Casual.

"Then what are you doing here? It's rare that you take the initiative to come to me"

"Hehehe, don't say it like that, it seems like I don't attach much importance to our friendship, but hey, anyway, I came today because I wanted to do a friendly comparison of skills"

Then she frowns.

"You want to fight?"

"You could say yes, but let's remember that it's friendly"

(That's how casual I've become lately, I'm too confident in myself to grieve like it's no different than everyday life)

Then she smiles a little.

"I don't know why you suddenly want this but I accepted, I've been wanting to unmark the account with you for a long time"

"Hahaha, but before..."

"?"

"Let's talk"

Today I came with two purposes.

One would be to have a friendly fight with her.

And another would be to pretend a little.

Ever since I got engaged to Ino and Tenten I was in constant uncertainty if my extended relationship would cause a commotion but over time I realized that nothing was happening and it even seemed that no one had found out (perhaps due to the discretion of all the parties or just no one cares or maybe it's something else).

But the fact is that I have been feeling the urge to appear a little in front of others but I have been holding myself back.

Having something that others have gives a feeling of superiority as in my case.

But seeing that things seem normal I can't help it, the emotion runs through my body.

Although I gave him some hints in the past, I still haven't told him openly.

...

I have to say that I was surprised at how easily I had forgotten her resentment for me (I thought it would last for years like her brother Itachi's and it was going to complicate things for me)

Maybe it's her young age that makes her forget these things easier.(Or maybe something I'm not aware of)

But the causes of this do not matter, the important thing right now would be to maintain that casual relationship that I have with her.

...

So I explained a bit about my situation to her.

And her reaction is as she expected.

Her face shows surprise.

"She hadn't expected it"

"See how amazing it is?"

"But I think it's a waste of time"

She says it with an indifferent face after having recovered from the earlier surprise of her.

"Mn, why do you say that?"

"Because, having a partner in my opinion would only slow things down, it would take away training time that you could use, besides going on dates is pointless, you could perfectly do that when you are older"

She tells me she says it with an expression that what she says is the absolute truth.

"Tsk, don't talk about what you don't know, you've never had a partner"

A renegade from life could never quite understand the happiness that life can bring.

"Hmp, I keep saying it's a waste of time"

"It's because you've never felt the benefits of one"

"So what would they be?"

"Well it would be..."

I'm stuck with my words because I don't know how to answer that question.

There are certain things that cannot be said.

"See, I was right"

He smiles self-satisfiedly.

"... Shut up a bit, you have to have your own experience to know its benefits since it is something in the future term"

I say it while making a face.

"Hmm, excuses"

She looks at me with a look that expresses her victory.

*sigh*

When I think of something with which I could prove my reason, a brilliant idea comes to mind.

'!'

"Hey Satsuki, I propose you something"

"?, that?"

"How about we bet something, if I win then you help me practice my interactions with Ino and Tenten"

When she hears this she gives me a strange look.

"Hey, why should I do that, what's in it for me?"

"Hehehe, if you win then I could do something that you want to be within limits and as for the first question... you would have understanding of the benefits of having a partner"

'And incidentally I improve my relationship with you, who knows? If that works out then... hehehe'

She ignores much of the content of the second answer and focuses on the first.

She is moved.

If she wins then he will be forced to do her bidding.

"So what do you think?"

After she thinks a bit I ask her.

"Alright"

"Okay then how about we get started"

...

So we put ourselves on display.

"The rules are simple; we will only go hand-to-hand, no ninjutsu or weapons; the fight ends when the opponent's hand touches the opponent's forehead; and lastly, this is a friendly game, so you contain it a bit with your attacks "

"Tsk, how boring"

"Well, it's a friendly match, what did I expect, plus this requires precise control of strength to not damage your opponent so only people who train and control their power very well could do this, or do you have afraid because you don't control your power?"

I say with a provocative tone.

"Ok, let's go with this"

She snorts at my question and agrees to these rules.

So I get into position.

...

I then see Satsuki frown a bit as she looks at my position.

I am in a relaxed position.

Normally I wouldn't fight like this because they could easily break through my defense and attack me directly.

But I do this position because the Kami-e technique requires being relaxed.

I plan to try some of the techniques that I have been practicing in combat. (I had not tried it before because many require positions in which I have to make my defense vulnerable)

But now is a good time to try it.

*inhales*

I close my eyes ignoring the person in front.

I relax my mind and then try to create a map in my mind of my surroundings.

Trees, stones, branches and so on.

And then I try to feel everything around me.

The chakra begins to spend slowly and controlled. (The brain spends 20% of the body's energy, so trying to use observation haki will unconsciously consume chakra from it)

Then I relax my muscles at the same time that I tense them. (To make them more flexible)

*exhales*

'Well, it's time to test the results'