Back when he had been a shut-in, he could only dream of moments like this.
Only in the quiet of night, before falling asleep.
"Sakura, are you full?"
Sasuke's voice was filled with genuine affection as he asked.
His feelings weren't fake.
Before transmigrating, he had adored both Sakura and Hinata.
Sakura's cheeks flushed red again.
Sasuke's fascination with her body didn't disgust her in the slightest—in fact, it made her happy.
After all, she had loved Sasuke for so, so long.
If it had been Hinata in her place—
Hinata would never have accepted it so easily.
Hinata loved Naruto.
If Sasuke wanted her in the future, it wouldn't be simple.
Unless he stooped to using the Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu to control her.
But he had no intention of doing that.
Back when he had been a shut-in, he had fantasized about forcefully taking anime beauties.
But now—
Now that he had truly transmigrated and felt time flowing around him—
This might be the anime world, but he himself existed here.
The air, the wind, the water, the passing hours, the night—
All of it was real.
When he had held Sakura earlier that day, when she trembled and even shed tears from nervous happiness—
It had moved him.
Because this wasn't just an anime.
Sakura was a living person.
She had feelings. Joy. Pain.
How could he bear to hurt her?
So—
As a transmigrator, yes, he would pursue Hinata.
But not through dirty tricks.
Just like with Sakura, he would make Hinata fall in love with him sincerely.
Let her willingly give him her heart.
And he would protect them both.
…
Sasuke's heart wasn't made of stone.
With women he loved, he would be bold—but he would also cherish and care for them.
The same went for Naruto.
Seeing how miserable Naruto had looked just now stirred sympathy in him.
He wanted Naruto to accept the reality of him and Sakura.
To transform jealousy into genuine blessing.
…
Even in the original story, Naruto had never truly had Sakura.
It was something he could never force.
Better to offer sincere blessings—
and, like in the original timeline, become good companions.
After all, the Naruto world was built on fiery bonds.
Sometimes, brotherhood was even more precious than love.
…
"I'm done. You two eat slowly."
Naruto might have arrived later, but he finished first.
Even if he had accepted reality, he still couldn't bear to stay there long.
Sasuke, however, had no intention of humiliating him.
They had no deep grudges.
And touching Naruto earlier had even triggered the Nine-Tails' chakra reward.
There was no reason to hate him.
"You're not full, right? I know you usually eat at least two bowls."
Sasuke stood, pulling Sakura up with him.
"It's late. I'm taking Sakura home."
"Uncle Teuchi, please make Naruto two more bowls—the kind he likes."
"I've left the money here."
His movements were smooth and confident.
Teuchi felt genuine admiration.
'That boy Sasuke is impressive.'
Ayame's cheeks were faintly pink as she watched him.
Resolving a love triangle without cruelty—
and even remembering Naruto's favorite order.
Handsome and thoughtful.
For someone who had never dated, Ayame found herself unexpectedly drawn to him.
…
Naruto had planned to slip away.
But Sasuke's actions caught him off guard.
First, those words about blessing them.
Now, buying him ramen.
'Is this really Sasuke?'
In the original story, Naruto had always valued his bond with Sasuke even more than love.
Now, something stirred in his chest.
Back then, Sasuke had once protected him in battle.
That alone had forged an unbreakable bond.
Two bowls of ramen weren't enough to match that—
But in this moment, Naruto felt a weight lift from his heart.
Maybe—
In front of brotherhood, love truly wasn't everything.
Naruto seemed obsessed with Sakura.
But perhaps, deep down, he wasn't as attached as he thought.
"So, Naruto? Sasuke already paid. Are you eating them?"
After Sasuke and Sakura left, Teuchi asked warmly.
"Of course I am!"
Naruto forced out his trademark grin.
"That's more like it," Teuchi laughed.
"I could tell that girl really likes Sasuke."
"They'll be happy together."
"And Naruto—one day, you'll find your own happiness too."
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Yeah!"
…
Hand in hand, Sasuke and Sakura walked toward her home.
For the first time, Sakura wished time would slow down.
So she could stay by Sasuke's side just a little longer.
Her shy expression made Sasuke want to pull her close again.
But even the sweetest lovers had to respect family.
They weren't married.
Living together wasn't possible yet.
Still—
They had plenty of time ahead.
Sasuke wasn't in a hurry.
"We're here."
"Thank you, Sasuke," Sakura said reluctantly.
Sasuke smiled. "Walking my girlfriend home is only natural. Why thank me?"
She looked at him with shining eyes.
"Thank you for accepting me. For liking me."
"And for how kindly you treated Naruto."
People were influenced by those around them.
In the early days, Sakura had once mocked Naruto for being an orphan.
But now, beside Sasuke—
She had changed.
His maturity, his compassion—even toward Naruto—affected her.
Just as her body had grown, so had her heart.
She could now reflect and recognize how skillfully Sasuke had handled Naruto.
That was why she thanked him.
"Sakura…"
Sasuke felt her growth too.
He stepped closer, emotion flickering in his eyes.
They leaned toward each other—
But at that exact moment—
Sakura's parents, Kizashi Haruno and Mebuki Haruno, happened to see them.
And the two adults froze on the spot.