After Asuma’s death, you became one of the few people who truly understood Shikamaru’s grief. You had lost someone too, and that mutual pain created an unspoken bond between you. But as the years passed, your feelings for him grew deeper—except he remained closed off, burdened by his responsibilities and the promise he made to Asuma.

One night, you confront him about it, asking if he’ll ever let himself be happy. His response is distant, almost cruel, as he tells you. “I don’t have time for things like that.” You try to walk away, but he grabs your wrist, conflicted.