An Ordinary Dusk

Tejima Shinichi left the school grounds and headed home.

Konoha's streets were bustling at dusk, with ninjas returning from a day of missions, students leaving school, and civilians weaving through the crowds.

He had not gone far when another figure blocked his path at a quiet intersection leading into the residential district.

The boy wore the white uniform of the Ninja Academy, his long hair tied behind his head and a ninja forehead protector wrapped around his brow. Most striking of all were his flawless, pure white eyes.

Hyuga Neji.

Tejima Shinichi stopped and looked at the Hyuga branch family boy, who was a year above him and renowned throughout Konoha as a genius.

He was at a loss for words.

What kind of day was this?

One after another, they were all coming to find him.

"Shinichi."

Hyuga Neji spoke, undisguised fighting spirit blazing in his Byakugan.

Tejima Shinichi sighed and stepped forward.

"Neji. What, are you like that Uchiha brat too? Want to 'spar' with me?" Tejima Shinichi's tone carried a hint of mockery. "Was the lesson I gave you last time not enough? You came looking for me again so soon."

At that, Hyuga Neji frowned slightly, clearly recalling an unpleasant memory.

Ever since he had met Tejima Shinichi, they had fought countless times... or rather, he had challenged Tejima Shinichi countless times. But without exception, every result had been a crushing defeat.

The Gentle Fist's precise strikes were greatly weakened against the other boy's monstrous amount of "Chakra."

"You graduated today," Hyuga Neji said, his gaze fixed tightly on Tejima Shinichi. "Before you graduate, I want to confirm it one more time..."

"Confirm the gap between us?" Tejima Shinichi interrupted, shaking his head. "There's no need, Neji. The gap between us isn't something that can change in just a few days, or after you graduate... It's not as if we haven't sparred before. You should know that well enough."

Hyuga Neji fell silent.

His defenses were crumbling.

Ever since receiving Might Guy's guidance, Neji had felt himself improving. He had come to spar with Shinichi repeatedly because of that, yet every challenge against Tejima Shinichi still felt like facing an insurmountable mountain.

They were clearly the same age, clearly both geniuses, yet... sigh!

That sense of helplessness was even more suffocating than the Caged Bird Cursed Seal the Main Family had carved into his forehead.

Several seconds passed before Hyuga Neji slowly unclenched his fists, as though all the strength had drained from his body. In a low voice, he said:

"Yes... I know. Perhaps this is... fate!"

His voice was incomparably heavy.

Tejima Shinichi looked at him. He neither agreed with Hyuga Neji's beliefs about fate nor cared to argue against them.

Everyone had their own path to walk. Immersing oneself in one's own tragedy was the choice of the person involved.

"Think whatever you want. But if you want to fight... I think we'll have a real stage someday. When that time comes, let me see your true strength."

Tejima Shinichi passed him and continued toward home, tossing out one last sentence.

"Don't disappoint me, Neji!"

Hyuga Neji remained where he was without turning around, merely listening as the footsteps behind him gradually faded away.

He raised his head and looked through the interlacing branches at the sky. The dimming light reflected in his Byakugan, complex and unreadable.

Tejima Shinichi's figure disappeared at the end of the street, leaving behind yet another so-called "genius" who had tried to challenge him.

Tejima Shinichi pushed open the front door.

"I'm home."

The light in the entryway was warm, and the scent of food drifted out from the kitchen.

"Welcome home, Shinichi."

A gentle voice called out.

Mori Chie leaned out from the kitchen, still holding a soup ladle.

Her features were soft and graceful, though traces of her former heroism could still be seen between her brows. Her long period of recuperation had left her skin somewhat pale, but it did nothing to diminish her beauty.

Wearing an apron, her long hair loosely pinned up, she smiled at Tejima Shinichi.

At that moment, a figure shot out of the living room and threw an arm around Tejima Shinichi's shoulders.

"Oh~! My Top Student son is back!"

Teshima Kazuto had black hair similar to his son's, though far messier, and a broad grin on his face. He was bursting with energy, nothing like the composed Medical Chunin at the hospital.

Tejima Shinichi raised a brow, somewhat surprised.

"Old Man? You're back pretty early. No overtime at the hospital today?"

Teshima Kazuto puffed out his chest, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"Of course! Tomorrow is the big day when my son takes his graduation exam! And he'll graduate as the Top Student!! As his father, how could I not come home early to cheer on my most important son?"

The corner of Tejima Shinichi's mouth twitched involuntarily at the sight of his father like this.

"Is that so..." His tone shifted. "Actually, instead of cheering me on, I'd rather you spar with me. It's been a long time since we last trained together. My combat experience is getting rusty."

The instant those words fell, the smile on Teshima Kazuto's face froze.

He abruptly let go of his son and took half a step back with tactical precision, his eyes beginning to dart about.

"Ah... well... ahem..."

Teshima Kazuto raised a hand to rub his nose, then scratched his head, looking incredibly busy.

"Sparring is a good thing, yes, very good... But look, Shinichi, you have your exam tomorrow, right? You should rest well tonight and conserve your strength! Yes, conserving your strength is what matters most! Besides... uh... your mother made lots of delicious food. It wouldn't be good if it got cold..."

As he spoke, he quietly edged toward the kitchen, not daring to meet Tejima Shinichi's eyes at all.

Tejima Shinichi watched his father's obvious guilt and evasive mumbling without much concern.

His Chunin father had ceased to be his opponent two years ago.

During their last "spar," Teshima Kazuto had been buried underground by a single Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu and had needed considerable effort to crawl back out. Ever since then, he had found all sorts of excuses to avoid training with him.

Thinking of that, Tejima Shinichi's lips curved upward as he said:

"Oh? Conserving your strength... Old Man, don't tell me you're... scared? Scared of losing to your son again, so you don't dare spar with me?!"

Those words were like stepping on his tail.

Teshima Kazuto bristled instantly, straightening up sharply as his face flushed slightly.

"Nonsense! Who, who's scared?!" His voice rose unconsciously as he tried to hide his guilt with volume. "I'm considering what's best for you! You have an exam tomorrow! Your condition is what matters most!"

He waved his arms and put on a serious expression.

"And besides! I'm a Medical Ninja! A Medical Ninja, understand? Our specialty is saving lives and healing the wounded, not fighting and killing on training grounds! Combat was never my main field!"

Seemingly having found a theoretical basis, Teshima Kazuto sounded more and more convinced of his own argument, nodding firmly.

"That's right! Exactly! And I'm your father! What kind of son spends all day thinking about knocking his father flat? Does that make any sense?!"

Teshima Kazuto puffed out his chest, trying to reclaim a little of his fatherly dignity, but his darting eyes and slightly leaning-back body still exposed his lack of confidence.

Tejima Shinichi merely looked at him calmly, his gaze seeming to say, Keep making things up.

Watching her husband's embarrassment from the kitchen doorway, Mori Chie could not help chuckling and shaking her head.

"Kazuto, we know you're amazing. Come help carry the dishes."

"Coming, coming!"

As if granted a pardon, Teshima Kazuto hurriedly slipped into the kitchen.

Tejima Shinichi watched his father's retreating back and did not press the matter further. He changed into slippers and headed toward his room to put down his schoolbag.

A goofy father, a gentle mother—the warmth of home surrounded him...

For the moment, it shut out the pointless disturbances from the school gate.