Heartbreak

"The notebook records in detail how Nebula Kotetsu did things he shouldn't have with them... with them." Obito Uchiha's face reddened, as if he were embarrassed to say it aloud. "You know, things he shouldn't do with women."

"Take a look."

It was the result of a whole night's work.

After changing tactics from "digging up dirt" to "proving he was romantically involved with lots of women," he'd been hit with a rolling pin, but he'd still managed to get some results.

He'd even shamelessly begged several people to sign the supporting evidence.

He believed that with this "proof of guilt," Rin Nohara would see Nebula Kotetsu for who he really was and cut ties with him for good!

Under his expectant gaze, Rin stared at the notebook in front of her.

The seconds ticked by.

Rin made no move.

A complicated look flickered in her eyes.

Curiosity.

Nervousness.

Fear.

Avoidance...

"Rin, what's wrong?"

"Why aren't you looking?"

"Y-you should open it and take a look!" Obito blurted anxiously.

But to his disappointment, Rin ultimately didn't open it.

"Obito, I'm not going to read it."

"Whether what you brought is true or not, we shouldn't pry into Nebula's private life as his classmates."

"Don't you think what you're doing is going too far?"

Obito froze.

"I... I just..."

Watching Obito stumble over his words, Rin shook her head in disappointment.

Obito panicked and blurted out, "Rin!"

"I didn't mean to!"

"I was just afraid you'd get hurt."

Rin looked at him with displeasure. "Nebula and I are just classmates."

"Hurt how?"

Hearing that, Obito felt he could breathe again. But Rin's next words made his heart sink.

"Besides, don't you think your concern is crossing a line?"

"Crack!" Something broke.

Maybe it was his heart. Or maybe it was Obito himself.

He stood there, stunned, feeling cold all over despite the summer heat. He couldn't help trembling.

Rin's words pierced his heart like a knife.

"Don't you think your concern is crossing a line?"

"Crossing a line?"

"A line?"

"A..."

The space before him seemed to shrink. The depth of the world shifted, and its colors faded away.

All that remained was a hint of purple on Rin's face.

Had he crossed a line?

Rin had never spoken so coldly to him before. He'd never even considered the question.

He'd simply been savoring her warmth and thoughtfulness.

He'd believed that warmth and thoughtfulness were meant for him alone.

Nebula Kotetsu's arrival had made him feel deeply threatened!

That sense of threat had kept him from eating or sleeping, so he'd gone to such lengths to make Rin see Nebula for who he was. His goal... was to have that warmth all to himself again.

Obito knew all too well that he liked Rin Nohara.

He liked her very, very much!

It wasn't just her looks. He liked her fresh scent, the gentle way she cared about him, and how understanding and forgiving she was when he made mistakes.

He liked that captivating smile.

Deep down, he vaguely felt that Rin... probably liked him too.

Otherwise, why would she smile at him so gently, with a smile so intoxicating? To protect that gentle smile, he was willing to give up everything!

Of course, Rin had no idea what Obito was thinking at that moment. If she had, she might not have been able to stop herself from complaining.

"I'm not only gentle with you!"

"I'm just a gentle person! I was born smiling!"

Now, watching Obito stand frozen before her, seemingly cut off from the world around him, Rin couldn't help feeling a little regretful.

Had what she'd just said about "boundaries" been too hurtful?

She felt bad, but she was still angry about him taking matters into his own hands, and couldn't bring herself to apologize.

Just then, someone walked into the classroom.

"Everyone."

"Head outside and gather on the main field!"

"Bring your ninja tool pouches."

Rin breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Obito, she offered him an olive branch, though her tone still carried a trace of anger.

"Come on. Let's head to the field."

"...Oh... okay." Obito answered automatically, struggling to contain the turmoil inside him. He picked up his bag and followed her.

The Ninja Academy sports field.

More and more people gathered.

Besides Rin's class, students from other classes were there too. She glanced around and realized that the whole year was coming.

Several tables and chairs had been temporarily set up as a dais on the north side of the field. A few teachers sat behind them, with thick stacks of documents in front of them.

Everyone grew tense.

"What's going on?"

"This is quite the setup."

"Was last year's graduation exam like this too?"

"No idea. I didn't pay attention last year. Why don't you ask that dead-last student, Nebula Kotetsu? He's taken it twice, so he must know."

"Like I haven't thought of that. He's late."

"Wait! He's here! You can ask him now."

"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm not asking him now."

Amid the crowd's whispers, a teacher sitting on a chair picked up the microphone in front of him.

"Quiet down, quiet down."

"If anyone talks again, they'll have to stand at the edge of the field and listen."

After those two warnings, the crowd fell silent at once.

The teacher nodded in satisfaction, then said, "This year, we've made some changes to the format of the graduation exam."

"It will be divided into three parts."

"First is the academic assessment."

"That's already complete. The rankings were determined by your exam results over the past year."

"Second is the practical assessment."

"In a moment, the teachers will pair you up with opponents of similar ability based on your recent sparring classes. You'll be graded on your performance."

"For this, Lord Hokage has specially appointed an outstanding graduate, Chunin Kaede Hyuga, to serve as your referee."

As he spoke, a woman in a hood lowered the documents she'd been reviewing and took off her hood. She nodded to everyone in greeting.

At her appearance, the crowd erupted.

"Whoa!"

"Kaede-senpai!"

"She's beautiful!"

"Oh my goodness!"

Exclamations rang through the crowd.

She was famous: a graduate three years ahead of them. When many of them had first enrolled in the Ninja Academy, she'd already been a well-known figure at the school, a celebrated prodigy.

And she was simply too beautiful!

The woman wore a Chunin combat uniform, but even its plain colors couldn't hide her graceful figure. More striking than her figure was her face.

Every feature was exquisite.

Her nose, mouth, jaw, and cheeks were all beautiful, and perfectly harmonious.

Her pure white eyes had a distinctive beauty of their own, while the Forehead Protector on her head lent her a hint of heroism. As she removed her hood, her smooth, long hair spilled down. More than a few boys stared at her, dumbfounded.