The se in which I kissed a baby was cut to make way for one of my answers ierview.

  “I'd like to say I've made a lot of friends, but that wouldn't be true. In fact, I'm lucky that my best friend came with me.”

  - Oh, is that right? Miss Ino Yamanaka? - The interviewer asked.

  - Yes, I couldn't be happier to have bee here with her.

  - A petition of this size shake a friendship, don't you think?

  - No, not ours. - I answered with vi.

  The se was cut to Ino's interview.

  - Miss Haruno Sakura spoke a little about you in her own interview. What do you think of her? - The interviewer asked Ino, who smiled openly.

  - Apart from the riding boots aher belts, I don't know ater to be queen. - Ino replied, extending her arm and shaking my hand. It was decided: I was going to cheer for her.

  The st image shown was of us hugging when we arrived at the Tea Vilge square. All the selected girls watched us.

  Suigetsu could live without loving Karin, but it was almost unbearable for his ego that she didn't love him either.

  - God, your sister is a rock of ice! - said the prince of the Land of Waves, clearly annoyed. He had sent Karin a beautiful bouquet of red roses that afternoon and had not received a sihank you” iurn.

  - I sent you red roses this afternoon, Karin! - said Suigetsu, loud enough for his voice to carry across the oer distaween him and my sister.

  - I know that, Suigetsu. - she replied, not even looking away from the prind more ed with arranging her napkin on her p.

  - So...?

  - I prefer orchids. - she replied calmly, and before Suigetsu could argue, the rge doors of the dining hall opened.

  Queen Tsunade Seered with her royal guard, apa arm's length by my godfather, Jiraya.

  - Well, well, someone seems upset today. - my godfather teased, and Suigetsu rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. Jiraya kissed Karin's forehead and sat dowo her, while my grandmother settled down at the head of the table and ordered dio be served.

  Before I could pick up my fork for the first bite, everyone in the room heard the soft footsteps of thirty-four pairs of high heels. They were heading towards the women's lounge, and something about that noise made me uneasy.

  My house was full of my betrothed. I could find my future wife returning from one of my kit raids or after an exhausting day at the cil. They were there. Me, who rize in a game I didn't ask to take part in.

  I have no idea what a girl expects from a prince, but I know that, at some point in their lives, they have waited for one. I didn't want to disappoint their expectations, but I don't sider myself to be that majestic. My family didn't seem to want to romanticize the Sele.

  I was doing it because it was a king's duty to keep the pea his kingdom, especially now that groups against the monarchy were gaining more adherents. But deep down, I wao fall in love. And, if possible, to choose someone who would also e.

  - Do you hear that sound? One of those footsteps is that of your future wife. - said my godfather before bringing his fork to his mouth.

  Karin would be better at that than me. Actually, Karin was better at anything than me. She was a year younger, but her posture, the way she moved and spoke, made her seem older and more responsible. Karin had accepted Suigetsu as promised because she k was her duty. It was a much more responsible attitude than that of a fool who wao fall in love.

  - That Karui is quite popur. - ented Karin, smiling at me. - She's a Two.

  - Miss Hinata is angelic, what eyes she has. - added my grandmother, with a nostalgic smile.

  - That Fuu looks like fun. - said my godfather, adding his observation to the versation.

  The favorite cards were pyed oable, but the final, fatal card was dealt by the prince of the Land of Waves.

  - The prince's favorite is Four, Sakura Haruno. Her doe eyes won him over immediately.

  Doe eyes, an emerald green expanse and a smile that could put ao wars. Let me smile for a moment, until I notice the two women from my family staring at me.

  - Do we have a favorite, then? - my grandman, smiling sideways. - When yrandfather came to take part in my sele, I k would be him from the moment I saw him.

  Whenever she spoke of my grandfather, her eyes became wistful, but she always smiled. She had fallen in love with him, and even after twenty years, she still loved him.

  - Hide your heart, Naruto. - my sister advised, with a serious tone.

  ***

  As usual, befoing to sleep, I liked to visit the west wall to look out over the shining city of Konoha. My father had the same habit and always took Karin and me along. Over time, my sister began to prefer the safety of its walls, while I carried on with our ritual alone.

  - Five me, but you must go back to your room. - said someoh authority, interrupting my walk.

  I had almost reached the great gates on the west side of the castle, and the garden exuded the st of camellias, my grandmother's favorite flowers. The girl I found being held back by two guards also had pink hair, like a camellia... No, pink like a sakura.

  - No... No... I o... leave... - the words bleogether, and she couldn't seem to breathe properly.

  - Miss, go to your room now. - shouted the uard, impatiently.

  - Please, God... I have to leave... - her eyes were watery.

  - I'm sorry... Miss Sakura, right? - said the first guard, reading her brooch. - You must go back to your room.

  The impatient guard tried to grab the girl's wrist and ped with the back of his hand in response. She was nervous and pale.

  - Why, you... - this time he mao grab her wrist. - Damn you, Four!

  Vaku