shikamaru nara ☁🍜

The village's bustle accompanied the afternoon as Shikamaru Nara walked with his hands in his pockets toward Ichiraku Ramen. He had agreed to meet his friends, even though he already suspected it would be a waste of time... or, as he would say, what a hassle.

As he pulled back the entrance curtain, he found Naruto, Sai, Neji, Choji, Kiba, and Shino occupying a table.

Without saying much, he took a seat next to them.

Naruto smiled immediately.

—I thought you weren't coming after all! The girls said they'd be here soon.

Shikamaru frowned slightly.

—The girls? I thought it would just be us.

Kiba let out an amused laugh.

—Nobody told you because we wanted it to be a surprise.

Shikamaru let out a resigned sigh.

—...How troublesome.

Just then, Kiba turned his gaze towards the entrance and smiled slightly.

—They've arrived.

They all turned around at the same time.

The curtains of Ichiraku parted, letting in Sakura, Hinata, Ino, Tenten... and Addison.

For a moment, the noise from the restaurant seemed to fade away for Shikamaru.

I hadn't seen her for a long time.

Her ex.

She recognized him as soon as he walked through the door, but she kept her composure. Their eyes met for a brief second before they both looked away, as if that silent exchange had been enough to stir up memories neither of them expected to relive.