Chapter 31: Ino Yamanaka

Four years ago, Yuki still lived in the Uchiha residence with his mother. While enjoying pudding, Yuki walked through the streets of Konoha, always with his cheerful smile. At that time, he was a child—inocent and, consequently, naive.

It was a special day, his mother's birthday. As he searched for the perfect gift, he glanced at a flower shop. A thought crossed his mind as he admired the beautiful red roses: "Will she like flowers?" Deciding to explore, Yuki entered the store.

In the reception area, a young woman with brown hair and a bluish-green outfit exuded a calm aura. A short-haired blonde girl, radiating confidence, was also present.

*click

"Welcome."

Suddenly, the shop's door opened, and a handsome black-haired boy walked in. Ino's eyes lit up at the sight of him, unable to ignore the boy's smile and the aura surrounding him.

"Well, what do we have here?"

Ino's mother looked at the boy with interest, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Excuse me? I'd like to buy some flowers."

"I, I, what would you like to buy?!" Before the young woman could respond, her daughter spoke.

She looked into her daughter's starlit eyes. (Ino...) Sighing, she let her daughter take charge of the boy.

Ino certainly took advantage of the situation. "Ah? Oh, what would you recommend? I need them for my mother."

"We have many flowers! Come, let me show you!" Ino quickly took the boy's hand, ignoring his initial request.

Yuki was a bit concerned, but he let things unfold. "We have many species! For example, these red tulips are my favorites. Do you know what these tulips mean? They represent perfect love! HEHEHE... I also like these lotus flowers, representing grace, purity, and spirituality, also..."

While Ino continued her long speech, Yuki smiled wryly. He had only come to buy flowers. Yuki turned his head and looked at the woman, who avoided his gaze. Yuki felt a bit sad about it. He sighed and decided to wait for the girl.

Several hours passed, the day was ending, but Ino kept talking about flowers. Yuki had a dead fish look; he had been accompanying this girl for hours. He couldn't just stay quiet; he tried many times to interrupt or leave, but this girl stuck to him like a koala and didn't let him go.

"And those are all the flowers we have... Have you decided on yours?" Ino said with a smile.

Yuki looked at that smile and couldn't help but have an evil thought; he wanted revenge. "Yes, I've already chosen." Taking three flowers, he quickly grabbed them, afraid that the girl would follow him again.

"Oh?" Seeing the flowers in the boy's hand, Ino raised her eyebrows. He had a red rose, a red tulip, and a lotus flower.

"Thank you for your purchase." Taking the money from the boy, the woman smiled at Yuki.

"This one is for you, ma'am," Yuki said with an innocent look, giving her the red rose.

"Oh, dear..." With a gentle look, the woman gazed at the boy in front of her. "You shouldn't. It's better to give it to your mother."

"No, this is for a beautiful lady like you. Please accept it." Shaking his head, Yuki smiled at her and again handed her the rose.

(What a beautiful boy...)

"Thank you, little one." The woman smiled gently at Yuki; she couldn't help but have a soft spot for the boy.

"Um," nodding, Yuki turned and gave another one to Ino. "This one is for you."

Ino looked somewhat surprised at the boy in front of her; a beautiful red tulip was handed to her.

With a blank look, Ino accepted the tulip. "Thanks for everything." Inclining slightly, Yuki left the store.

Still confused by what had just happened, Ino looked at her mother, who only smirked at her mockingly. "Eh? Did little Ino get a boyfriend? I wonder what your father will say when he finds out."

"Eh? Boyfriend?"

"Aren't they your favorites? You know what they mean, right?" Pointing to the tulip, the woman looked interested in her daughter.

Remembering this, Ino's face turned instantly red.

"I'll be right back!" Quickly leaving the store, Ino decided she had to catch up with the boy.

"Oh! Youth!" With a gentle smile, the woman looked at her daughter's back. She just wanted to tease her daughter a bit; it seems her daughter took it seriously, but she couldn't help but smile—they were just kids, after all.

"Hey! Wait!"

Fortunately, Yuki wasn't far, allowing Ino to catch up quickly.

"Hm?" Tilting his head, Yuki looked curiously at the running girl.

"Yes! I accept! I accept!"

"Eh?"

With a bright smile, Ino approached, leaving Yuki with doubts.

"I accepted being your girlfriend!" Quickly hugging Yuki's arm, Ino blushed.

"Ah!?" Yuki had a stupid look at this moment; he didn't know what the hell was happening.

"Just wait a moment! Don't get so close to me!" Trying to free his arm, Yuki put force into it.

"Eh? But it's normal for lovers to hug each other."

With a pout, Ino looked resentfully at Yuki.

"I'm not your boyfriend! So don't get so close to me!"

Shaking his head, Yuki felt a chill run down his spine.

"But you confessed to me!"

"I never did such a thing! Besides, you're ugly, so that's impossible."

Several veins bulged on Ino's forehead because of that.

"What did you say?!" Grabbing Yuki by the collar, Ino brought her face closer, her gaze fierce.

"You're ugly! Ugly! Ugly!"

Without showing fear, Yuki also displayed a fierce look; he was angry with this girl. She had held him for hours in that store, and now she wanted him to be her boyfriend?

(Dream on!)

Tears welled up in Ino's eyes; this was the first time someone had called her that. Although she thought this boy was cute, now she thought he was very rude.

"Hmp! You'll see! One day, I'll make you fall in love with me absolutely, and you'll praise how cute I am!"

Stepping away from Yuki, Ino wiped away the tears that were about to fall.

"You'll see! Absolutely, you'll fall in love with me!" Shouting at the top of her lungs, she swore at that very moment that she would definitely become a beauty.

This boy hurt her pride.

Since then, they had been chasing each other again and again, trying to weaken each other.

---

Remembering this, Yuki smiled bitterly; Ino would definitely be a beauty in the future; he knew from experience.

But remembering their bet, he didn't want to give in.

"I wonder... And you, Ino, are you in love with me?" Answering her question with another, Yuki looked at Ino on his arm.

"I wonder the same~" However, Ino also didn't want to give in, looking at him with a teasing smile.

Yuki sighed at that, but he didn't mind the idea of making her fall.

It was quite amusing, after all.

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TN : You ain't escaping from my clutches Ino