An Overthinker's Gift Exchange

White Day

Boruto decided to go home after that. To put the conversation off for another day. But as more and more days passed, he realized the conversation probably wasn't going to happen. 

Sarada was all about business in front of the hokage, and that was really the only times he saw her. Either that, or walking around with Sumire. And in those times, she quite literally avoided him.

Eventually, he thought maybe everything would just naturally cool down and they could go back to how they were. But then March rolled around. And she still wasn't talking to him. 

That was when Boruto remembered the concept of White day. It was his chance to give her something that told her he was sorry for being an idiot. And maybe a little more. 

He went out to different stores every day, just passing by them with an eerily cold gaze, secretly searching desperately for something to get her in return. But nothing seemed good enough. He even asked his little sister what she'd want for a birthday present even though it was nowhere near her birthday just to get an idea. She said she'd want something he picked out, no matter what it was. That wasn't helpful at all.

He thought about asking Cho-Cho, but decided against it. Cho-Cho still hated him.

There was only one day left. And one person left to ask.

Sumire was in Katasuke's lab as usual, doing routine maintenance on Kawaki for Amado. He waited until she was done and she appeared in the hallway.

When she finally appeared, he called out to her. "Hey, prez."

Sumire was always nice to him. She always knew what to say to ease the awkward tension between him and Sarada, and lately, it seemed like she was a lot better at reading her than he was. She always greeted him with a smile, and always kept their conversations warm. In a way, she reminded him of his mother, always gentle, always having the answers to questions he couldn't figure out on his own. But this time, relying on his mother wouldn't get him anywhere.

"Boruto-kun! How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long," he replied with a bit of a complicated expression. To Sumire... Maybe it would be better to ask directly. "I was just wondering... If you were going to get Sarada a present, what would it be?"

"Hm? Are you getting something for her? I suppose her birthday is coming up soon, isn't it."

"That's..." Not it. He wanted to say. But he couldn't. It was embarrassing to admit he was getting her something for White Day, because that meant she'd got him something serious enough for Valentine's Day to warrant it.

Noting the rare lack of ability to express himself, Sumire let out a slight chuckle. "You know, Boruto-kun. Girls aren't as complicated as you think they are."

He lifted his head. "Huh?"

"Any girl would be happy to receive a present from a guy, especially if it's the one they like," she said with a wink.

He felt like a laser blasted heat into his face and he was having trouble hiding it. The moment replayed all over again. Her face. The chocolates. So... Sarada did mean it like that. And Sumire knew. "But... I can't exactly just go outside and pick up a rock and say here, I got this for you. She'd hate me."

She laughed. "It's the thought that counts. If it was a special rock, I'm sure she'd treasure it."

"...No way."

"I'm serious," she continued. "If you went outside and picked up one that somehow reminded you of her, you wrapped it up nicely, and you told her why you picked it out, even Sarada would probably look fondly upon something as simple as a rock."