullies flinched.
Miku stared.
She had never seen Naruto this angry before.
It was… scary.
But at the same time—
It made her feel safe.
Naruto: "Get lost. Now."
The bullies hesitated.
Then, without another word, they scrambled out of the classroom.
Silence followed.
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning to Miku.
His expression softened.
Naruto: "You okay?"
Miku nodded slowly.
Miku: "…Thank you."
Naruto looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Naruto: "Tch. Whatever."
But Miku smiled.
Because for the first time, she realized something.
Naruto wasn't just protecting her because he felt like it.
He actually cared.
--
Lunch Break: A New Routine?
Naruto plopped down next to Miku under their usual tree.
Naruto: "Man, those guys were annoying."
Miku hesitated, then softly said:
Miku: "…I was scared."
Naruto glanced at her.
She wasn't crying, but she looked shaken.
Without thinking, he reached out and messed up her hair.
Naruto: "Don't worry about it. I got your back."
Miku blinked.
Then—
She smiled.
Not just a small smile.
A real, warm smile.
And for some reason—
Naruto felt his heart skip a beat.
--
End of Episode 8.