I lay on the narrow bed in Naruto’s apartment, staring at the ceiling while the blue system window hovered in my vision like an unwelcome alarm clock.
[Quest 3/100: Make Ino Submit to you]
[Time limit: 1 week]
I let out a long breath and spoke to the empty room the way I always did when reality decided to punch me again.
"Now I have to fuck a girl I barely know. If I remember correctly, even in the anime Ino never took any real interest in Naruto. She was all about Sasuke back then. I think during this time period she still hasn’t gotten to Sai yet. At least she isn’t in love with anyone right now... that makes it a little easier. Still. One week. Submit. The system really doesn’t do half-measures."
The word "submit" sat heavy in my chest. It wasn’t just attraction. It wasn’t just sex. The system wanted something deeper, something that felt like crossing another line I wasn’t sure I could come back from. I pushed the thought aside for now. Panic wouldn’t help.
My stomach growled loudly, interrupting the spiral. I got up and opened the fridge. Empty except for a few sad condiments. I searched the small kitchen area and found only instant noodle packets. I sighed.
"It’s late at night. No stores will be open now. What do I do..."
I boiled water and made the noodles, the cheap artificial smell filling the small apartment. Tomorrow I would have to do proper grocery shopping. No excuses. I ate in silence at the small table. There was no TV, no computer, no phone to scroll through. This world still ran on older rhythms. I would need to find a hobby soon or the boredom alone might drive me crazy before any quest timer ran out.
After finishing the noodles I washed the bowl and lay back down on the bed.
"I have a week. Maybe I should start by actually knowing her first. Take it slow. Don’t rush like last time."
The thought felt almost reasonable. I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.
Morning light filtered through the window. I got up, washed, and dressed in the new black jacket and white shirt. The outfit still felt right. I stepped outside and spent the first part of the day walking the streets deliberately, memorizing every turn, every landmark, every route so I wouldn’t get lost again. The village felt more real with every step—smells of street food, distant training shouts, the chatter of civilians going about their day.
My eyes eventually landed on a flower shop with a bright, welcoming sign. Yamanaka Flowers. I walked toward it.
Ino stood behind the counter arranging a bouquet. She looked up when the bell above the door rang.
"Naruto?"
I gave a small wave. "Hi."
She stared at me in open disbelief, eyes moving over the new clothes. "It’s my first time seeing you in this shop."
"I wanted to buy some flowers for my house," I said. "It’s too boring doing nothing there, so I thought maybe I should start planting."
I paused, then added, "You work here?"
She smiled, the surprise shifting into something warmer. "No, my family runs this place. I just help out sometimes when I’m free."
"Oh." I looked around at the colourful displays. "Can you suggest some plants for someone who is new to planting?"
Her eyes lit up. She clearly loved talking about this. For the next fifteen minutes she walked me through the shop, pointing out different flowers and herbs, explaining sunlight needs, watering schedules, and soil types. She was animated, happy that someone actually wanted to learn about something she cared about. I listened carefully, asking questions, letting her lead the conversation. The more she talked, the more relaxed she became around me.
After a while I pointed to a pot. "Maybe I should go with the rose flowers."
She nodded and bent down to pick up the plant from the lower rack. While she was reaching, I discreetly poured a small amount of water from a nearby pitcher onto the floor near her feet. She straightened up, turned, and her foot slipped on the wet spot.
"Ah—!"
I stepped forward quickly and caught her around the waist before she could fall. For a moment we stayed like that—her body pressed lightly against mine, faces close. She looked up at me, eyes wide, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. She stayed in my arms a second longer than necessary before fixing her posture and stepping back.
"Thank you," she said softly, still a little flushed.
"No problem."
I understood then that I had to take things slowly. I couldn’t just force everything. She also had to like it, at least on some level. Rushing would only make her pull away.
I paid for the rose plant and a few basic supplies. During the rest of our conversation she kept blushing in small, intermittent bursts—when our hands brushed while handing over the money, when I complimented the way she explained the plants, when I smiled at one of her jokes. Nothing dramatic, but the shift was noticeable.
When it was time to leave I lingered at the door.
"Bye," I said, as if I didn’t really want to go.
She hesitated, then replied in a quieter voice, "Bye..."
I turned and stepped outside. The warm feeling in my chest lasted only a second.
Sakura stood right at the entrance of the shop, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"Sakura?"
She marched straight up to me, grabbed my ear, and started pulling me down the street.
"You bastard! You got out of the hospital one day ago and didn’t inform us? We were worried!"
I winced at the grip but let her drag me along, the rose plant tucked carefully under my other arm. Behind me I heard Ino’s soft laugh from inside the shop before the distance swallowed it.
The system window pulsed once at the edge of my vision, the new quest still active, the one-week timer already ticking down.
I smiled despite the pain in my ear. One small step at a time.
Give me power!!!