My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

2020 Valentine's Day Special Part Two

"Are you certain that this will work?" Hasu watched as Natsumi forged a note. "I know that you are trying to help your brother out, but this seems to be taking it a little too far."

"Oh, it'll be fine." Natsumi stuck out her tongue as she focused on her penmanship, then held up the note triumphantly. "There! I completely copied his handwriting."

Hasu read the note over her shoulder, blinking. "I-Is that truly the best thing you could have written?"

Natsumi laughed and attached the note to the box. "It may not seem romantic, but it's what Naruto would say."

Hasu laughed. "I now see why he has difficulties wooing her."

Natsumi rolled her eyes. "Naruto's a lovable goofball. Sakura's the one that's the problem."

"If you don't like her, then why are you going out of your way to do this for her?"

Natsumi stepped back from the gift and put her hands on her hips.

"Because... I don't want her to get mad at Naruto for his chocolates when he put so much effort into them. It'll make him happy if she is happy with him, and, she and I may not be friends, but she at least deserves chocolates that won't put her into the hospital."

Hasu laughed again. "Were they truly that terrible?"

Natsumi met his eyes and furrowed her brows. "I thought I was going to puke until I turned inside-out."

"That bad?" He smiled and then admired the box. "Well, in any case, you've done an excellent job copying his work exactly. I can hardly tell the difference between them."

Natsumi nodded and held her hand over her box.

"Except I put on of my seals onto mine, so that only I can tell them apart."

"I see." Hasu crossed his arms and touched his chin in thought. "So, your plan is to swap the two gifts out, so that he gives Sakura the candies that we made?"

Natsumi nodded. "And then I can carefully dispose of his without him noticing and having his feelings hurt."

"It sounds elaborate, though I do hope that it works."

Natsumi let out a short breath and nodded again. "Even if she rejects him, if she's touched by his gift, then at least she might do it gently."

Natsumi sighed and smiled to herself, then looked at Hasu. "Now that we're all done with this... what do you want to do?"

"Well..." Hasu scratched his cheek as color spread through his face. "Ordinarily, I would enjoy spending time with you, but I currently have a prior engagement that I must attend."

"Hm?" She blinked and her smiled faded slightly. "O-Oh. Okay. I didn't know you already had plans today."

Hasu turned away, unable to meet her eyes. "Y-Yes... you see, Kanna is having a difficult time adjusting to things, so she's asked me to keep her company today. She's quite homesick, so I thought I would oblige." He met her eyes, then quickly looked away. "Although, if you would insist that I stay instead, I suppose I could see her another time."

"O-Oh. No, you don't have to do that." Natsumi rubbed her head. "Things have been hard for her lately... so, I don't mind." She smiled faintly. "I think you're sweet for looking out for her."

"Really?" He blushed and laughed sheepishly. "It just seems proper, since her parents served my family..."

"It's still sweet." Natsumi waved her hands. "And, you shouldn't keep her waiting. Tell her I said hi."