Something about her matter of fact statement stalls Naruto entirely, still and staring, drifting closer to her face in the water a foot from his own. Face blossoming into a smile, he smooths his bangs out of his eyes, before giving her a look nothing short of quixotic. He's close enough now that he can see the water beading in her lashes and eyebrows. It's an image he thinks he doesn't want to give up any time soon.

"Really?" he asks, voice smaller, and rougher, to cross only the small distance between them. "I guess I need a little help keeping my head above water."