Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Gotoubun no Hanayome.

Prologue:
The Quintessential Bodyguard

The office of Nakano Maruo was dimly lit, with only the desk lamp acting as a source of light. Even with the sun starting to set on the horizon, the man didn't bother to turn any of the other lights on. He quite liked the atmosphere his office had during this time of the day, right before nighttime arrived. Not only that, but through his window he had a perfect view of the sunset every day. Some might find this behavior strange, but the prominent doctor had never been one to care about other's opinions.

Well, that wasn't exactly true. Not anymore.

This brought along the wave of troubling thoughts that had been plaguing him for the better half of this year. No, maybe longer than that. It was hard to say. Not that it mattered all that much really. The problem remained nonetheless.

His daughters' ineptitude toward school. It was such a small problem, and yet so big. Trying to find a solution had been harder than he'd expected, which is why he had decided on unorthodox methods to fix it.

Hopefully it didn't come to bite him in the ass later.

'But just to be sure…...'

There was a knock at his door, making smile. Right on time.

"Come in."

His voice might have been soft, but it carried a lot of weight behind it.

The door opened, and an all too familiar face was revealed to him. At first, it was a face that had annoyed him. It had been silly of him really, but that's how it was. Over the years, that annoyance had transformed into something more…..friendly? The man couldn't describe it well. Abstract thoughts like that were always a challenge for him.

"Hello, sir. You called for me?"

"I did, Uzumaki-kun. I'm glad you were able to answer my summons, despite you arriving earlier today."

Uzumaki Naruto shook his head. At twenty-two years of age, the blond was tall, his hair cut short, and his body well-toned. He was in a long sleeved orange shirt with a jacket vest over it, black jeans, and a pair of dark sneakers. Around his neck was also a pair of headphones, very similar to the ones a certain girl used.

"It's not a problem. Russia was fun and all, but I'm looking forward to a more peaceful setting for a while."

"Oh? Did you not have fun with the tournament? From what I gathered, you managed to win."

"Hahaha, yeah, but my studies have been suffering because of it. I can't let that happen, as you know."

The man hummed. "Mhmm, yes. I recall your promise…...but are you satisfied with simple online courses?"

"It's the best I can manage, given my schedule. That, and…...well, school is just not very fun for me."

And college was no exception.

"Yes, I remember that as well. Your grades…..."

Naruto had the decency to look sheepish. "I'm not failing, but…..I'm not a top student either."

It was the best way to put it without hurting his pride.

The doctor chuckled lightly at this as he turned on his chair to face the blond.

"Yes, you've always been like that. But that's also the reason why I called you over today."

Naruto cocked his head. "Yes?"

"I'm sure you know, but my daughters have not been doing well academically for a rather extended period of time. Worse than you even."

That was an understatement. But Naruto was well aware of this already. Given his position, it was only natural that he did.

"I've tried to hire different tutors for them, including my own assistant," the man explained. "I'm sure you can remember that as well."

Naruto did.

"But none of those options have produced any positive results. That is why I have decided to try an orthodox method this time around."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Someone suggested a boy their age to help them, a student who's at the very top of his grade, and even his school. I was…...hesitant, but after so many failures, I'm willing to try my chances with this idea. At least, until a better option arrives."

Naruto understood the situation well. However…...

"I still don't understand what this has to do with me."

The man smiled a little. "Oh, it's nothing you're not used to, Uzumaki-kun. The girls will be transferring to this new school you see, so that their tutoring sessions can work out for the best. It's a new environment, and a new stranger is entering their lives. I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Naruto scratched his head, shrugging. "If you're asking me to look out after them, then that's no problem. I already promised to do that."

Nothing was going to change that, not after what Naruto owed. That, and he'd promised too.

Maruo seemed pleased by this.

"Good. There are very few people I would trust their lives to." There were only two…..well, one to be honest. And that was the blond before him. "I also want you to keep an eye out for this new tutor. If he fails to bring their grades up, then firing him will be the best solution so that we may look for another person."

The man had always been like this. Calculated and pragmatic. Naruto wouldn't say that he disagreed with the man's actions, but he certainly didn't fully approve either, among many other things. But that didn't matter at the moment.

"I can definitely do that. I was planning on stopping by tomorrow, so all of this works out for me."

"Good. I'm happy I can count on you, Uzumaki-kun."

That's what he said, but Naruto had been hoping the man would have grown as a father since the last time he'd seen him. That didn't seem to be the case, though. He was still clumsy and awkward as usual, which explained his distance. But underneath that was an overly concerned father. Naruto's presence only proved that.

'Well, it's only been a few months. Progress takes time,' he thought idly as he pulled out his phone, already outside the hospital. It was already dark, with the street lamps switching on. More importantly, Naruto's stomach was rumbling.

