"Maybe... probably... not really," Minato wanted to say something comforting, but he couldn't bring himself to lie to Nawaki.
Takuya, on the other hand, said bluntly, "Two people have to actually be in a relationship and then break up for it to be called a breakup. What you had was just a rejection, not a breakup."
Nawaki: "..."
*Could you guys stop stabbing me in the heart? I already feel bad enough.*
"Let's go eat. There are so many girls in the world; I can't hang myself over just one, right?" Nawaki declared, trying to act like it was no big deal.
"I want meat today, lots of it! And I want it spicy—extra spicy!"
Shouting to release his frustration, Nawaki marched ahead, trying to look carefree, but his eyes betrayed his feelings.
"Bring out the spiciest hotpot base you have, all your best meats, and two bottles of strong wine!" he ordered, storming upstairs with a swagger that ignored everyone around him.
Kushina, who was busy at the counter, looked utterly confused, staring at the spot where Nawaki had disappeared up the stairs.
"What's up with him?" she asked, puzzled.
"I'll go check," Minato said quickly, worried he wouldn't be able to hold in his laughter any longer.
Takuya rubbed his face, his expression awkward as he explained, "He said he's heartbroken, but honestly, it's just that his confession got rejected. The girl already has a fiancé, so he doesn't stand a chance, and now he's all torn up about it."
"That's it?" Kushina asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought something serious had happened."
She shrugged. "Is that even considered heartbreak? Doesn't seem like it."
"Well, Minato's been trying to comfort him for a while, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Maybe you should give it a shot?" Takuya suggested, grinning.
"No way," Kushina quickly refused. "I'm not good at that sort of thing. What he really needs right now is Tsunade."
"Redlee, go find Tsunade and tell her that Nawaki confessed and got rejected, and now he's planning to drink himself into a stupor."
"Got it."
"..."
*Isn't calling Tsunade a bit overkill? What if she shows up and smashes things?*
*Poor Nawaki might end up even worse off.*
"Hey, Takuya, how exactly did Nawaki get rejected?" Kushina asked, curious.
*Wait, aren't you supposed to be concerned about him?* Takuya thought, amused.
Now it seemed Kushina was more interested in gossiping. He chuckled and said, "I don't know all the details; Minato told me. Basically, he got turned down because the girl didn't want to date outside the clan and already had a fiancé."
"That's about it. I'd better go check on him, make sure he doesn't overdo it with the drinking."
Takuya waved as he headed upstairs.
In the private room upstairs, Minato was sweating profusely, trying his best to comfort Nawaki.
"Nawaki, stop drinking so much. You just had a crush, it's not like you're going through a breakup. Why are you so upset? There are plenty of pretty girls in Konoha. Why get hung up on Hyuga Meiko?"
"What do you mean it was just a crush, not a breakup? Have *you* ever been heartbroken?" Nawaki shot back.
"..."
*Ouch,* Minato thought, *I'm the one trying to comfort you, and now you're stabbing me in the heart?*
Just as Takuya reached the door, he burst out laughing.
*Didn't expect to see you like this, Little Sun.*
*Alright, I'm done. If I keep trying to comfort him, I'm a fool,* Minato thought, deciding to give up.
"Takuya, come drink with me!" Nawaki, already tipsy, pulled Takuya over and started pouring him drinks.
Takuya didn't bother trying to stop him. He drank, ate, and let Nawaki vent, but the extra spicy hotpot really packed a punch—too much for normal people to handle.
While Minato kept trying to talk Nawaki down, Takuya didn't even bother to intervene. After a few more drinks, Nawaki angrily turned to Takuya.
"Takuya, aren't you going to comfort me at all?"
"Comfort you for what?" Takuya shoved the drunken Nawaki away. "You didn't get your heart broken. What's there to comfort? Just eat more meat, drink more wine, and sleep it off. Tomorrow's a new day."
"..." Minato was speechless.
*You're incredible,* Minato thought, shaking his head.
Even Nawaki seemed stunned, staring blankly for a moment before slowly processing what Takuya had said.
A moment later, Nawaki, fueled by alcohol, blurted out, "Alright then, if you had a crush on a girl from the Hyuga clan and she already had a fiancé, what would you do?"
*This isn't over, is it?* Takuya thought, watching as Nawaki spiraled.
"That's easy," Takuya said, waving it off. "If she's only engaged but not married yet, then just remember the saying: 'If you wield your hoe well, no wall can't be dug down.'"
"Pfft!" Minato nearly choked.
Nawaki's eyes widened. That actually made sense to him!
*She's only engaged, not married yet...*
"What about the Hyuga clan's rule about not marrying outside the clan?" Nawaki asked, still pressing.
"Simple. You fight your way in. Beat anyone who stands in your way until they give in! The Hyuga clan's old ways are outdated anyway."
"Alright, that's enough!!!"
Tsunade stormed in, glaring at Takuya.
"What nonsense are you spouting? What if Nawaki actually believes you?"
Minato quickly made room for her as Tsunade sat down next to her brother, throwing an arm around his shoulders.
"I heard you got rejected today, huh? Well, big sis is here to get drunk with you."
Nawaki froze as Tsunade's arm tightened around his shoulders.
Even drunk, the power of their shared bloodline had an effect, and Nawaki instantly became meek as soon as Tsunade arrived.
"Uh... maybe not, Sis. Don't you have work to do?" he asked nervously.
"Work? What work?" Tsunade said boldly, chugging from a bottle of sake without even using a cup. "My brother's feeling down. If I ditch work to get drunk with him, who's going to stop me? Even the old man wouldn't dare say anything."
"Come on, let's toast. You're finally growing up, learning what it's like to chase after a girl."
"..." Nawaki couldn't bear it.
*I'm not drinking anymore, okay? Sis, my neck's about to snap—please let go!*
Under Tsunade's forceful encouragement, Nawaki had no choice but to drink with her, and soon he was passed out on the table. If not for Tsunade holding him up, he might have slipped under the table by now.
"Alright, all taken care of," Tsunade said with a sigh of relief before grabbing some chopsticks and digging into the meal.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine after a good night's sleep. Trust me, I've been through this."
Tsunade patted her chest confidently.
*You sure talk like you have tons of experience with this,* Takuya thought, wanting to roll his eyes but deciding against it. He knew better than to provoke Tsunade—she was not someone you wanted to upset.
"I'll take Nawaki home to rest," Takuya said, deciding it was time to move the drunken mess of a boy before things got any worse.
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Next Bonus: 4000 Power Stones ╰ (´꒳`) ╯
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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 320+ at patreon.com/ Emik01. ಥ‿ಥ
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