Nai Hyuga

As expected, the lesson really was about how to serve others.

Yui grew so drowsy listening that she simply began molding chakra instead.

After all, improving her strength was her top priority right now.

While the maid was still teaching, a girl suddenly walked into the classroom.

The maid paused briefly. Was that Lady Nai?

She wasn't sure until the girl came closer. Only then did she confirm that it was indeed Lady Nai.

But the girl paid her no attention and walked straight toward the seats in the back.

Though puzzled, the maid resumed her lesson.

Many of the girls were also nodding off because they couldn't follow the lesson, but she left them alone.

She was only teaching theory today. In a few days, someone would give them hands-on instruction in other matters.

Nai Hyuga sat beside Yui and studied her appearance intently.

The seats were so cramped that her face almost pressed against Yui's.

The girl before her rested her chin in her hand, her eyes tightly shut. Judging by her face alone, she would grow into a beauty.

Unfortunately, her white skin spoiled that beauty.

But on closer inspection, her white skin didn't seem so frightening anymore.

Not a single pore was visible on her face. Her skin was smooth and delicate.

"So beautiful..." she murmured in a daze.

At that moment, Nai Hyuga's opinion of Yui's appearance changed completely.

While Nai Hyuga was still lost in thought, Yui suddenly opened her eyes.

As Yui settled down to mold chakra, she suddenly felt a steady stream of warm breath against her ear.

It kept drawing closer, gradually moving from her ear to her cheek and making her skin tickle.

Puzzled, she opened her eyes, only to be startled by the girl in front of her.

"W-what... are you doing...?"

Yui gave her a strange look.

Nai Hyuga smiled awkwardly at her words.

"My name is Nai Hyuga. Do you remember me?"

After speaking, her expression turned serious.

Nai Hyuga? Who was that? Did she know her? Yui looked her over a few times before finally remembering.

"You're the kid who controlled my Cursed Seal that day..."

"About that day, thank..."

Yui was about to thank her for showing mercy.

But Nai Hyuga spoke before she could.

"I'm sorry. I came today to apologize. I was too harsh with you that day, and I hope you can forgive me," she said apologetically.

Yui's eye twitched. It seemed Nai had misunderstood her.

"Ahem..."

She coughed a few times before explaining.

"No, no, no. I was only pretending when I screamed in pain that day," Yui said sheepishly. "I'm actually the one who should be thanking you."

Nai Hyuga froze for a moment before asking incredulously, "You really were pretending?"

Yui nodded.

"That's wonderful, then. As long as you weren't hurting," Nai Hyuga said with a smile.

What an innocent little girl.

Yui marveled inwardly.

"My name is Yui Hyuga. Nice to meet you." Coming back to her senses, Yui introduced herself properly.

"Mm-hmm, nice to meet you. Let's be friends."

"Friends?" Yui asked in confusion. "You're from the Main Family, and I'm from the branch family. How could we possibly be friends?"

Yui gave a helpless, bitter smile. She was already a member of the branch family now. Strictly speaking, she even had to address Nai as "my lady."

Hearing Yui's reluctant words, Nai Hyuga hastily shook her head.

"No, no. I don't make any distinction between the Main Family and the branch family."

"I've never liked how the clan divides people into the Main Family and the branch family."

"Other people don't get to decide who we want to be friends with, do they?"

Yui was a little stunned. A six-year-old girl had such insight.

She'd seen through the clan so early. How rare...

Perhaps they really could become friends. Besides, Nai's status in the Main Family could make things easier for her.

With that thought, she agreed.

"All right, then. We'll be friends from now on."

Nai Hyuga's face lit up with delight.

"Yay! I finally have a friend!"

"Finally?" Yui asked in confusion. "Am I your only friend?"

"Why don't you make friends with the other members of the Main Family?"

"We don't share the same ideals..." Nai Hyuga explained.

"Ideals?" Yui asked. "And you think mine are the same as yours?"

"My ideal is to change the entire clan. Then there won't be a Main Family or a branch family anymore. We'll all be one family," Nai Hyuga said seriously.

"Though I don't know whether your ideals are the same as mine."

"But when you were branded with the Caged Bird Seal..."

"I saw defiance in your eyes, and a refusal to accept your fate."

"Those two things alone were enough to convince me that you must have similar thoughts."

"Even if it isn't for the clan, it's for yourself, isn't it? You want to remove the Caged Bird Seal, right?"

Those words sent a chill through Yui's heart, and beads of cold sweat broke out across her back.

This little girl was frightening. Could she see through people's thoughts just by observing them?

"Of course. Who would want a Sword of Damocles hanging over their head?"

After thinking it over, she openly admitted it.

"A Sword of Damocles? What's that?" Nai Hyuga asked in confusion.

"Children wouldn't understand," Yui said.

"Hmph, aren't you a child too?" Nai Hyuga said with a pout.

Yui had nothing to say to that. After all, she wasn't truly a child.

"By the way, were you molding chakra just now?"

Molding chakra? She'd noticed that too?

Yui nodded.

"Yes, I was molding chakra just now."

"But I only managed a little."

"Of course. You're doing it all wrong," Nai Hyuga replied, spreading her hands.

"Wrong?" Yui asked, puzzled.

She had followed the method in her memories exactly. How could it be wrong?

"Yes. You can still mold chakra successfully, but that method is wrong."

"Would you like me to teach you?"

Nai Hyuga asked in a low voice.

Yui thought it over, then nodded in agreement.

"All right. Come wait for me at the Training Ground tonight."

With that, she vanished from where she stood.

The Body Flicker Technique?

Yui stared blankly in the direction Nai had disappeared.

Looks like she's a genius!

But why hadn't she appeared in the original story?