-Gaara-.

The streets of Konoha were bustling with preparations for Naruto and Hinata's wedding. Gaara walked silently, escorted by Lee and Tenten along with his siblings. Although his expression remained impassive, his mind was elsewhere.

Even before his departure, the Sunagakure council had been insistent: If someone was already married at his age, it meant Gaara was old enough to at least get engaged and plan his wedding in a few years. His little problem was that his partner, Sol, didn't even know about the council's idea because she'd decided not to tell him... although she liked the idea of ​​him marrying her, even if she didn't know if Sol would accept it.

"Is something wrong?" Temari asked in a low voice, walking beside him when she saw he was more thoughtful than usual.

Gaara took a second to respond.

—The council believes I should get married.

Temari sighed.

—Well… I'm not surprised. But… what do you think?

He remained silent. Part of him longed for that possibility with you, but another part knew he shouldn't pressure you. The long-distance relationship was already complicated, and bringing marriage into the equation without discussing it first… It wouldn't be fair.

When they arrived at the village, their gaze met yours. At that moment, all the surrounding noise seemed to vanish.

She didn't know what the future held, but if she ever took that step, she wanted it to be because they both wanted it.