Tomaru was still grappling with the sensation of being in this world when a soft knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts. It was gentle but insistent, accompanied by a cheerful voice calling his name.
He froze for a moment, a flicker of recognition dancing at the edge of his memory, but he couldn't quite grasp it. He crossed the small room and opened the door, squinting as morning sunlight spilled in.
Standing there, framed by the warm glow, was a girl with short blonde hair that shimmered like gold. It framed her face perfectly, highlighting her bright blue eyes and confident expression. She looked familiar, but something about her felt different.
Tomaru's breath caught as realization hit him.
Ino Yamanaka.
But this wasn't the Ino he remembered from countless episodes of the anime. Her shorter hair gave her a vibrant, youthful charm, making her seem even more full of life.
For a moment, he just stared.
She's beautiful. The thought came unbidden, startling him.
"Good morning, Tomaru," she said, tilting her head, her smile faltering slightly as she noticed his hesitation.
"Are you okay? You weren't at the academy yesterday, and I got worried."
Tomaru blinked, her words snapping him back to reality.
She was… worried about me? He struggled to reconcile this caring, vivid person with the animated character he once knew.
"I'm fine," he said, his voice steadier than he expected. Still, there was an awkward tightness in his chest. This world, this moment—it all felt too real.
Ino's grin returned, brighter now.
"Good! Because I figured you probably skipped breakfast again, so…" She held out a neatly wrapped bento box, her movements quick and practiced.
"Here! I made this for you."
Tomaru stared at the box, a mix of surprise and confusion flickering across his face.
She… made this for me? Slowly, he took it, the warmth of her gesture sinking in.
"Uh, thanks," he managed, feeling an odd warmth rise within him—not just gratitude, but something deeper, a sense of connection he hadn't felt in a long time. He sat down on the step just outside his door, unwrapping the bento with care.
The food was simple yet thoughtfully arranged: rolled tamagoyaki, neatly packed rice, and a few vegetables on the side. It wasn't extravagant, but it spoke of effort and familiarity. He picked up a piece of tamagoyaki, hesitated for a split second, and took a bite.
The sweetness melted on his tongue, and an involuntary smile tugged at his lips.
"It's… really good," he thought, savoring the flavor.
Ino's eyes lit up as she watched him.
"You seem different today," she said, leaning in slightly. Her gaze was curious but kind.
"Usually, you just mumble a quick 'thanks' and keep to yourself. But today… you seem happier."
Tomaru froze mid-bite, her words striking a chord.
Happier? Am I? He glanced up, meeting her eyes for the first time. In that moment, he saw more than just a classmate—he saw someone who genuinely cared.
"Maybe I am," he said softly, almost to himself. The words felt strange yet true. He looked back down at the meal, his thoughts swirling.
Or maybe I'm just starting to notice things I never did before.
Ino's expression softened, her lips curving into a warm smile.
"You should smile more often," she said, her voice teasing but sincere.
"It suits you."
Tomaru looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
Smile more often? When was the last time anyone said that to me?
He finished the meal quietly, savoring every bite, before handing the empty box back to her.
"Thanks, Ino. It was really good," he said, his voice steady but carrying an unspoken depth.
Ino blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sincerity. Then she laughed, a light, musical sound.
"Wow, you're full of surprises today, Tomaru," she said, tucking the box under her arm.
"Come on, let's get to the academy before we're late."
As they walked together through the bustling village streets, Tomaru's thoughts were a storm of questions and emotions.
Why does this feel so natural? So real? The world around him, the people, the sensations—it all seemed to fill a void he hadn't known was there.
He glanced at Ino as she chatted about some academy gossip, her energy infectious. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply enjoy her company, the familiarity of her presence grounding him in this strange new reality.
By the time they reached the academy, the faint buzz of chatter reached his ears. He stopped just outside the door, hearing Naruto's loud, unmistakable voice echoing from within. It felt surreal, like stepping into a scene he'd watched countless times.
Ino paused, looking back at him.
"What are you waiting for? Come on," she said, her tone light but expectant.
Tomaru took a deep breath, his hand brushing against the edge of the doorframe.
This is real, he thought.
I'm here now. For better or worse.
He stepped inside, the noise of the classroom washing over him like a wave. Familiar faces turned to look at him—Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Hinata. Each one was more vivid, more alive, than he ever could have imagined.
Tomaru's chest tightened, a strange mix of awe and apprehension settling over him.
I don't know why I'm here or how long this will last, but… I'll figure it out.
For now, he pushed his doubts aside and focused on the one thing he could control: moving forward, one uncertain step at a time.
---
Tomaru took a deep breath as he stepped into the classroom. The air was warm, filled with the low hum of conversations and the occasional thud of a thrown eraser. He scanned the room, feeling a wave of déjà vu. Familiar faces—Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, and even Sasuke, who sat at the back with his usual aloof expression. It was surreal, like walking into a scene he'd watched countless times.
As he entered, the noise dimmed slightly. Eyes turned toward him—curious, but not unkind. Naruto was the first to break the silence, grinning widely.
"Hey, Tomaru! You finally showed up!"
Caught off guard, Tomaru hesitated before raising his hand in a clumsy wave. The room seemed to accept this, and the chatter resumed. Iruka-sensei glanced up from the front of the class, offering a nod.
"Good to see you back, Tomaru. Find your seat—we're starting soon."
*"Back?"* Tomaru's stomach twisted. The way Iruka said it made it sound like he was expected here, like he had a life in this place he barely remembered. He forced himself to move, heading to an empty seat by the window, next to Ino. She nudged him playfully as he sat down.