He needed food, and fast.

'Hmm, maybe I should check out that restaurant I spotted on my way here. It looked pretty comfy.'

Hopefully the food was good too. He hadn't gotten the chance to eat anything ever since he had arrived back in Japan. And while Russian cuisine wasn't bad, nothing beat good old Japanese dishes.

But that was just him being bias.

With that in mind, he was about to set off for his new destination until his phone started ringing. He brought it back to his face again, to see who the caller was.

He wasn't surprised.

"Nino," he said as he answered the call.

"Eh, what's up with that tone? Aren't you happy to hear my voice again?"

"Ha, that's not it at all. I just wasn't expecting you to call so late."

Okay, maybe he had been…..a little bit. The girl was always doing this sort of thing every time he returned from overseas. She had a knack for knowing when he was back somehow.

"Ebita-san told me that Papa called you to his office today."

Ah, that man. So he was the leak then.

"Anyway, that doesn't matter! You have some nerve not calling any of us and telling us that you were back!"

He could practically feel the girl's glare through the phone. So impressive.

"And by us, you mean you, right?"

"W-Whatever! My point stands! Or what, did you forget about us already? Was Russia that good of a place?"

This girl…..

"That's not it at all," Naruto said as he started to walk down the street toward the restaurant. There were still other people around at this hour, probably going for dinner themselves or heading home. "I just got caught up with other stuff. And then your dad called. I was planning on stopping by tomorrow."

"H'mph, not good enough. You owe m-us, an apology!"

Oh boy. She was angry, wasn't she? Out of the five, Nino had always been the most sensitive. Naruto had learned this the hard way over the years.

"Fine, fine. I guess I do."

"Good, you're starting to understand your place."

Naruto sweatdropped. "Uh, I really don't like the way you phrased that."

"Not important. Where are you? Did you eat dinner yet?"

"I just left your dad's office, and no I haven't. I was actually planning on getting dinner right-"

"Oh, good! Then come pick me up. We can go together."

"Just you? Weren't you saying that I was supposed to greet all of you?"

"Y-You can do that later! You have to apologize to me first!"

Naruto almost sighed. He could never understand this girl's logic.

"Besides, none of them are here right now. Ichika left saying she had some stuff to do earlier, Yotsuba stayed back in school to help some friends, Itsuki is in the library studying, and I have no idea where Miku is."

"Shouldn't you be studying as well? And how do you not know where Miku is?"

"I don't know alright! And studying is boring, so I don't want to do it."

Jeez, no wonder her grades were abysmal. Naruto prayed for their new tutor. He was going to have his hands full.

But as always, Nino and Miku were at odds it seemed. It wasn't that they didn't like each other. Far from it. The two sisters loved one another and genuinely cared for the other, as did the other three. It's just that their personalities often clashed since they were the exact opposite. On that token, Nino was closer to Itsuki, and Miku and Ichika were the other pair, with Yotsuba getting along well with all four.

What troublesome quintuplets.

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"We actually moved recently. I'll text you the new address right away."

Wait, what? They moved? Why the hell had the old man failed to mention that?

'Probably deemed it unimportant since one of them was bound to tell me sooner or later.'

It was just the way the man was. Not that it wasn't annoying.

Naruto sighed.

"Alright. I'll be there whenever then."

"Urgh, you can at least make it sound a little bit romantic. And what's with the sigh, huh!?"

So he landed on a Nino-landmine, after all. Nothing new here.

Nakano Nino, the most fashionable of her sisters. Which was saying a lot since each sister liked to stylized their looks. It was a way to differentiate themselves from the other, down to their different hairstyles and color. Well…..in regards to the last one, Nino was different from the rest.

"It's about time you got here."

The girl in question stood before him now, her long hair flowing behind her. She was dressed in a simple purple dress along with white thigh high socks. Her usual two ribbons were on her head. And of course, just like her sisters, she was a natural beauty. Not that Naruto was focused on that. He'd known her since she was twelve, and she was practically like a little sister to him. That rang true for the other four.

"I think I arrived in a reasonable time," Naruto defended himself. He patted his stomach. "Besides, I'm starving. I don't have my usual strength with me right now."

Nino rolled her eyes. "Always with the same excuse….." She sounded annoyed, but the look on her face said otherwise.

Naruto raised an eyebrow when the girl suddenly ran up to him and engulfed him in a hug.

"I've missed you," she said softly.

Naruto smiled. She was still the same alright. No matter how much time passed, that endearing side of her would never change.

"Hey now, it's only been a few months. You knew I was coming back," he said this while ruffling her hair.

