bookbashuk Chapter 170 Nicknames
Chapter 170 Nicknames
On the streets of Konoha, Naruto and Satsuki walked side by side, but between them stood an invisible barrier called "awkwardness." The root of this oppressive atmosphere was, of course, Satsuki's "love-filled bento box," which tasted like concentrated seawater.
Despite Naruto repeatedly saying along the way, "It's really okay!" "Everyone has a first time!" "It's just a little mistake!"
In an attempt to change the subject, they even offered, "If you really want to learn to cook, I can teach you!" This barely managed to calm Satsuki, who felt so ashamed that she was on the verge of social death, back from the brink of withdrawal. However, the subtle sense of embarrassment still lingered.
Kakashi's first "attack the stomach" strategy failed miserably and ended in a crushing defeat...
But Satsuki knew in her heart that this was entirely due to her disastrous cooking skills. Now, to ease her embarrassment, Naruto suggested taking a walk in the street.
In fact, the two of them had taken countless walks together in Konoha, but this was the first time the atmosphere had been so stiff and awkward.
"Um... Naruto, that thing just now..."
After hesitating for a long time, Zuo Yue spoke again in a low voice, trying to offer some weak explanation or apology for the taste disaster.
Seeing this, Naruto immediately interjected, "I told you, there's really no need to take this to heart! Just try harder next time! I believe you can definitely do well, Sasuke!"
Seeing Naruto still relentlessly comforting her without a trace of blame, Sazuki was both moved and strengthened in her resolve. She decided to execute Kakashi's second plan!
The image of Kakashi holding up that "Make-Out Guide" and speaking in a serious tone echoed in my mind once again.
"Listen up, Satsuki! If you want to quickly get closer to your crush, try giving them a 'possessive' nickname! Ideally, it should be a slightly coquettish, affectionate one, a nickname only you can use!"
"For example... 'Naruto-kun~' or... 'Naruto-nii-san~' or something like that? Well, the specific name can be decided based on the other person's personality and your feelings, but the key is that it has to be unique! And intimate!"
So that's how it is... An exclusive nickname? Satsuki suddenly remembered the nickname Naruto gave himself—"Sasuke".
It's a nickname that sounds a bit silly, but every time Naruto calls her that, a secret joy wells up inside her... So that's the unique nickname that belongs to her.
Although just thinking about it makes me incredibly ashamed, for the sake of the future! To eliminate all terrible possibilities! Satsuki is going all out!
She took another deep breath and, in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz but with a do-or-die courage, tentatively called out.
"Little Sun..."
"……ha?"
Naruto was walking when he suddenly heard these three unfamiliar words. He didn't react at all and subconsciously made a sound of doubt, looking at Satsuki with confusion.
Seeing Naruto's puzzled reaction, Satsuki's cheeks instantly turned red, but the die was cast! She steeled herself and combined the "coquettishness" and "explanation" that Kakashi had taught her, adding in a softer voice that Naruto could still hear.
"Because...because...you are...my warm little sun..."
Naruto's face remained smiling, but his thoughts instantly became active.
A little sun? Me?
He was completely bewildered. Although Satsuki's tone was already soft enough to sound like she was pleading, this direct, almost blatant, possessive, and obviously affectionate way of speaking...
The last time she appeared seemed to be when Zuo Yue was at her most vulnerable and insecure—when she mistakenly believed that her entire clan had been wiped out and that her parents would even be forced to sleep for the rest of their lives…
But now? Everything is fine! Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto are both alright... Why is Satsuki suddenly speaking in this way, the kind of way she only uses when she desperately needs comfort and dependence?
Could it be... that some butterfly effect I'm unaware of has occurred, causing Satsuki to lose her sense of security once again?!
Naruto's mind instantly turned serious, and the smile on his face unconsciously faded, replaced by a worried expression. Had something happened at home? Had they encountered some intractable problem?
On the other side, Satsuki's head was practically steaming! Saying such an incredibly embarrassing thing made her feel like all the blood in her body rushed to her face, and she didn't dare to look up at Naruto's reaction.
Just then, Naruto gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Sasuki."
"...Ah, yes!" Satsuki was startled and responded abruptly, her heart pounding even faster. Was he...was he going to respond? What would he say?
Naruto's voice became unusually serious and gentle, "Listen carefully, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side! Absolutely!"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Yue's heart pounded wildly, as if filled with honey! It worked?! Kakashi's strategy had worked?! She looked up, both delighted and shy, hoping to see Naruto's equally shy or happy expression…
However, what she saw was not the shyness or dependence she had imagined. Naruto's blue eyes were filled with... a deep sense of pity and concern?
"So," Naruto leaned closer to her, his voice filled with concern, "what happened? Did Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto encounter any danger or trouble? Don't worry, I'll do everything I can to help! Please tell me, okay?"
"……ha?"
Satsuki was completely taken aback by Naruto's sudden question. The blush on her face faded slightly due to her surprise. "No, nothing's wrong? Nothing happened at home?"
She couldn't keep up with Naruto's train of thought at all.
"Huh?" Now it was Naruto's turn to be stunned. He looked confused. "Are you alright? Really? Are you sure?"
"Hmm..." Satsuki was even more confused. "Why...why would you think that?"
Looking at Satsuki's genuinely puzzled expression, Naruto belatedly realized that he might have... misunderstood?
He scratched his cheek a little embarrassedly, his eyes darting around as he explained, "Oh, I see. Well... because... because you suddenly said those things... I thought... something particularly dangerous or scary had happened..." His voice trailed off, as if he also realized the connection was a bit far-fetched.
Satsuki was even more confused. "Why does my saying that... mean something dangerous is about to happen?"
"Uh..." Naruto choked for a moment, struggling to find the right words, "Maybe it's because... aside from that situation, Satsuki, you... usually don't... um... you don't talk like that, do you..."
He was too embarrassed to directly point out Satsuki's usual personality.
Satsuki seemed to understand a little, but not completely, and subconsciously asked, "Is there a problem with talking like that?"
Naruto felt even more embarrassed under her clear, inquisitive gaze. Finally, he steeled himself and mumbled in a very low voice, "How should I put it? It feels... a little... um... cheesy..."
These two words exploded in Zuo Yue's mind like two thunderclaps, then began to echo endlessly—
So cheesy...so cheesy...so cheesy...
So... the affectionate nickname he mustered up the courage to use, the one he was incredibly embarrassed to say, the one he thought would bring them closer... sounded "cheesy" to Naruto?! And Naruto even deduced from that that something terrible had happened at home and he needed comforting?!
The overwhelming sense of failure and shame instantly engulfed Satsuki like a tsunami.
The second attempt... Zuo Yue considered it another complete failure.
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(Thank you! Kono Diorda! The boss's gift king! Certified master! And 99 love letters! The author is so overwhelmed! So flattered! The platform data has been updated, so the number of extra chapters this afternoon will be announced.)
(Thanks! Gao Shanming, who loves red yeast rice sausage! Boss's expert certification! Thank you, boss!)