Crazy Guy!

Ever since Uchiha Itachi became my little brother, I'd been working twice as hard.

I'd started getting up at 4:30 sharp again. It was like I had a fire lit under me. I never got tired or felt worn out, and all the thoughts in my head seemed to gather into a single thread. No more distractions plagued me; my heart and mind were focused entirely on training.

It was a way to hone both my body and my spirit.

I liked this feeling. It was as if I'd found myself again.

At four in the morning, Konoha's sky was still dark, but the stars had already begun to fade. Above me, the heavens were a hazy blend of blue and gray, the moon behind the clouds growing dim.

It was beautiful, yet cold and lonely.

Anyone who went out at this hour must have felt lonely, too.

I breathed out a cloud of warmth and set out beneath the stars, quickly making my way to the spot I'd picked out during the day. I stretched, then prepared to start running.

Taijutsu had always been my weak point. I blamed it on my matchstick-thin frame, so I decided to start over with physical conditioning: strengthen my body, build muscle, and get in shape.

That was what a man ought to do.

Tap, tap, tap!

Just as I was about to start running, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. They were quick and hurried—whoever it was was clearly running.

I looked back. Beneath the moonlight, a figure approached from afar. As he drew closer, I gradually made out his appearance.

A bowl cut, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a green jumpsuit. His running form was exaggerated, and he radiated youthful energy.

Who else could it be but Might Guy?

As he ran, he shouted things like, "Crazy Guy! Burning with passion!" His words were incredibly inspiring.

I stood there watching him come closer, until he finally stopped in front of me, panting heavily.

Might Guy was still a boy at this point, and hadn't yet developed his signature toothy grin. He looked surprised to see me. "Hey, who are you?"

"Senior, my name's Uchiha Akatsuki. I came here to run."

Compared to Guy, I really was a newcomer. I also admired him greatly—this sunny, strong, hardworking true powerhouse who kept at it day after day, year after year.

Might Guy, who didn't rely on his bloodline but instead worked hard enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods, certainly deserved to be called my senior.

"Ah, you've got a real fighting spirit! Then let's race! Let's see if you're worthy of being my rival!" He was clearly excited. As soon as he finished speaking, he took off. Full of energy, I sprang after him.

Beneath the faint starlight, two figures raced along the dirt road, moving so fast they left afterimages in their wake and kicked up clouds of dust.

I followed him around the lake and through the ravine for several laps. We raced on for who knew how long, until the eastern sky had begun to pale. My strength started to give out, and I couldn't control my ragged breathing. Guy's speed, however, didn't slacken at all. If anything, he seemed to be getting faster.

As expected of the Guy King... I gave a bitter laugh to myself and kept up for a few more laps. Only when my chest began to ache and I tasted blood in my throat did I slow down and gradually come to a stop.

It was already broad daylight.

Konoha was full of life in the morning. Breakfast shops along the roadside filled the air with fragrant steam. People yawned as they opened up and swept their shops, while children appeared beneath the rosy dawn with their backpacks—some sleepy, some full of energy.

I walked down the street. The morning dew, the scent of flowers, the earth, and the smell of food mingled together, clearing my head and lifting my spirits.

My lungs tickled, and I coughed softly twice. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and entered the food street, eyes shining.

Heaven! Konoha's morning food street was heaven!

Once I was inside, I headed straight for my destination. I hesitated for a long time between Ichiraku Ramen and the dango shop, but in the end, I chose a steaming bowl of ramen.

"Uncle, I'll have a bowl of ramen, with an extra serving of pork!" I took a seat at the counter and snapped apart my chopsticks, brimming with happiness.

"Coming right up!"

Having a carb bomb for breakfast was just too good!

Hatake Kakashi had just stepped into the ramen shop when he noticed the child.

