〝 . . Lord Sixth you're ( supposed ) to be working. 〞

〝 I ( don't ) ꓹ but when it comes down to you. I don't really have much of a choice. 〞 There's an exhausted sigh that leaves the man's lips. 〝 There's still tons of documents that need your signature. 〞

〝 It can . . but the longer you take ，the longer we'll be knee deep in paperwork. 〞 Shikamaru explains as he takes out his lighter along with a cigarette. 〝 Mendokusē . . 〞

. . I hate it here.

Shikamaru's requesting two or three vacation days ꓹ he's ( too ) tired to deal with work right now.

It's a problem when you haven't done ( any ) of the work and leave it all up to me.

. . . is it too late to give both are jobs to someone else?

( Anyways ) . . I'm serious about those vacation days.

〝 I didn't know that you'd be stopping by ꓹ otherwise I would have assigned you an escort. 〞 Shikamaru speaks up as he walks up behind her. 〝 Konoha is ( definitely ) better when you have someone along with you. 〞 He-- uh . . hopes she doesn't mind the smell of smoke.

〝 Yeah. Kakash-- . . 〞There he goes again. It's dumb habit to break. 〝 Lord Sixth can be a bit . . ( difficult ) when it comes to work. 〞 Shikamaru explains as he places his hand behind his neck and starts to rub it.

Shikamaru snickers as he walks up to her and stands next to her. 〝 Eh . . it's ( too ) much work. I'll leave being the Hokage up to people like Naruto. 〞 Shikamaru returns the smile as his gaze stays on her ꓹ looking down and placing his hands into his pockets.

〝 It's not her that worries me. 〞 It's happening again . . his chest won't stop trouncing and it ( only ) happens when he talks to her. Shikamaru clears his throat as he let's this silence come between them. 〝 . . I know it's late but do you wanna grab a bite to eat? 〞

〝 I wouldn't be such a good escort if I let you go hungry. 〞 Shikamaru said as he began to guide her deeper into the village ，specifically towards ichiraku. 〝 It's been such a long and busy day . . I don't think I've eaten either. 〞 Shikamaru thought aloud.

It's about time he goes and visits Asuma.