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April 13th, Kiss Day, where discounts popped up everywhere—food, makeup, movies, up to 50% off. Just for giving a kiss? What a steal. Discounted food is the best. And what better way than to ask your best friend for a favor?
“No.”
“Oh, come on, Sasuke, it’s just a kiss! It’s not like we haven’t kissed before,” Naruto whispered, so they wouldn’t get caught in class. He considered passing a note, but if they got caught—oh, how embarrassing that would be. "Or maybe you forgot. If you did, your memory’s worse than mine. Besides, the post said it was okay between friends, but if you want, I can remind you in detail.”
“Yeah, I know we’ve kissed before, you idiot. Those two times were accidents.” Sasuke was already getting bored and flustered; he could say yes, but this time the kiss wouldn’t be an accident—I mean, sure, it’s for a promotion, but that stubborn, empty-headed blond still hasn’t realized that Sasuke likes him? “And keep your voice down, silly—we’re going to get in trouble for not paying attention.”
Naruto had sent him the post as soon as he saw it, but Sasuke only looked at the picture—he didn’t read anything. He's not interested in the Kiss Day discounts, nor did he even know such a day existed. He also can’t believe Naruto is asking him to go—it’s literally a date! That guy isn’t thinking straight. Is he blushing? He can’t believe he actually likes this airhead. I mean, he thinks it’s cute, adorable that Naruto thought of him for this. This could be his chance for the blond to realize his feelings, and he might even confess. Great idea, but first he wants to see just how hard Naruto tries to get him to agree.
“Come on! It’s a discount—the post said couples or friends; just think of it as a friends-date.” The blond had been trying for a while now; it was almost time for the class to end, and he was going to keep bugging him. “They’re all full, Sasuke. Even Ichiraku has discounts today—I’ll do anything, I’ll even study and won’t bother you anymore!”
After so much bugging during class, he felt bad, so he decided to agree—Iruka had already caught them and scolded them in class… The good news is that was all there was to it. But Naruto agreed to study more with Sasuke, even though Sasuke would have agreed anyway without the study thing—though he wouldn’t admit that to the blond.
When class was over, they headed out together. Naruto was beaming with excitement, thinking about eating at their favorite spots—with a discount, no less. On the way, as he tried to convince the raven, he couldn’t stop teasing him? he couldnt tell, and jokes: “Are we going to have to act like a couple? We’re not dating—you’re so cold, you have to act the part. “Holding hands and hugging.” And he laughed and kept going. Sasuke looked like a tomato, he turned so red—or at least that’s how it felt—but Naruto hadn’t said anything about it. He really is so clueless that he doesn’t even realize it. This is literally a date! First he’ll punch him, and then he’ll confess his feelings—after we eat, that is.
First they went to eat the completos; there, they just asked for a kiss on the cheek, and Naruto gave it to him. They sat down and ate in peace, chatting about life. The blond gave the raven some money so he could go pay. Sasuke wasn’t going to use it, of course; he’d figure out how to handle it later. He paid with his card, and that’s when he found out… The kiss wasn’t necessary. Oh. That clueless, silly blond who never reads—he was pretty sure he’d only read up to the part about the discount and stopped there. Damn it, he hadn’t even read the terms and conditions. But this worked in his favor; logically, it should be the same at Ichiraku.
“See, it wasn’t hard at all—you’re just a big show-off,” Naruto teased good-naturedly. He’d had a great time with the raven that afternoon; they should do this more often—probably without the kisses. Naruto thought very highly of Sasuke; he loved spending time with him. Sure, he got nervous sometimes—though he didn’t know why—but Sasuke was his best friend. They’d even kissed twice before: once when they were little, and the other time when they were play-fighting, fell over, and it happened by accident.
“Just shut up. Or I won't take you to Ichiraku,” Sasuke threatened. He didn't really mean it—he was going to take him anyway. It was already getting dark and freezing cold; what better way to spend the evening than having dinner at Ichiraku? They'd already told their families they wouldn't be coming home for a late-night snack. Naruto got scared—he really did want to go to Ichiraku. He’ll calm down soon. “Ush, you’re such a pain,” the blond replied irritably, feigning annoyance. After that, they settled into a comfortable silence as they walked.