Nino slapped his hand away and stepped back, pouting a little as she did.

"I've told you to stop doing that. I'm not a little girl anymore."

Naruto chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. Old habits, ya know?" He then looked up to the building next to them, whistling. "New place I see. Your dad doesn't hold back."

Nino crossed her arms. "Yeah, we don't get it either. He suddenly had us move over here last week."

Last week, huh. Naruto had a pretty good idea why the man had done so then.

"We can't complain, though." Nino held her head high, smiling. "It's pretty spacious, and all our rooms are next to one another. We got a whole floor to ourselves too!"

Naruto playfully sulked. "Sounds great." His place didn't compare to this, not even close. Although that was mostly by choice. He had a fair amount of money saved up already, but he was never one to go for the lavish lifestyle. Probably because of how he had grown up. His apartment back in the village had been small, but it had been home all the same.

Nino stuck out her tongue before looking away, her cheeks reddening a little. "You can always move in with us. The offer is still in place…."

She had asked him the same thing before he had left for Russia all those months ago. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the gesture. The offer had simply caught him off guard.

His answer was still the same.

"Nah, I'd rather not intrude. And if there are only five rooms, there would be no place for me."

Nino knew of an easy way of solving that, but she was too embarrassed to suggest it.

'Probably too soon anyway….'

But in the off chance Naruto took her up in her offer….

Her cheeks reddened further. 'Bad thoughts, bad thoughts!'

Naruto was left confused by the girl's change in mood. Again, he could never understand her when she got like this.

"Anyway, should we get going?" Naruto turned for the street, looking ready to go. "I'm starving."

Nino instantly latched onto his arm, her cheeks still red. "T-Then let us go."

Naruto raised another eyebrow but didn't question her actions. Besides, there was something else on his mind.

"Wouldn't it be faster if you cooked something for us?"

"Btzz, too boring." Nino shot that idea down. "I haven't been able to go out lately because of some stupid exams, so I want to enjoy myself tonight." There was a twinkle in her eyes. "And this way, it feels more like a date."

A date, huh? She always said the darndest things.

Naruto shot her a smirk. "But exams, huh? Sounds like you worked hard this time around. I'm happy for you."

Nino blushed some more, although the reason why was pretty obvious.

"Don't patronize me. Besides, we still ended up failing anyway….."

She muttered the last part, but Naruto still heard her. He shrugged.

"The fact that you tried is a big improvement in my book. After that, the rest will come easy."

Nino started to pull him along. "Whatever. I don't want to talk about that. This is a date, so let's make it more interesting."

Naruto looked amused by her words but allowed the girl to continue pulling him down the street.

He had no problems indulging her and her 'jokes.'

"You know, I'm the one who just got back from a long trip. Shouldn't you be the one to treat me?"

"Don't be so barbaric. As a gentleman, you must always treat the lady."

"Right….."

Naruto wasn't buying it, but he didn't complain further as he dug into his meal.

Nino had chosen a simple restaurant for their so-called dinner date, which Naruto was happy with. He wasn't dressed for anything fancy, and he just wanted a quick meal anyway. After such a hectic day, anything else would be tiring.

Nino eyed the eating blond, noticing the pair of headphones on him. "I can't believe you're actually wearing them like Miku."

"Hmm?" Naruto was confused for a moment before realizing what the girl was talking about. "Oh, these." Naruto looked down at the headphones with fondness. "It was a gift from Miku, so of course I'm going to use them. But I'm not trying to start a fashion trend like her. I forgot to take them off after I got back to my apartment. That's how troublesome today has been."

"That tends to happen when you travel out of the country." Nino's eyes started to sparkle. "More importantly, did you win?"

Naruto chuckled. "But of course. I'm not going to lose that easily."

"W-Well, you never know. Karate can be tough, right?"

Naruto's eyebrow twitched. "It's Mixed Martial Arts. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"It's all the same!"

"No, it isn't. Every form of martial arts has its distinct form. They're art in their own way. Confusing them is only an insult to those who practice them."

"You always get like this when it comes to fighting," Nino commented, smiling. "Not that I don't like it."

What the heck did that mean?

"Just start to remember what it is I do," Naruto said. "Otherwise, I'm going to make you my student again."

Nino paled at the 'threat.' Training under the blond had been tough, torture even. He had put them through hell. Only Yotsuba still asked for training sessions, but that girl wasn't human.

"Alright, don't go throwing that around again! I'll try to pay more attention."

Naruto looked satisfied by her response.

"I think you should focus more on fencing, though," Nino added after taking a sip from her drink. "It's way more attractive."

