Another World | NejiTen

Chapter 32 | The Plan

Ino opened the bathroom drawer, checking one last time to make sure everything was set up. On the counter of the sink stood a small red box, decorated in festive Christmas patterns. One of the drawers were open, revealing seven red, plastic cups with fifteen pieces of paper in six of them. Those six cups had a name written on it in Sharpie. Neji. Tenten. Hinata. Naruto. Sasuke. Sakura. The sheets of paper for all six cups had the same name written on it as the name written on the cup, and the names were typed up in Arial font and cut up into perfect little rectangles; the extra cup was filled with nine pieces of paper that didn't include the other six names. The platinum blonde was aware her plans were evil and sort of broke the Secret Santa rules, but all's fair in love and matchmaking. 

This wasn't the only plan Ino had made.

-Flashback-

Ino entered the English classroom with her purse in hand. There was a large chance her plan would work, as long as everything went according to her predictions.

"What is it, Ino?" Kakashi asked, looking up from his laptop. He was sitting at his desk, typing up some notes when the Yamanaka entered the classroom.

"A little birdie told me that tomorrow you're announcing the English project. A vacation to Florida in America, am I right?" Ino asked, giving a smile. She'd gotten the information about the project from a few acquaintances. 

"That's right. What about it?" Kakashi replied.

"I heard there are going to be partners. I was wondering, if I give you the names of four pairs of my friends, would you make them official partners tomorrow?" 

"And why should I do that?" The teacher replied, raising an eyebrow.

That's where bribery came in. Ino reached into her purse and pulled out a green book. The newest book in the Make-Out Paradise series, not even in bookstores yet. She was so glad she knew Jiraiya, and even more grateful he'd given a copy of his new book. Kakashi's face lit up at the sight. Ino grinned, "This book for my little request."

Kakashi was silent for a moment before giving in. This was Ino Yamanaka, after all. She was known to be a careful planner, so she most likely had a good reason for this odd request of hers. Besides, that book might not be in bookstores for another few weeks, and he had been dying to read it since he heard news of it coming out. So, he gave a nod, accepting the platinum blonde's request.

"Tenten Mitarashi and Neji Hyuga. Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. Temari Subaku and Shikamaru Nara. Hinata Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki."

Upon hearing the names, Kakashi could understand why Ino had requested those pairings. Hmm, I even ship them myself, he thought in amusement. His day was getting even more interesting. "Miss Yamanaka, we've got ourselves a deal." He outstretched his hand.

"Great!" Ino exclaimed, shaking his hand before giving him the book. He eagerly took it and began to read, while she skipped out of the room gleefully. Her work here was done. Now, it was time to visit Lady Tsunade.

-Flashback End-

Oh, how she loved plans.

Next to the festive box on the counter lay a sheet of paper with all fifteen names of everyone in their friend group, not yet cut out. Ino would cut them out in front of the others to prevent less suspicion. Her plan was simple- go in the bathroom and call everyone's name one by one, switching the papers in her festive name-drawing cup every time one of the six special people were called. It was the perfect plan, and the best she could come up with. Her roommate didn't know about it, however. Despite Temari not needing to be shipped since she and Shikamaru were already a thing, Ino still didn't want to tell anyone anything until the challenge was over. It would be easier to keep her secret that way. Hehe.

She closed the drawer and grabbed the festive box along with the sheet of fifteen names. After setting the two items down on the couch, she grabbed a pair of scissors and sat down on the cushion, taking out her phone and checking the time. Only a few more minutes left to go, she thought gleefully.

---

After everyone arrived at her dorm and she explained to everyone how the name drawing would work, Ino took the scissors and the box with the now cut-up pieces of paper with names inside and headed into the bathroom, closing the door. She then dumped the fifteen pieces of paper into the drawer and dumped the nine sheets of paper from the seventh cup into the box.

"Temari," The platinum blonde called, holding out the box once her roommate walked in. She drew out a sheet of paper and walked out, pulling the door shut.

"Shino," Ino called. She decided would call out random names to cause less suspicion. 

After Shino drew from the regular names, she called Sakura in, right after dumping the contents of the box back into its cup and replacing it with the Sasuke papers. The pinkette came in, took a sheet, then left the bathroom, closing the door behind her. After that was Kiba, then Lee, then Hinata, then Neji, then Sasuke, then Naruto, then Tenten, then Shikamaru, then Gaara, then Kankuro, then Chouji. The last sheet of paper went to herself, of course. Ino made sure to be very careful while switching the papers, and depending on how many people she called before one of the special six, she would place almost the exact amount of papers that should be left when each one came in.

Ino tucked her sheet of paper in her pocket, turning off the bathroom light and stepping out. Some people were looking at their papers while others didn't, perhaps waiting until later. She went into her closet, dropping the box on the ground and taking out fifteen large red gift bags, complete with much tissue paper folded neatly and tucked inside each and every one. After handing out the bags to each person, everyone left the dorm, including Temari. She had a date with Shikamaru that day.

Luckily, this left Ino to clean up the remains of her plans before Temari would find out and possibly scold her for doing such a thing. She dumped every tiny piece of paper into the toilet, pressing the lever to flush before deciding how she would deal with the cups. Her stomach rumbled from hunger while she was thinking, so she shrugged and stacked all seven cups neatly, going out of the bathroom, shutting the light off, and shoving the cups into a larger purse of hers. She then slipped on a pair of boots and headed out the dorm, going down the elevator, and going to the cafe. After discarding the red plastic cups, she ordered a treat from the cafe. 

Her plan was finished.