Shikaba, School's Out

To avoid the awkwardness, Kisuke hurriedly changed the subject.

"Next, I'll announce our class's results."

But the kids weren't buying it.

Someone shouted,

"Kisuke-sensei's changing the subject!"

The kid beside him immediately chimed in.

"Yeah! You promised to treat us to a feast if we came first!"

"Exactly! Konoha people don't lie to Konoha people. Don't try to trick us!"

"Kisuke-sensei's the worst! He even lies to kids!"

The children's uproar nearly lifted the roof.

Just then, a quiet voice drifted through the room.

"Come on, everyone, forgive Kisuke-sensei. He has it tough too."

"If I had to guess, his monthly salary probably isn't in his own hands."

Huh?

The kids froze for a moment.

Then their little faces lit up with all sorts of expressions.

"Is that so?"

"That must be it!"

Nagano Nami grinned wickedly.

"Kisuke-sensei, you should've just told us you had your reasons. We all understand."

Someone else joined in.

"Yeah, yeah. We get it!"

Children in this world matured awfully fast.

To them, gossip like this was far more tempting than a feast.

A girl said with a giggle,

"I never knew Kisuke-sensei doted on his wife so much. I love it."

"When I grow up, I want to marry a man like Kisuke-sensei... I mean his personality, not his looks."

Kisuke Urahara covered his face with both hands.

He felt that, from this moment on, he had lost every shred of dignity he had as a teacher.

If he hadn't been wearing shoes, he would have been so embarrassed he could have dug a three-bedroom apartment out of the floor with his toes.

Kisuke shot a resentful look at the kid who had started it all.

"Thank you so much, Shikaba."

Shikaba waved a hand and muttered under his breath,

"That's why women are such a pain."

With his pineapple-shaped hair, Shikaba sprawled lazily across his desk.

That unmistakable look, coupled with his extraordinary IQ, made it obvious he belonged to the Nara Clan.

Once the kids had finished making a racket,

Kisuke tapped the desk and drew their attention again.

"All right, I'll announce the results now."

"When I call your name, come up and collect your test paper."

At the mention of results, the mood grew tense.

"Whew, I'm so nervous."

"Me too. If I did badly, I'm getting beaten when I go home again =="

"Ha! Good thing I'm an orphan."

"...??? I'll be sure to tell your aunt and uncle you're an orphan."

"Don't! I'll buy you a drink after school. Please, have a heart."

Kisuke read aloud, "First place, Kakashi Hatake."

Kakashi rose without a word, took his paper, and sat down again.

Kisuke was used to it. That kid never seemed to have any feelings.

"Second place, Shikaba Nara."

Shikaba got up at a leisurely pace, like an old man in his seventies or eighties.

Top Student A let out a wail.

"Ah, those two took the top spots again. I bet I'm third."

Top Student B shook his head and sighed.

"Being in the same class as those two... I can't tell whether we're lucky or unlucky."

"But anyway, third place should be mine."

The two rivals stared at each other, sparks practically flying between them.

Nagano Nami burst out laughing.

"You're both wrong. Didn't someone say during the exam that he could make the top three?"

He went on sarcastically,

"Third place has to be our class genius, Obito Uchiha."

Meanwhile,

Shikaba eased back into his seat.

Kisuke continued reading.

"Third place... Obito Uchiha."

Top Student A: "???"

Top Student B: "??!"

Nagano Nami: "?!!"

And they weren't alone.

Everyone wondered if they had heard correctly.

Holy crap, Obito actually made the top three?!

Obito smiled but didn't get up to collect his paper.

Instead, he waggled his eyebrows smugly at Nagano Nami.

Kisuke was speechless.

"Obito, I called your name. Didn't you hear me?"

Obito stood up with a grin.

"I heard you, sir. I was just worried my classmates hadn't."

Kisuke: "...Get over here!"

Under the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes of his classmates,

Obito cheerfully collected his paper.

A notification that his choice was complete also appeared in his mind.

[Choice successful! Reward: Fire Release aptitude +5!]

"Fourth place, Top Student A."

"Fifth place, Top Student B."

"..."

After announcing everyone's results, Kisuke began assigning holiday homework.

Obito didn't listen to a word of it.

Homework?

What homework?

I, Earth Boy, didn't do homework even when I came last.

Now that I'm in the top three, I definitely don't need to do it!

Kisuke went on for another half hour before finally stopping, though he looked as if he could have kept talking.

"All right. Have a wonderful break, everyone. See you next term."

Once Kisuke left the classroom,

the kids let loose completely.

School was out!

In the classroom,

friends had already gathered in little groups.

They were discussing what they would do over the break.

As for homework...

Who would touch that stuff before school was about to start again?

Just as Rin was about to congratulate Obito,

a girl subtly squeezed her aside.

She sidled up to Obito and spoke in an affectedly sweet voice.

"Obito, I never thought you'd do so well."

"There are a few questions I don't understand. Could you explain them to me later?"

Obito glared at her.

"Kisuke-sensei was right here, but you didn't ask him. Now that he's gone, you're asking me? Are you trying to make things difficult for me?"

"I'm busy. Ask Kakashi."

The girl left, grinding her teeth.

I hate these dense boys!

"Pfft."

Rin couldn't help laughing beside him.

Just then,

someone Obito hadn't expected walked over with his hands behind his head.

"Well, you did pretty well. Congratulations. I really underestimated you before."

Shikaba?

Obito was a little surprised.

He and Shikaba had barely spoken before.

He hadn't expected Shikaba to come over and talk to him.

"Thanks, Shikaba," Obito said.

Shikaba nodded slightly and sighed to himself.

He thought his life was lonely and rather pitiful.

Normally,

a boy from the Nara Clan would have two companions.

One from the Yamanaka Clan, and one from the Akimichi family.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

But that was where the problem lay.

That year,

his parents had decided to have a second child.

The other two families... hadn't!

Over the years, he had tried letting friendships happen naturally.

But geniuses were lonely by nature, and he had no interest in befriending ordinary people.

He had tried befriending Kakashi... and failed.

No one else in the class interested him.

Until now.

He had found another intriguing prospect—Obito.

Shikaba brought his face close to Obito's and studied him intently.

"Come to think of it, you've seemed like a different person lately... You are the same Obito as before, aren't you?"

Obito's heart tightened.

Holy crap, are pineapple heads all this terrifying?

Seeing Obito's expression turn a little unnatural,

Shikaba scratched his head and said,

"I'm joking. Don't take it seriously."

The mood between them grew a little awkward.

During the brief silence,

a sweet voice rang out.

"Obito-kun, Shikaba, and Kurenai, what are your plans for the break?"

All three turned their heads.

The same thought flashed through their minds.

Who is that?

Do we know her?