My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

2021 Valentine's Special Part Five

"I can't believe you got kissed by Sasuke Uchiha." Kiri snickered and leaned back against the side of the outdoor bath, exhaling deeply. "There're a ton of girls who'd kill to be you... or just kill you out of jealousy."

"...Please don't talk about it." Natsumi blushed and sunk into the water slightly, grumbling and making bubbles with her mouth. 

"Aw, why not?" Kiri held up her hands to shrug. "It's Valentine's Day, after all. What better day is there to talk about budding love?"

Natsumi spat out a stream of water at Kiri and made a face, and Kiri laughed.

"T-There's nothing budding love between us!" Natsumi slammed her fists on the water, splashing as she blushed faintly. "Nothing at all! I don't feel anything for that stupid jerk Sasuke!"

"Alright, alright." Kiri laughed and crossed her arms behind her head, closing her eyes for a moment, and then cracking one open to peek at her. "I think the lady doth protest too much, though."

"I'm not!" Natsumi sent a large splash her way and sunk into the water again to her chin, puffing her cheeks. "Sasuke's rude... and a jerk... and emotionally distant... and irritating... and arrogant...and..."

"-and adorable."

"...and adorable." Natsumi eyes widened and she blushed deeper, splashing again. "I-I mean, no! Stop that! I wasn't going to say that!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am!" Natsumi grumbled. "Besides, I have a... a..." She looked down. "An... um... Kankuro."

"What's that 'besides' for?" Kiri raised her brow slightly. 

"Nothing." Natsumi pressed her lips together tightly.

"I mean, you've got to at least admit that he is pretty cute." Kiri held up a finger. "I met other Uchiha when I was younger, and those Uchiha boys were beautiful."

"Y-You knew more Uchiha?!" Natsumi froze and looked at her.

"I sure did!" Kiri nodded quickly and crossed her arms. "There was one really adorable one in Kakashi's Team Ro, and he was so cute." She grinned and closed her eyes, remembering. "I tried to spoil him so much and we'd even train together a lot. He even introduced me to his best friend, and they taught me a ton about Genjutsu. He's the one who taught me the Fireball Jutsu."

"I didn't know that..." Natsumi looked away and went quiet.

"Aw, what's with that face?" Kiri leaned closer and poked the girl's cheek. "Am I teasing too much? I can stop if you feel uncomfortable."

"It's not that..." Natsumi kept her eyes on the other side of the empty bath, and Kiri scooted closer to her, putting her arm around her.

"Hey, you can tell me anything, you know."

"I..." Natsumi's ears burned and she shook her head. "...Not this."

"Of course you can." Kiri smiled softly. "Although, I think I have an idea of what's on your mind."

"I... I used to have a crush on Sasuke, too, okay?!" Natsumi shouted, then clamped her hand over her mouth, sinking into the water again.

"A lot of girls like him. There's nothing wrong with that."

"T-There's everything wrong with it!" Natsumi grabbed her hair. "I decided a long time ago that I didn't want to be like all the other girls at the Academy! They were so focused on liking boys- on liking Sasuke- to even really care about their training at all! They were so weak, and they didn't even consider that they might be smothering him!" She exhaled hotly. "He never asked for attention, and he didn't return any of it. I'd be really annoyed all the time, too, if mobs of guys wouldn't leave me alone when I wanted to be!"