Ino disappeared briefly into the back of the shop and returned with a simple wooden chair. She placed it beside the counter where she'd been standing earlier.
"There," she said lightly.
Naruto gave her a nod of appreciation. "Thanks."
He sat down and leaned back, letting himself relax as the soft scent of flowers surrounded him. The place felt warm—alive—in a way his apartment never quite did.
"Nice shop you've got here," he said, glancing around. "I'm guessing you don't bother buying aroma stuff. It already smells good enough on its own."
Ino giggled, clearly pleased. "Yeah, you're right. Kinda comes with the job."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "So? How's your day been so far? Anything interesting happen on the way here?"
"Nah," Naruto replied easily, barely giving it any thought. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Figured we could make something interesting happen together."
The words hit harder than he probably intended.
Ino's cheeks warmed instantly.
' Wow… he really doesn't even try,' she thought. ' It'd be a waste if I just let Sakura keep him to herself.'
"Oh?" she said aloud, forcing a casual tone. "Like what?"
Before Naruto could answer, she stepped closer—and, on impulse, sat down on his lap.
For just a second, time seemed to stall.
Naruto was surprised—but he didn't let it show. Instead, a slow smirk tugged at his lips as his arm came up naturally, resting around her waist to steady her.
"I dunno," he said calmly. "You tell me."
Ino felt her heart jump.
Heat rushed through her as goosebumps ran along her arms, her thoughts suddenly scrambling.
'Okay… now what?'
Before she could decide, the bell above the door chimed sharply.
A customer had entered.
Ino practically sprang to her feet.
"W-welcome!" she greeted quickly, professionalism snapping back into place as she moved behind the counter. "How can I help you?"
She turned her full attention to the customer, guiding them through their options with practiced ease—though her ears still felt warm.
Naruto leaned back in his chair, watching her with mild amusement.
'Man,' he thought,' life would be a lot easier if everyone was just that straightforward. I should get a milf with experience. Like the Mizukage'
He let out a quiet breath, still smiling as the shop returned to its calm rhythm, the moment lingering comfortably in the air between them.
A few minutes later, Ino finished up with the customer and returned to the counter, stretching her arms slightly as she let out a small sigh.
Naruto glanced at her and chuckled.
"I always thought running a flower shop would be easy," he said. "Guess I was wrong."
Ino snorted softly. "At least now you know. People don't just buy flowers—they buy meanings." She gestured vaguely toward the shelves. "Love, apology, guilt, gratitude… everyone wants something specific. Honestly, I prefer customers who just want a bouquet because it looks nice."
"That sounds way simpler," Naruto said.
She leaned her elbows on the counter. "Way less stressful."
Naruto studied her for a moment before speaking again. "So tell me, Ino… how's life as the heir to the Yamanaka clan?"
Ino smiled, but this time it was calmer—more honest.
"Honestly? It's not as bad as people think," she said. "My family runs the intelligence division of the Leaf. It's demanding, yeah—but it's not the same kind of pressure other clans deal with. So all things considered… it's actually pretty nice."
Naruto nodded. "That makes sense."
He tilted his head. "Remind me—what's your clan's specialty again?"
"We focus on mental and psychic ninjutsu," Ino replied smoothly. "Not raw physical combat." She paused, then added with a small grin, "Though I took your advice seriously. Just because that's our specialty doesn't mean I should ignore taijutsu. I've been training."
"Good," Naruto said approvingly. "Just make sure you stick with it."
She smirked. "Always."
Then her eyes sparkled mischievously. "So… I could read your mind if I wanted to."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Sure," she said casually. "Unless you're using a seal. Even then, it'd just be harder—not impossible." She leaned in slightly. "Wanna try?"
Naruto laughed under his breath and shook his head. "Nah. That wouldn't be wise."
"Oh?" Ino teased. "Why not?"
"Because you'd see exactly what I'm thinking right now," he said, a knowing smirk spreading across his face.
Her curiosity flared instantly.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, stepping closer—close enough that her hip lightly bumped against his shoulder.
Naruto didn't move away.
"Some things," he said calmly, "are better left a mystery."
Ino frowned, clearly dissatisfied. "You're no fun," she muttered—though the faint smile tugging at her lips said otherwise.
A few hours slipped by almost without them noticing.
Naruto remained seated near the counter while Ino moved around the shop during slower moments, the two of them talking casually—about missions, training, childhood memories, and things that didn't really matter but somehow felt important anyway.
"So," Ino said at one point, resting her chin in her hand, "you really don't remember being scared during the Chunin Exams?"
Naruto laughed, shaking his head. "Scared? Nah. Confused? Definitely."
She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
He smirked. "Says the girl who almost destroyed the arena fighting Sakura."
Ino froze—then groaned. "Don't remind me."
Naruto couldn't help it. He laughed openly this time. "Come on, even you have to admit that fight was—"
"—terrible," she cut in immediately. "The worst fight in the exams. No question."
"Arguably the worst in the whole series," Naruto added with a grin.
She blinked. "Series?"
"Uh—" He coughed lightly. "Figure of speech."
Ino squinted at him, suspicious, before sighing. "Either way… yeah. Sakura and I were both a mess back then."
Naruto's laughter softened. "You've both grown a lot since then."
Her expression shifted—less playful, more thoughtful. "So have you."
Their eyes met for a brief moment before Ino looked away, clearing her throat and standing upright.
They flirted in small ways after that—light teasing, shared smiles, the occasional brush of fingers when she handed him something. The interest between them was obvious.
But Naruto didn't push.
One thing at a time, he reminded himself.
Eventually, the sun dipped lower in the sky, warm light filtering through the shop windows.
Ino glanced at the clock and sighed. "That's it. I'm clocking out."
She locked the register, flipped the sign on the door to Closed, and stretched her arms overhead. "You still up for food?"
Naruto stood. "You promised. I'm holding you to it."
They walked out together, the shop lights dimming behind them.
"So," Naruto asked as they made their way down the street, "ramen?"
Ino stopped walking.
Slowly, she turned to him, completely unimpressed.
"…No."
He blinked. "No?"
"I'm not against ramen," she clarified, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "But if we're going out, we're doing it properly."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Define 'properly.'"
A small, satisfied smile appeared on her lips. "Something upscale. Quiet. Good food. Real atmosphere."
He chuckled. "Didn't take you for the high-class type."
She scoffed. "Please. Just because I work in a flower shop doesn't mean I don't have taste."
Naruto shrugged, amused. "Hey, I'm not complaining."
As they headed toward a more refined part of the village, Naruto realized something.
Ino was different from the girls he'd grown close to before—more polished, more confident in her preferences, and completely unapologetic about them.
And somehow… that made the evening even more interesting.
TO BE CONTINUED