Chapter-72
"You seem happy." In another part of UA, Class-B had just finished its class. A group of students had gathered at one of the desks, engaged in conversation. Itsuka Kendo, observing a joyful Ibara, inquired, "Is it a special day?" Ibara had a small bento box wrapped in a bluish cloth.
"No, I just prepared something special for Naruto-kun," she responded softly while slinging her backpack onto her back. She was making an effort to cheer up her friend, as he had been quite distant in the past few days, not even speaking to her since the festival tournament ended.
"Mr. Whiskers?" Yui Kodai, a black-haired girl, couldn't help but comment on the nickname 'Mr. Whiskers' that Ibara had given to one of UA's most formidable students. Her friends offered nervous smiles, sensing their curiosity about 'Uzumaki Naruto' and unsure if it stemmed from concern for Ibara or their own desire to get closer to him.
"Come on, don't be shy! Let's go find him before he leaves!" Kendo was eager and dragged Ibara out of the room, and Yui followed at a brisk pace.
"Wait!" As they reached the facility's doors, Ibara halted and clutched the bento box. The pressure was building as she felt Itsuka's enthusiasm and Yui's cold gaze following them with grace.
"Oh, look, there he is," Kendo pointed out with a bright smile as she spotted Naruto a few meters away, seemingly engaged in conversation with the Todoroki girl. Confused by Ibara's hesitation, she questioned, "What are you waiting for?"
"..." Ibara hardly heard her classmate, her gaze fixed on the scene where the Todoroki girl had thrown herself at Naruto for a hug, appearing as if they were kissing. A sharp pain struck her chest, and she took a few steps back, pressing the bento box to her chest. She mumbled to herself, "Why does my chest hurt?" Her two friends observed her with growing concern.
5 Minutes ago….
Just another day... it could have been worse. With an analytical look, Naruto examined the sheet of paper containing information about working under the supervision of a professional hero. He took the sheet and slipped it into his pocket as he descended the stairs, heading towards the UA exit to return to his apartment.
"Naruto," a call interrupted his departure. He turned to find Shiori Todoroki briskly approaching and blocking his path. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked softly, her bandaged blonde companion halting his steps.
"You're already doing it," Naruto replied brusquely. He observed the students from other classes and departments leaving as he fixed his gaze on the red and white-haired girl. He sensed she wouldn't let him go without talking to her. "What did you want to tell me, Shiori?" he asked lazily, maintaining eye contact with her.
"I... I just wanted to say thank you," Shiori stammered, taking a step closer to Naruto, who stood firm. "Thank you for accompanying and supporting me a few days ago. I know you had your reasons for leaving after you brought me to my mother's room, but still... thank you." She closed her eyes and gave a respectful bow to Naruto.
"Yes... no problem," Naruto replied with a sigh. Unconsciously, he raised his right hand and gently stroked Shiori's hair. She clenched her fists and shut her eyes tightly without him noticing.
Flash back:
"He was your friend?" I inquired, laughing without losing my motherly smile as I gazed at my daughter, who had returned to the room with disappointment, confirming that the blonde accompanying her had already departed.
"Yes... he's my first friend," she replied, taking a seat beside me once again. We had already conversed for hours, and the sun was setting on the horizon. We had caught up on various topics, but now the conversation took a different turn.
"He seems like a good boy... just a bit serious, but nothing that can't change over time," I mentioned, observing my daughter deep in thought. "It seems he might be more than just a friend," I continued with a warm smile, gently stroking her long, tense hair after hearing her previous thoughts.
"Really? Does he enjoy my company? Or do I make him feel strange when I'm around?" She wondered with an innocent look, her hair receiving affectionate strokes from me.
"Well, what do you think of him?" I asked, taking a more careful approach this time.
"That he understands me like no one else, that despite his aloofness, I feel the warmth he emanates when he gently touches my hair. Even though he's not very talkative, it seems like he trusts me because he shared his pain and his past with me. He wants me to be strong and better, to accept who I am..." Shiori spoke from her heart, lowering her gaze as her hands intertwined, recollecting everything the Uzumaki had done for her. She smiled faintly, but her brows furrowed in annoyance as she thought about how close he seemed to be with the girl from Class-B. "How can I get closer to him? How can I make him see me as more than just a friend?" she asked earnestly, gazing intensely at me.
I smiled awkwardly, scratching my cheek with one finger. It appeared my daughter was taking this matter quite seriously, and what I intended as a light-hearted tease had stirred up genuine emotions in her. "Well... you can do something that means a lot to him, something that conveys all the love you have for him," I advised, watching her nod in understanding.
End of flashback:
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PAT REON I'D:- Skythe ]