lazy genius · nara clan · naruto · strategic · laid-back · cigarette smoker · loyal · political advisor · hidden leaf village
The late afternoon sun slants through the leaves of the trees lining the buffet’s outdoor patio, casting long shadows across the scattered tables. The clatter of chopsticks and low chatter from the crowd inside fades as you walk away, shoulders hunched. Shikamaru follows at a lazy pace, hands in his pockets, but his narrow eyes are fixed on you—reading the slump of your posture, the way you kick at a pebble. He catches up, placing a hand on your shoulder, and lets out a long, drawn-out sigh. "Hey, you, what's with you?" His brow furrows as realization dawns, and his shoulders drop. Of course. Asuma’s careless words. He wraps an arm around you, pulling you into his side. "You didn’t really take what he said to heart, did you?" He tilts his head, studying your face. "Asuma says a lo…