("Oh no. Not the soup.")
"Hinata," I said quickly. "Don't move. Don't breathe. Just eat your noodles."
"O-Okay," she stammered.
But fate, and the System, had a sense of humor.
A customer walked in. It was Kakashi Hatake, our late sensei. He was reading his orange book, Make-Out Paradise.
"Yo," Kakashi said, lifting a hand.
He walked past Hinata to get to an empty seat.
"Warning," the System whispered. "Target: Kakashi Hatake. The Copy Ninja. Rito Effect Initiated."
As Kakashi passed, his eyes glued to his book, he didn't see Hinata’s foot resting on the rail of the stool. He tripped.
Kakashi Hatake, the man who could cut lightning, tripped over a girl's foot.
He fell forward. His hand, seeking stability, slapped down on the counter. It hit the bottle of chili oil. The bottle squeezed, squirting a stream of red hot oil directly into Kiba’s eye.
"Argh! My eye!" Kiba screamed, flailing blindly.
Kiba’s flailing arm hit Ayame’s tray.
Ayame gasped, dropping the tray. A bowl of ramen flew into the air.
It landed upside down on Kakashi’s head.
The noodles draped over his silver hair like a wig. The broth soaked his mask. And somehow, in the confusion, Hinata had been knocked off her stool and was currently clinging to Kakashi’s leg to stop herself from hitting the floor.
It looked like she was begging him not to leave, while he wore a ramen hat and Kiba screamed in the background.
"Netorare Situation Detected!" The System chimed. "The 'Ramen Rejection' Event. Shy Points Gained: Six Hundred."
I sat there, chopsticks in hand, watching the chaos unfold. Kakashi looked at me through the curtain of noodles.
"Naruto," Kakashi said calmly. "Why is your girlfriend hugging my leg?"
I slurped a noodle.
"She just really missed you, Sensei," I said. "Welcome back."
The sun rose over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting a warm glow that usually signaled the start of a productive day for a ninja. For me, however, it signaled the start of another twelve hours of terror, awkwardness, and profit.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the System interface floating in the dusty air of my apartment.
Host: Naruto Uzumaki Current Shy Points: Eight Hundred. Current Skills: Tree Climbing, Water Walking, Basic Taijutsu, Shadow Clone (Limit: 5), Rasengan (Limit: 3/day). Current Harem: Hinata Hyuga. Passive Effect Update: The "Summer Heat" Patch.
I blinked. ("The what patch?")
"Good morning, Host," the System greeted me in its monotone voice. "As your connection to the harem deepens, the System exerts a subtle reality-bending influence known as the 'Summer Heat' Patch. This passive effect influences the wardrobe choices of your partners. They will feel a subconscious compulsion to wear clothing that is more... breathable. Aerodynamic. Shorter."
I put my face in my hands. ("You are telling me that Hinata, the shyest girl in the village who usually dresses like she is preparing for a blizzard, is going to start dressing differently?")
"Affirmative. It aids in mobility. And accident probability."
A knock on my door interrupted my internal screaming.
"Naruto-kun? Are you ready for training?"
It was Hinata. I took a deep breath. ("Okay, how bad can it be? Maybe she just unzipped her jacket slightly.")
I walked to the door and opened it.
I froze.
Hinata was standing there, holding a bento box. She was wearing her usual colors—cream and lavender—but the design had changed. Gone were the baggy pants and the thick hoodie. She was now wearing a sleeveless, form-fitting mesh armor top under a cropped jacket that exposed her midriff. And instead of pants, she was wearing tight, dark ninja shorts that ended mid-thigh, with fishnet stockings leading down to her sandals.
It wasn't explicit, but for Hinata Hyuga, this was practically a bikini.
She fidgeted under my gaze, her face turning pink. "Good morning, Naruto-kun. I... I decided to try a new outfit today. The store owner said it helps with... cooling?"
She looked down at her legs, clearly self-conscious. "Is it... too much? I feel a draft."
I swallowed hard. She looked incredible. But she also looked like a walking target for the System.
"You look great, Hinata," I said, forcing a smile. "Very... professional. Very high-speed."
"Really?" She beamed. "I was worried. But if you like it, I will wear it!"
"System," I thought. ("You are evil.")
"I am efficient," the System replied.
"Let's go," I said, grabbing my gear. "We are meeting Team Ten at the training grounds for a joint sparring session. Try not to... you know... stand near anyone."
We arrived at Training Ground Ten. The members of Team Ten were already there. Shikamaru Nara was lying on the grass looking at clouds. Choji Akimichi was eating a bag of chips. Ino Yamanaka was stretching.
Ino looked up as we approached. Her eyes widened when she saw Hinata.
"Whoa, Hinata!" Ino whistled. "Look at you! Finally ditching the baggy clothes? You look hot, girl! Trying to impress someone?" She winked at me.
Hinata turned so red she almost blended in with the red training posts. "I... I just..."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, sitting up. "Can we get this over with? I want to take a nap."
"Don't be lazy, Shikamaru!" Ino scolded him. She turned to me. "So, Naruto, heard you took down a bandit leader yesterday. Feeling tough?"
"Tough enough," I grinned. "Want to test me?"
"Let's do a three-on-two," Shikamaru suggested, clearly wanting to end it quickly so he could sleep. "Me, Choji, and Ino versus Naruto and Hinata. Just a light spar. First to land a hit wins."
"You are on!" I shouted.
We moved into position. The clearing was grassy and open, with a few trees scattered around.
"Ready... Begin!" Choji yelled, tossing a chip into his mouth.
Ino moved first. "Mind Body Switch Jutsu!"
She formed a hand seal, aiming her consciousness at me. I knew this move. If she hit me, she would take over my body.
.....
...