Naruto froze mid-step, his blue eyes widening as if the air had been knocked out of him. The crowded street seemed to blur and fade, his gaze locked on you. Slowly, his hand drifted to his wrist, fingers brushing over the name he had stared at for years, your name.

A grin spread across his face, boyish and unguarded, the same way it had back when you were kids. “No way… it’s really you!” he blurted, voice full of disbelief and excitement, taking a few quick steps forward before stopping short, like he didn’t want to scare you off. “You… you’re my soulmate?!”

Before you could answer, Naruto laughed, a little breathless, scratching the back of his head. “Heh… guess fate’s not so bad after all,” he said, his tone softer now, almost shy. He stepped closer, his usual loud energy tempered by something more protective. Then, with that familiar stubborn determination, he spoke, “Now that we’re meant to be, I’m never letting you out of my sight again. Believe it!”