Chapter 12: *I, Sasuke, Do What I Want—Why Should I Explain Myself to You?!*

Sakura’s sharp voice rang out, silencing the room as nearly all their classmates turned to watch, their expressions alight with amusement. Very few students dared to challenge Sakura’s fierce energy, and her confrontations were always a spectacle.

Naruto, already uneasy, instinctively hunched his shoulders. Though reluctant, he didn’t dare defy her.

“Oh... okay,” he muttered, his voice low as he stood and shuffled out of his seat. His mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, leaving him little energy to argue.

Sakura wasted no time, sliding into the seat beside Sasuke. As soon as she sat down, her expression shifted to a dazzling smile aimed directly at him.

“Sasuke, is it okay if I sit here?” she asked sweetly, leaning closer.

“No,” Sasuke replied flatly, his tone colder than the morning dew.

+1

A small, satisfying ding echoed in Sasuke’s mind as the number in front of him ticked upward.

"Pfft!"

Ino, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back her laughter. She quickly covered her mouth, but her eyes twinkled with poorly concealed glee.

This feels amazing! she thought. Watching Sakura get rejected was pure gold for someone who competed with her over Sasuke's affections.

The other students noticed too, and a collective wave of suppressed laughter and murmurs rippled through the classroom.

Sakura’s cheeks flushed crimson under their gazes, her rising embarrassment threatening to boil over.

“Uh...”

She froze. Sasuke’s curt rejection left her completely off-guard. Normally, he’d just ignore her, not outright dismiss her.

“Y-you’re such a kidder, Sasuke!” Sakura said with a strained laugh, forcing herself to continue as if nothing had happened. She shuffled a little closer despite her nerves.

“I’m not kidding,” Sasuke replied coolly, his detached expression unchanging.

+1

Another ding. Sasuke’s inner monologue hummed with satisfaction.

“Cough, cough!”

Ino, still trying to suppress her laughter, was now on the verge of tears. She pressed a fist to her mouth, but her shaking shoulders betrayed her amusement.

Sakura’s forced smile wavered as the sting of rejection sank deeper. Her mind raced for a way to salvage the moment, but every thought led back to the same conclusion: It’s Naruto’s fault!

If not for Naruto sitting here earlier, Sakura thought, she could’ve claimed the seat naturally.

Yes! It’s all Naruto’s fault!  

But before she could stew any further, Sasuke spoke again, his voice low and commanding.

“Class is starting soon. Don’t disturb me.”

+1

Another ding. Sasuke’s inner scorecard ticked upward.

“R-right...”

Beaten, Sakura stood and shuffled back to the aisle, her resolve faltering. She decided Sasuke must just be in a bad mood today—it wasn’t worth pressing him further.

Before she could figure out what to do next, Naruto slid back into his seat with surprising swiftness.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Sakura barked, glaring at him.

“Uh... sitting back down?” Naruto answered innocently, blinking in confusion. He hadn’t expected this to anger her.

“Didn’t you hear Sasuke say he doesn’t want to be disturbed?” she hissed.

Naruto froze, unsure how to respond. Sasuke had technically said that... but not in the way Sakura interpreted it. Naruto dared not repeat the exact words, knowing it would only make things worse.

Instead, he decided to silently celebrate. In his mind, Sasuke had rejected Sakura because of him. Maybe Sasuke was being a bro, supporting Naruto’s unspoken crush.

What a guy! Naruto thought, throwing Sasuke an appreciative glance.

While Naruto basked in his delusion, Sakura snapped. She delivered a swift knock to the back of his head.

“Clang!”

“Ow! Sakura, what was that for?!” Naruto yelped, rubbing his head.

“Because you’re an idiot!” Sakura snapped. “You’re always getting in the way!”

As Sakura continued to fume, Sasuke’s calm voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Don’t misunderstand,” he said, his tone razor-sharp. “I just don’t want to be disturbed by you.”

The entire class froze, the weight of Sasuke’s words hanging in the air. His unapologetic tone sent shivers through the room, even as the girls collectively swooned.

So cool! they thought in unison, hearts practically floating in their eyes.

+3

“Haha... hahaha...”

Sakura let out an awkward, strained laugh, her face pale. The sound of her heart shattering was almost audible.

Seeing her rival falter, Ino seized the moment. She grabbed Sakura’s arm and whispered, “Let’s go. You’re just embarrassing yourself now.”

“I’m not leaving!” Sakura hissed, pulling free, her eyes darting back to Sasuke. But she couldn’t summon the courage to challenge him directly.

Instead, she turned her fury toward Naruto.

“What’s your relationship with Sasuke, anyway?” she demanded, her voice rising.

“Uh... we’re good friends!” Naruto replied instantly, puffing up his chest.

“You? A dead-last? Friends with Sasuke?” Sakura sneered, her tone dripping with disdain.

Naruto winced, her words hitting harder than he expected. He looked down, his shoulders slumping.

Finally, Sakura turned back to Sasuke. Her voice softened, almost pleading. “Sasuke, how can you be friends with Naruto?”

Sasuke’s dark eyes narrowed. Without looking at her, he replied in a voice colder than ice:

“I do what I want. Why should I explain myself to you?”

His words were final, echoing through the now-silent classroom.

---

*End of Chapter.*