Chapter 8: Unspoken Words and Unexpected Truths

The next morning, the sun rose over Konoha like it always did, golden light spilling through the trees and rooftops—but for Naruto, the day already felt… different.

Ino wasn't at the usual spot where they met before heading to the Academy. That wasn't too strange. Maybe she overslept or had something to do at home.

But when Naruto got to class, she didn't even look at him.

No wave.No smile.No teasing remark about his hair being messier than a bird's nest.

Just silence.

He blinked, walking past her desk as she focused hard on her notebook—harder than she ever had, considering it wasn't even opened to the right page.

"Ino?" he said quietly, leaning toward her. "Everything okay?"

"I'm fine," she replied, not looking up.

"…You sure?"

"I said I'm fine, Naruto."

Her tone wasn't cold. It wasn't angry either.It was… distant.

Naruto didn't know what to say after that. So he didn't. He just nodded and went to his seat.

He glanced at her several times during class, wondering what he had done wrong. They were fine yesterday—she even seemed excited after his spar with Ayaka. They laughed, she smiled, and she even thanked him for helping with the math work. So… what changed?

He wanted to ask her again after class, but she packed her things fast and left even faster.

Later that afternoon, Naruto stood by the Academy gates, waiting for her again, hoping to catch her on the way home. But Ino didn't come out the main exit. She must've gone through the side path. Avoiding him on purpose.

"…Tch."

He sighed and started walking toward his apartment. But halfway there, he stopped.

No.

He wasn't going to let this fester like some dumb drama.

After dropping off his books and splashing water on his face, he stared at his reflection in the cracked mirror.

"You're not a kid anymore," he muttered to himself. "If something's wrong, just ask."

He stepped outside, hands in his pockets. But before he made it halfway to the Yamanaka compound, he remembered something.

Dango.

She always loved dango, especially the sweet chestnut flavor from the old stall near the training ground. He paused, thought about it, then nodded to himself.

"Back again, Naruto?" the old vendor asked, wiping his hands as Naruto approached the stall.

"Yeah," Naruto replied, digging into his wallet. "Chestnut. Fresh."

The vendor raised an eyebrow as he began preparing the skewer. "For that blonde girl, right? Haven't seen her around today. She doing okay?"

Naruto scratched his cheek, glancing off to the side. "…Yeah. I think so."

The old man paused for just a moment, watching Naruto's face. Then he smiled faintly as he packed the dango into a neat box. "Heh. Girls like that… they don't stay mad forever. Just gotta be patient and show up."

Naruto blinked. "You saying she's mad?"

The vendor chuckled. "I didn't say that, you did."

Naruto looked flustered. "Tch."

The man handed over the box with a knowing grin. "Go on, kid. You've got good timing—use it."

"…Thanks, old man," Naruto muttered, clutching the box and turning to go.

At the Yamanaka residence, Ino sat on the porch, knees hugged to her chest. She had come home early, skipped the usual stops, and barely talked to her parents.

Ayaka and Inoichi noticed.

A quiet Ino was rare.

They had tried asking her if something happened, but she brushed them off with a smile and a fake "everything's great."

Now, she stared out at the clouds, her heart in turmoil.

Why was she like this?

She hated feeling this way.

She wasn't supposed to get attached.

She wasn't supposed to care.

Naruto wasn't just some boy now. He was… more. He had completely replaced Sasuke in her heart, and the moment he had said "you all treat me like family"… it had shattered something inside her.

She didn't want him to think of her as a sister.

She wanted to be someone he looked at differently. Specially.

From inside the house, Ayaka glanced through the open window, her brow furrowed. Inoichi sat nearby, pretending to read a scroll. But both of them were clearly focused on their daughter. Neither spoke.

Then the gate creaked.

Footsteps.

Naruto appeared around the corner, holding up a small wrapped box. "Yo."

Ino turned her head away. "What are you doing here?"

He walked up, scratching the back of his head. "Thought you might want some dango. Your favorite."

She glanced at the box, then back at the sky.

"I don't want it."

Naruto blinked. "Okay… what's going on, Ino?"

"Nothing."

"You've been avoiding me all day."

"I haven't."

"You literally took the side gate just so you wouldn't have to see me."

"…So what?"

Naruto stepped closer. "Ino. Seriously. If I did something wrong, just tell me."

Ino's fists clenched in her lap.

He was so dense.So infuriatingly dense.

"Why do you always do this?" she snapped suddenly, standing up.

Naruto took a step back, startled.

"Do what—"

"This!" she pointed at the box. "Being so damn kind. Always knowing what I like. Always showing up at the right moment. Helping me with math like it's nothing. Sparring with my mom without flinching. Telling me stories you made up when I was bored. Coming shopping with me. Carrying my bags without even complaining. Buying me my favorite food. Helping me when I'm down…"

She looked at him, eyes glossy with frustration and something deeper. Her voice cracked.

"And treating me like I'm your little sister."

Naruto's eyes widened.

Ino's chest rose and fell. Her hands were trembling now.

"I don't want that, okay?" she whispered. "I don't want to be treated like your sister. I don't want you to just see me as… as family."

She wiped at her eyes angrily.

"You're not supposed to be like this. Why couldn't you just be normal? Why couldn't you just… just be someone I could ignore like everyone else?!"

Naruto stood frozen.

Inside the house, Ayaka quietly pressed a hand to her heart. Inoichi, on the other hand, had stopped pretending to read. His eyes bulged as he leaned closer to the window.

Then…

Naruto chuckled.

Not mockingly. Not cruelly. Just… warmly.

Ino's teary eyes flashed with anger. "Are you laughing at me now?!"

He stepped forward.

And before she could step away—he hugged her.

Tightly.

Her breath hitched.

"You idiot," he whispered. "When did I ever say I saw you like a sister?"

Ino's heart skipped.

His voice was calm. Steady. Sincere.

He didn't let go right away.

And for the first time that day… Ino didn't feel like running away.

She stood there, buried in his warmth, heart thudding like a drum.

And deep inside, something melted.

Inside the house—

THUD.

"INOICHI!" Ayaka rushed forward.

He had fainted. Face-up on the tatami mat, hand still holding the scroll he never finished reading.

Ayaka sighed as she fanned him. "Oh, honestly…"

Outside, Naruto pulled back slightly, just enough to see her face.

"…It's getting late," he said softly. "I should go. I'll visit you tomorrow morning, okay?"

Ino nodded, eyes still a little misty. "Okay…"

He smiled, placing the dango box next to her. "Don't let it get cold."

As he turned and walked away, Ino watched him go. Her heart was still racing. Her hands still shaking.

Inside, Inoichi groaned as he stirred, blinking groggily.

"Where… where is he?"

Ayaka arched a brow. "He left."

Inoichi blinked again, then sat up with a jolt. "My precious daughter… corrupted… that boy…"

Ayaka smirked. "Oh hush. You fainted."

"He hugged her! I saw it!"

"You spied on them, darling."

"I protected her."

"By passing out like a sack of rice?"

He grumbled and slumped forward again.

Ayaka simply chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly… they're going to be fine. You'll see."