"Sakura?"
"Sasuke!!!"
Chōji looked at the two of them in surprise. Why were Sasuke and Sakura sitting together, eating like this?
Behind him, Ino and Shikamaru tilted their heads, sharing a glance. Ino immediately grinned, her voice filled with teasing energy.
"Sakura, you brought Sasuke here so soon!"
Sakura, a little flustered but unable to hide her joy, smiled and nodded softly.
The owner of the barbecue shop—affectionately called "Auntie" by everyone—walked over with Asuma, who had accompanied his students. She spoke warmly:
"You guys know each other. Do you want me to set up a bigger table so you can all sit together?"
Asuma's eyes shifted from Sasuke to Sakura. He gave a small smile and said, "No need."
Ino immediately chimed in, teasing: "That's right, they're on a date. Why should we get in the way?"
Sasuke, however, stood up and spoke with a calm tone: "It's fine. You can sit together too."
Asuma studied him, smiling faintly. "Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke gave a small nod. "Asuma-sensei."
With that, Asuma gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "It's good that you've come back. You two eat first. We'll sit behind you."
Sasuke nodded. "Alright."
And so, Asuma took Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji to a table further back. He knew it would be inconvenient for Sakura and Sasuke to talk with them too close by.
The moment Chōji sat down, he couldn't hold back his curiosity. "Why are Sasuke and Sakura together like that?"
Ino rolled her eyes. "You really don't know yet? Sakura and Sasuke got together not long ago. And I even heard that Sasuke's old comrade from Taka—Karin—is also involved with him. Apparently Sakura even agreed to it!"
Chōji's eyes went wide. "No way!"
Ino smirked, her inner gossip burning bright. She leaned closer and whispered, "Believe it. It's true!"
Shikamaru sighed, already irritated. "Troublesome. Just hearing it makes me tired. The three of them together… Sasuke is one thing, but what about Sakura and Karin? What are they thinking? Sharing one guy? Two women marrying the same man… tch, it's so troublesome I can't even imagine."
Asuma chuckled softly. "Well, maybe they have their own reasons."
Shikamaru shook his head. "Still… I don't get it."
Ino smirked and poked him. "Of course you don't. The only heart you understand is Temari's."
At that, Shikamaru choked and coughed, his face turning slightly red.
Auntie came back with a smile. "So, same set meal as usual?"
Asuma nodded. "That's right. No changes. Whatever I can't finish, give to Chōji."
Chōji grinned happily at that.
And so, the two tables ate separately. Since Sakura and Sasuke had arrived earlier, they finished their meal sooner. When they were ready to leave, Sasuke even paid for both his and Asuma's table before stepping outside.
Once outside, Sasuke offered to walk Sakura home. But Sakura, still enjoying the evening, tilted her head and asked with hopeful eyes:
"Aren't we going to the market together too?"
Sasuke hesitated only briefly before answering honestly. "I just came back. I need to visit Karin."
Sakura froze for a moment. A little disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she quickly covered it with a smile and nodded. "Alright, that's fine."
Sasuke reached out and patted her head gently. "You're both important to me. Don't overthink it. I'll take you home."
But Sakura quickly waved her hands, masking her feelings. "No, no—it's fine! You should go to Karin's. I can go home on my own."
"You're sure?" Sasuke asked, searching her expression.
"Really. I'll be fine. Bye!"
She gave a cheerful smile, waved, and turned the corner before Sasuke could protest.
He reached out slightly, as if wanting to stop her, but she was already gone. With a faint exhale, he turned and left.
Yet from behind the corner, Sakura peeked out quietly. Watching Sasuke's back as he walked away, her smile faltered into something softer, tinged with sadness.
Girls are often contradictory—while she told him to go, deep inside, Sakura still wished Sasuke would insist on taking her home first. But Sasuke, ever low in emotional intelligence, believed her words at face value. And so, he left without hesitation.
Later, at Karin's residence.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound of the door echoed. Karin peeked through the peephole, and the moment she saw Sasuke standing there, her entire face lit up.
She threw open the door and practically jumped into his arms.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun! You're finally back!"
Karin rubbed her head against his chest, clinging to him like a cat desperate for affection. Sasuke, though slightly stiff, didn't push her away. He was used to her antics—this wasn't the first time she'd greeted him like this.
"Come in," Sasuke said calmly.
"Mm!" Karin nodded eagerly, pulling him inside.
In the living room, she poured him a glass of water, watching him closely. Her nose twitched and she frowned suddenly. "Sasuke… did you go eat barbecue? You smell like it."
Sasuke didn't bother to hide it. "I ate with Sakura."
The words struck Karin like lightning. She immediately put her hands on her hips, pouting dramatically. "Hmph! You went to eat barbecue with Sakura as soon as you got back and didn't even invite me? Only after filling your stomach with her did you come here to see me?"
Sasuke frowned slightly, taking a sip of water. "Sorry. After I returned with Naruto, Sakura came straight over and dragged me out."
Karin turned her back, arms crossed, feigning hurt. "So what you're saying is—it's my fault because I didn't come find you first?"
She sniffled loudly, pretending to wipe tears from her eyes.
Sasuke sighed inwardly. Why are women so troublesome?
For a fleeting moment, he even regretted letting himself get involved with both Sakura and Karin.
He set down the cup. "Karin, I—"
Before he could finish, she spun around and flung herself into his arms again.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm not really blaming you," she whispered against his chest. "It's just… I miss you too much. I want to have you all to myself. You've just returned, and instead of resting, you're already getting dragged around. It hurts me to see you like this."
Her words carried genuine affection, and for a moment Sasuke's hardened expression softened. He reached up and gently stroked her head. "I know."
Karin's heart thumped wildly. Her fingers brushed across his chest, feeling the warmth of his body. Ever since the first time she'd laid eyes on him, she'd been captivated. That was why she'd joined Taka, why she'd followed him so desperately.
She had fantasized about being this close countless times. And now, she wasn't about to let the opportunity slip.
"Sasuke-kun…" Her voice trembled with desire.
Karin tilted her head upward, closing the distance between them. Sasuke froze, frowning, discomfort flickering across his features.
But before he could move, Karin pressed forward, one hand gripping his forehead, the other braced against the sofa. She leaned in and captured his lips in a fierce, sudden kiss.
Sasuke's eyes flew open wide in shock.
Karin, however, was elated. Her heart raced with triumph—she had finally kissed him!
But Sasuke was overwhelmed. Despite everything, he was still inexperienced in matters of love. Facing such a bold advance, he felt awkward and unsettled, unsure of how to react.
Before he could even collect his thoughts, Karin pressed harder, pushing him down onto the sofa.
His eyes widened again, panic flashing in them. He quickly pushed her off and scrambled upright.
"Karin—we… we can't! We can't do this!"
Karin licked her lips, her face glowing with mischief. "Why not, Sasuke-kun? We're boyfriend and girlfriend. There's nothing wrong with it."
"No. No, stop. Don't come closer!" Sasuke stammered, his composure crumbling.
He stood quickly, backing toward the door. "I—I'm leaving. I'll see you later!"
Before Karin could stop him, he rushed out, disappearing down the street.
She stood at the doorway, watching his retreating figure with narrowed eyes.
"Hmph! Sasuke… you got away this time. But next time, I won't let you escape so easily. I'll capture your heart for sure."
Her voice was filled with both determination and desire as she swore silently to herself, staring into the night where Sasuke had vanished.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