"Broad forehead, why are you here?"
Ino glared at Sakura with open hostility.
This girl had been keeping her distance for days, and now she had the nerve to show up and cling to Itsuki.
When Ino entered the ward, the sight that greeted her was Sakura peeling an apple and feeding it into Itsuki's mouth.
"It's none of your business! If you can come, why can't I?" Sakura shot back, chin raised.
Ino sneered. "Some people swore they wanted to leave the group, yet now they crawl back shamelessly as if nothing happened. Your gall is beyond belief."
"You…" Sakura flushed crimson, embarrassed and angry, but she couldn't muster a retort.
"E-Everyone… please stop fighting…" Hinata whispered timidly from the side.
Tenten rolled her eyes. "If you two want to argue, take it outside. Don't disturb Itsuki's rest. The doctor said he needs peace!"
At that, both Ino and Sakura clammed up, but they continued to exchange sharp glares, sparks practically flying between them.
"Come, Itsuki, let's finish this apple," Sakura cooed, her tone softer and sweeter than anyone had ever heard from her.
"I-It… Itsuki-kun… do… do you want some water first?" Hinata stammered, face red as a beet.
But before she could even fetch it, she swayed in dizziness.
Tenten frowned, pushed Hinata gently aside, and stepped in. "Itsuki, I've been practicing massage lately. It'll help with your recovery. Let me try it."
She began working at his shoulders with a confident smile.
"Itsuki-sama, I brought fresh spring flowers!" Ino said brightly.
She shoved Sakura aside, slipped past her, and carefully arranged the flowers in a vase at Itsuki's bedside.
Sakura nearly toppled over. Grinding her teeth, she swallowed her fury; lashing out here would only make her lose more ground.
Meanwhile, Anko had already slipped away. She had stirred the pot by leaking Itsuki's location, but now that the "Shura Field" was in full bloom, her conscience nagged at her.
Besides, with her 300% power boost, she was itching to test her new strength—her confidence was already at the jōnin elite level.
Back in the ward—
"Oh, right! Itsuki, I have two movie tickets. Let's go together tomorrow!" Sakura seized the chance while Ino was distracted and shoved her back.
"Itsuki won't go with you!" Ino snapped, recovering quickly. "It's just a movie ticket. What's so special about that? I'll rent out the entire theater. Then it'll just be Itsuki and me, watching whatever we like!"
"I asked first! Itsuki should go with me!" Sakura shot back furiously.
Ino smirked. "Why don't you take Sasuke-kun instead? Stop pretending you're close to Itsuki."
"I—! That's not—!" Sakura sputtered.
"At least I'm closer to him than you are!" Ino snapped.
"I know him better than you do!"
"You're both ridiculous." Tenten squeezed between them, exasperated. "Itsuki, ignore these two. I'll go with you instead. They're nothing but trouble!"
"I… I… I want to go too…" Hinata whispered from the back, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
In the group chat she was lively, even bold. But in reality, she was still the same shy girl.
Just thinking about competing for Itsuki's favor made her cheeks burn hotter.
Of course, her timid words went unheard over the bickering.
Itsuki's head pounded.
Sakura, Ino, Tenten… even Hinata. They're all too noisy!
"Enough!" Itsuki barked, anger finally bubbling over.
The room froze.
Can't he enjoy a little peace and tenderness? No wonder they say three women equal a flock of ducks!
If the Fabrication System rewarded him based on this chaos, he'd get nothing but headaches.
He swung off the bed, glaring at them. "I'm going to the bathroom."
"Don't overexert yourself!" Tenten exclaimed.
Sakura and Ino shrank back like scolded quails. "S-Sorry…"
"I-Itsuki-kun, you're still recovering! Please, lie back down!" Hinata pleaded, her voice more fluent than usual out of sheer panic.
But Itsuki ignored them and made for the door.
"You're weak, let me help you!" Ino rushed forward, offering her shoulder.
Itsuki nearly stumbled at the sudden support, his mind reeling.
Seriously? She's bold enough for this… Well, maybe that's not so bad.
But she only escorted him to the bathroom door and stopped, leaving him hanging in disappointment.
Sakura's eyes narrowed. How dare Ino steal the lead?
Ino, catching her look, smirked smugly. "Don't think I've forgotten last time. You were expelled from the group, remember?" she whispered sharply.
"You…" Sakura stiffened, then unexpectedly bowed her head. "Yes… it was my fault. I reflected on it. I won't repeat the same mistake."
The others blinked in surprise.
Even Ino faltered. She had always treated Sakura as a sister.
But after her betrayal, all of them—Ino, Tenten, even Hinata—had agreed not to take her back.
Yet Sakura's voice now rang with genuine remorse.
"You're just jealous of Anko-san's sudden promotion," Ino huffed, though her anger had softened. "Don't think one apology will get you back in."
Sakura didn't argue. Instead, she said earnestly, "I was jealous, yes. Who wouldn't want that kind of strength just from caring about Itsuki? But I really am sorry. I don't expect forgiveness right away. Just watch how I act from now on."
Ino curled her lip. "If you're only treating Itsuki as a tool to power up, forget it. It won't work anyway. Your group level is still zero. Haven't you realized that?"
Despite her words, the fire in Ino's tone dimmed. In her heart, she still wanted her best friend back.
The problem between them had always been Sakura.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