"You're lucky Iruka-sensei is lenient," she whispered with a smirk.
"Most teachers would have you running laps for skipping class."
Tomaru gave her a small, sheepish smile, feeling like he was playing a part he didn't quite understand.
*"I'm lucky, huh? I don't even know what's expected of me here."*
---
The morning slipped by in a haze of lessons. Iruka explained the basics of chakra control, demonstrating the proper sequence of hand seals. For Tomaru, it was a strange mix of familiarity and confusion. His hands moved instinctively, forming the seals as if it were second nature, but his mind struggled to keep up, like watching a scene unfold in slow motion.
When it came time to practice throwing kunai, Tomaru felt a flicker of anxiety.
*"How good am I supposed to be?"* He took his place at the throwing line, picking up a kunai and feeling its weight in his hand. His first throw was awkward, missing the target entirely. He heard a few snickers but ignored them, adjusting his grip and taking a deep breath.
The second throw was different. His arm moved before he could consciously aim, the kunai slicing through the air and hitting dead center. A brief silence followed, then Naruto's loud cheer broke it.
"Nice shot, Tomaru!"
Tomaru stepped back, staring at his hand. *"That wasn't me… It felt like someone else's muscle memory."* It was unsettling, the sensation of his body knowing something his mind didn't.
---
When lunchtime came, Ino pulled Tomaru outside to a quiet spot under a large tree. She handed him a neatly packed bento box, and he realized with a pang that she'd prepared an extra meal, likely expecting him to forget his own.
"You've been acting weird today," she remarked, watching him as he opened the box.
"More… expressive, I guess? Usually, you're kind of a quiet guy."
Tomaru hesitated, taking a bite of the tamagoyaki. It was sweet and perfectly cooked, and he found himself smiling despite the confusion swirling in his head.
"Maybe I'm just trying something different," he said with a light chuckle.
Ino's eyes widened a bit.
"You even laughed just now," she pointed out.
"That's new." She leaned back against the tree, studying him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"You should do it more often. It suits you."
Tomaru blinked, caught off guard by the compliment.
He looked down at the bento, feeling a strange warmth he couldn't quite place.
"Thanks for the food," he said softly.
Ino's expression softened, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Anytime."
---
The next day, Tomaru lingered outside the classroom door, listening to the hum of voices inside. He could hear bursts of laughter and snippets of conversation. He took a steadying breath.
*"They don't know how lost I feel right now. Better keep it that way."*
Pushing the door open, he was met with a brief silence as heads turned his way. There was no malice, just the natural curiosity of classmates sizing up someone who'd been absent. Tomaru kept his face neutral, heading straight for his seat near the window. He could feel the whispers starting behind him.
"Isn't that Tomaru? He was gone for a few days."
"Yeah, he looks kind of… different today."
Tomaru's shoulders tensed, but he forced himself to ignore it, focusing on Iruka at the front of the room.
---
Iruka-sensei's voice cut through the murmur.
"Alright, class, today's lesson is on chakra control. This isn't just about power—it's about precision and focus. Watch closely."
The room fell silent as Iruka demonstrated, forming seals and balancing a kunai on the tip of his finger using a delicate thread of chakra.
"Your turn," he instructed.
"Work with a partner and take it slow. Remember, control is key."
Tomaru hesitated, glancing around the room. He hadn't partnered with anyone before—at least, not that he could remember. Ino caught his eye and waved him over.
"Need a partner?" she asked, already forming the seals.
Tomaru nodded. "Looks like it."
Ino's chakra lit up quickly, and she balanced the kunai with ease.
"See? It's simple," she said, handing the kunai to Tomaru with a teasing grin.
"Your turn, show-off."
Tomaru smirked, rolling his eyes.
"Show-off? Me?" He focused on forming the seals, feeling the chakra flow through him. His first attempt was shaky, the kunai wobbling before it fell. Ino gave him an encouraging nod.
"Not bad," she said. "Better than Naruto's first try."
Tomaru managed a soft laugh.
"That's a low bar." He tried again, and this time the kunai held steady for a moment longer. Iruka gave him a nod of approval.
"Good job, Tomaru. Keep practicing."
---
The rest of the session passed in a blur of practice and observation. Tomaru watched his classmates, noting how effortlessly they seemed to fit into their roles.
Sasuke was a natural, his focus unwavering as he controlled his chakra with ease. Even Iruka barely needed to correct him.
Shikamaru leaned against the wall, his kunai balanced perfectly despite his lazy demeanor.
"Troublesome," he muttered, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
Kiba and Akamaru were rowdy as usual, drawing attention with their playful antics, while Hinata worked quietly, her brow furrowed in concentration.
---
As the class ended, students broke into small groups, the room filling with chatter. Sasuke was immediately surrounded by admirers, while Tomaru's own fans were more subdued—glances and smiles, but no one approached directly.
Kiba caught his eye, grinning.
"You're getting better, Tomaru. Maybe one day you'll catch up to me."
Tomaru smirked.
"Or you'll be left in the dust"."
"Ha! Dream on," Kiba laughed, ruffling Akamaru's ears.
Ino joined him as he packed his things, giving him a playful nudge.
"Not bad today," she said with a smirk.
"You're not as hopeless as you look."
"Thanks… I think," Tomaru replied, shaking his head with a grin.
As he watched his classmates leave, a small part of him felt lighter. Despite the uncertainty, he realized something:
*"I might not have everything figured out, but I'm starting to find my footing. One step at a time."*
He walked out of the classroom, the voices of his friends fading behind him.