Once at Ichiraku, Naruto was still full of energy, surprisingly. They were ordering and about to pay; the kiss could be on the cheek or on the lips, on the hand—wherever one wanted—but before Ayame could add that it was optional, Sasuke caught him off guard and kissed him first—a quick one on the cheek, and then one on the lips. Naruto was taken aback and blushed. Ayame smiled and told them to sit down. There was a silence between them, but it wasn’t awkward—it was the kind of silence where they were searching for something to say. The blond got nervous and was still blushing, though less than before.
“Naruto,” the raven caught his attention. Now was the moment—he was going to confess. Given Naruto’s reaction, this was overkill, but Sasuke wanted to be sure. “I like you.” The blond looked at him with a surprised expression; he hadn’t expected that, and he almost spit out his juice. He really was clueless… Ayame could see him blushing even more than before. She had to stifle a little laugh.
“What?” He was processing the information he’d just received; he fell silent for a few seconds, unintentionally making the raven nervous—just a little. “Do you really like me?” Naruto spoke as if it couldn’t be true, as if he’d never expected a confession like that in his life. “Why?”
Sasuke thought. He didn’t have to think too hard—the blond’s cute smile, his beautiful eyes, and his personality, always so cheerful even when he shouldn’t be, though he had his moments like any normal person. He loved seeing his reactions to situations, his smile, his nervousness—he loved everything about the blond. He could never find anyone else like him, nor did he plan to. He wants Naruto as his partner. “Yes. I like you, Naruto. It took me a while to realize how I felt, but I’ve felt this way for a long time. I like everything about you, Naruto.” Sasuke was just as red as Naruto was now—no doubt about it.
Naruto smiled—he even laughed a little—but not in a mocking way, just out of nervousness. He never thought it would be like this; now he realizes that feeling he gets when he’s near the raven. “Ah, well… I still like you, Sasuke,” he said in a whisper, but the raven heard him clearly, and it brought a small smile to his face. They held hands and looked at each other for a few moments; it was just the two of them there—
“Here’s your ramen! Enjoy, and congratulations, guys!” Ayame just happened to appear with the bowls; both of them startled and got nervous, pulling their hands away. They thanked the girl and began to eat, talking and laughing, reminiscing about situations that clearly showed their relationship had long been more than just friendship. Ayame joined in the conversation from time to time, telling them that everyone had been waiting for them to finally realize it. That left them a little surprised and blushing, but not as much as before.
Sasuke scolded him anyway, saying this was a date, and that the blond was so clueless he didn’t even realize it. He also told him about the discounts—since he’d been in a hurry and hungry, he hadn’t read everything, so the kiss wasn’t necessary. Naruto blushed again, but only a little, and even said he didn’t regret it. They talked and teased each other playfully. After a while—it was getting late—it was time to go, so they paid and left.
With their hands intertwined, they waited for Itachi, who was coming to pick them up since it was late, and they’d drop Naruto off at his house. Iruka said he had plans anyway but would be home that night. After chatting for a while, Itachi arrived, smiling at the sight of them so close together and holding hands. By now, everyone who knew them and was close to them would realize they were a couple.
“It’s finally happening—it took you two a while to figure it out. Hop in,” Itachi joked, but he was still very happy for them. The ride was quiet, and the three of them chatted along the way. When they arrived at Naruto’s house, the lights were on, so Iruka was home. “Thanks so much, Itachi! And you too, Sasuke. See you tomorrow!” Naruto got out of the car, but not before giving Sasuke a kiss on the cheek. Once he went inside, the Uchihas left. Naruto was surprised to see Kakashi there. They talked for a while, and both Iruka and Kakashi asked him for details—even though they already knew, and he hadn’t even specified that it was a date… Kakashi even gave him some advice. He told them a few details anyway, and they laughed for a while.
Even with Sasuke, Itachi still asked him for details—calmly and without pressure; he wasn’t forcing him to talk. Sasuke remained silent for a while until he began to tell the story. Itachi had never seen him like this before—describing someone with such emotion. He was truly very happy that they were starting to date, even if it was an indirect date, and that Sasuke hadn’t read all the information. Sasuke didn’t regret it either; in fact, he felt very happy that Naruto had asked him and not someone else. And to think that they’d gone from fighting over meaningless things and engaging in childish rivalries, to becoming friends without any rivalry that would negatively affect them as teenagers, and then ending up as a couple. Life’s situations are so crazy.