After pulling Toga to the side I lean in, whispering " Alright, where did you hear that I was gonna start a harem?"
I could practically see her grin widen, mischief practically dripping from her voice. "Oh Ael told me~"
I inhale slowly then exhale through my nose.
My focus flickers inwards "Ael"
Silence... Dead silence.
Like a criminal avoiding the spotlight, my so called divine partner conveniently decides to shut up and fade into the background.
Toga next to me giggles " She was talking to me while we were walking through the village on our date. She was telling me about how you'll eventually gather 'prized treasures' for your 'Jade Palace' like a king. First I didn't know what she meant then I remembered hearing some guys talk about it in my old world then I knew, you are planning a harem, weren't you?"
I hold my hand on my mask and shake my head, "How the hell did you two get so close when you where trying to cut her only a few days ago and more importantly, why would I even consider a harem when I'm still 10, I just look 15 and that's even stretching it to have a harem."
She tilts her head, " Oh? But you don't act like a 10 year old, you even flirt with Ael and me all the time. And are you telling me you aren't planning on having a palace full of beautiful, powerful women who loves you and would do anything for you?"
"...I--"
Toga teases "Liar~"
I groan and let my head drop against the counter. 'Why am I even trying to argue about this?"
Honestly, I already planned on building my own harem, a collection of beautiful, strong, loyal women standing by my side, a big family helping and supporting each other. But hearing Toga say it so casually feels wierd.
Not in a bad way it's just... Toga being the possessive yandare type wouldn't normally be so open to the idea of me sharing my time and affection with other women, maybe it's the fear of the possibility of me abandoning her if she were against the idea.
Just to make sure I turn to her and ask seriously, "And you're really okay with that?"
Toga leans in even closer, dropping to a seductive whisper, "Aki I'm a little crazy, but I'm not stupid. As long as I have a place in your heart... I don't care how many others you have."
I stare at her eyes for a moment then I sigh
Well, that's one worry out of the way.
Toga beams as if she'd just won something before resting her head against my shoulder, absolutely content.
"... I still hate Ael, though,"
"Yep,"
A faint chuckle echoes in the back of my mind, but Ael wisely remains silent.
With that little ordeal settled, my attention shifts back to the Ino-shaka-Cho trio.
I reach up to remove my mask, since it'll be super impolite to keep wearing it. Beside me Toga does the same, revealing her cute yet mischievous featheres.
The reaction was instant.
Shikamaru, ever the lazy genuis, merely raises an eyebrow and Choji wasn't even paying attention just like Naruto he was slurping down ramen, But Ino.?
She just stared.
Her blue eyes slowly scans every curve of my face like she's taking in a perfect masterpiece, her expression practically screaming that she's interested.
She wasn't the only one either, the few other patrons in the shop suddenly found themselves interested in our side of the room.
Even Teuchi, the secret OP ramen guy, did a slight double take.
I groan internally, Damn it.
I'm actively suppressing my natural charm, and it still wasn't working.
Naruto, bless his soul, remain as oblivious as ever. He simply slurps his ramen loudly before gesturing towards me and Toga "Oh yeah! Guys, this is Aki and his girlfriend Toga, he's a old friend, we go way back, but he looks super different now."
Toga hearing, Naruto introduce us as a 'couple' made her signature manic grin spread across her face as she held her cheeks while blushing and squirming like a shy school girl. Well she technically is.
Ino, meanwhile, was still staring.
But after a long moment, she blinkes, seemingly snapping out of her daze.
Then a slow teasing smirk spreads across her lips, Well, well... Looks like I have a new crush.
... Why do I feel like I just stepped into a tirger's den?
--------
The atmosphere inside Ichiraku Ramen was surprisingly pleasant. The moment the initial shock of my and Toga's appearance wore off, the conversation flowed easily.
Naruto, being Naruto was stuffing his face with ramen at a logic defying rate, not caring about the bill since it's my treat, while Choji was matching his energy, bite-for-bite. Shikamaru just sighed at them mumbling something about this being 'such a drag', while Ino casually stirred her ramen while stealing not so shuttle glances at me and Toga.
Toga for her part was oddly tame.
Well as tame as Toga could be.
She still clung to my side, occasionally feeding me some of her ramen or placing little pecks along my neck and jaw, but even with her focus mostly on me she still showed interest in the people at the counter mostly on Ino.
I casually take a sip of my broth and throw a casual lazy grin, " So, what's it like always hanging out together?"
Shikamaru exhales, " Throublesome."
Choji grin, " It's fun! Ino's kinda bossy though, but Shikamaru's laziness balances it out."
Ino just rolls her eyes " I'm not bossy, I just know how to lead."
Shikamaru just gives her a deadpan look, "Yeah, Sure."
Toga chuckle at the dynamic, clearly amused "I like them, their funny."
Naruto sets down another bowl on his bowl mountain with a grin," Yeah! their cool, they don't treat me like the other people does."
I chuckle with my eyes focused on Ino who looks at me at the same time "Yeah, they seem like a great little gang, don't mind getting to know them more."
They all nod, only me, Toga and Ino knew what I meant, that it was more directed at Ino.'
The table then continues on with our meal, talking and laughing, making the meal taste even more enjoyable.
After a while me and Toga decides it was time to dip, so after saying goodbye to the gang, we pay and get ready to leave, just when we step away from the counter, Ino suddenly spoke up
"Aki... My family owns a flower shop, if you're ever interested, you should drop by."
I raise a eyebrow faking confusion, "A flower shop?"
She nods smiling flirtatiously, "Yeah, you look like someone who need some flowers in their life."
Toga pouts, "Are you saying I don't count"
Ino just chuckles, "Oh, no, you definitely count."
Toga narrows her eyes but doesn't say anything instead grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the ramen stand.
-------
As we walk walk down the dimly lit streets of Konoha, hand in hand, I found myself thinking about Ino's invitation.
It's weird.
She's 11.
I'm 10.
But physically, I look like I'm at least 15 or 17.
That age gap shouldn't be weird, but something about the way she kept sneaking glances at me makes me feel like I was stepping into dangerous territory. Reminds me of that one Reddit post about character in Naruto developing strong feelings from young ages. 'Pew, thank god there ain't no FBI in this verse.'
After a bit more though I shrug it off, 'Aint like I plan on making a move on them right now,'
For now I had something else to focus on.
The moment we step into my so called "apartment" we both scoff at the same time,
This place is a dump
The cracked walls, the creaky floorboards, the overall smell of poverty. I had been tolarating it since I spent most of my time inside the traininggrounds, but now.
Now that I was officially going the king route.
Yeah, Hell no.
Toga looked around, frowning, "This place is aweful."
I shrug, "Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing."
Without hasitation, I pull up the system store and search for the real estate section.
After scrolling for a few seconds before finding exactly what I was looking for.
A large estate with a massive courtyard, high walls and modern ninja security system built into the property. The entire place was far away from the main streets of Konoha, giving me all the privacy I needed.
The price? A number that would make a normal person's soul exited their body.
Me?
I just pressed "Buy' without hasitation.
Who needs Ryo when you have an unlimited source of System generated wealth?
As soon as the purchase was complete, a notification popped up.
[Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a private estate in Konoha. The property deeds has been automatically registered under your name, all procedures have been done Legally.]
I grin.
Time to move up, and make some moves.