A wise man never falls in love.
Shikamaru was obviously a wise man—but in the face of sincerity, even he could not resist.
After hearing Shikamaru's heartfelt words in the hot spring, Temari took a step toward him. Slowly, deliberately, she approached until she was close enough to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked, and for a long, sweet moment, they simply looked at each other, the world around them fading away.
Shikamaru could feel his heart hammering in his chest, so loudly that it almost seemed to echo in the steamy room. He couldn't suppress a small, uncontrollable laugh, one of pure joy and disbelief.
Temari's lips curved into a smile as she watched him. No girl disliked seeing her partner's eyes light up with admiration and affection—and Temari was no exception. Her heart swelled with warmth.
"You don't regret it?" Shikamaru asked, his voice soft but serious, cutting through the lingering tension.
Temari nodded firmly, her blush deepening. "Don't regret it."
Shikamaru tilted his head and smiled again, a teasing glimmer in his eyes. "This… is the decision, then?"
Temari hummed, her gaze steady and unwavering. There was no hesitation in her eyes—her affirmation carried the weight of her determination and her sincerity.
For a girl to speak with such resolve in matters of the heart was a rare thing—and Shikamaru understood this. Her bravery and clarity strengthened his own resolve. If she could be so forthright, why shouldn't he? Boys, he reminded himself, it was time to take responsibility.
Taking a step closer, Shikamaru's eyes met Temari's once more. Her eyelids fluttered shut subconsciously, a reflexive shyness. Shikamaru's own breath caught, and he mirrored her movement, closing the distance between them.
Love, at this moment, was sealed with a kiss.
In the private hot spring, the steam curled around them, creating an intimate cocoon. The room seemed charged with energy—the kind of energy that could destabilize even the most rational of minds. For Shikamaru and Temari, it was a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, embarrassment, and longing all mixed together.
After a half hour that felt like both an eternity and an instant, Shikamaru and Temari finally emerged from the hot spring. They were neatly dressed once more, returning their clothes and paying the bill.
The waitress behind the counter looked at Shikamaru, a playful smile on her lips. "So, how was it? Handsome man, how's our hot spring today?"
Shikamaru made a small noise, nodding guiltily. "Not bad… very good. The water temperature was perfect!"
The waitress tilted her head, smirking. "And that slate bench next to the pool—wasn't it a bit hard?"
Shikamaru froze mid-thought, then subconsciously nodded. "Yeah… it was hard. I even… knelt down a few times…"
Halfway through his words, realization struck him. The waitress had already noticed the small… intimate interactions between him and Temari inside the bath, and she was deliberately teasing him.
The waitress laughed again, lightly, and Temari's face burned with shyness at the sound.
"Shikamaru, are you okay? Let's go!" Temari tugged gently at his sleeve, eager to leave before the playful teasing escalated further.
The waitress smiled warmly. "Alright, alright. That's enough. You two are welcome to come again anytime, handsome man and beautiful lady!"
Shikamaru acknowledged her with a hum and followed Temari out, their hands brushing lightly.
Outside, the full moon shone brilliantly in the clear night sky, illuminating Konoha's lively streets. Shikamaru's eyes followed the crowd with a faint smile. "Naruto's wedding is tomorrow. The weather's perfect… and the village feels alive, doesn't it?"
Temari's eyes sparkled as she looked at the lights of the village. "Let's go… to the market! I haven't seen Konoha's night market yet!"
Normally, Shikamaru might have found walking through crowded streets slightly troublesome—but now, hand in hand with Temari, the small annoyances of life seemed trivial. Love had a way of softening even the most logical mind.
He let Temari guide him as they moved through the bustling market. Whenever Temari's gaze lingered on something unfamiliar, Shikamaru explained patiently, like a knowledgeable Konoha guide: the history of a festival stand, the origin of a rare spice, the skill of a craftsman.
At one particular stall, Temari paused, her eyes wide with interest at a display of small, colorful trinkets. Shikamaru noticed but didn't interrupt—he knew her curiosity was more important than anything else.
"Do you like it?" he asked quietly, observing her closely.
Temari looked up at him, her expression playful, and shook her head. "Me? This? Not really. I'm not interested in this kind of thing."
Shikamaru exhaled a small sigh, internally muttering, Why is it that women never just say what they like? They want men to guess… always a guessing game.
Regardless, he picked up a bright pink hat and gently placed it on Temari's head.
Temari's cheeks flared crimson. "Wait… I don't—oops!"
Shikamaru ignored her protests and adjusted the hat slightly, stepping back to appraise the effect. He nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad… you look good in it."
"Cute!" Temari exclaimed, flustered but smiling, her hair slightly damp from the earlier bath.
Shikamaru's heart skipped a beat. She had just called herself cute, and the word seemed to linger in the air between them.
They approached the stall owner. "How much for this?" Shikamaru asked, handing over money.
Temari reached for the money, a small frown crossing her face. "No… it doesn't suit me."
As the eldest sister of the Sand Shinobi Village and the Kazekage's sister, Temari was used to commanding respect—but Shikamaru smiled gently, reassuring her. "I haven't given you anything yet. Let this be the first. A small gift from me."
With a gracious nod, he handed the money to the shopkeeper. After receiving the change, Shikamaru intertwined his fingers with Temari's, holding her hand as they continued through the market.
Temari's heart felt light and sweet. Each touch, each glance, reinforced the warmth of this newfound closeness. The mundane bustle of the market transformed into something magical through the lens of their shared happiness.
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