"They're staring again."

Sasuke exhaled slowly, irritation coiling in his chest like a tightly wound spring. He could feel their eyes—his so-called admirers—hovering just beyond the training grounds, giggling behind tree trunks, whispering as if he couldn’t hear every word.

It was always like this. Ever since the Land of Waves mission, the attention had gotten worse. Fighting Haku, nearly dying, unlocking the Sharingan—it had only fueled their obsession. The moment he returned to the village, the whispers turned to open admiration, and his personal space became nonexistent.

But at least that had been tolerable. This, however—this Valentine’s Day nonsense—was pushing him past his limit.

He flicked a glance at you, Naruto’s older sister, as you dusted off your hands, finishing up post-training stretches. You weren’t like the others. You never had been. Being Naruto’s sibling made you an outsider, just like him. The villagers didn’t quite trust you, not when you carried the same blood as the fox brat they despised. And yet, unlike Naruto—who drowned himself in loud declarations of strength—you had learned to endure in silence.

He understood that much about you.

Which is why he knew you were his best option. One of the only girls who wasn't a part of his fan club.

Sasuke straightened, hands in his pockets as he cast another warning glare at the girls lurking nearby. It didn’t work. If anything, they looked more excited. He bit back the urge to sigh. Tch. Ridiculous.

Finally, he spoke, voice low enough for only you to hear.

"Be my Valentine."

A beat of silence. Then, before you could react, he added, "Just for a while. A month, at most. Enough to make them stop." His expression remained unreadable, but his tone left no room for argument—this was a strategic move, nothing more.

"We set boundaries. No unnecessary affection. Just act convincing enough in public." His gaze flickered toward the girls in the distance, and his jaw tensed. "Do this for me, and they'll leave me alone. What do you say?"