Naruto: Freeloading is Great! [10]

It had already been a week since Hoshino and Naruto began their “happy” cohabitation.

In that time, neither of them had seen Sasuke again. Though the idiot Naruto had even gone out of his way to visit the Uchiha compound, the outcome didn’t need asking—of course the “Nine-Tails” had been scolded and driven off by the gatekeepers.

Though Naruto doted on Sasuke, Hoshino actually didn’t feel much for him. Even if Sasuke was unexpectedly a good, obedient kid, they had only spent one day together. What deep feelings could there be?

Compared to the “cool kid” who would one day betray the village, Hoshino was much more interested in Ino. No helping it—he preferred cheerful ponytail girls over obedient, cutesy types like Hinata.

Before, he’d never entertained wicked thoughts of luring little girls because he didn’t have the money. But now things were different—Hoshino was a “cool big brother” who could afford plenty of lollipops. So…

“Tonight’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s buy flowers!”

“Hoshino, what are you suddenly saying weird stuff for? Weren’t we just talking about why Sasuke never comes to play with us? And what do flowers have to do with New Year’s Eve? Shouldn’t it be rice cakes or soba noodles?”

“Hm? Oh, so we were talking about Sasuke the walking wallet just now?”

“Walking wallet… Hoshino, so you’ve always thought of Sasuke like that!? To not care one bit about her—so cold, so heartless!”

Seeing Hoshino not the least worried, Naruto—who’d spent a lifetime “chasing” Sasuke—flew into a rage.

So Hoshino just spouted nonsense:

“Wrong! Dead wrong! How could I not care about Sasuke? It’s because I care about our dear friend that I want to buy flowers. You know why you got chased away at the gate last time? Because you, dumbass, weren’t holding a gift!”

“What——!? So the reason they wouldn’t let me see Sasuke was that!?”

“Of course! Visiting a friend without bringing a gift is an enormous breach of manners.”

“Ah—ahhh…! I-I didn’t know that at all.”

Just from Hoshino’s two lies, Naruto fell into guilt and regret. Then, in a flash, he grabbed Hoshino’s hand—Hoshino smirking to himself—and dragged him out in search of a flower shop.

Truly, thank you, “Second Pillar.” With you as an excuse, I can trick this idiot Naruto into anything.

Hoshino silently thanked Sasuke—for solving his living expenses and also for handling the nuisance of Naruto—while the two jogged until they found a flower shop.

But before Naruto could enter, Hoshino pulled him back.

“This place won’t do.”

“What do you mean won’t do? Aren’t we here to buy flowers?”

“Of course not! If it isn’t Yamanaka’s flower shop, it’s meaningless. The flowers here lack refinement. Naruto, who do you think we’re visiting? The Uchiha clan’s second son! You think we can show up without the best?”

“O-ohh…! I see!”

...

Hoshino had thought Ino’s family flower shop might be hard to find. To his surprise, they’d named the shop after their surname too—just like everyone else. Ask anyone and you’d be pointed straight there.

Seriously? Every shop in this world is named after someone’s surname? Ichiraku Ramen, Yamanaka Flowers, Inuzuka Pets… Can you guys put a little effort into naming stores?

Seeing the shop empty, Hoshino called out:

“Anyone here? We’re here to buy flowers—”

“Yes~ yes yes.”

From behind the racks popped out a little blonde-haired girl. Seeing it wasn’t a regular customer, she looked troubled.

“Um… today, Papa and Mama aren’t here. I still don’t know that much about flowers, but I’m studying hard. If… if you don’t mind…”

“Parents not home…? Perfect! If they’re gone, then I—cough, excuse me, I got carried away. I’ve got plenty of time, not in a rush. If you don’t know something, we can take our time discussing. No pressure. Don’t be nervous.”

Hoshino had only come intending to leave some impression on his favorite girl. But what unbelievable luck—Ino was alone watching the shop, giving him a perfect excuse to linger.

“What the hell! If you don’t know flowers, what are you running a flower shop for! Let’s go, Hoshino, we can—ugh!”

Naruto, impatient to see his crush Sasuke, hadn’t even finished grabbing Hoshino’s arm before Hoshino socked him and stomped him underfoot.

Kicking the nuisance aside, Hoshino wiped imaginary sweat from his brow and put on what he thought was a “bright” smile for Ino.

“Sorry, my dog’s a bit stupid. Even now it still can’t quite talk human. Please don’t mind what it said.”

Seeing the crimson gleam in Hoshino’s eyes as he “grinned,” Ino shrank back half a step, frightened.

“Y-yessir! Got it!”

Though Hoshino had no idea why Ino suddenly looked nervous, he chalked it up to her falling for him, the “handsome big brother.” He wasn’t bothered. As he dawdled over flower choices, he started chatting.

“Why’s it just you here, little sister? Where’re the boss and boss-lady?”

Imouto? Ino stared at Hoshino, who was shorter than her, utterly speechless. Is this guy brain-dead?

But after seeing how the silver-haired “thug” had just smacked around his blond companion, she didn’t dare demand he call her onee-san. She obediently answered.

“Papa and Mama went to the hospital to visit Papa’s two friends’ sons. One was hospitalized for overeating, the other for refusing to eat because meals were too troublesome… heh, heh heh…”

By the end, her face had darkened. She looked down, forcing a laugh like something heavy weighed on her.

She didn’t say the names, but Hoshino could already guess—her future teammates, Chōji and Shikamaru.

Because of family ties, Ino was fated to team up with those two weirdos. Teammates for life—one hospitalized for gluttony, the other for being too lazy to eat…

Hoshino glanced at Naruto sulking on the floor, then patted Ino’s shoulder. Eyes brimming with mock tears, he said:

“I understand your feelings completely. If you want to cry, just cry. No one will laugh at you.”

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T/N: ayo police? someone get this man! also i like how he just completely ignores how Naruto calls Sasuke she/her LMAO