Trouble

"Dattebane?"

At her strange verbal tic, the students below burst into laughter.

"Look at her hair. Unbelievable!"

"It's so red! How does hair even get that red?"

"She looks so weird..."

Hearing the chatter, Kushina's face turned faintly red. She awkwardly touched her hair.

I hate this!

I don't want my hair to be this red, either.

But it's part of me. What can I do about it?

The nervousness that had just begun to fade filled her again.

Just then, Minato's voice sounded beside her. "I think it's beautiful. Like a flame—it looks so full of life."

His voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to carry a steady strength, reaching everyone in the room.

At Minato's words, Kushina suddenly calmed down. She stared at him, dazed.

It was the first time anyone had told her that her hair was beautiful.

"Yeah, I think it looks lovely too."

Nonō warmly echoed Minato's words.

The class quieted a little at their words, but Kotai gave a scornful laugh and looked at Minato provocatively. "She looks just like a tomato. Minato, don't tell me you like her?"

Huh?

Why was someone helping him out?

Minato looked at Kotai and smiled brightly. "Why not? I like anyone who's optimistic, kind, and positive. And I hate anyone who's twisted and malicious—trash like that."

"Bastard! Who are you calling trash?!"

Kotai was instantly enraged. He slapped the desk and jumped to his feet.

"Huh? I didn't say you. Why are you getting so worked up?"

Minato tilted his head slightly, his smile as sunny as ever. Anyone could hear the teasing in his voice, and the class erupted in laughter.

"Damn you, you—!"

Kotai's face flushed red as he clenched his fists. All he wanted was to punch that infuriating smile.

"Enough. Quiet down!"

Ikkaku Umino frowned and stopped Kotai. Then he gently patted Kushina on the shoulder. "Kushina, tell us about your hobbies and dreams."

"I... I like eating ramen! My dream is to become the first female Hokage of this village!"

Becoming Hokage was the dream of most children in Konoha.

Kushina wasn't particularly fixated on the position. She just thought it might help her fit into the village.

The room fell quiet for a moment, but thankfully, no one else made a foolish comment.

Minato clapped softly, then raised his hand. "Teacher, there's a seat open here."

Ikkaku nodded. "All right, then Kushina can sit beside Minato. Everyone, get along!"

Kushina nodded and hurried over to sit beside Minato, then let out a long breath.

"Having everyone stare at you must've been nerve-racking, huh?"

"I was so nervous I could've died!"

Kushina pouted. Now that she had relaxed, a little of her true nature slipped out. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "What's the name of that jerk who made fun of me?"

"His name is Kotai."

Minato didn't hide it. Honestly, he liked this more genuine Kushina better than the timid girl who had just arrived yesterday.

"Making fun of someone just because their hair's a different color. What a disgusting guy!"

Kushina gave a soft snort. Then she noticed Minato smiling at her and realized she'd let her true nature show.

"W-what are you smiling at?"

Kushina lowered her head, embarrassed. Her little round face turned faintly red, making her look adorable.

"Nothing," Minato said warmly. "I just think this version of you feels more genuine."

At that, Kushina remembered how he'd just complimented her hair. Her face grew even redder.

She timidly looked up. "Do you really think... my hair is beautiful?"

"Mm!"

Minato nodded emphatically. "It suits you!"

"I see..."

Kushina felt so hot she could fry an egg on her face.

She didn't know what was happening to her. Her head felt light, and all she could think about was Minato.

His calmness while cooking, his gentleness when he spoke, the decisiveness with which he'd stood up for her.

In that moment, it was as if a seed had quietly sprouted in her heart.

Kushina didn't take in a single word of the lesson. She only snapped out of her thoughts when the bell rang.

"I... I'm going to the bathroom!"

Kushina lowered her head, stood up, and hurried out of the classroom.

In the front row, Kotai and the other two exchanged glances, then followed her without a word.

Minato caught their movement out of the corner of his eye. His expression turned thoughtful for a moment, then returned to normal. He left the classroom unhurriedly.

In the restroom, Kushina braced both hands on the sink and looked at her flushed face in the mirror. Her eyes held an emotion she couldn't quite name.

Splash—

She turned on the tap, wet her hands, and lightly patted her face, trying to cool it down.

Just then, a blonde girl came up beside her and turned on the next tap, washing her hands gently.

Kushina recognized her as the girl who had just spoken up for her.

"Um... thanks for what you said earlier."

Kushina thanked her politely. "My name's Kushina. May I ask yours?"

"Yakushi Nonō. You can just call me Nonō."

Nonō smiled amiably. "You don't have to thank me. Minato said this morning that a friend of his was transferring into our class. Naturally, Minato's friend is my friend too."

Kushina froze at that, and an inexplicable feeling rose in her heart.

"Um, are you and Minato close?"

"I suppose we're fairly close?"

A glint flickered in Nonō's eyes as she pretended to ponder. "We sat together when school started, and sometimes we still sit together. But Minato's kind to everyone, so I'm not sure how he feels about me."

Kind to everyone...

He's kind to everyone?

Nonō's words were like a basin of cold water, instantly snuffing out the warmth in Kushina's face.

So that was it...

Kushina's smile stiffened slightly. "I... I see. No wonder he's been so nice to me, haha..."

No. You're the first person Minato's treated specially!

Nonō didn't say that aloud. She simply replied gently, "Right? He really is a kind person."

Watching the light in Kushina's eyes gradually fade, Nonō suddenly felt disgusted with herself.

"Come on, let's head back to class together."

Nonō pressed her lips together, then gently took Kushina's hand. The two of them walked back toward the classroom together.

They hadn't gone far when three figures suddenly blocked their way.

Kotai, Tetsuo, and Shio stood side by side with their arms crossed, barring the two girls' path.

"It's you..."

Kushina frowned.

"Wow! The tomato can talk!" Shio shouted with exaggerated enthusiasm. Kotai and Tetsuo burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

Kushina glanced at how many of them there were, then quietly pulled Nonō behind her.

Noticing what Kushina had done, Nonō's eyes flickered with surprise. Then her expression darkened, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.