The red-and-white crest on his back stood out. His unruly black hair was swept behind his ears, revealing a fair cheek. Steam misted his dark eyes, and a glistening bead of sweat clung to his forehead. As he ate, the tip of his nose twitched, his soft pink lips bit into the food, and his cheeks puffed up as he chewed. He was incredibly cute.

Kakashi stopped in place, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Akatsuki. He felt strangely conflicted.

So the young master of the Uchiha Clan liked ramen, too?

"One bowl of tonkotsu ramen."

I was enjoying my meal and hadn't noticed the figure taking a seat in the corner. His voice just sounded a little familiar.

"Hey, Kakashi. It's been a while," Teuchi said. I nearly choked on my soup and took a while to catch my breath.

Hatake... Kakashi?

I looked up and spotted a flash of silver hair. My heart immediately began to race.

I tightened my grip on my chopsticks and couldn't help sneaking a glance at him. Just one look, and my heart was already about to leap out of my chest.

Fortunately, Kakashi hadn't noticed.

A little while later, I sneaked another look at him. By then, I'd already figured out some of the finer points of spying, and I stared a little more brazenly.

Finally, as I cleared away the dishes, I stole one last look, unwilling to give up.

And with that last glance, I met a pair of drooping dark eyes.

I'd been caught!

My heartbeat became a steady roar. Blood rushed to my head, and I even forgot to turn away, just staring at him in a daze.

The boy's silver hair was a mess, and a Forehead Protector was strapped to his head. His eyes looked listless, but they were still sharp. Though I couldn't see the face beneath his mask, his handsome brow and high nose were more than enough to make him devastatingly good-looking.

The longer I stared, the hotter my cheeks grew. I was probably blushing.

My thoughts were a mess, my eyes darting around. I was completely on the back foot!

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but it was as if my throat had been glued shut. I couldn't even bring myself to greet him!

Idiot! Uchiha Akatsuki, you idiot! Where had all your reason and composure gone?!

Two seats apart in the ramen shop, I stared at Kakashi, and Kakashi stared at me. One of us met his gaze calmly; the other had completely lost her nerve.

Going by the usual novel tropes, something was supposed to happen between us now.

"Kakashi! Let's have a youthful duel!" A loud voice rang in my ears as Might Guy burst into the ramen shop and threw an arm around Kakashi, blocking my view completely.

"I'm in great shape today!" Guy chattered on, as full of youthful energy and burning passion as ever.

My savior!

I quickly left the money for my meal and slipped away from my seat amid the commotion.

Kakashi glanced at Konoha's Blue Beast without much interest, then turned his gaze back to where Uchiha Akatsuki had been sitting—only to find the spot empty.

For some reason, Uchiha Akatsuki's gaze had seemed familiar to him.

It was just like the shy look the girls at school gave him, tinged with a certain kind of affection.

He'd probably imagined it.

"Kuixing, here." We'd finally made it to school. I handed Uchiha Aoi a bag of pastries containing the croissant I'd brought for her. It was fresh from the oven and smelled delicious.

Gasps and envious murmurs rippled around us. With all eyes on her, her face quickly turned scarlet. Without a word, she snatched the bag and hurried back to her seat, curling up around the pastry like a cute little squirrel.

I looked around in confusion, then called to a few boys who were whistling, "What's wrong? You want one, too?"

"Akatsuki, how did your morning run go?" Aoi's voice came from beside me in class. I turned to see her eyes sparkling. She was adorable.

"It went great. I'll tell you all about it after class." I'd corrected her habit of talking during lessons countless times, but she still hadn't changed.

I kept scribbling notes, flipping through one book after another as I tried to find practical information, as well as all the key points and difficult sections. I committed them to memory, determined to put them to use.

"Isn't this next semester's textbook? Why are you reading it now?" Aoi leaned closer, looking puzzled.

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Born in adversity, die in comfort'?" I said sagely, tapping the little girl on the head with my pen. "If you trust me, study with me."

She blinked and tilted her head like a confused puppy, but obediently opened the book and began working through it page by page.

She was a quick learner!