Naruto was indeed a practitioner of both MMA and fencing. He only did the latter to help him with his meditating sessions. There was more grace to be had with fencing, even though Naruto wasn't big on using a sword.

"Hey, you've never complained when you came to see me fight the last time."

Nino started to blush at the memory. She had enjoyed the fight for different reasons than the blond was thinking. Not that she was going to tell him that. Again, not good timing.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt," she said as her blush started to die down. "Those fights are tough, and I've read up on what happens to some of the athletes. It's…..it's not pretty."

Ah. So she was worried about him. How touching.

Naruto smiled at her. "While I appreciate the sentiment, I can take care of myself. Heck, I've been looking out after you five all these years, haven't I?"

That was the role Naruto had fulfilled, acting as their unofficial bodyguard over the years. That stayed true after their mother married their step-father too, only that it became more 'official' since he started to get paid. Naruto had protested, since he didn't need to be paid for something like this. In the end, he had caved, if only to appease the man. That's why the father had so much faith in him. The money had helped him become more independent too, which Naruto was grateful for.

Nino looked down. "Yeah, but you're no longer around as much. You're always traveling, or doing something else. It's kinda lonely."

Naruto frowned at this. He hadn't meant to make it look like he was distancing himself from the sisters. Far from it. He still held them dear to his heart. He cared about them more than anyone else in this world.

"I'm sorry about that, Nino. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

"You're not tired of us, right?" Her voice was soft but clear.

Naruto reached over and flicked her on the forehead, making her yelp.

"W-What?" Nino rubbed her forehead and glared at Naruto. "What was that for!?"

Naruto shrugged. "For being an idiot."

"Wha-!"

"I'm not 'tired' of you, idiot," Naruto said, quoting her. "You know I care about all of you. That's never going to change. My life is simply a little busy right now."

Nino knew this, but she still wasn't happy with the way things were. Why? Well…..wasn't it obvious?

Naruto could tell she still wasn't happy, so he said, "If it makes you feel better, I won't be going anywhere for sometime."

Nino's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah. I've decided to focus on my studies for a while." Not that it would amount to anything…...probably. He had only graduated high school because he had been made to. A promise was a promise, after all.

Nino looked happy about this. "So you're staying in Japan then?"

"Basically, yeah."

"Mhmm, I'm sure everyone will be glad to hear it!"

Naruto chuckled some more. They probably wouldn't be this happy about it, though. Nino's face was the exact opposite of what it had been just a few minutes ago. Now she radiated pure happiness. It was great to know that she cared about him this much.

"This also means I'll get to enjoy your cooking more."

"O-Oh." Nino started to fidget in her seat. "I guess that's true. I know how poor your diet can be when all you eat is ramen."

"Oi." Don't diss the ramen.

"How did someone like you become a professional athlete again?"

Naruto almost reached over to flick her on the forehead again. "I'm not a pro." Not yet at least. "And you're just jealous me and Itsuki can eat like slobs and not gain any weight."

Nino pouted. She didn't deny it, though. Her youngest sister and Naruto were always pigging out but never gained weight. The blond she could understand. He trained a lot. His muscles were proof of that. But her sister? All Itsuki did was yoga in the mornings with her. Hardly enough to compensate for all the food she ate.

Frigging unfair. Why did Itsuki have the good metabolism?

"Whatever." She huffed. "I can cook for you at your place whenever you want, so be grateful."

"Yes, yes."

"Don't sound so dismissive dammit!"

Naruto simply laughed, annoying her further. But underneath that surface level annoyance was also contentment. Having Naruto around was enough for Nino to be happy and at ease. It was simply an effect Naruto had on others, and Nino was no exception.

Except…...that was no longer good enough for her. She wanted more. She had been struggling to come up with some sort of an answer for this dilemma, but now she had a chance. The blond would be sticking around, at least for a few months. That would give her the perfect opportunity she needed to deepen her relationship with him.

Nino licked her lips, her mind filled with what the coming months would bring.

And Naruto was none the wiser.

Title sucks. I know. I honestly had nothing for this, so I came up with the first thing that entered my mind. Still sucks.

And I know, why am I doing this when I have other stories to worry about? Because fuck romance anime that's why! Stupid thing got me hooked and then made me read the manga. I binged the whole thing in like 2 days.

I have a problem.

On the upside, this is the first crossover of its kind, so I'll be able to put this in the back burner while I get back to writing my other stories. This will also future shorter chapters. Probably nothing over 5k. This was just my way of finally writing this since it's been on my mind for like a week. Now, I can be at peace.

For the few of you who find this, hope you like it. It will be continued, but probably not for a bit. Maybe. My attention span is fickle, so who knows. But like I said before, I'll definitely be updating my other stories first.

That said, till next time.