HTP: Ch. 69

It was a day off.

In the Konoha shopping district, a new kunai-and-latte coffee shop had just opened. There weren't many customers inside. By the window, a blushing boy and a blushing girl sat facing each other.

Each had ordered a latte.

It was Sasuke and Sakura.

A subtle silence hung between them. This wasn't a sign that the ninja story had suddenly entered a school-life romance comedy phase, but rather... The Flying Thunder God Technique really did require academic knowledge. No wonder Naruto had been learning it forever and still couldn't do it, it looked like he was about to give up.

Sasuke had gone to ask Orochimaru for help, but even after several explanations, he still couldn't understand a thing.

Eventually, the Snake Sannin said in a tone full of disappointment, "Your academic foundation is far too weak. You should start over from the basics. I still have research to do. I'm leaving."

After that, whenever Sasuke tried to ask again, Orochimaru didn't even bother answering.

He never imagined that he would end up like this. After thinking it over, he realized the only person who could help him now was Sakura, though she was terrible at everything else and clearly the weakest in their team of three, she was undeniably brilliant when it came to studying, even more so than their teachers. Since he was asking for help, he had to be respectful. So he invited Sakura to this new coffee shop and prepared a gift for her.

But… how should he bring it up? She had also been super busy lately, learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade after school, so she might not even have time…

Sasuke, who was naturally proud and strong-willed, continued thinking.

Inside the coffee shop, perhaps because the atmosphere was too quiet, the barista turned on the speakers, and music started playing.

Sakura kept her head down, face blazing red, this was a girl's shyness, or rather her own shyness when the subject was Sasuke... Yesterday after school, he had invited her to meet at this newly opened coffee shop. She had been stunned for a second, but quickly snapped out of it and agreed right away.

Then she immediately asked Tsunade for time off, and Tsunade even patted her on the shoulder and said, "Good luck."

It felt like fate had finally rewarded her perseverance. After years of one-sided love, today might finally be the day!

The gift behind Sasuke, who else could it be for? Obviously her!

Take that, Ino, eat my dust! Hahaha!

Her inner self was partying in full swing.

Outside the window, people bustled by. With the music playing, neither the boy nor the girl said a word.

Until Sasuke finally mustered the courage and pulled out the gift box from behind him. He opened his mouth slightly...

"Sakura… I…"

"I accept!" Sakura shouted loudly, her voice echoing through the café. Her face turned scarlet, and even the tips of her ears turned pink.

The few other customers in the coffee shop all turned to look.

Sasuke's face lit up with surprise. "Then I'll be counting on you to tutor me."

He gently pushed the gift box toward her.

"This is my thank-you gift."

Sakura froze on the spot. Like a robot, she stiffly creaked her way back into her seat.

"Yeah." Sasuke, for once, looked troubled. "The Flying Thunder God Technique requires advanced math to calculate coordinates… I don't understand any of it. Orochimaru-sensei said my academic foundation is too weak."

So… that's what this is about. Sakura scratched her head awkwardly. "Ha, haha, no problem!"

She wanted to say more, but her excitement deflated a bit. She opened the gift box. Inside was a set of ninjutsu scrolls marked with the Uchiha clan crest.

Sasuke pulled out a notebook filled with red-pen corrections. "These are study notes left behind by the Fourth Hokage when he was a kid. I just don't understand why the derivations go like this."

Looking at the proud genius ninja in front of her now frowning over math problems, Sakura suddenly found it kind of funny. She took a deep breath and picked up a pen.

"Let's start from the very basics."

Her voice regained its usual energy. "But on one condition—"

Sasuke looked up, puzzled.

Sakura's face blushed again, her eyes shifting to the side. "Next weekend… can you take me to a movie?"

"No problem, I can take you every weekend for a month if you want."

Sasuke agreed right away. Movie tickets don't cost much… Is Sakura having financial troubles?

Suddenly, there was a dull thump from outside the window. Naruto had slid down from a utility pole and was now clinging to the windowsill, yelling frantically, "That bastard is on a date with Sakura! I object!"

His face suddenly pressed against the glass, startling both Sasuke and Sakura.

"Naruto, what the hell!" Ruining my moment like that…

"What kind of date, you loser! We're studying!" Don't get in the way of my training.

Naruto stormed into the café, plopped down beside Sasuke, and crossed his arms: "Then I want to study too!"

Meanwhile, at the far end of the street, Hinata was hiding behind a mailbox, holding a freshly bought box of sweets. Her cheeks were flushed red as she shyly watched Naruto's clumsy outburst.

"Aren't those Kakashi's students?"

Asuma walked into the café holding Kurenai's hand, a cigarette hanging unlit from his mouth. He immediately noticed the noisy chaos coming from Team 7's table.

Kurenai chuckled and tugged at his hand. "Don't be so nosy about them."

The two chose a seat in the corner. Asuma had just pulled out his lighter when Kurenai gave him a warning glare, and he sheepishly put it away.

The café music had already switched to the next track.

♪Love is in the air, everywhere I look aroundLove is in the air, every sight and every sound♪

After placing their order, Asuma said to Kurenai with a sigh, "I don't know where he finds these songs. He insists he wrote them himself."

Kurenai listened carefully and found the melody quite nice. "The Hokage is actually pretty talented."

"As talented as he might be… he's really changed a lot." Asuma took a sip of his coffee. "Since that day, he's been… how do I put it…"

Kurenai rested her chin on her hand, her gaze soft. "It's a good kind of change, though."

"That's true." Asuma nodded, then gestured with his chin. "Isn't that one your student?"

Kurenai finally noticed Hinata quietly peeking from the corner. She sighed a little. "I really wish that girl had more courage."

Asuma tucked the cigarette behind his ear. "Then help her out."

Kurenai thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll give her some advice about life beyond just training."

---

After a full day of tutoring, Sasuke parted ways with Sakura and Naruto, walking home alone.

He was still motioning with his hands, thinking through the material they'd gone over.

I really underestimated Sakura. She's actually got some serious skills. The problems I couldn't understand suddenly made sense when she explained them.

From a distant utility pole, there came the sound of a quiet sigh.