In the classroom.
Because of her father's death, Hyuga Senrin sat alone at her desk, depressed and withdrawn.
Several male classmates nearby had gathered together, laughing and roughhousing.
Yet in between their horseplay, those boys would occasionally sneak glances at Hyuga Senrin.
A young boy's affection was always so carefully concealed, yet so obvious.
In her classmates' eyes, Hyuga Senrin had always been exceptionally gentle and frail.
That sort of disposition was especially capable of stirring a young male's protective instincts.
Though Hyuga Senrin sat at her desk in low spirits, her eyes kept drifting toward the classroom door.
She had heard that Tunan-kun's parents had also died on the battlefield.
Just like her, he was an orphan now.
They were the same kind of people...
Bang.
While two boys were roughhousing, one of them pinned the other firmly to the ground.
"Do you admit defeat?"
"No."
"Do you admit defeat?"
"Hmph, Senrin, Asuma secretly said he likes you last time."
"I... no... I didn't... I..."
Asuma immediately stood up, looking helplessly at Hyuga Senrin.
Hyuga Senrin calmly glanced at Asuma before burying her head in the crook of her arms.
She's embarrassed... Does she like me too...
Asuma stood there stupidly, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind in an instant.
When their son grew up and awakened the Byakugan, should he belong to the Sarutobi Clan or the Hyuga Clan?
Just then, Uchiha Tunan and Uchiha Mina walked into the classroom side by side.
The entire classroom suddenly fell silent.
A few breaths later, the classroom erupted into cheers and teasing.
It was mostly the boys egging them on, saying things like the two of them should get married right there.
Uchiha Mina did not seem inclined to refute them. She merely lowered her head shyly.
That made everyone, who had only been joking around at first, feel that there really was something going on between them.
Uchiha Tunan simply smiled gently. Neither denying nor admitting it, he politely greeted everyone.
"Good morning, everyone."
In the classroom, only Hyuga Senrin stared fixedly at Uchiha Tunan and Uchiha Mina.
Her hands clenched tightly.
Her heart screamed without end.
No... Tunan-kun and I are the same kind of people.
Tunan-kun can only be mine.
Right. Tunan-kun didn't admit it. He can't possibly have feelings for Mina.
As for Mina...
If you dare steal Tunan-kun...
A flash of savagery crossed Hyuga Senrin's face.
It happened to be caught by Asuma, who had been watching Hyuga Senrin closely.
"Senrin, what's wrong?" Asuma asked with concern.
Could it be that you don't agree with our son joining the Sarutobi Clan?
The morning passed quickly. After nearly every class, Uchiha Mina would take the initiative to come chat with Uchiha Tunan.
Hyuga Senrin sat toward the back of the classroom, staring unblinkingly at the two of them every time.
As if someone had stolen something precious from her.
During the break before the afternoon's final class, Uchiha Mina did not come over.
Uchiha Tunan had no interest in roughhousing with the other students. Instead, he sat alone at his desk, studying advanced theoretical knowledge.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the corner of Uchiha Tunan's vision.
Hyuga Senrin approached Uchiha Tunan with a book in her arms, her face tense as she said, "Tunan-kun, I couldn't understand what the teacher taught last class. Could you tutor me?"
"Classmates should help each other. Come, have a seat." Uchiha Tunan smiled with gentle grace and patted the empty seat beside him.
Hyuga Senrin nodded and sat down beside Uchiha Tunan.
Uchiha Tunan leaned slightly toward her and took the initiative to open her book for her.
The faint scent of soap wafting from his white shirt made Hyuga Senrin's mind buzz in an instant.
"Last class, the teacher covered Explosive Tag placement methods and the requirements for remote activation. Tell me what you don't understand." Uchiha Tunan's gentle voice pulled Hyuga Senrin back to reality.
But Hyuga Senrin had been distracted just now and had not heard what Uchiha Tunan said at all. She could only stammer, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Do you not understand any of it?"
Uchiha Tunan leaned in a little closer and pointed at the contents of the book.
"It's alright. I'll explain it from the beginning, bit by bit. If you don't understand after one explanation, I'll explain it a few more times.
And don't worry about troubling me. Once you truly understand, or if you find anything you don't understand, just tell me."
"Mm." Hyuga Senrin's face was as red as a ripe persimmon.
"The essence of Explosive Tags... the effects of humidity on Explosive Tags..."
Behind them, Uchiha Mina watched the scene with fury on her face, secretly clenching her fists.
Damn it. That bitch always pretended to be weak, and now she actually dared seduce Tunan-kun.
No. Tunan-kun is pure-hearted. If I go over and make a scene now, he'll definitely think I'm being unreasonable.
I have to stay calm. Tunan-kun doesn't like violent, arrogant girls.
Hmph. I nearly fell for that bitch's scheme.
Before long, the bell for class rang.
Uchiha Tunan gently turned his head and said to Hyuga Senrin, who was close at hand.
"It's the final class soon. I'll have to teach you more tomorrow."
Hyuga Senrin looked into Uchiha Tunan's star-bright eyes, half-dazed and half-intoxicated. "Thank you. Can I treat you to a meal? I want to thank you."
Uchiha Tunan paused, then a sunshine-like smile spread across his face. "But after school, I need to go to Kakashi's house to spar with him. If we eat, it might be rather late."
"That's alright. I'll wait for you."
"Alright, then. Actually, even if you don't treat me to dinner, you don't need to feel that you owe me anything."
"I simply want to thank you. What would Tunan-kun like to eat?"
"Anything is fine. How about ramen? It's affordable and tasty."
"Mm."
Hyuga Senrin nodded, hugged her book to her chest, and rose from her seat.
The moment she turned around, she saw Uchiha Mina standing behind her expressionlessly, looking at her with a gaze only women could understand.
Hyuga Senrin instantly understood what she meant. It was a warning.
With Uchiha Tunan present, both of them chose not to make a scene, merely clashing through their eyes in secret.
Uchiha Mina also returned to her seat.
She had heard everything Hyuga Senrin had said about inviting Uchiha Tunan to dinner.
Uchiha Mina intended to teach Hyuga Senrin an unforgettable lesson.
After school, Uchiha Mina had originally intended to invite Uchiha Tunan first and walk home with him, since they were headed the same way.
However, Kakashi neatly beat her to it.
"Are you coming with me, or..." Kakashi lazily shook his head.
Although Kakashi had no interest in what had happened that day, he had still noticed some of it.
Kakashi felt that Uchiha Tunan was merely being friendly to his classmates, while those girls were the ones taking the initiative to pester him.
After all, Kakashi also had several little fangirls, and they had annoyed him to no end.
He figured Uchiha Tunan was probably in the same situation.
Still, he asked symbolically.
"Of course I'm going to your house to practice swordsmanship together. Where else would I go?" Uchiha Tunan replied with a bewildered expression.
Kakashi nodded at that.
The two left the classroom shoulder to shoulder.
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