Ichiraku Ran Shop.
The owner, Teuchi, glared at the group of youngsters with a displeased expression. Had he grown too weak to wield a knife, or had these kids gotten too bold?
"Dad, don’t be like that!" Aya tugged at her father’s sleeve, urging him not to scare the young custors with such an intimidating look.
"Boss, don’t bla them. It’s not that your ran isn’t good—it’s just that these kids ate sothing questionable earlier." Kamizuki Hikari explained, winking at Aya. In response, he received a playful glance from her, which left him thoroughly satisfied.
Teasing a man’s daughter right in front of him—now that’s a thrill.
"Sothing questionable? What could’ve made them like this?" Teuchi’s mood instantly improved upon hearing Hikari’s explanation.
As long as it wasn’t his ran at fault, everything was fine. Still, he was curious—what exactly had they eaten?
His fascination with food kept him from noticing the flirtatious exchange between Hikari and Aya. Had he seen it, he might’ve awakened the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan on the spot and blasted Hikari with a Chibaku Tensei, sending him skyward to keep Kaguya company.
"Just so ordinary dango!" Anko chid in, punching Hikari in the arm at the sa ti.
’You jerk, don’t slander my favorite food!’
Ordinary dango?
With that kind of effect?
Just look at Ino and Tenten, staring blankly at their ran, motionless.
Then there’s Chōji, slumped over the table, looking like he’s ready to give up on life.
And finally, Shikamaru, Neji, and Lee—each paler than the last, as if they’d been poisoned.
Teuchi gave Anko a "You’re not fooling this old man" look.
But Anko genuinely believed what she said, so his doubtful gaze had no effect on her.
"Just a few extra doses of sugar, nothing else." Hikari said casually, making Teuchi’s mouth feel cloyingly sweet just thinking about it.
Dango in Konoha was already sugary enough—who in their right mind would add even more sugar?
"Enjoy your al. I’ll be in the kitchen." Teuchi said.
They were regulars, so he trusted leaving Aya out front while he retreated to the back.
"Hikari, I heard your brother is getting married. When’s the big day?" Aya asked with a bright smile.
For Tenten, those words were like a shot of adrenaline—she snapped out of her daze imdiately.
"It’s just a wedding." Hikari replied dismissively, as if it were no big deal.
"This is the most important event in a person’s life! How can you be so indifferent?" Aya’s cheerful expression darkened, her tone turning stern.
"Hahaha, it’s not that I don’t care—it’s just that after taking my gift money, those two ran off without even telling the exact date. What can I do?" Hikari quickly explained, facing Aya’s icy glare.
The explanation was a bit embarrassing, but Aya didn’t dwell on it.
"Oh, I see! I knew you wouldn’t be so heartless."
Her expression softened, transitioning from icy winter to a warm, pleasant spring.
"Hikari-senpai, why don’t I go with you after this to ask them in person?" Tenten suddenly suggested.
"Little girl, you’re still too young for such matters." Aya smiled sweetly at her, with a tone sharp as a kunai. "Izumo-senpai and Mikan-san’s wedding is in three days. I’ve already prepared a gift, so I can attend with Hikari."
She then gave Tenten a aningful look.
"As Izumo-senpai’s only family, Hikari will be very busy. He won’t have ti to look after children."
Tenten fud inwardly: You’re the kid! Your whole family’s kids! Think you’re so great just because you’re older, you hag!
"My brother’s wedding shouldn’t be that complicated, right?" Hikari scratched his head. He had only occasionally seen weddings in this world but never paid much attention.
Among his peers, the only one who had been engaged was Uzuki Yūgao’s late fiancé, Hayate Gekkō—who was tragically killed by Suna’s Baki, inadvertently kicking off the Shippūden era.
As for the others?
Maito Gai – Eternal bachelor, destined to be with Kakashi.
Hatake Kakashi – Most eligible bachelor in the shinobi world, the legendary "50-50 Kakashi" who could hold his own against gods and n alike.
Jiraiya – Eternal bachelor, pervy sage, renowned author of Icha Icha, and the sworn enemy of Konoha’s bathhouse owners.
Shiranui Genma – Single.
Yamashiro Aoba – Single.
Ebisu – Dirty old man, still single.
Dozens of nas flashed through Hikari’s mind—all around his age, yet hardly any of them were married.
’Could it be... our generation is cursed by the matchmaker god? And the ones who started this curse must be Kakashi and Obito!’
(anwhile, far away, en route to Suna’s border, Kakashi Hatake sneezed. Facing Yamato’s concerned look, Kakashi smiled. "Keep moving. I’m fine.")
"Marriage is a serious matter!" Aya said sternly. "It’s a once-in-a-lifeti event—for both n and won. You must take it seriously, understand?"
Hikari nodded half-heartedly under Aya’s earnest lecture.
"If marriage is this troubleso, maybe staying single is better. Living freely like this doesn’t seem so bad."
"NO!" Aya and Tenten shouted in unison, rejecting Kamizuki Hikari’s statent outright.
Hikari blinked innocently.
"Uh... did I say sothing wrong?"
Aya and Tenten exchanged glances. How were they supposed to explain?
They couldn’t just say, "I want to marry you!"
That would be way too embarrassing.
"I’m with you, Hikari!" Anko said, slapping his shoulder. "My best buddy gets it. I’m happy being single—free to eat dango, sleep in, and not deal with all that ssy nonsense. Life’s great!"
"You can’t say that, Anko! That’s not right!" Aya protested.
"I disagree too." Tenten chid in, her eyes fixed on Hikari. "Marriage is a beautiful thing. Being with the one you love is the greatest happiness."
Hikari felt a chill down his spine under her intense gaze.
’Oh no...’
’Aya liking is one thing, but Tenten’s way too young! This world is insane—kids her age already understand romance? Kishimoto really dropped the ball!’
-----
TL Note: Well... I didn’t make any decisions about the harem tag. Maybe if I ignore the problem, it will go away?
Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
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