The Easily Shy Hinata

Seeing Lu Yu and Shikamaru chatting in low voices, Ino couldn't help but curiously lean in, her clear eyes watching Lu Yu with great interest.

Then, Ino said with a grin:

"Not bad, Lu Yu! You usually look even less motivated than Shikamaru, so I never expected you to be this impressive!"

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all... just good luck..."

Just as Lu Yu was trying to laugh it off and brush it aside, it happened to be Ino's turn to test.

The young girl waved at the two brothers and walked calmly into the training ground.

Five minutes later—

"Yamanaka Ino: Ninjutsu: 9, Shuriken: 6, Taijutsu: 5."

It was a solid score that guaranteed her admission.

Just like that, about an hour and a half later, the list of admitted students was announced based on their rankings.

Second Pillar, Akimichi Choji, Haruno Sakura... a whole host of names that Lu Yu was incredibly familiar with were called out.

However, Uzumaki Naruto had been eliminated.

Watching Uzumaki Naruto sitting alone on the swing, Lu Yu walked over and patted him on the shoulder:

"Don't take it to heart, there's still a make-up exam."

For this dejected protagonist, Lu Yu couldn't help but offer a bit of comfort before heading home with Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru.

Naruto watched their retreating figures, feeling a mix of touched and envious, and then the expression on his face became even more determined.

And so, the morning entrance exam came to an end.

Students confirmed for admission were taken home under the satisfied gazes of their parents.

Even those who failed still had a chance at the make-up exam; those like Naruto had to train harder and strive to pass, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to enroll until next year.

However, Lu Yu wasn't worried about that. After all, this was the child of the Fourth Hokage; he didn't believe Sarutobi would truly let Naruto fail.

The next morning.

Lu Yu and Shikamaru were dragged out of bed by their mother. Yawning, they were helplessly hauled out of their warm blankets by Nara Yoshino, one in each hand.

Lu Yu glanced at the clock; it was only seven o'clock. He looked at Nara Yoshino helplessly:

"Mom, can't you let me sleep a bit longer before going to school? This is way too early..."

"Me too, yawn..."

Nara Yoshino rubbed the heads of the two little ones and said cheerfully:

"You two usually sleep until noon, but now that you're in school, things have to be different. From now on, you must get up at this time."

Hearing this, the two let out a synchronized wail. Dazed and unaware of what they were even eating, they mechanically shoveled breakfast into their mouths before being chased out of the house by their mother.

Lu Yu brushed the footprint off his backside and couldn't help but mutter:

"I seriously suspect she's a stepmother..."

Shikamaru nodded:

"I have that feeling too."

The two brothers complained a bit, but still headed toward the Ninja Academy.

Because they arrived quite early, only a few other new students were in the classroom when they got there.

Lu Yu scanned the room, his eyes lighting up slightly. He walked into the classroom nonchalantly and chose a seat by the window.

Yes, this was a great spot for sleeping.

Soon, one of the two main protagonists, Second Pillar, arrived, sitting in the front two rows with a stuck-up expression.

Seeing Second Pillar like that, Lu Yu shook his head and didn't pay him any mind—

He could only act stuck-up now.

After the Uchiha clan was wiped out, he would become a completely different person.

In Lu Yu's view, of the two protagonists, while Uzumaki Naruto's life was truly tragic, his moral compass was incredibly straight.

Second Pillar was different; he was certainly miserable, but his mindset was particularly prone to exploding.

Ignoring Second Pillar, Lu Yu slumped over his desk and began to doze off again; he was determined to make up for the sleep he lost this morning.

As time passed, people trickled in, and the seats were soon filled. At a rough glance, there were about forty-some students.

Yamanaka Ino sat in front of Lu Yu, with Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji beside her.

Ino looked at Lu Yu, who was slumped over his desk looking exhausted, and her dainty nose wrinkled slightly, but she held back and didn't disturb his rest.

Soon, Lu Yu drifted into a dream, only waking up in a daze when someone sat down next to him.

Turning his head, Lu Yu looked at his new seatmate.

It was such a coincidence that when Lu Yu looked over, he happened to catch Hinata, that little girl, secretly peeking at him.

Subconsciously, Lu Yu flashed a sunny smile at Hinata.

Oh my god!

Lu Yu-kun smiled at me!

Lu Yu-kun smiled at me!

Lu Yu-kun smiled at me!

In that moment, Hinata's mind was filled with nothing but that single thought; her face flushed a deep, uncontrollable crimson, and she nearly fainted on the spot.

Watching Hinata's reaction, Lu Yu was also somewhat stunned.

No way, I just gave you a little smile, and you can blush this hard?

The next instant, Lu Yu hurriedly caught Hyuga Hinata's swaying body, his face full of speechlessness.

"Isn't this a bit too shy? Being like this is going to be a problem..."

A minute later, Hyuga Hinata slowly regained consciousness, her small face still burning red as she spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum:

"Um... Lu Yu-kun, please take care of me."