#umeko

the village hasn’t changed much. maybe a few new buildings here and there, some different signs, but the same warm hum of Konoha life still runs through the streets.

Naruto expects everything to feel familiar, like he never left. instead, everything feels slightly off. Not in a bad way—just… different.

Shikamaru is taller and somehow looks even lazier, but Naruto can tell his sharp mind has only got sharper. Ino has grown her hair out, Chōji looks stronger, and Sakura… well, Sakura has definitely changed. he doesn’t even want to think about how strong she is now.

and then there’s Umeko.

she has been around when they were kids, a solid fighter even back then, but Naruto never knew her well. it seems like she has grown closer to the group while he was away. now, she is Anbu—a fact that still blows his mind.

they are all gathered at Yakiniku Q, celebrating his return. laughter fills the air as they catch up, share stories, and occasionally roast each other. Naruto is mostly just enjoying being back. until he notices something.

Shikamaru and Umeko sit next to each other, closer than friends usually do. it’s not just the proximity—it’s the little things. how her knee casually leans against his. how he passes her food without asking, like he already knows what she likes. how she nudges his arm with a quiet smirk when he mutters about the meal being ‘too much effort to chew.’

it reminds Naruto of that old married couple he met while travelling with the old perv. the woman was sweet and kind, always smiling, while her husband was the complete opposite—a grumpy old man who was basically Shikamaru’s future self.

so, naturally, he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.

“so, you guys dating?”

the entire table goes silent.

Shikamaru stops mid-bite. Umeko freezes with her chopsticks hovering over her plate. even the twins—Umeko’s old teammates—shut up for once.

Naruto blinks, looking around. “what? what'd I say?”

Chōji coughs awkwardly. Ino stares, leaning in slightly, and Sakura looks a little too interested.

the truth is, everyone has been wondering. for months. but no one has ever been brave enough to ask.

Umeko and Shikamaru exchange glances. they know they like each other. they know it’s mutual. they know they spend almost all their free time together and that neither of them has even thought about being with anyone else.

but… dating? are they?

after a minute of awkward silence, Umeko starts slowly. “well… not exactly—”

“yes.”

everyone turns to look at Shikamaru, who has already gone back to eating like he hasn’t just dropped a bomb.

Naruto blinks. “wait, really?”

“yeah.” he takes another bite. “too much trouble to explain otherwise.”

Umeko just stares at him, then shakes her head with a quiet chuckle. “guess that settles it.”

the table explodes into noise. Ino demands details, Chōji laughs into his food, and Naruto still looks a little lost.

Shikamaru lets out a sigh. “troublesome.” but even as he says it, he glances at Umeko with the faintest smirk—one that she returns without hesitation.

some things don’t need to be said. but sometimes, you just have to put a label on them.