bubblegum princess

chapter fifty five

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜
the end of the beginning:
HER FIRST KISS !
❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

━━･ ✶ ･━━

Humming softly, Seiren adjusted her position in front of the mirror, tilting her head as she smoothed out the stray strands of her hair. Her fingers worked gently, brushing them into place with care before reaching for the small jar of moisturizer on the vanity. She dabbed a bit onto her fingertips and lightly patted it onto her face, her skin glowing faintly under the soft light.

Her pastel pink kimono-sleeved crop top hugged her frame, the delicate fabric flowing gracefully as she adjusted the hem. The soft material contrasted with the shining forehead protector she wore like a headband, its metallic sheen catching the light as she turned to admire the completed look.

A soft knock sounded at the door, breaking her focus. Sarada's familiar voice came through, cheerful and warm. "Ready to go?" she asked, poking her head into the room with a bright smile.

Seiren turned to face her, her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hm!" she chirped, nodding enthusiastically, her own smile spreading across her face.

Her hand instinctively reached up to adjust the forehead protector once more, making sure it sat perfectly in place. This was more than just a piece of metal; it was a symbol of her growth, her determination, and the journey she was about to embark on.

The Academy hall buzzed with excitement, the students gathered together, eagerly discussing everything from their clothes to their impending team assignments. ChoCho, in her usual affectionate manner, snuggled up next to Seiren, her cheek pressing against the pink-haired girl's shoulder as she grinned widely. "Ah, Sei-chan!" she cooed, her voice light and bubbly, full of her usual warmth.

Seiren, not quite used to the affection, stiffened slightly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. She wasn't sure how to respond or how to pull away without offending ChoCho. She glanced to her sister, Sarada, her expression pleading for help.

Sarada noticed and let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Now, now, Cho. You're scaring her," she teased, her voice playful but with a hint of a warning.

ChoCho's eyes widened in surprise, realizing she had gone a bit too far. Immediately, she pulled back, holding her hands up in apology. "Ah, I'm sorry, Sei-chan! I just can't help it sometimes."

Seiren offered a soft, awkward smile and waved her hand dismissively. "It's alright, really..." she murmured, trying to ease the situation.

"Hey, Sarada, what team do you think we'll be in?" ChoCho asked eagerly, her curiosity clearly getting the better of her.

Sarada sighed, her expression thoughtful. "We don't even know if we'll be in the same team, ChoCho," she replied, her voice calm but a little exasperated.

ChoCho whined dramatically, throwing her hands up in mock despair. "What?! But we're the perfect team! It'd be so unfair to split us up!" she complained, her voice rising in pitch as she made a show of flopping down onto the ground, causing Seiren to giggle softly at the dramatics.

Boruto, standing off to the side, chimed in with a grin. "That'd be interesting!" he said, his voice teasing as he leaned toward Shikadai, slinging an arm over the boy's shoulder. "If that's the case, Shikadai, let's team up!"

Shikadai sighed heavily, shaking his head in mild annoyance. "Troublesome..." he muttered, clearly not all that interested in playing along.

Sarada, annoyed, crossed her arms and shot Boruto a pointed glare. "The teachers are the ones who decide, dumbass," she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.