After the party, Sakura walked home in despair.
The lively laughter and blessings still seem to be echoing in my ears, Ino's happy and bright eyes when announcing the wedding date, Hinata's shy but firm supplement, and Naruto's embarrassed but warm smile...
Every scene was like a needle, gently piercing her heart.
She tried hard to keep smiling, participated in the conversation, sent blessings, and even made a few jokes, but only she knew that the sour and empty feeling in her heart became clearer and clearer as the party came to an end.
The cold moonlight stretched her shadow very long. The warm lights from the houses on both sides of the street formed a sharp contrast with her mood at the moment.
She lowered her head, her steps a little sloppy, and the scene on Hokage Rock replayed uncontrollably in her mind.
The confession I mustered up all my courage to say, Naruto's unexpected answer...
At that time, her heart beat like a drum because of Naruto's consent.
However, at tonight's party, Ino and Hinata announced their wedding date in public, and he seemed to be an outsider.
My own Parents didn't even know about her relationship with Naruto, so naturally she didn't come to discuss it like the couple Yamanaka and Hiashi did.
So... was Naruto's promise that night really not just to comfort himself?
Or is it just a momentary soft-heartedness on his part, or a declaration of "wanting it all" in some sense, but he... was not really included in his future plans?
Once this thought arose, it wrapped around her heart like a vine, making her almost breathless.
"Are you worried about leaving in such a hurry?"
Just when Sakura Earth Flow was absent-mindedly passing a familiar street intersection, a familiar voice suddenly came from the side and front, with a gentle inquiry.
Sakura was suddenly startled, raised his head, and then noticed that Naruto had been standing under Streetlamp not far ahead.
He was leaning against the lamppost, with his hands in his trouser pockets. Golden's hair looked a little soft in the dim light, and his pair of exquisite Blue Eyes eyes were looking at her quietly, as if he had been waiting for a while.
"Ming, Naruto?"
Sakura stopped in a panic, and subconsciously straightened the pink hair around his ears, trying to hide his gaffe, "You... why are you here? Not with Ino and the others..."
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she felt a little regretful. The question sounded like she was trying to chase someone away, and it also revealed that she had been thinking about him and Ino.
Naruto didn't answer immediately. He just straightened up from the lamp post and took a few steps towards her.
His expression was very calm, without his usual careless smile, nor the majesty he had when he was Hokage, but with a kind of concern between friends, and a trace of unnoticeable... seriousness?
"Your parents still don't know about your confession to me, right?"
Naruto didn't beat around the bush and asked the question directly. His eyes fell gently but directly on Sakura's face.
Sakura's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. She didn't expect that Naruto would suddenly mention this, and in such a situation.
She lowered her head, avoiding Naruto's sight, and twisted her fingers together unconsciously. She was silent for a few seconds, then nodded slightly, her voice as low as a mosquito humming. "Well... only Guang and Hanabi and the others... know."
Afterwards, she did not tell Parents.
How to talk about this kind of thing?
Suddenly he ran to Parents and said, "I confessed to Naruto who has become Sixth Hokage and it was successful, although he still has several girlfriends?"
At that time, everyone in the whole village knew that the relationship between Naruto, Ino, and Hinata was more intimate and public.
Parents probably wouldn't believe it, and would even worry that she had been stimulated in some way, or... maybe he would feel sad and worried for her, right?
"No wonder..."
Naruto heard her answer, nodded slightly, with a look of understanding on his face, and whispered to himself.
Sakura raised his head in confusion and looked at Naruto, not understanding why he said that, "No wonder... what?"
Naruto looked at her, with a hint of complicated emotions in his eyes, including understanding, apology, and perhaps a hint of determination. He said slowly, "No wonder last night, only uncle and aunt Yamanaka, and uncle Hiashi came to the door with Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi."
He was referring to the family meeting where the wedding date was officially discussed.
Sakura's heart sank suddenly, as if being hit by a heavy hammer.
An indescribable sadness and grievance instantly broke through her psychological defenses, making her nose sore and her eyes instantly red.
Yes, she didn't tell her Parents at all, so Parents naturally wouldn't know that she needed to come to discuss such matters.
She quickly lowered her head, not wanting Naruto to see that she was about to cry. She clenched the corners of her clothes tightly with her hands, her knuckles turning white.
Under Streetlamp, the shadows of the two people were stretched very long, intertwined together, as if they were entangled in fate. Occasionally, pedestrians returning late on the street hurried past, cast a curious glance, and left in a hurry, seeming to feel this subtle and heavy atmosphere.
Naruto looked at Sakura's slightly trembling shoulders and lowered head, and sighed silently in his heart. He understood her grievances and uneasiness. What he said to Hokage Rock that day was neither a joke nor a comfort. He was serious. However, the subsequent communication and arrangements did lag behind due to various things, including his own busyness and negligence of Sakura's situation.
He originally planned to visit today, but he didn't find the time until now.
He stepped forward, without hesitation this time, stretched out his hand and patted Sakura's shoulder gently, with a comforting movement.
"Okay," Naruto's voice sounded, clearer than before, with a sense of determination and ease, "Stop thinking nonsense."
Sakura raised his head and looked at him with tearful eyes, not understanding what he meant.
Naruto showed her a familiar, sly and warm smile, and said, "Today I will visit my uncle and aunt at home. I will explain everything that needs to be said clearly."
"Ah?"
Sakura's mind went blank.
Naruto... Want to go to her house now? See her Parents? Make it clear? Say... what?
Naruto looked at her dumbfounded look, and his smile deepened a little. His tone was a little teasing, but extremely serious. "When the time comes, you have to put in a good word for me! After all, I am still a little nervous to face the 'prospective father-in-law and mother-in-law' all of a sudden."
"Huh? Ah... Okay, okay!" Sakura agreed almost subconsciously and incoherently. The huge surprise and disbelief shocked her, and the tears on her face were not dry yet, but the corners of her mouth were raised uncontrollably, her heart was pounding, and most of the haze and sadness were instantly dispelled.
Naruto really wants to... officially go to her house? This means... he really means it! He has not forgotten her, nor has he excluded her!
Looking at Sakura's eyes that instantly lit up and his face mixed with tears and smiles, Naruto also felt relieved. Some things really cannot be delayed or avoided. Now that you have made a choice, you must take responsibility and give everyone who chooses a clear explanation and a secure future.
"Then, let's go?" Naruto stretched out his hand towards Sakura, not holding hands, but as an invitation gesture.
Sakura nodded vigorously, wiped the tears on his face randomly, took a deep breath, and put his hand into Naruto's palm. The warm and firm touch came, making her feel completely at ease.
The two walked side by side in the direction of the Haruno Clan. The moonlight lengthened their silhouettes. This time, the shadows clung tightly to each other and were no longer alone.
As for the "father-in-law and mother-in-law" we are about to face... Well, with this guy by my side who is sometimes unexpectedly reliable, it should be... no problem, right?
Sakura thought secretly in his heart, his cheeks felt a little hot again.
However, what is more, it is full of happiness and expectation that is about to overflow.